Body
Balancing your finances can be stressful, and the aim of self-care is to reduce stress.
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive; we have some affordable suggestions on how to look after yourself without hurting your budget.
You could try:
- Yoga or gym session instructional videos — there are loads online, including on YouTube. They are free and you can do them without leaving the house.
- If you regularly drink coffee, the costs can add up. Using a percolator or coffee bags end up being much cheaper per cup. This also saves you going to a cafe during your breaks, giving you more time for activities such as walking or sitting in a park.
- Invest in an all-in-one cooking appliance and make your food in bulk — convenience foods are expensive and usually full of nasties. While this can feel like a big one-off expense, over time it can really save you time and money.
- Try a free meditation or relaxation app — you can engage in self-care with these anywhere and anytime for nothing!
- Feel like a spa experience without leaving the house? Try making your own scrub and facial. There are loads of recipes online which can be made with the contents of your fridge/pantry.
- Read a book. We know the costs of books can add up, or perhaps you struggle to relax enough to read. Try visiting the library as the books are free and the environment is quiet, calm and relaxing. You can even join a library virtually using apps like Libby.
- Take a nap or go to bed early. You can make this even more relaxing by changing your sheets and washing them with a few drops of essential oils.
- Make your own eye pillow — everyone has odd socks — turn them into an eye pillow by filling it with barley and a few drops of essential oils, then tie a knot in the end. You can heat them in the microwave (just make sure you wash the socks before filling them first).
We hope you like these ideas and that they inspire you to enjoy self-care without breaking the bank. Remember, these are just some tips to get you started. We encourage you to brainstorm ideas you think would work for you.
We would love to hear your ideas; you can share them with us on Facebook, Twitter or through our contact us page.
If you would like to speak to someone about self-care options that would work for you, or any other topic, call 1800 377 700 or you can request support via email.