Table of Contents Introduction How to Pick the Best Artificial Indoor Tree Best Inexpensive Artificial Indoor Trees That Look Real How to Make Artificial Trees Look Real Invest in a Better Pot Add Dirt, Moss, or Rocks to the Pot Separate and Style the Branches Conclusion Introduction A really easy way to elevate any space and add character is to add some plants and fortunately, you don't need a green thumb or a lot of free time to spruce up your home with some greenery. Artificial indoor trees are a great low-maintenance alternative to real trees because they don't need light, water, or regular maintenance that living trees need. Before you run to Target or Wayfair to buy a $200 tree, there are some tricks are recommendations to find a quality budget-friendly faux tree for a fraction of the cost. How to Pick the Best Artificial Indoor Tree It's important to choose a high-quality artificial tree that fits well in your space. Quality brand-name faux trees are usually well over $100, but luckily, there are cheaper options that are just as good if you look for the following characteristics. Proper Size and Style for Your Space This can be easily overlooked as most people are more concerned about the artificial tree itself instead of how it will look in your home. This article from Nearly Natural gives some good guidelines on how tall a fake tree should be for different spaces. The type of faux tree will also make a big difference for your space because you want the style of the tree and your space to match. For example, a fake olive tree has a light and dainty structure that goes perfectly with lighter interior styles like a farmhouse style while a faux palm tree is bolder that matches a traditional style. Also, pay attention to the shape of the leaves. If your space has a lot of soft angles and arches, then an artificial tree with pointy, angular leaves will seem like a harsh addition. But, if your space is very contemporary with defined points and angles, then the tree will emphasize and complement the style. Realistic Design and Materials Choosing a realistic artificial tree is a no-brainer, but you should specifically look for realistic proportions and materials. A realistic fake tree will have properly sized leaves and trunk for its size, so look at pictures of the real tree as you're shopping to know what it should look like. Additionally, get a tree with a realistic trunk and leaves. A poorly designed plastic trunk or leaves with no detail will look more like a cheap eyesore than a natural addition to your home. Instead, look for a faux tree with realistic materials, colors, and textures. Wired Branches A tree that looks realistic, but is stiff and straight, will look off. To prevent this, you want to look for an artificial tree that has wired branches that you can style. This is an important step discussed later in this section to make your fake tree truly look realistic. Best Inexpensive Artificial Indoor Trees That Look Real Artificial 6ft Olive Tree - $59.99 An artificial olive tree is at the top of the list because it is very versatile and trendy for any light and airy interior space. What I love about this tree is how affordable it is compared to its expansive counterparts, and it has just as many features. This tree is made from actual wood, so the trunk is as realistic as it can possibly be. It also has silk leaves and three different colors of olives to give it natural details. To top it all off, the branches are wired so you can style it to your heart's content and it comes in four different sizes to fit any space. Artificial 6ft Ficus Tree - $59.99 Another classic fake tree is the ficus tree which has stunning, bold leaves that still have a delicate structure to them. Like the olive tree, this faux ficus tree has real wood and silk leaves to give it a realistic look. Moreover, it also has vines wrapping around the trunk, adding extra detail straight from nature that enhances the look. This tree also has wired branches for personal styling and comes in four different sizes to fit in different spaces. Artificial 6ft Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree - $60.50 If you want a bolder artificial tree to match bolder interior styles with soft, unique, rounded angles, this is a perfect match. Although it doesn't have real wood, the realistic trunk detailing and structure make up for it. The leaves also have silk in them to give a natural look and are still sturdy to give the hardy look of the natural tree. Of course the branches have wires in them to style how you want and arrange them to fit your space. This tree comes in two sizes and styles if you prefer a more lengthy style like in the picture, or a fuller style for a bigger statement. Artificial 5ft Silk Bird of Paradise Palm Tree - $68.99 This fake palm tree gives any space a touch of tropics and the rounded leaves complement the soft shapes of your home. It's made of silk and plastic to give it the hardy look of a palm tree with a natural leaf texture. The leaves also have a natural coloring to them with realistic details. As expected, the branches have wire in them so you can style it to keep the leaves facing upward or give it a soft bend for a softer look. Artificial 5ft Areca Palm Tree - $64.99 A more classic tropical tree is the delicate and full areca palm tree with a rigid, angular structure. This tree is made of silk and plastic with careful detailing to look realistic and hardy like a real palm tree. The wired branches let you style it as you wish and it comes in 3 sizes to fit different spaces. Artificial 5ft Dracaena Tree - $63.99 If you have a style with a lot of edges and shard angles like a contemporary style, then this is a must-have fake tree to elevate your space. The high-quality plastic gives the leaves structure while the details and color imitate a natural look. Wires in the leaves allow you to style them as you wish and three different sizes allow you to proportionally add it to different spaces. Artificial 5ft Bamboo Tree - $64.99 This faux tree is perfect for organic, light, natural styles like the Japandi style that are soft in color but structured and geometrical. The leaves have beautiful detail and coloring that make them very realistic and the pot compliments that dainty angular plant well. Unfortunately, the stems aren't realistic, but if you're willing to splurge a little, try this one that uses real bamboo stems instead. For customization, the tree comes with wires in the leaves for styling and there are two different sizes. How to Make Artificial Trees Look Real Buying a realistic artificial tree is the most important step to making a fake tree look real, but there are an additional three things you can do afterward to really bring the tree to life. Invest in a Better Pot Most faux trees either don't come with a decorative pot, or the pot they come with is cheap plastic that doesn't elevate your space. Luckily, this is an easy fix that is very customizable for your space and style. Investing in a pot that complements the tree and your space is an easy trick to make your space feel more expensive. Here are some things to consider when buying a pot for an artificial tree: Choose the correct size pot