Self-care could be just about anything that nourishes us personally: the things that we do that give us comfort, calm us down, and make us feel good inside out.
We started talking about the importance of self-care more and more these days. And I am convinced it’s all for good reason because in the busy life we often forget to fill our cup first. It’s also easy to forget that self-care doesn’t necessarily have to be a luxury, and it’s not only for the wealthy. That fancy yoga retreat on an exotic island in the Pacific and that 60$-a-pop massage treatment –– of course are beneficial for our wellbeing, sure, but for our bank balance? Not that much.
The good news is that we can practice self-care even when we are on a budget; here are eight ways to try out without breaking the bank that will help you nourish your body, mind, and soul.
1. Start a Gratitude Journal and Feel Thankful Everyday
“You can’t be grateful and angry simultaneously.” – Tony Robbins
Start a gratitude journal, make a list of all the great things that you are genuinely grateful to have in your life. Allow yourself to be flooded by the feelings of gratitude and joy; allow that warm feeling to permeate your body and mind.
You can do this while peacefully sipping on your morning coffee or tea, and it will not take too much time out of your day.
Keep these four things in mind when you are filling in your gratitude journal:
- Focus on relationships
- Focus on opportunities
- Focus on great events
- Focus on simple things – Tim Ferriss
2. Listen to Relaxing Music and Meditate
While listening to relaxing music, find a good position to sit comfortably focusing on your breathing.
Pay attention to the thoughts that come and go just like clouds would in the perfect blue sky.
Pay attention to your body sensations.
Give a go to a body scan meditation; you might be surprised just how little time you allow to asking various parts how they feel.
3. What’s Your Favourite Self-Help Book? Open it
Take a glance at your bookshelf. Are there any books that’s been sitting there for ages waiting for your laser-focused attention?
Look closely. Which book is ‘under the spotlight’ and peaks your interest at this point?
Go ahead, open your favorite inspiring, or motivational self-help book at hand and turn to a random page, any page; pick a paragraph or a quote by pure chance.
Read it out loud. How does it make you feel?
Read it out loud once again, really letting the meaning sink in.
4. Goal-Setting and Visualisation
Think of your goals for a moment. Think of your goals and dreams and write them out; then take your time to visualize them. Eyes closed and focused on your future –– not where you’ve been, but where you are heading next. That is something that will take only five minutes to do, but try to do it every day –– eyes closed, and focused on what you’re going to achieve in the short, medium, and long-term.
Focus on how you would feel as if you were already living out your dreams, and similarly to gratitude practice, let this excitement drive you, feel it in your body.