Self-care is essential during times of crisis like the current coronavirus pandemic. Left unchecked, feeling of worry, stress, and loneliness can spiral into serious mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Take charge of your mental well-being by finding ways to stay happy and healthy while you’re stuck inside, whatever your budget. Here are some great self-care ideas that won’t break the bank!

Save on Retail Therapy

According to Psychology Today, retail therapy—in moderation—can provide relaxation, escape, and relief during difficult periods in your life. Buying new clothing, in particular, can be a great way to boost your confidence and creativity. Whether you've been hoping to get a sustainable bra or a cute blouse, consider indulging in a little retail therapy so you have some new pieces to wear when the pandemic ends. While you may not be able to go to the mall right now, you can still shop online, and you can even save big on your purchases! 

Exercise at Home

Regular exercise is a key component of any self-care strategy. Fortunately, you don’t need a pricey gym membership to enjoy the benefits of a good workout. Embrace at-home exercise with the help of free fitness blogs and YouTube videos. If you don’t have any workout equipment at home, stick to bodyweight circuit training and cardio workouts instead of purchasing expensive new stuff. You can even use items from around your home to enhance your workouts. For example, Prevention recommends using everyday objects like a gallon jug full of water or a flower pot full of rocks to enhance your bodyweight training.

Drink More Water

It’s important to drink plenty of water during and after exercise, but you may also want to increase your water intake during the rest of the day. Studies show that up to 80 percent of Americans don’t drink enough water! Even mild levels of dehydration can cause fatigue, trouble focusing, and moodiness. If you have trouble drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, consider buying a cheap water bottle to carry around with you. You can also use free apps to monitor and track your water consumption!

Declutter Your Space

Decluttering is another little-known form of self-care that can have some surprising mental benefits, especially when it comes to eliminating “bad energy” in your home. Removing clutter from your home can help you feel more relaxed and in control, especially while you’re stuck inside. Decluttering will also help improve your productivity—which is essential if you’re working from home right now. If you’re ready to free some space in your home, start small and tackle one area at a time. You could even make some money selling your stuff online!

Try Meditation

When you need a break, meditation can be a great way to quiet your mind and regain some mental energy. Practicing meditation on a regular basis can even help you reprogram your mind to reverse negative thinking patterns and better cope during times of crisis. While there are plenty of meditation apps and services for sale online, you don’t really need to spend anything to enjoy the benefits of meditation. If you want to give it a try, research some common meditation techniques and get started for free! If you could use some guidance to stop your mind from wandering during your meditation sessions, play calming music, or look up guided meditations on YouTube.

Many people think that self-care means pampering yourself with expensive trips to the spa and splurging on pricey skincare products. However, self-care is anything you do to take care of your mental and physical health! In truth, you don’t need to spend a ton of money to practice self-care. What other things can you do at home to support your whole-body health on a budget?