By Shelia Johnson, Guest Blogger
Self-care is on everyone’s mind lately, and for good reason. Making sure you’re taking care of yourself (both mentally and physically) is critical for your continued well-being down the line, and doing it on a budget is an achievable goal that will help you destress, as well. Achieving true happiness is something that we all can aspire to, and something that doesn’t have to be so difficult.
Let’s take a look at some tried-and-true (and budget-friendly!) methods for putting yourself first, and taking care of yourself before anyone else:
Mental Self-Care
You don’t need an expensive spa day or a shopping spree to put yourself first time in terms of mental self-care. Activities designed to improve your relationship with your own mind can be stress- and money-free. Doing things like reading poetry, organizing your kitchen, and taking a warm bath all contribute to better mental health.
Physical Self-Care
Physical and mental self-care go hand in hand. When you’re taking better care of your body, your mind benefits from the attention. Making sure you’re eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly are all ways to practice better physical self-care. Washing your face every day can also contribute to a healthier complexion and healthier outlook.
Another way to take the stress out of taking care of your body is to plan your meals. This doesn’t have to be a difficult event; pre-pack your lunches for going to work, use your slow cooker to fill your home with delicious aromas and avoid trying to plan every single thing about your food. You don’t have to be a stickler about the process; just take some time to plan, and it will pay off in the long run because you won’t have to worry about what to eat on a daily basis.
Financial Self-Care
In addition to the mental and physical ways you can take care of your body and mind, there are outside factors that contribute to your wellness. Financial self-care refers to making sure you are making sound budgetary decisions and reducing spending so that your financial wellness doesn’t detract from your overall health. By taking steps to reduce spending, your stress levels (about money in particular) can be reduced.
Here are some ways to make sure you are taking financial care of yourself:
Refinance your home
One of the biggest money-saving tactics is to refinance your home. This can help you lower your monthly mortgage payments and put money back in your pockets, especially if the housing interest rates are lower now than they were when you purchased your home.
Check your bank account regularly
Taking 10 minutes a week to check your bank account is one way to ensure you’re aware of the things you’re spending money on, and to keep an eye out for any fraud that might occur. Logging in daily will allow you to quickly scan for new transactions to make sure you were the one to make the purchases.
Review your payment dates
You should also make sure you know what payments are coming out of your account, and when they’re coming out. This will help you ensure that you don’t overdraw your account, in addition to checking the account regularly.
At the End of the Day…
Taking your overall health into your own hands is a huge step toward making sure you know what’s coming for you down the line. Talk to the professionals at Integrative Medicine of Central New York, PC, for more information about how you can ensure you’re taking the necessary steps to improve your relationship with your own health. Contact us today!
Photo by Prasanth Inturi from Pexels
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