13 Cheap or Free Self Care Ideas
It's important to take the time for yourself. Read on to find out some affordable self care ideas that you are sure to love.
What are self care activities?
According to the National Library of Medicine, self care activities are those which aim to “achieve, maintain, or promote optimal health and well-being.”
There are three main types of self care activities that can categorised as follows:
- Physical self care: Staying hydrated, moving your body or getting enough sleep.
- Emotional self-care: Catching up with a friend, doing something you love, or learning a new skill.
- Psychological/spiritual self care: Meditating, journaling, or praying.
13 Ideas for Self Care Activities
- Journaling
This is a great psychological self care activity for when your mind feels noisy. Journaling has been known to reduce feelings of overwhelm, prevent burnout, and boost mood.
All you need is a journal, a pen, and a spare 5 minutes during your morning, evening, or even lunch break. If you’re just starting then you might find using daily journal prompts helpful.
If you’re on a tight budget, don’t miss our article on where to find the best budget stationery, as well as our discount codes for Waterstones, WH Smith, and Papier.
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When you click through our Waterstones, WH Smith, or Papier discount code pages, we may make a small commission if you purchase from their websites. Learn more about how we make money.
- Meditation
Meditation is another psychological self care activity that can have incredible effects. From helping manage stress, and increasing focus and self-awareness, to lowering your heart rate, improving mental clarity, and more, it is one of the best, free self care activities out there.
If you’re wondering how to meditate, find a safe place where you can sit comfortably, close your eyes, and breathe. Try using a guided meditation or even sleep meditation using an app like Headspace or a free platform like YouTube.
- Pamper Night
Pamper night ideas like using essential oils, putting on a sheet mask, or having a bubble bath are all fantastic self care activities for both your physical and mental wellbeing.
You’d be surprised how much a little pamper night can be needed after a long day. So, put your feet up, and spoil yourself for less with one of our health and beauty discount codes, and take a look at our articles on how to spoil yourself for less:
- At-Home Pamper Nights on a Budget
- Beauty on a Budget
- The Best Beauty Loyalty Schemes
- Male Grooming on a Budget
- Skincare on a Budget
- How to Save Money on Haircare
Disclaimer
Please note that if you click through our health & beauty discount code pages, we may make a small commission if you go on to purchase from their websites.
- Listen to a Podcast
From true crime stories and parenting advice to book reviews, daily doses of mindfulness, and unfiltered celebrity interviews, podcasts are fab. You can learn about new topics that excite you, pick up on handy tips and tricks, and even reduce your screen time while you do making them a fantastic self care activity for your emotional well-being.
So, if you’re wondering how to listen to podcasts, there are several places where you can access free popular podcasts listed below:
- Spotify
- Google Podcasts
- Amazon Music
- Apple Podcasts
- YouTube
- Audible
- Enjoy a Walk
There are so many benefits to walking - not only is it a low-impact workout, but it can improve sleep, help you discover new places, and even reduce the risk of some health issues making it a great self care activity for your physical well-being.
Make sure you get the most out of your nature walks with some of our handy tips:
- Check out our article on the best UK walking spots.
- Carry a personal alarm and/or share your live location with people you trust when walking by yourself.
- Download the free All Trails App to discover new walking routes local to you. Each route has a difficulty rating, trail length, reviews from other like-minded people, and the ability to track your walk live on maps so you don’t get lost.
- Take a journal with you and have a go at journaling outside while you enjoy the fresh air for a fun self care activity.
- Eat a Nutrient-Rich Meal
Help keep your physical health in tip-top shape by eating nutrient-rich foods. Nourishing your body with food that is good for the gut is an important self care activity that all of us should aim to do more of. Doing this can help boost your immune system, give you more energy, and even help prevent serious health conditions later on in life.
So, before you do your next food shop, remember that food is fuel, and be sure to check out our supermarket offers & grocery voucher codes so you can eat well for less.
Disclaimer
Note that if you click through our supermarket & grocery discount code pages, we may make a small commission if you go on to purchase from their websites.
- Connect with Others
Whether you’ve got friends who you’ve not seen in a while, or you’re due a catch-up with a family member, get in touch and get something in the calendar. If you’re on a strict budget, opt for a walk so you can connect without spending a penny. Chatting with loved ones can be good for the soul, making it the perfect self care idea.
- Organise and Declutter
Have you ever heard the saying ‘tidy space, tidy mind’? Well, it’s true, so if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed or burnt out, try organising your space. You’d be surprised how much decluttering can improve your mental well-being.
What’s more, it’s completely free to do, and you never know, you might just be sitting on a gold mine of things you can sell second-hand. If you don’t know where to start, we’ve got three articles dedicated to organising listed below:
- Gentle Movement
Whether you prefer to do workouts at home, or head to the gym to move your body, it can do wonders for both your physical and emotional well-being meaning it’s a fantastic idea for self care.
The best part is, whatever way you choose to exercise, you’ll get that major endorphin boost as well as improved strength and endurance, so just do what makes you happy.
If money is a concern, we have a dedicated page for sports & fitness discount codes as well as a whole host of articles covering different ways to save on your fitness journey:
- How to Save on Gym Memberships
- Affordable Ways to Workout
- How to Save on your Fitness Journey
- 7 Best Workout Apps for Your Fitness Goals
Disclaimer
Just a heads up, if you click through our sports & fitness discount codes, we may make a small commission if you purchase from our sports & fitness retailer websites.
- Learn a New Skill
Learning a new skill can be fantastic if you’re lacking motivation, feeling bored in your day-to-day life, or looking for ways to boost your confidence and overall happiness. What’s more, you don’t have to fork out a load of money to do it, so it’s great for those looking for self care ideas on a budget.
Whether you’re learning a new language, how to scrapbook, or the art of gardening, we’ve got a variety of helpful articles so you can do it without it costing a fortune:
- Art Materials on a Budget
- How to Bullet Journal and Save Money
- Garden Plants That Look Nice All Year Round
- Resources for Learning New Hobbies
- Create a Night Routine
Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of any self care routine which can be easily forgotten. A poor night’s sleep can wreak havoc on your mental and physical well-being, including an increased risk of depression as well as a whole host of other health concerns.
So, if you struggle to wind down, it might be time to think about creating a bedtime routine. This can include switching your phone off an hour before bed, establishing a skincare routine, reading a book, or taking part in sleep meditation.
We have a fantastic variety of health and beauty discount codes to help you save money on whatever you need to help you relax at the end of the day.
If it’s time for a mattress upgrade, don’t miss our best mattress discounts from retailers including Dreams, Bensons for Beds, Tempur, Emma Mattress, and more, as well as a handy article on How to Buy a Mattress for Your Budget.
Disclaimer
When you click through our health & beauty discount code pages or any of our mattress retailer discount codes, we may make a small commission if you go on to purchase from their websites.
- Listen to Music
Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be all have to be about winding down - sometimes when you’re feeling low, there’s nothing quite like having a singalong to your favourite music. Make a playlist of all the songs that lift your mood, and dance like nobody’s watching.
Whatever your preferred music streaming app, ensure you check out our best tips to save on music streaming services.
- Read a Book
Get in your comfies, light some candles, and quiet the mind with a good book. Whatever your preferred genre, it’s important to make time for self care activities that bring you joy. If you’ve got a busy schedule, try swapping out your screen time for reading every so often.
Save money while you do with one of our discount codes for Waterstones, WH Smith, and The Works, and don’t miss our range of articles for bookworms:
Disclaimer
After you click through our Waterstones, WH Smith or The Works discount code pages, we may make a small commission if you go on to purchase from their websites.
How do I create a self care routine?
You don’t need to spend hours on self care activities to reap the benefits. Not only can this be hard to maintain, but it’s simply not realistic for those with a busy schedule.
According to Utah State University, “The reality is you may only have a 10-15 minute slot open in your day. Filling that time with something small and simple is more helpful and meaningful to your self care routine than something that takes several hours.”
So, when it comes to creating a self care routine, aim to start small. You might find you naturally develop a routine from activities you enjoy the most and that don’t require too much of a sacrifice when it comes to your time or money.
Self Care Ideas FAQs
How do I know which self care activities are right for me?
The best way to work out which self care activities work best for you, your budget, and your lifestyle is to try them out. You’ll soon figure out which ones work well, and which ones do not.
Can I implement these self care ideas into my busy schedule?
Yes. As mentioned above, you only need a spare 5 - 10 minutes from your day to dedicate time for a self care activity. Try waking up slightly earlier or utilising your lunch break to spend some time on yourself.
How can I incorporate these self care ideas into my daily routine?
Be realistic about what self care activities will fit easily into your current daily routine as well as to what extent you do them, to set yourself up for success. You’re unlikely to maintain writing five pages in your journal every single day, but just a sentence or two a day is easily done each morning or before bed.
How can I adapt these self care activities to fit my specific budget?
If you’re on a tight budget, opt for self care activities that do not require any purchases. Some examples include going for a walk, meditating, talking to a friend, and getting a good night’s sleep.
I’m Layla, the home and garden editor, and I started working at MyVoucherCodes in November 2022. I have always loved to write, especially after getting my degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and since getting my own place, I’ve gotten stuck into all things home and garden.
When I’m not writing about saving money on homely purchases, I’m either sitting with my head in a new book, painting a piece of art for my walls, or binge-watching an interior design programme on Netflix. I love to get inspiration and transform my space, usually with the help of a few Pinterest boards and a couple of tins of paint.