Hello, everyone! Today, I have an awesome guest post brought to us by Brad Krause at http://selfcaring.info
Hope you enjoy!
EASY, AFFORDABLE WAYS TO BRING MORE SELF-CARE TO YOUR DAY:
.We all know that self-care is crucial to a healthy, balanced life. Taking care of yourself can boost your mental, emotional, and physical health. According to Good Therapy, people who “adequately meet their needs are often able to better cope with everyday stressors.” In addition to boosting resiliency, self-care also reduces stress, fatigue, depression, and anxiety.
Of course, it can sometimes be tricky squeezing “me” time into your day along with all your other responsibilities. That’s especially true if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a massage or a fancy day spa.
Luckily, caring for yourself doesn’t have to be tedious or expensive. You can prioritize your needs without spending a dime or even leaving your house.
The following self-care tips can help improve your mental health on any budget.
Get Enough Shut-eye
When you think about self-care, what comes to mind? An exotic vacation? A trip to an extravagant day spa? Perhaps even a luxurious yoga retreat? Believe it or not, taking care of yourself starts in the comfort of your own home. One convenient, cost-effective way to start prioritizing your needs is by getting enough sleep.
Sleep keeps your heart, immune system, and mind healthy. According to Very Well Health, it boosts your memory, reduces inflammation, and may even prevent certain cancers. If you’re prone to late-night anxiety, insomnia, or have difficulty falling asleep, there are some things you can do. First, try going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day. Consistency helps regulate your body’s natural circadian rhythm. To help kickstart the process, you could also take natural supplements like CBD oil or melatonin, both of which can help you fall asleep.
You could also turn your bedroom into a relaxing haven. To help get some shut-eye, paint the walls a soothing shade like green or blue. Next, purchase a few sleep-friendly products like comfortable bedding, memory foam pillows, or even a white noise machine. Look to stores like Macy’s or Bed, Bath & Beyond for great deals on quality linens, and don’t forget to scout around for coupon codes or discounts to help stretch your dollars.
Physical Activity
Like sleep, fitness is crucial to self-care. In addition to making you feel more self-confident about your body, exercise can improve your mood, reduce stress, and ease anxiety. You don’t have to purchase an expensive gym membership to get more physical activity. Instead, invest in some at-home fitness gear like exercise balls, yoga blocks and straps, and a supportive fitness mat.
Of course, if you’re the type of person who enjoys working out with other people, then you might benefit from splurging a little on a monthly gym membership. Of course, if you’re a senior who has a Medicare Advantage plan through a company like Humana, you don’t have to worry about this added expense. Many Medicare Advantage plans, Humana’s included, allow seniors to take part in the SilverSneakers program, which provides zero-cost gym benefits at different fitness centers around the United States. This is a good way for older adults to keep in shape and stay socially active, both of which are incredibly important as we get older.
Make Time for YOU
Getting some alone time is arguably the least expensive and most essential tip of all. Prioritize your needs by maintaining healthy boundaries. It’s okay to decline additional responsibilities to make more time for yourself. Reducing stress not only keeps you healthier and happier, but it also makes you better equipped to help others. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Use that extra time to rest and relax, even if only for a few minutes. Diffuse essential oils like lavender, or light incense or sage. Meanwhile, listen to some relaxing music. Purchase a meditative CD or search for playlists on Amazon, Spotify, or YouTube. If you’re stuck in rush hour traffic, satellite radio stations offer peaceful, commercial-free channels like Sirius XM’s Spa channel (channel 68) or Yoga music channel (channel 1092).
Getting enough self-care each day doesn’t have to be hard. Many overlooked practices, like the ones mentioned above, are easy and cost-effective to implement in your daily routine. Simply taking time for a few deep breaths, going for a walk in nature, or stopping to smell the flowers won’t cost you a dime. These daily self-care practices will leave you feeling refreshed and mentally ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
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