We all want to feel joyful and healthy, in a stressful world, it can be hard to take a step back. Developing a self-care routine can help you to honor your health, feel calmer, and deal with the challenges of life.
Creating the perfect self-care regime doesn’t need to be expensive. To give you some fabulous starting points, try these free resources and ideas.
Free Self-Care Ideas
1. Read your favourite book
Reading is a fantastic self-care practice. Getting lost in a good book is an excellent way to relax and unwind. Studies show that reading has a positive effect on mental health, for both children and adults. There are so many ways to find joy in inexpensive everyday objects, whether it’s books, essential oils, or cozy blankets. With a little imagination, you’ll soon turn your home into a haven of self-care.
If you find it hard to motivate yourself, consider joining a book club. Clubs like these are a great way to meet new people and discover new authors. To find a book club in your area, check out the Meetup website.
2. Dance to a happy tune
Exercise boosts our endorphin levels, and dancing is plenty of fun. You only need five minutes to spare, and you’ll feel much better for it! If you’re keen to improve your dance skills, check out the iDance app, where you can learn lots of cool dance styles, whether it’s Samba, Disco, Bollywood, or Hip Hop.
3. Take a walk in the forest
Getting out in the natural world is one of the best ways to improve your mental health, and it doesn’t cost a thing. Take a walk in the forest, and ensure that you take your time. Experience the sights, and sounds, pause to reflect on your breath and your mood. Look out for wildlife, pause to watch the river, and observe the different types of trees.
Whether it’s gardening or wild swimming, being amongst nature can help us to relax and feel calm. There are lots of ways you can experience the natural world, from joining a hiking group to attending a foraging workshop.
4. Write expressions of gratitude
Expressing gratitude is an amazing way to reflect, improve your mood, and appreciate things. When we express gratitude often, this helps us to feel more positive overall. Start off by getting yourself a journal and a high quality pen, use your journal to write down the things that you feel grateful for. You don’t need to write lots each day, just one or two sentences is enough.
15. Buy yourself a gift
Take it back to basics and treat yourself to something nice! You might like a lush-smelling candle, a piece of art, or a pair of new shoes? Choose something that helps you to experience joy or an object that helps you to practice self-care. Indulging in beautiful things is a great way to lift your spirits.
Free Self- Care Resources
1 . Gentler: A Self-Care Podcast
This podcast was created by young professional and grad student Maya Fleming. Throughout each episode Maya shares her self-care techniques, to support her listeners. Whether you’re a stressed-out student, an overworked professional, or a run-down mother, Maya has got plenty of tips to get you feeling great.
Recent podcast episodes have focused on themes like ‘peaceful productivity’, ‘imposter syndrome, and ‘self-care at work’. With the help of this insightful resource, you’ll find lots of practical ways to support your self-care regime. Gentler: A Self-Care podcast offers a no-nonsense and creative approach to self-care.
2. The Self-Care Edit Podcast
The Self-Care Edit focuses on self-care practices such as Ayurveda and yoga. Here you’ll find an uplifting and authentic approach to self-care. There are plenty of areas to explore including, ‘ The Ayurvedic Way To Eat For Health’, ‘Find Out Your Why’, and ‘Taking Back Time’.
Here you’ll learn how to ‘detox your relationships, and how to meditate before you go to bed. Throughout these episodes, you’ll receive an in-depth insight into the world of Ayurveda and self-care.
3. This Podcast Is Self Care
Comedians Drew Spears & Cait Raft know that modern life can be exhausting, throughout this podcast, you’ll get plenty of strategies to help you stay sane. During every episode you’ll host a report on a new self-care method, giving you the low-down. From reiki to visualizations, pets, and skin regimes, Cait and Drew have all the self-care tips.
Don’t miss the episode with Olivia Snow Norman, Oliva shares her love of ceramics, from glasses to the wheel and clays. You’ll certainly be inspired to add pottery to your self-care regime. This Podcast Is Self Care is a fabulous motivational tool.
4. Self Care Gang
Self-Care Gang is brought to you by well-being advocates Desi and Devyn, the show covers a range of topics from current events to wellness and mental health. The Self Care Gang aims to make well-being and mental health education more understandable and more relatable.
The podcast explores plenty of interesting areas, from choosing the right therapist to toxic positivity, attachment styles, and insecurity. Devyn and Desi ensure that self-care is accessible for all, exploring all topics with honesty.
5. Self Care Is Sexy
Looking for some practical and unique self-care ideas, Kris has plenty of tips to help you on your journey. Many of us find it hard to make time for self-care, we need activities that we can realistically fit into our everyday lives. Self Care Is Sexy, has plenty of actionable ideas that are perfect for busy people.
During these episodes you’ll explore ‘Self Care Assessment Questions’, and ‘10 Free Easy Ways To Love Yourself More.’ This podcast will help you to reevaluate your current self-care regime, and accept that it’s okay to ask for help.
6. Fabulous
Fabulous is a self-care app, designed to help you live a happier and healthier lifestyle. Users can enjoy one free week and then upgrade to a paid version if they enjoy the app. Fabulous can help you to develop healthier habits, improve your sleep, boost your energy levels, and so much more. This app uses a holistic approach, seeking to raise your productivity levels. There are several benefits to using the Fabulous app:
- Meditation activities to calm anxiety.
- Strategies to manage stress.
- Develop better concentration & focus.
- Motivation to exercise.
- Self-care activities.
7. Sanvello
Sanvello is a ‘feel-better toolkit,’ designed to support users with anxiety, depression, or stress. The app includes coaching, therapy methods, mood tracking, and coping techniques. App users can create a customized journey, depending on their current needs. It’s easy to monitor your emotions, and see how you are progressing over time. The Sanvello app is based on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.
This application also includes a community, where you can talk to other people about self-care, depression and gratitude. There’s also a coaching tool where you can receive one-one coaching, to support your journey and progress.
8. My Possible Self
My Possible Self is a mental health app that’s based on CBT, the app offers a range of coping strategies to reduce stress and feel better. The app includes plenty of different features from insights and toolkits to audio exercises. There’s a journal where you can record your worries, and brainstorm solutions. Journaling is an amazing way to express your thoughts and feel grounded. The app also provides lots of motivational tips and messages.
9. Inner Hour
Inner Hour is the ultimate self-care app, here you’ll find the tools you need to boost your mental health, reduce stress and sleep better. If you need a ‘safe space for self-care’, Inner Hour can help. The app borrows concepts from mindfulness, positive psychology, and therapy. Here you’ll find 400+ self-care tools based on the leading therapy techniques. Inner Hour focuses on these key areas:
- Happiness: Ideas to help you get happier and become more positive.
- Anxiety: Plenty of techniques to help you feel more calm and collected.
- Sleep: Trouble sleeping? Inner Hour has plenty of techniques for healthy sleep.
- Depression: Brain training strategies to get through your downtimes.
10. The Mindfulness App
Meditation is one of the best practices for self-care and anxiety. The Mindfulness App has plenty of meditation techniques. These meditation exercises can help you to feel happier, more balanced, and less stressed out. With the right meditation exercises, you’ll get a better night’s sleep, and master the art of mindfulness. The app offers a range of courses and meditations, with ten language options to choose from.
There are several meditation practices to try including, silent meditations, guided meditations, soundtracks, nature sounds, and more. Meditation can be hard to grasp at first, which is why apps are particularly useful. Remember there’s no ‘right or wrong way’ of doing it. We all tend to experience meditation in different ways.
There are so many ways to take better care of your mind and body. When you take the time to reflect, it’s easier to figure out what you need. Using these ideas and resources you’ll create a structured routine to improve your overall health.
