How to Pamper Yourself Without Spending Money or Eating Trash
The days are getting darker because it is December and because it is 2017. We all need some positivity trying to restock stores that the world seems determined to drain.
Earlier this week, we asked you how you feel about yourself without spending money or indulging in food? Here are some of your answers. (Feel free to leave ideas in the comments!)
Creative shoots
Enjoying the creativity of others or doing your own thing is a great way to replenish your soul. Hobbies and crafts may require supplies, but they can be cheap or free. IMJoeKing says:
If you are playing music, take the time. If you are an artist, create something in your favorite environment. Not only is it relaxing and enjoyable, but you can also feel a great sense of accomplishment by creating something.
Ken Long deals with paper models. “Download. Print. Cut. Glue. Play!” Unamused also goes the download and print route, but for coloring pages:
I sit down, put in an audiobook or some nice quiet music, I just sit down and paint. You can print so many pages that you don’t even need to buy a coloring book, from which you will only use a couple of pages.
SeastarSarah is disingenuous :
I am a knitter, so I will be working on the project while I hang out on Netflix / Amazon / Hulu. If you are a creative person, I would recommend giving yourself time to work on a project – a great “pleasure”.
Brad Kuhn is into video games:
Usually, when I feel skilled enough to think I deserve some kind of reward, I play a video game. I feel like I have the best opportunity to enjoy it, knowing that I’m not just procrastinating and deserving the time to turn off my brain for a while.
Singing or dancing turns music from background sounds into full-fledged creative activity that requires your full attention. Brontanonymous makes playlists for belly dancing. And Eristoduf says:
# 1 Sing, sing to your favorite music, or better yet, sing with friends / family.
or # 2 play a musical instrument if you have one. It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are, just play it.
or # 3 just play mp3, cd, vinyl, cassettes … or even streaming video from youtube / spotify.
You can also search for free cultural institutions such as museums, galleries, and concerts. IMJoeKing says:
Some museums are free, or at least there are days when admission is free or discounted. A few hours walking around the museum at your leisure can be relaxing and enjoyable.
The example of a free culture is the public library, which has been suggested by many commentators. Books – a great escape, – says Llanser : “I believe reread old favorite – the best way out of the crisis.”
Layle agrees:
Set aside real time to just READ. An investment of time, not money.
As a child, I spent whole days reading, lost in stories. It seems that life is getting in the way now. Setting aside an entire morning / afternoon / evening (or two of them!) Over the weekend to clean up a book or a good chunk of epic reading is just incredibly enjoyable.
The first person to say that books are worth money gets a headbutt from this librarian.
Tinyhipsterboy adds, “They have books, but they also have movies, music and magazines, and if you have a card, many libraries have e-book collections.”
Tako Bebe has additional wisdom: “Go to the library and get temporary loans. I really itch this “buy / spend money” place.
Make your body feel good
If your first thought about sweets is junk food, it can be very helpful to find other physical pleasures to get rid of that itch.
Several commenters suggested a nice hot bath. Wallflower notes, “It’s hard to be distracted from the million other things I have to do when I can’t physically do them.”
Cyprian knows how to turn a bath into a relaxation event: “Pour in Epsom salts and prepare a book and drink. Put the radio on a classic station (or something that is relaxing). “
Speaking of making your body feel good, there have been many voices for one activity that doesn’t cost a dime: masturbation. Go to town.
If it doesn’t feel like a chore, making time for exercise can be a way to reconnect with your body and make time for yourself.
For Andrey, the exercises work:
“As I explained to my girlfriend and mother, this is my version of church and / or therapy. Go outside until I can remember my thoughts and get rid of my disappointment. “
CiceroCicerareCiceraviCiceratum says: “I especially like a good slow run. It makes me feel like I’m doing something good for myself, and at the same time I’m not in a damn rush to do it. “
However, it doesn’t have to be tedious. Tako Bebe says: “Good stretching workout. Lately I’ve been skating with foam after training, especially in the neck and upper back. Very relaxing and feels so good! “
Molly says, “I go to the YMCA near my home to sit in the sauna and warm up.”
Get rid of stress
Both baths and exercise can help rid you of whatever bothers you if your stress is not exercise or water bills. Sometimes you just need to disconnect.
