You try your best to be everything for everyone. You’re a mom, a wife (or girlfriend), an employee (or entrepreneur), a friend, daughter, sister, etc. The list goes on for days. In your quest to always be at your best for the ones you care about, however, being there for yourself tends to get put on the back burner. Not to mention, most women feel guilty for taking the time or doing something nice for themselves.
The truth is that you’ve got to take care of yourself. Taking the time to pamper or treat yourself is actually a form of self-care and is very healthy. It boosts your spirits and essentially makes life a lot more pleasant. When mom is happy this trickles down to the rest of the family. So, everyone wins.
If you’re feeling guilty about breaking the bank to treat yourself, don’t fret. There are actually lots of affordable things you can do to feel good. Below are a few suggestions.
Order Some Chocolate
For most women, it doesn’t take much to brighten their day. Indulging in some gourmet chocolate provides so much comfort and serves as a gentle pat on the back for all you do. If you’re feeling guilty about chocolate, then you could spring for dark chocolate which is a lot healthier as it is packed with antioxidants.
Send Yourself Some Flowers
Though it’s a nice romantic gesture to receive flowers from a significant other, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it for yourself. You can choose your favorite arrangement online and have it delivered to you at home or in the office. While it’s not necessarily a surprise, flowers can really add color to your day while putting a smile on your face.
Head to a Bookstore
There’s nothing like getting lost in a good book to make you feel good. One weekend, head to a nearby bookstore. Larger stores have an area where you can read before you buy and indulge in some treats like coffee, salads, sandwiches, and pastries. A few hours of reading and you’ll feel like a new lady.
Go See a Movie
When is the last time you saw a “grown-up” movie? Now’s your chance to do it. Instead of going late at night when it’s crowded and more expensive, however, go during the day. Take a few extra hours off from work and hit a matinee. You can catch your favorite movies for cheaper and pretty much have the theatre to yourself.
Take a Walk Through The Park
You don’t have to spend money to make yourself feel good. A walk through the park can be all you need sometimes. Exposure to the sun helps to increase your vitamin D levels and boost your mood. While breathing in the fresh air detoxes the lungs. Being in nature disconnected from reality even for 15 minutes can change the course of your day.
Enjoy a Bubble Bath
Your bathroom can quickly be transformed into a serene environment you can escape to for a while. All you need are some candles, light music, a good book, a drink, and a hot bubble bath. Taking warm baths helps to calm the mind and relax the body. You can also add bath salts or oils to your bath for extra health benefits.
Plan a Staycation
You may not have the financial means to get away for a few days but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the luxuries of a vacation. Take a few days off from work, hire a sitter, and enjoy whatever you’d like for the day. You can lounge around and eat snacks while watching your favorite movies. You can go sightseeing in your neighborhood by checking out museums and other historical sites. You could even venture out and go on a mini shopping trip.
Take Yourself Out
You don’t need a significant other or friends to go out and have a good time. There was a time before all of this when you were outgoing and social. There’s nothing wrong with going out alone on occasion. Treat yourself to lunch, visit a local bar for happy hour, hit a casino and gamble a few bucks, go to a lounge and dance the night away. Time alone gives you an opportunity to fall in love with who you are.
Women rock! They bear the weight of the world and keep right on going. Wanting what’s best for their families, they often don’t take the time to love themselves. Part of sustaining a healthy lifestyle means making time for yourself and doing things you enjoy. There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself on occasion. And as you can see from above, it really doesn’t have to cost that much.