I’m hesitant to call this a list of self-care ideas.
Why? Because I have mixed feelings about the term self-care. More specifically: I have mixed feelings about how the term “self-care” is used these days.
Is it just me, or does it feel like the concept of self-care has become more about marketing? Like it’s more of a hashtag than what it was actually intended to be?
It’s entirely possible I’m just being cynical. Whether that’s true or not, the fact remains: protecting your mental health is important. And one way to do that is by engaging in the act of, well, taking care of yourself.
For me, right now, a big part of that is taking time to unplug, especially after a long day engaged in what’s happening around the world. Here are some things I’ve found that have helped me do just that.
Why I’m making unplugging a priority
It’s simple: I’m making unplugging a priority because I have to.
Without getting into too much detail, I work at a job that results in me being actively engaged in the news of the day.
As a result, I feel it when I don’t take the time I need to really unplug and decompress.
Six inexpensive self-care ideas that have helped me to unplug lately
Need a break from *waves arms* all this? Here are six things I’ve been doing on the self-care front over the last few weeks.
I’m calling these inexpensive self-care ideas. I considered calling them “free” but I think inexpensive is a more accurate description.
The point here is none of these things need to break the bank.
Exercising
Exercise has long been a key part of self-care for me. While I have never been particularly hardcore, I try to make a point to get up and move my body when I can.
One of the things that has been helping me do that lately? YouTube.
There are a ton of different options for home workouts on YouTube. My personal favourite right now? Leslie Sansone’s Walk At Home videos. What I love about these walking workouts is how accessible they are. The movements are straightforward and easy to do in whatever space you’re working with — and it’s entirely possible to work up a sweat!
Reading
And by that, I mean something other than Facebook or Twitter.
One thing I have certainly been doing more of over the last few weeks is reading. More specifically, I have been working through the stacks of unread books that have been languishing on my shelf.
Don’t have a pile of unread books? If you have a library card, this is a great time to check out OverDrive! Once I get through some of the physical books on my shelf, I’m planning to check out Scribd — I’ve heard good things and it offers a free, 30-day trial, so why not?
Gaming
How this looks really depends on your interests.
It could mean breaking out the board games and playing with family. Or maybe you’re looking to roll solo with an app on your phone. Maybe you’re like most of my Twitter followers and you’re diving hard into Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch.
For me, gaming has looked a lot like playing my favourite childhood video game: Harvest Moon. I found a website that lets you play old SNES video games for free online and I have been absolutely loving it. It’s not the most exciting game but there is something calming about playing a game where the basic premise involves tending to a digital farm, you know?
Watching movies at home
We’ve been watching a lot of comedies, but this can really be tailored to your individual preference. And unlike going to a movie theatre, it’s significantly cheaper all around.
Most of the movies we have watched so far have been through Netflix, but even renting through Apple is fairly affordable, depending on the movie. Plus, snacks at home will always be cheaper than snacks at the theatre!
Getting outside
Just because we’re living in a time of social distancing does not mean going outside for fresh air is off the table. In fact, going out for a walk is something health experts have been encouraging — so long as you maintain that social distance.
Getting outside for a walk is one of my favourite forms of self-care. Lately, I have been going with Jeff but I also like going by myself with my iPod. I always feel better after a walk.
Cleaning
Am I the only person who actually finds cleaning to be almost therapeutic?
One nice thing about being home so much is it has given me time to focus in on some of the tasks I’ve been putting off. This doesn’t necessarily mean doing a deep clean (although hey, if you want to, by all means) but I have found decluttering my space helps me declutter my mind these days.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your mental health is important and one element of that is finding ways to unplug.
Information overload is a real thing, which is why I have been doing my best to find ways to avoid it. These are some of my favourite things to do right now. I hope they help you, too.
What are you doing to take care of your mental health right now? Any self-care ideas to share?
