We are all failed artists when it comes to self-care—often neglecting it because it doesn’t seem essential enough. We try, we stumble, and we fail repeatedly. But self-care is more than just a routine; it’s a delicate art that demands attention to the smallest of details, turning simple daily actions into moments of nourishment and mindfulness for both body and soul.
Today, I want to talk about something even more fundamental—the art of self-care. And by that, I mean the most basic practices of looking after yourself, things that require little to no money and are accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. So, with that said, let’s dive right into it
Breathing:
Pause for a moment—take a deep breath. We do it all the time without thinking, but when was the last time you actually noticed your breath? Likely just now, after reading this. Breathe deeply again, but this time, focus on the sound, the rhythm. Science tells us that deep breathing calms the mind and relieves stress, relaxing the body almost instantly. And the best part? It costs absolutely nothing—unless, of course, something external gets in the way.
Sleeping:
Sleep is essential. Lack of quality sleep can seriously impact your focus and brain function, along with a long list of other problems. Basically, you need good and sufficient sleep to maintain your health. Don’t worry, I’m not going to give the usual ‘no screen time’ advice. You’ll find plenty of sleep hacks through the informal conversations in this blog. But here’s a tip from me: when you’re heading to bed, wash your hands and feet thoroughly beforehand, and try taking deep breaths as you fall asleep. It might just help you sleep better.
Drinking Water:
Do you even have another option? Honestly, there’s not much more to say here—just drink a good amount of water. You can figure out if you’re hydrated by simply checking the color of your pee. You can even find color charts on Google or YouTube to guide you.
Laugh:
Try to find humor in every situation. Be happy. Watch good comedy shows to improve your sense of humor—because let’s face it, we all need that sometimes. Laughing truly helps. Just don’t laugh in awkward situations—you know what I mean! Don’t take life too seriously. Even in tough times, try to find something good. I think you get the point by now. Let’s move on
Stretching:
A simple way to get your body moving. You can even buy a resistance band, which is easily available and cost-efficient, to enhance your stretches. Stretching is great for your body. There are plenty of videos on YouTube—find one that suits you, or even learn Surya Namaskar. Here’s a simple tip I once read: after waking up, taking a good stretch (or as we call it, angrai) has several benefits. So, make it the first thing you do each morning!
Walking:
Hold off on that walk until you finish reading this—but by all means, take one right after! I could fill this article with countless studies proving the benefits of walking, but let’s keep it simple: we’re designed to move, and walking is one of the easiest, most natural exercises available to us. Plus, it’s completely free. From improving blood pressure to boosting overall health, walking does wonders for the body. But perhaps most intriguing? It significantly enhances the part of your brain responsible for creativity and idea generation.
Connect with Nature:
One of the easiest ways to refresh your mind is by reconnecting with nature. Whether it’s a single plant at home or a sprawling garden, nature is all around you, waiting to be noticed. Engage your senses—really see the greenery of trees, the flowing rivers, the vibrant birds, the vast sky, and the animals around you. Nature isn’t just outside; it surrounds you, and remember, you’re a part of it too. Step out of your work mode or the autopilot of daily routines and observe nature fully. Breathe in the scent of rain and flowers; listen to waterfalls, rustling leaves, and the songs of birds (and yes, feel free to tune out the human noise for a bit). Touch the plants, trees, flowers, and soil—immerse yourself in what nature offers. Taste the richness of fresh fruits and vegetables, savoring their sweetness. Above all, make it a daily habit to appreciate nature—yes, every single day.
Pick any good habit:
Whether it’s drawing, cooking, writing, reading, cycling, playing outdoor games, socializing in a healthier way, helping others, contributing to household chores, enjoying music or dancing—there are countless positive habits you can pick up. Following any of these will not only make you feel better but also help you grow mentally stronger. No matter what, you’ll know you’re doing something right, and that will positively impact you from every angle.
Reading:
For those who haven’t developed the habit, reading may seem hard, but it’s one of the best ways to gain knowledge and stay involved in something meaningful for the long term—much better than endlessly watching Instagram reels and wasting time. Read what you love until you start loving the act of reading itself. Pick up anything, even just an article a day, and it will be more beneficial than engaging in any pointless activity. So start reading—even if it’s just one page, it’s still progress.
Journaling:
What should I write? I can’t just put anything down—maybe I’ll write when something good comes to mind. Who even updates daily about what happened today…?”
These are the thoughts that come up when it comes to journaling. Speaking from personal experience, I started journaling late, then stopped, started again, and stopped—it’s a never-ending loop. I get bored writing about daily events, so I switched to jotting down feelings, then thoughts. The trick is, write half a page, two lines, or even just one word. That’s okay! Over time, you’ll realize for yourself how helpful it becomes when you stick with it.
Budgeting:
I’m no finance expert, but when it comes to basics, we can definitely have a conversation. Budgeting is a pretty simple concept, yet many people skip it entirely, only to wonder later where all their money went. You can start by creating a basic budget before spending, and this is something you can easily do yourself. But let me share with you a famous budgeting method: Allocate 60% to expenses, 20% to savings, 10% to an emergency fund, and 10% to investments.
Savings:
After setting a budget, don’t rush into spending. First, set aside 20% for savings, and then you can focus on your expenses. This is a simple principle that we should keep in mind. Where to save is up to you—calculate what 20% of your income is. You could opt for a Recurring Deposit (RD) or keep it in a bank, though that may not be the best option. Alternatively, you could invest in any current schemes that are available.
Investing:
We all need to invest regularly—not just in stocks, gold, or other options, but also in upgrading ourselves and gaining education. That’s the essence of investment.
Enjoy Money:
We work hard to earn money, and now it’s time to enjoy it—but in the right way. If you can donate even 1% of your income each month, it will bring you a sense of peace and fulfillment.
Pause:
Yes, you could compare it to meditation, but when I say “meditation,” it often feels like an advanced, difficult practice. So instead, let’s just call it a pause.
So instead, let’s just call it a pause. Every day, take a moment—sit down without stress or distractions, and simply observe your body and soul. And do nothing. You’re not a decision-making machine that needs to be on point all the time. Use pause as a free tool in everyday in your life.
Think about death:
Wait—don’t skip this part. None of us can avoid it, no matter how much we might want to. It’s a tough reality. But if it’s so inevitable, why are we so afraid of it? Society is quick to celebrate births, birthdays, and achievements, yet we often shy away from acknowledging death and failure. But isn’t death what gives life its true perspective? Even in hard times, remind yourself that eventually, we all have to face the same end. So why stress over temporary problems? When you view life through this lens, it becomes a little lighter. Trust me, this is my own little trick too
I truly hope this article brings you some value. So, remember to take care of yourself. Until next time, stay well