Self-Care that Doesn’t Cost a Thing

Self-Care that Doesn’t Cost a Thing

When you think of self-care, what comes to mind? Maybe a pampering spa day, or a weekend alone in a fancy hotel? These can be good forms of self-care… but true self-care doesn’t have to cost a thing. Self-care just means finding ways to preserve or improve your own health and wellness, and that practice can vary from person to person. Healthy365 is rounding up some of our favorite free self-care activities that you can use to reduce stress and improve wellness. 

Take a walk or workout in nature

No matter the time of year, a walk or run in nature can be a great way to destress and take some time for yourself. Here in Hancock County, we are lucky to have a number of beautiful parks and nature preserves, so find your favorite one and take a little walk. Exercise boosts your endorphins, and listening to some fun music or an encouraging podcast can improve your well-being too. If you are doing a self-care workout in very cold weather, be sure to check out our winter workout tips

Do some journaling

The benefits of journaling are extensive, including the improvement of your mood, strengthening your immune cells, decreasing your risk of illness, and lowering your blood pressure when you make journaling a daily habit. Working on specific self-care journaling prompts can help improve your wellness as well. You could work on a list of the things you like best about yourself, or create a bucket list for the next year, next decade or your whole lifetime. Along with journaling, getting creative with coloring, drawing or painting can be a great self-care activity too. 

Take a social media break

Social media can be a great tool for learning and connecting with others, but it can also negatively impact our mental health. Comparing our daily lives to other people’s highlight reels on social media can create unrealistic expectations and make you feel unhappy. When you take a social media break for self-care, in addition to improved mood, you may also notice increased productivity and better relationships with family thanks to more quality time. Your social media break could last a few hours, a few days or a few weeks… or could even be a regular daily/weekly habit. 

Declutter and organize your home

This activity is not just free, it could actually make you a little money! Did you know that excess clutter can actually impact your mental health? A messy home can make it more difficult to fully relax or may create feelings of guilt, especially when guests visit. Organizing your home and donating or selling things you no longer use can make your home feeling much more relaxing. For many people, organizing and decluttering can be a form of self-care, but even if it stresses you out, a decluttered home can create new opportunities for self-care afterward. 

Go to bed early (or sleep in)

Are you getting enough sleep each night? Good sleep is crucial for your overall health and well-being. Make it a point to practice self-care by going to bed early (or sleeping in when you can) to get in 7-8 hours of good quality sleep. Getting enough sleep offers benefits like reducing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, a better immune system, lowering risk for diabetes or heart disease, thinking clearly and avoiding injuries from practices like drowsy driving. 

Are you looking for additional ways to improve your overall wellness? Healthy365 is here to connect you with local resources (many times at low or no cost to you) to help you on your wellness journey. Contact our Support Navigators today at 317-468-4231 to learn more about our mission to improve the health of Hancock County residents.

Fall Self-Care Tips

Fall Self-Care Tips

Self-care can make a big difference in your emotional and mental well-being by protecting your own health and happiness, especially in times of stress. These fall self-care tips are perfect for making the most of this beautiful season here in Hancock County. There are so many great ways to enjoy autumn, so why not incorporate a little self-care into your plans?

Take a walk in nature

One of the main things people associate with autumn are the changing leaves. Get out in nature and take in the scenery of gorgeous orange and red colors with a walk in one of Hancock County’s many parks. Whether you prefer a suburban park experience or more of a nature hike, the parks in Greenfield offer something for everyone. Plus, getting your heartrate up with a brisk walk can improve your physical wellness and give you a nice little endorphin boost too!

Go to a fall family activity

Pumpkin patches and farmer’s markets and festivals, oh my! If you like to attend fall activities with family (or on your own) then you’ve got plenty of options here in Hancock County. There are a number of fun fall events and activities open this season for arts lovers, fall foodies and corn maze experts alike. If you are a big fan of fall weather, and getting out in the community “fills your cup,” celebrating with a calendar full of activities can be a great form of fall self-care. 

Enjoy a warm fall drink

Speaking of filling your cup, do you love pumpkin spice lattes, hot apple cider or another fall favorite drink? Make or order a delicious drink to warm you up on a crisp fall morning, and then take a few minutes to really savor it. Don’t just gulp it down… take slow sips and enjoy the experience. Maybe you could even meditate or write in a gratitude journal during this quiet time of reflection. Slowing down for a moment in the morning can be the perfect way to start your day with self-care. 

Declutter your home

We all know about spring cleaning, but what about fall decluttering? With the start of the school year and the end of summer, your home may feel extra messy or overwhelming right now. Excess clutter can also impact your mental health, making it more difficult to relax or creating feelings of guilt when guests stop by. Taking some time this fall to clean and declutter your home can provide more opportunities for self-care once your home feels more relaxing… and for some people, the act of cleaning itself may even be a form of self-care and enjoyment!

Set expectations for the holidays

Fall is often considered the start to the hectic holiday season. This can be the perfect time to set expectations and prepare yourself for any entertaining, cooking or gift buying that is just around the corner. A great form of self-care is setting boundaries, which may include saying “no” to holiday invitations that drain your family of energy rather than giving you more joy. You can also include self-care in your holiday plans by asking for help, whether that’s help with cooking a big family meal, organizing a get-together or other planning. Practicing asking for help and not overcommitting during the holidays can be difficult, but it will make the season that much more enjoyable. 

If you need help putting more self-care practices into place, improving your mental well-being this season or connections to local resources for your overall wellness, contact the Support Navigators at Healthy365 online or at 317-468-4231.