Self-Care Myths and How to Beat Them- Part One

Over on my Instagram a few weeks ago, I posted a little bit about my self-care routine and asked others to share theirs (if they had one). I was looking forward to getting some extra inspiration and fun new ideas I could try. However, that wasn't what happened.

62% of people polled said they didn't have anything they do consistently to take care of themselves.

What? Nothing? I was surprised. But the more I really thought about it, I can see why that number could be so high. There are a number of factors that play into why self-care routines aren't something that most people do. The top three that I found are that people think it's too expensive, people think they don't have time, and people don't want to appear selfish by engaging in self-care. Over the next few posts, I will be sharing ways to combat all of these myths to make self-care accessible for all!

I get it. I pinch pennies more tightly than Ebeneezer Scrooge. My budget is pretty strict, and a majority of my funds go to household expenses and taking care of my family. But that doesn't mean that self-care has to be cut out. There are dozens of ways to have a self-care routine that takes little to no money out of the budget. Here are my personal top three...

Self-Care Habit #1: At-home Pedicure
Supplies Needed: exfoliating scrub, lotion, nail polish
Price Range: Free to $15

I LOVE getting my toes done. Especially during the summer. I enjoy picking a fun, bright color to show off when I wear my flip-flops. But pedicures can range from $30-$60, and that's more money than I can spend each month. I can get the same results at home for a fraction of the cost. A foot scrub, lotion, and polish can all be purchased for around $15, and that's if you don't already have them on hand! I scrub, lotion, and polish while taking about thirty minutes just for myself after my daughter goes to bed or sometimes we'll do it together on a Saturday. It's a great way to just relax and feel pampered without spending a dime!

Self-Care Habit #2: YouTube Yoga Supplies Needed: iPad/tablet/laptop, yoga mat (optional) Cost: Free to $10 Ok, don't stress out over seeing the word YOGA. I'm probably the least flexible person you'll meet. But I love doing yoga. The focus of yoga is breathing and self-reflection- not trying to create the perfect "instagram-worthy" pose. It centers me and relaxes me, and that's EXACTLY what self-care should do. But there are no yoga studios close to my house, and even if there were, classes can get expensive. Luckily, there are some amazing Yoga Instruction videos on YouTube. My favorite by far is Yoga with Adriene. She has videos for beginners through more advanced. There are also videos specifically for focus and stress relief. I do these videos in the comfort of my own home without any special equipment and without spending any money.

https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

Self-Care Habit #3: Curl up with a Good Book Supplies Needed: Your current read- cup of coffee (or glass of wine) and snuggley blanket optional Cost: Free (if you have your library card!) Reading is such a relaxing experience for me. The smell of the pages, the sound they make as I turn them, getting lost in a good story... One of the first things I did when we moved to our current location was get my library card so I could start checking books out of our local library. It costs nothing, I can keep a book for two weeks and then take it back and get another one. I love reading books I can hold in my hand, but if digital or audio books are your jam, you can still get those for free with your library card using the Overdrive app. You sign up with your library card and instantly gain access to thousands of books, audio books, and videos. Either way you want to, you can read any book you choose for free and escape into the pages of a story at the end of a stressful day.

       

Any more ideas for ways to beat the myth that self-care is too expensive? Drop them in the comments! Click here to find ways to beat the second myth about self-care.

Thanks for reading!