self care ideas

30 Self Care Ideas – Affordable and Perfect for Busy Women

Spread the love

What is Self Care?

The exact definition is “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.” Simply put, it’s when you do things for yourself that helps you to relax, relieve stress, and just care for yourself. Luckily, there are a ton of self-care ideas for busy women, there’s something for everyone!

Why is Self Care Important?

Self-care is important because it helps keep your mind, body, and soul happy and healthy. It’s great for managing your stress levels and letting off steam when life gets tough.

Women often neglect their own needs to care for others. This results in a build-up of stress and emotion with no release. It is important to take good care of yourself so that you can take good care of others as well.

There are so many ways you can practice self-care. This article contains a ton of free or cheap self-care ideas that will help you to feel happy and healthy!

self care reading a book

This article may contain affiliate links, this means that we earn commissions if you shop through the links below. You can read more about this on our disclosure page, here.

The Ultimate List of Self Care Ideas for Busy Women

self care

1. Start a bullet journal

Bullet journaling is the new thing! It’s great for becoming organized, and also gives you the chance to use your creative side. The bullet journaling kit below is super awesome!

If you’re totally new to bullet journaling, check out this guide to bullet journaling.

You can also check out Pinterest for tons of bullet journaling ideas, fonts, designs and inspiration!

2. Order takeout

Ordering takeout is the best. You don’t have to get dressed and ready, you can eat in bed or on the couch while you watch tv, and you don’t have to pay a tip!

Or, even better, you can get food delivered. You don’t even have to put on your shoes! There’s something so satisfying about not having to cook. So stress relieving.

3. Rent a movie

Renting a movie has never been easier, especially with how affordable it is now. Redbox is super cheap and has a huge selection. Also, if you have Amazon Prime, you can rent movies on there as well.

Another option is your local library. You can rent movies (or series) for a longer amount of time. Your self care everyday can be watching an episode of an awesome show.

4. Get crafty

Do something that sparks your creativity! Adult coloring books are the new thing. Scrapbooking is also really fun. Hop on Pinterest and find some cool DIY ideas that you want to try.

P.S. If you are struggling with anxiety like many other women out there, adult coloring books are really great for that as well! Here is a super fun one you can check out!

5. Go out to eat by yourself

Go to your favorite eatery, and have a nice meal by your self. Take your time, take a book, sit there and really enjoy your meal.

You don’t see this often. But we need to normalize it and do it more often. Spending time by yourself can be so good for your mental health.

6. Go for a drive

Get in the car and go wherever you feel like going. Whether it’s the mountains, the beach, an empty field, or just the next town over. Just drive, even if you’re not sure where you’re going to end up.

Put on your favorite tunes or a good podcast, and just enjoy the ride.

7. Take a bath

Allow yourself to take a luxurious bath. Go all out. Bubbles, candles, bath bombs, do it all! To make your bath even more relaxing try adding some essential oils. Here is a review of Plant Therapy Essential Oils, they would be a great addition to your bath!

You can also get one of those super cool bath desks, so you can read or work on the computer or prop up your tablet while you watch Netflix, etc.

Also, lock the bathroom door. It’s not a relaxing bath if someone is bursting through the door asking you to open their fruit snacks.

8. Plan your dream house (or wedding) on Pinterest

Pinterest is seriously the best for planning your dreams. Whether it’s your house, wedding, vacation, or even your baby’s nursery!

If you want to go old school and check out magazines or even print things off the computer, you can make a dream board! They are so fun.

9. Cook a fancy dinner

Cook yourself a nice dinner. Find a recipe online that looks good and give it a shot. Also, have a frozen pizza handy if it doesn’t work out! (;

Clearly, this is for someone who enjoys cooking. If you hate cooking, the last thing you should do to relax and unwind is cook. Go pick up Chinese food.

10. Spend the day in bed

Sit in bed all day and watch tv. Binge watch a Netflix series or go through all your favorite movies. Or just relax, sleep, and read books all day. You could even get an IV drip in Seattle without having to leave the comfort of your room. An IV can help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, and ready to take on the challenges of your day.

I feel like we should be able to do this once a week. Maybe not the entire day, but at least a few hours.

11. Get a pedicure

Pedicures are so nice and relaxing. If pedicures aren’t your thing, you can do a manicure. And if you want a cheaper alternative, give yourself a mani-pedi!

A tip for a cheaper experience is to go to a beauty school! They are much cheaper because they are still learning, but it usually works out great!

12. Exercise

Do some form of exercise. Whether it’s yoga, cardio, HIIT, bike riding, weight lifting, or even just going for a walk. Any form of exercise is good for the body and good for the brain.

Plus, something about exercising is so invigorating, it gives you more energy and motivation, and you feel a sense of accomplishment. As you should, because exercising is hard.

13. Try something new

Do something you’ve always wanted to try. Maybe a craft, or learning a new language, playing an instrument, or just anything you’ve wanted to try.

We always say “I will learn that when…” and we always find a reason why we can’t do it yet. Just do it! Whatever it is, make the time. Even if it’s 10 minutes a day, or one hour a week!

14. Start a journal

Journaling is great for clearing your mind. It’s a safe place to get out your emotions and vent without actually having to talk to anyone. It’s crazy how much better you feel after letting it all out. This journal is beautiful! 