Several commenters have suggested disconnecting from the internet, whether it be social media feed or hard work. Gl21133 says:
Time is my best “free” pleasure, especially time away from something. Usually time away from work, phone, constant stream of news. It doesn’t have to be alone, often I’d rather spend it with my girls or my dogs, but solos have their merits.
Spending time outdoors has the double benefit of getting you out of your stress pit and out into nature.
Niftium comes out, nice or not:
Take a walk in the fresh air! I don’t want to hear “but it’s cold” or “what if my shoes get wet” or “this is what a treadmill is for” – take a walk outside. If you can, try not to turn around until you forget what you were worried about. If it rains or snows, so much the better. There is nothing better than fighting the elements to put things in perspective.
Even without leaving your home, you can make a conscious decision to relieve stress. November 15-22 suggests “ Making time for yourself. There will always be something to do. But this does not mean that it should be done NOW ”.
Wallflower says, “Sometimes I just have to force myself to spend a lazy day. It seems like yes, the house can be cleaned, but I’m going to lie on the couch and watch Netflix. “
Shutting down “must” for a few hours or a day can be magical. Budgetrockshowcase lets you steal the day outside of work:
I take a day off from work, without telling anyone other than my boss, and disappear for the day. I turn off my cell phone and spend a few hours walking in the park, walking around the big city, etc. Free and great.
Connect
On the other hand, bonding with loved ones, strangers, or pets can also be relaxing and revitalizing.
Clovis Sangrall believes in the need to participate in community events through a religious or community organization:
To me, that means Old Ladies’ Book Club, Compline (attending a beautifully sung service with other music lovers), or a charity event.
IMO, I feel happiest in social situations that don’t require any work from me. Come spank the kids on the nursing program that most churches / synagogues have, etc. other people do that kind of thing) or whatever you have.
It’s nice … usually other people in situations like this will be familiar, but not people you know well, so you don’t feel the stress of a cold relationship, but still stray from your normal scene. You don’t need to clean the house or spend money on food. And free childcare! And often, you end up talking about things that most of us don’t discuss in our day-to-day life.
In a similar vein, Butterfly047 says, “Reading the Bible and communicating with God helps me emotionally, mentally and spiritually.”
Courtney says social dancing can be a real treat:
I love the bond that happens when you dance to a really good song, to the point where you and your partner sync up to the point where you breathe the same way.
Molly calls her mom. Even texting a friend can help.
OTV says:
I disconnect from everything and brush the dog. Sounds weird, but he really loves to be brushed and I often don’t have time to brush him as often as I should (if he had his own way it would be 24/7). So I like listening to music, sitting on the floor and a little time for gluing. He loves it, I love that he loves it, and it is so soothing and soothing. It’s like having fun when I don’t have to “waste time” on myself or worry about everything else I can / should do. We both feel better after that.
Whatever you do, do it mindfully.
Even regular activities can be entertained if done with great joy.
Tinyhipsterboy turns simple food preparation into something great:
I am also very partial to playing music, dancing and singing while preparing lunch or dinner. Yes, it’s food, but it’s a dish I’ve already cooked and ate, so instead of trying to get the job done or truly multitasking during it, I set aside time to cook for myself.
Absotively does something similar, transforming lunch into a special event:
Make yourself a three-course dinner. Use your prettiest crockery, tablecloth / napkins, etc. If you really feel like adding a candle. Maybe try to ignore your phone while you eat.
It doesn’t require gourmet or unhealthy food to feel a little decadent, although it does take a little planning and time. Just about any salad or soup is a great snack, even if it’s from a bag or can. Chopped fruit sprinkled with half a teaspoon of sugar is a pretty tasty dessert. The average dish could be whatever you were about to eat.
Most importantly, when you pamper yourself, you allow yourself to really enjoy it. Sing.electric says:
It sounds silly and obvious, but I stop and ask myself, “What do I really want to do right now?” and do it. Sometimes he curled up and read a book, sometimes he watched TV, sometimes he spent time with my dog.
The real trick is to say to yourself, “I [accomplished a lot / had a tough day / whatever], so I deserve to have fun even though I still have [to do / to do list / laundry]. What do I really want to do right now? “
Asking myself this question, I get rid of the habit of mindlessly going for “treats” (for example, grabbing chocolate, opening a bottle of something, or going shopping) just because I “need to be pampered”. (Level 202 of this understanding is that sometimes healing yourself can include these things, and that’s okay.)