If you’ve had trouble sticking to your usual healthy habits while staying in quarantine, you’re not alone. With gyms closed and athletic events cancelled, it can be hard to find your motivation to stay fit and practice self-care. And if you’re one of the many people who has lost income because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be hesitant to spend your money on pricey supplements, virtual fitness classes, and other indulgences. These tips will help you look and feel your best at home while sticking to a tight budget.
Cook Healthy Meals
It’s tempting to order takeout from your favorite restaurants if you can’t go out to eat, but you’ll save money and stick to a more nutritious diet if you simply cook with ingredients you already have in your pantry. You might be surprised by the tasty, balanced meals you can whip up in your own kitchen! Combine ingredients like beans, veggie broth, and select herbs and spices for “empty-the-pantry” stew, use vegetables and brown rice for quick and delicious skillet rice, and utilize the food you already have in your fridge for easy sandwiches. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated!
Discount Shopping
Even if you’re working with a tight budget, it’s only natural that you’ll want to treat yourself sometimes! You can find discounts that can help you purchase high-quality clothing, like outfits from Nordstrom Rack or other popular brands. By using helpful deal sites like Rakuten before shopping, you can apply Nordstrom Rack coupons, promo codes, and cashback offers to your clothing purchases. When you’re able to safely socialize again, you’ll impress everyone with your new look.
Indoor Workouts
Perhaps your local gyms and yoga studios have begun offering virtual courses for low fees. However, you can save even more by finding ways to work out indoors for free. Z-Physique recommends focusing on bodyweight exercises, which don’t require any special equipment. You can also follow along with workout videos on platforms like YouTube or Instagram, and you won’t have to spend a dime to break a sweat!
DIY Pampering
These are stressful times for everyone, so why not allow yourself to unwind with some soothing DIY spa treatments at home? VeryWellMind suggests putting on a relaxing playlist, lighting your bathroom with candles to create ambiance, and turning off notifications on your phone so that you won’t be interrupted. You do not need to buy fancy products for your home spa evening; using a colorful bath bomb, an exfoliating sugar scrub, and scented body lotion will be more than enough. You may already have these products under your bathroom sink!
Spruce Up Your Bedroom
Want to create an oasis within your own home? Try rearranging your bedroom without buying any fancy new furniture or decor. When you can go to sleep in a cozy and dark bedroom, you will be able to enjoy better-quality sleep.
To give your bedroom a whole new look without spending too much money, you may want to purchase new sheets and pillowcases or simply a new duvet cover with an interesting pattern. You could also try creating some artwork for your walls with photographs and mementos you’ve kept over the years. You might even want to set up a meditation corner; practicing mindfulness is a great way to wind down at the end of the day, and it will definitely help you doze off!
Right now, it can be tempting to drop your usual routines in favor of sleeping late, watching Netflix, and relaxing. But a lack of structure can make you feel sluggish, tired, and irritable. Instead, try investing more time and energy into prioritizing your physical and mental health. Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive!
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