As spring begins to bloom, and Americans break out of winter hibernation, improving wellness and working on a healthier lifestyle enters the forefront of their minds. Without spending a dime, you can benefit from the warmer temperatures of spring. Crack open your windows to air out your home, take more outdoor walks or bring your fitness routine outside.
You might be interested in taking your health and wellness a step further. Self-care became a major focus in 2017, and as a result, there are more ways than ever to keep yourself healthy, both physically and mentally. Before spending more money than you should to take advantage of one of these recent trends, consider the following advice to improve your health without overspending.
[See: 10 Ways to Stay in Shape on a Budget.]
Essential oils. The world of essential oils is vast, and might be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. If you’re hoping to diffuse, apply or even ingest essential oils to reap their benefits, make sure you do your due diligence. One universal piece of advice: Don’t buy “cheap” or knockoff essential oils to save money. The reason certain essential oils are marketed as less expensive might be because they are diluted or even include ingredients that are lower quality and might not be safe.
Rather than cut costs on the oils you use, you can save money on accessories. Bargain hunt for a diffuser rather than buying one that is high-tech or fancy. Something simple and straightforward can be found for $20 at most retail box stores. You can use a carrying case or shelf that you already own, as long as you read the recommended storage environment to keep them in good condition for as long as possible.
Lastly, consider how you want to start trying essential oils. If you have a certain ailment that you are looking to address, such as allergies or stress, research the best oils to start with and start by purchasing only one or two. If you are looking for general help with wellness, a starter kit might be the best bet financially, as they are often offered at a discount from individually priced oils. There are also wholesale and bulk options once you decide what essential oils you like and want to invest in, so that you can get an overall discount in the long-term.
[See: 10 Ways to Live Healthier and Save Money Doing It.]
Meditation. The art of meditation is becoming a more universal concept, despite dating back to prehistoric origins. Guided meditation is now more accessible as many companies have created apps to help you get started and even send reminders, provide walk-throughs or offer helpful tips on a daily basis.
There are plenty of free apps to download to help you start a meditation practice. Many free options will offer a number of shorter sessions to try, based on what you are hoping to gain help with — stress, forgiveness, gratitude, et cetera. Free apps include Insight Timer, which also notes how many people across the world are meditating alongside you, and Aura. This is a good place to start if you have never meditated before. Also, check out your local library for another free resource to learn more about meditation, as many books have been written on the subject.
If you decide it’s something you want to continue with, you may consider an app or service with a step-by-step guide to making meditation part of your daily life. Headspace is one of the most popular apps available, and offers payment plans ranging from $8 per month to $13 per month, depending on if you pay monthly or yearly. You can try it for free for 10 days.
[See: 12 Shopping Tricks to Keep You Under Budget.]
Better sleep. The amount and the quality of sleep you get each night can affect every aspect of your life. Better sleep is trending in the wellness world, and everything from pricey mattresses with smart technology to sleep science studies are touted as solutions for more sleep. But you don’t necessarily have to reach into your wallet to sleep better and feel better:
— Set an alarm: You probably set an alarm to wake up each day, right? Do the same thing in the evening to help you get to bed early. As a bonus, going to sleep and waking up at the same times each day and night will help your body adjust to a schedule.
— Try yoga at night: Instead of taking a yoga class you need to pay for, try a 10- or 15-minute routine created specifically for better sleep. There are many yoga experts who provide free routines on YouTube to get you ready to fall asleep and stay asleep.
— Cut back on caffeine: This is probably easier said than done for many people who live for their afternoon cup of coffee (or two), but the earlier you cut out caffeine during the day, the better chance you have at getting tired in the evening.
Unplug. Lastly, the influx of technology seeping into every part of our lives has many people craving time away from screens — so much so, in fact, that there are now camps and retreats that advertise an expensive “digital detox” experience. If you want to step away from your devices to quiet your mind, the best part is you don’t need to spend a dime. It can be a challenge at first, but aim for an hour each day away from any screens. On the weekends, try for two hours a day. Pick up a book, go for a walk or a jog or get together with a friend. You may find you are able to focus more, increase your productivity, and even improve your posture, as you won’t be looking down at a laptop or smartphone. Once in awhile, try unplugging for an entire day or period of time — such as a vacation — and see how you feel.
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Tips to Save Money on Popular Wellness Items originally appeared on usnews.com
