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Brown | Wellness

Wellness on a Budget: 5 Affordable Ways to Invest in Your Health

Diva Bhatia Student Contributor, Brown University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Brown chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

We all want to prioritize our health, but let’s be real—wellness can come with a hefty price tag. Yoga classes, green juices, and meditation retreats sound amazing until you check your bank account.

The good news? Investing in your wellness doesn’t have to mean spending your whole paycheck. There are creative, budget-friendly ways to feel great—mind, body, and soul—without going broke. Here are a few to get you started:

1. Host a Self-Care Swap Night

Think clothing swaps, but for self-care. Gather a group of friends and trade your favorite unused wellness items like candles, books, face masks, or tea blends. It’s the perfect way to diversify your wellness stash and spend time with your favorite people at the same time!

2. Try “Silent Mornings”

Instead of doom scrolling first thing in the morning, dedicate the first hour after waking up to total silence—no texts, no TikTok, no emails. You’ll be surprised how much peace this can bring without costing a cent.

3. Curate Your Own Mood-Boosting Playlist

Create a wellness playlist filled with songs that make you feel calm, empowered, or joyful. Play it while commuting, cleaning, or winding down before bed. Your life’s best moments need the perfect soundtrack.

4. Start a No-Pressure Journal

Instead of the typical gratitude or bullet journal, try something with no rules. Doodle, write song lyrics, list out random thoughts, or even paste in receipts or leaves you found on a walk; don’t restrict yourself. Creative freedom is therapeutic, and it’s a great way to check in with yourself.

5. Find Your “Comfort Ritual”

Everyone loves comfort food, but comfort rituals are even better. Maybe it’s brewing a cup of tea before bed, putting on fuzzy socks, or lighting a candle with a scent that brings good vibes. Repetition in small acts of kindness to yourself can be just as healing as pricey spa treatments.

Your wellness journey doesn’t have to be expensive or Instagram-perfect to be effective. Sometimes, the simplest habits bring the biggest rewards. 

Diva Bhatia is a writer at Brown's Her Campus chapter from Bahrain and India. She writes on lifestyle and wellness.

Diva is currently a freshman at Brown University, concentrating in Public Health and Biology. She is president of SPAid at Brown, a volunteer at Rhode Island Hospital, a project lead for the Health Fluency Project, and a copyeditor for the Brown Daily Herald!

In her free time, Diva enjoys playing piano, learning new languages, and discovering new music to add to her ever-growing playlist.