Self-care is more than a face mask. We often simplify self-care to a thing you do for a short period, like watching a movie, and when it’s over, you go back to normal. Sometimes, we need to think of self-care as an ongoing, continuous process of making sure we are functioning at our best.
Especially when you’re on a budget and can’t afford to treat yourself when you’re feeling down, self-care doesn’t really seem like an option. However, there are lots of things you can do to improve your emotional and mental state without spending a lot of money.
Doing something that you don’t do often can help you feel like you’re giving yourself a treat. Even if it’s as simple as putting the extra effort to cook yourself a homemade meal, or washing fresh sheets for your bed, it can often help give you a mental reset. Scrubbing your feet, using lotion, and then putting on soft socks is a go-to home spa treatment that is inexpensive and feels very nice. Fabric spray refresher also can help your room smell fresh and clean (even if you didn’t really get around to cleaning). Essential oil pillow sprays are also inexpensive, or are easy to make if you already have oils of your own. They can help you sleep and relax, and will make your bed smell good. Washing your makeup brushes or doing your laundry may not seem like self-care, but it will help you feel like you’ve been productive and will help you later, when you have clean brushes and clothes when you need them!
Sometimes self-care is just saying “no”. We as college students especially tend to take too much responsibility on, because we’re convinced that we have to do it all in order to get where we want to be. However, you can’t do anything if you’re burnt out and drained. Sometimes just saying “No, I can’t be there tonight,” or “No, I can’t help with that event,” can help you have the time you needed to get that homework assignment just right, or get the extra sleep you desperately needed. You can be a busy, committed person without sacrificing your own health in the process.