Rest and relaxation are necessary for our long term health and happiness. Without some time to wind down, our mood, creativity and productivity suffer. Trying to go without R&R to save money and increase the amount of work we can do is bound to backfire.
Unfortunately, many of us are not very good of thinking of ways to relax without taking out our wallets. Our minds immediately turn to nights out, beach vacations and being pampered at spas when we think of relaxation. While these things are wonderful splurges when we can afford them, the truth is, they are not necessary for relaxation.
Instead of waiting until you can afford a week at a Caribbean resort to relax, why not incorporate some inexpensive relaxing activities into your daily and weekly routine? Not only will you save money, but you’ll feel better mentally and physically, too!
Here are some of my favorite inexpensive ways to relax and melt away the stress of daily life. Please add yours in the comments section!
- Move around! Some light exercise is one of the best ways to relax. It’s a great outlet for stress and helps you stay fit and healthy. Walking, biking and playing sports are all great choices.
- Meditation. Your library will have books and instructional videos or you can check out Netflix or Youtube. Mediation might seem a bit silly at first, but as you start reaping the benefits, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
- Take a Nap. It’s amazing how much good a fifteen minute power nap can do. A bit of daytime sleep isn’t just for cranky babies anymore!
- Talk to somebody! Many of us are starved for real human interaction, even if we spend the day surrounded by others. Call or visit a friend or family member who you really enjoy talking to and enjoy a nice, relaxing conversation.
- Turn on some tunes. Not just as background music; spend some time just listening to beautiful music and losing yourself in the melody.
- Read a Book. Even if you think you don’t enjoy reading, you might if you choose the right material. Losing yourself in a book is one of the best ways to feed your mind and shut out the stress of everyday living.
- Indulge in a nice hot bath or shower. Let the warm water melt away your stress and help you to feel rejuvenated and reinvigorated.
- Take a trip down memory lane. Look at old photos, yearbooks and other memorabilia that will remind you of pleasant memories.
- Play Board Games. Low tech board games are a great way for families and couples to relax together and enjoy each other’s company. Board games encourage interaction and will provide many happy memories for years to come.
- Just let your mind wander and dream. Often we feel like we have to be doing something at all times. Break free from that notion and take some time to just sit and imagine what if.
These are just a few of the many free and low cost ways that you can use to relax. The most important part is giving yourself permission to let go of stress and let your mind roam free. Don’t try to cram too much into every day or to keep promising yourself that you’ll slow down later. Your long term health and happiness will be improved if you relax a bit every day!
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One day I sat at my computer and began to brainstorm on what skills I had developed over my long life. I was surprised to see what all I am competent at, not just at creating income, but many things that I have skills at doing that I never intended to earn me a dime.
Then I thought about how I could convert my skills into income. I was surprised at how that stimulated me to remember all kinds of additional accomplishments. It took almost a month for more skills to bubble to the surface. I ended up with none things I then moved forward with to earn me income from home. All of them are profitable, although not yet catching fire. Most importantly, I’m having fun!