You just pulled an entire weekend of #TreatYoSelf. You and your best friend spent all Saturday at the mall, sprucing up your closet and laughing over lunch. Sunday, you took a day to decompress. You got a massage, drank mimosas and got your nails done. Now, it’s Monday and … you’re broke.
Don’t trip – taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be financially taxing. As a matter of fact, the most important kind of self-care is free. Treating your mental and emotional state will benefit your own self-confidence and mood while also enhancing your relationships with friends, family and significant others.
Here are some easy ways to #TreatYoSelf to better health and bliss. All for free.
Being cooped up inside all-day and binging on shows may be nice from time to time, but research shows that being outdoors not only enhances your mental health but also releases stress.
Going for a walk through the park or stroll on the beach both benefits the brain and makes us feel happier. Enjoying time outside of the house has proven to provide a better life satisfaction and is known to decrease depression and anger.
READ MORE: Walk the Walk: Tips on Optimizing Your Strolls
No matter what genre of music you prefer, it’s evident that certain songs provoke our emotions. Putting on a good song can bring a smile to our faces and joy to our lives. Studies have shown that listening to music releases positive emotions, ultimately creating a happier self.
Dancing doesn’t hurt either. Whether you like to dance or not, sometimes it’s absolutely inevitable. We start tapping our feet and moving our body. These movements have so many benefits, such as improving our heart health, creating a better physique and enhancing our overall mood.
Meditation is a huge boost for the mind and body. The great thing about meditation is that it doesn’t take long and has long-lasting effects. Even if you take a few minutes out of your day to zen out, you’re allowing your mind to calm down and release stress. This will not only help with your emotional state, but it will also create a kinder self-image.
Aside from the gift of meditation, yoga is another way to treat yourself. Practicing yoga is known to reduce anxiety and eliminate everyday life stresses. It’s also been proven to boost energy.
READ MORE: 10 Must Haves for Your Home if You Want to Go Zen
With everyone so attached to their phones, laptops and tablets, it’s easy to forget about real human interaction and the world around us. Take some time to detach yourself from social media, texting and the news.
Embrace the relationships you have while appreciating what the world has to offer. Giving your brain a break from the constant online connection will allow your mind to recharge and help you focus on promoting your own happiness.
Close physical contact, like cuddling, releases a hormone called oxytocin. Also known as the bonding or “love” hormone, oxytocin is an anti-anxiety hormone and has proven to arouse empathy in people and promote romantic attachment.
On top of cuddling, sex hugely benefits your health. It is known to improve your immune system, eliminate migraine pain and relieve stress. It’s a win all around!
We all know sleep is important, but many people still don’t take the time to do get appropriate rest. We push sleep to the side to go out with friends, catch up on “Game of Thrones,” do homework or to work late.
Although you might think you’re being productive – you’re actually not. Skipping out on sleep has adverse effects on productivity and your health. Setting time aside to get some rest will not only improve you memory but will also enhance brain functionality overall. You will be able to perform adequately and ultimately achieve the best results, no matter the task.
READ MORE: 8 Things to Do Every Day to Boost Your Brain Power
With these six free activities, there is no reason to not #TreatYoSelf! Comment below or tweet us @entity_mag your favorite #TreatYoSelf activities.