Plus, journals are so great for tracing progress, and looking back on your life. It’s bittersweet to be able to look back and recall old memories. And it might even be exciting to see how far you’ve come.

15. Bake something

Get creative and bake something fun! Whether it’s your favorite cookies, or you want to try something crazy like a fancy cake, just bake!

Pinterest has tons of ideas! Also, fondant is actually really simple to work with an it makes cakes look so pretty and professional.

16. Go buy a treat

If baking isn’t your thing, go buy yourself your favorite treat. Go to a bakery downtown you’ve never been to, or a chocolate factory, or even your favorite place that will never get old.

This can also be as simple and cheap as a snickers bar from the gas station. Self care can be cheap, too!

17. Find a new book to read

If you enjoy books, find yourself a new book. Google search “best romance books” or whatever genre you like, and pick one that looks interesting.

You can also do an ebook or an audio book. This can make it even easier to get your reading done. Just put it on in the car on the way to work, or when the kids are napping. Get some headphones and listen while you clean. There’s so many options.

18. Practice meditation

Meditation is good for the mind, body, and soul. It sometimes takes a while to really get the hang of. Check out this guide to getting started with meditation.

You can also check out this beginners guide to yoga and meditation if you are wanting to combine your meditation with some yoga.

19. Set goals

Take time to sit down and determine your goals. It’s always nice to set your goals for the day, for the week, for the month, and sometimes set your 1-year and 5-year plans.

Accomplishing a goal you’ve set for yourself feels so great! This would be a good addition to your bullet journal or daily journal.

20. Do something nice for someone

Nothing makes you feel better than doing something nice for someone. Whether it’s anonymous or not, it will make you feel good.

This could be as simple as helping a neighbor unload groceries, or even paying for another persons meal at a drive through or restaurant. The opportunities to serve others are endless.

This might sound like an odd task to do when you’re trying to practice self care. But self care is all about improving your mental health and well-being, and doing a service can bring you a lot of happiness.

21. Get a professional massage

I don’t know if there’s anything better than getting a massage. You can do a full body, or even just a foot massage. It’s SO relaxing.

If you haven’t had a professional massage, what are you doing with your life? Just kidding, but you need to do it. They literally massage all of your stress right out of your body.

22. Go for a walk

Get outside, go for a walk, and take your time to really enjoy your surroundings. This is a great opportunity to practice mindfulness, and unplug from technology for a bit.

Not to mention how good it is for your physical health as well as your mental health!

23. Go hot tubbing

For those of you who DON’T have a nice, big, jetted tub (me), go find yourself a hot tub! The rec center is a good place to look.

Or find a friend who lives in a housing area that has access to a pool and hot tub. Those friends are the MVP’s.

24. Take a mini-vacay

Go on a weekend trip. It can be as simple as the next town over, or a long drive to the next big city, or a weekend trip to Vegas. Go somewhere fun!

To make it a little cheaper, you can incorporate some camping, or use AirBnB instead of hotel stays.

25. Go see a show

Take yourself out to a movie, or a musical, or a comedy show. Whatever you think you’d get the most joy out of.

Of course, taking someone would be nice. But this is your “me time” and spending time alone can be so peaceful.

26. Get a facial

If pedicures aren’t your thing, try a facial! Or, have a spa day and do it all!

Every woman deserves a spa day with all the works! But, if you’re trying to limit the spending, stick to the facial.

27. Go shopping

Buy yourself those shoes you want. Get yourself a new dress to go out in. Go on a shopping spree.

Hit up your local Target… just kidding. Don’t, it’s a trap. This can be a nice store or a second hand store. As long as you’re getting something for yourself it doesn’t matter where it’s coming from.

28. Create your ultimate bucket list

This is so fun! Plan out your ultimate bucket list. Add everything you want to accomplish in your lifetime, and watch yourself cross them off as time goes on.

I will say it over and over again. Pinterest is life. It’s a great place to get inspiration for a bucket list. They even have printable ones where the work is already done!

29. Listen to a podcast or ebook

Podcasts are the new thing! There is a podcast out there for seriously everything. Ebooks are also in. You can just play it while you’re driving in the car, or plug your headphones in and listen to it throughout the day.

My favorite podcast right now is “Office Ladies”. It’s by Pam and Angela from the office and they give behind the scenes tidbits from The Office. If you like the office, listen to this podcast!

30. Take a nap

Allow yourself to neglect your responsibilities for the day, and take a nice, long nap.

Get some sleepy time music, essential oils, one of those cute eye covers, go all out. And it’s totally fine if your nap ends up being 36 hours. The world will live!

What was your favorite idea from this list of self care ideas?

Let us know in the comments, and include any of your favorite self care ideas that aren’t on this list.

Check out our homepage, and find more info on all things Motherhood and Marriage!

If you found this self care article helpful, we’d love if you’d help us out by doing any of the following:

self care ideas

Kayla is the content creator over at motviationformom.com. She is a wife and mother who loves to share all of the tips, tricks, and life lessons that she has learned over the years with all of her readers. Her primary focus is on children’s education, motherhood, and healthy family relationships!


Spread the love

One Reply to “30 Self Care Ideas – Affordable and Perfect for Busy Women”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *