Amplify Your Self-Care Routine Without Overriding Your Budget

Naturally, you want to look good and feel good, but you also don’t want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars each year to do so. Fortunately for you, some of the best ways you can care for yourself don’t cost a dime. What’s more, you also don’t have to buy into expensive health and beauty trends to reap the rewards of self-care. Being the best version of yourself is largely achieved by simply changing your habits.

Sleep Well

If you are one who thinks you can survive off of five hours of sleep each night or less, think again. While you might feel okay during the day, a lack of sleep makes you a target for things like heart disease and diabetes. The UK’s NHS explains that around eight hours of sleep is just about right. Anything less than this for multiple nights in a row can put you in a mental fog and have you scrambling to cover up the dark circles underneath your eyes. 

Check Your Skin and Hair

When your appearance is your primary concern, pay close attention to how you treat your skin. As the largest organ in — and on — your body, your skin is a big part of who you are. So, make a point to moisturize every day, and be careful in your makeup choices. SkinVision asserts that your skincare products should be catered to your skin type. You should also choose items that are made with natural ingredients and that won’t irritate your skin when applied. Lip balm, for example, should contain things like coconut oil and shea butter, which have both moisturizing and protective properties that keep skin healthy. Pay attention to the health of your hair as well by strengthening it with some extra protein. Keratin treatments can fortify your hair and give it more shine and less frizz. Salon treatments can be very expensive, but home treatments are surprisingly affordable.  

Try Something New

Your daily habits can slow down or speed up the aging process, both inside and out. If you find that your routine makes you look and feel tired or run down, don’t be afraid to try something new. Achy feet, for example, might benefit from a foot massager, new makeup can brighten your eyes, and even something as simple as a bottle of perfume can boost your confidence. However, before you go out and spend a ton of money on new beauty and personal care products, check for great deals at stores like Walgreens. You can save extra by finding Walgreens coupons and cashback offers online. You’ll also want to look for reviews on products before you buy them.

Let Go of Stress

Stress is the way the body reacts to challenges and changes, and while feeling a bit of internal turmoil isn’t necessarily a bad thing, chronic stress is. The US Office On Women’s Health explains that stress can affect your immune system, trigger anxiety and depression, lead to gastrointestinal problems, and even guide you straight down a path toward obesity and infertility. So, instead of letting the weight of the world pile up on your shoulders, learn how to deal with stress in the moment. For instance, this might be by meditating or simply learning how to say “no” to taking on added responsibilities that take away from your family and personal time. You do not have to invest in self-help videos or take a yoga retreat to remove stress from your life, you just have to be willing to alter your mindset and habits.

Eat and Exercise

No list of self-care methods would be complete without mentioning diet and exercise. Fortunately, eating well is probably nowhere near as expensive as you think; things like beans, chicken, and lettuce are extremely healthy. If you are super conscious of your grocery budget, there are even services like Imperfect Foods that reduce food waste while lowering your grocery bills by up to 30 percent by utilizing produce, meats, and staples that might otherwise get trashed. As far as exercise goes, shoot for about 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Regular exercise, combined with eating well, can lower your blood pressure, reduce body fat, and keep your bones and muscles in top shape.

There you have it. From getting enough sleep to buying the right foods, taking good care of yourself doesn’t have to mean spending every last dime on your self-care regimen. A few simple changes to your daily habits may be all you need to live your very best life each and every day.