that is proportional to your tree: a small pot looks cheap while a big pot looks overwhelming. Choose the right material: a metal pot can accentuate other metal accents, a stone pot can enhance an earthy room, and a glazed ceramic pot can go with any style. Choose appropriate patterns and textures: solid-color pots with patterned engravings give extra detail without looking busy or overwhelming while a pattern-painted pot can serve as a focal point. Add Dirt, Moss, or Rocks to the Pot Fake soil or moss is always a dead giveaway that an indoor tree is fake, so why not spend $5 to $10 and buy something real? This succulent and cactus soil is perfect for fake trees because it is designed to not hold moisture, so it won't smell musty or ruin your faux tree. If you want something less messy, then these potting rocks are perfect because they come in black, white, and mixed colors for different aesthetics. Their size is also proportional to a large pot necessary for a faux tree. Finally, if you're looking for something more natural and decorative, this moss has a neutral brown color or this green moss for a soft pop of color. Separate and Style the Branches This is a super important step that many people overlook or rush. It's important because fake trees are shipped compressed in boxes, so when you receive the faux tree, it'll be very straight and unnatural, making it look fake. To style the branches, pull up a reference picture of what the tree would look like in nature. Then, starting at the bottom branches, mold and bend them to imitate the shape the tree has in the reference photo. This is why finding an artificial tree with wires in the branches is important because it allows you to easily shape the tree as you wish and maintain that shape until to reshape it. Make sure to bend the branches where they would bend in nature and only bend them a little at a time. This way, you don't over-bend the branches and add unnecessary kinks from trying to straighten them. As you work your way up to the top, frequently step away from the tree to see what the tree as a whole looks like and how it fits in your space. This prevents you from over-bending the tree and having to straighten the branches later. Conclusion Artificial indoor trees are a great addition to elevate any space. Although brand-name fake trees are quite expensive, it's possible to find just as good of trees for a fraction of the price if you know what to look for. Although picking the correct tree is very important, you must also style the tree to make it look more realistic and choose the perfect pot to take your home to the next level. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my affiliate links Feel Free to Pin and Share!

Table of Contents Introduction Not Treating Fitness as a Lifestyle Not Having a Plan or Specific Goals Not Scheduling Fitness Into Your Day Trying Everything at Once Not Tracking Progress Not Staying Accountable Conclusion Introduction Maybe you decided that this year will be the year you get fit, or maybe you realized that summer is around the corner and you need to get your bikini body ready. Either way, there are so many people in your shoes who unfortunately struggle to reach their goal and stick to it. Luckily, there are 6 common, yet detrimental, mistakes that you can avoid to be one of the relatively few people who actually stick to their goals and make them a reality. Avoiding these common mistakes by using the following suggestions will immediately give you a head start on forever improving your life. Not Treating Fitness as a Lifestyle Most people start their fitness journey with the mindset of fitness being an occasional activity that they magically muster the motivation to do. Unfortunately, motivation heavily fluctuates and to become fit or healthy, you need to be consistent. Not treating fitness as a lifestyle means that once life gets hard, you get too busy, or you lose motivation, you stop exercising and your goals become distant dreams. Instead, you need to treat your goals seriously and develop grit to make your dream body a reality. As James Clear explains in his book Atomic Habits, to stay dedicated and consistent, even when you aren't motivated, you need to treat fitness as a lifestyle and part of your identity. Once you see yourself as an athlete, runner, or gym rat, you'll start behaving as such. Seeing yourself as a fit person makes exercising easier because as a fit person, that's just what you do, and exercising is no longer optional because it becomes required as part of who you are. If you want to know more about how this works, check out Atomic Habits here. Not Having a Plan or Specific Goals A lot of people have the general desire of wanting to become fit, but don't write out a plan or research the steps to becoming fit. Without a plan, the desire remains as a desire instead of becoming a goal. Once a goal and a plan are made, they act as stepping stones that get you closer to your goal. If you want to become a better runner, you set an achievable distance, time, or speed to run every day, twice a day, etc. If you don't know what goals to set or what plans to make, do some light research, pick something you like, and try it out for a couple of weeks or months. As you try new things, you'll learn what works for you and what doesn't, so you can tweak your plan accordingly. Everyone starts somewhere and your plan doesn't have to be set in stone. For planning my workouts, I like to use Under Armor's free MapMyFitness app for making custom workout routines I can modify and log. I can also track and share my progress, which is useful for the last two tips in this post. Under Armor also has other free useful apps for dieting and more that you can check out. If you want an aesthetic and functional physical journal to keep you motivated, I like this one because it has everything you need to log your workouts, set goals, and track progress. Also, don't forget that consistency can be a goal too, and arguably the biggest goal. If you don't see immediate results, just remember where you started and be proud of consistently showing up for yourself, because that is a big feat in itself. Not Scheduling Fitness Into Your Day We've all been there where we come home from a long day, relax a little bit, and before we know it, it's dark outside and we lost the motivation to go to the gym. I get it, having motivation is hard, but if you schedule your workout into your busy schedule, you won't have the chance to consider a raincheck because you conveniently planned ahead. James Clear actually explained this strategy in Atomic Habits where scheduling a habit into your day serves as a queue or reminder to do the habit. For example, go to the gym on your way home from work so you aren't tempted to put on PJs and skip leg day. Scheduling a gym session right after work and using the drive home as your cue will help you stay consistent, even after a long day. Trying Everything at Once I've been guilty of this one so many times. I make a goal that I get really excited about and try to jump into everything, especially the hard stuff. Sure it works for a couple of days, but once you lose motivation, your unbearably long run starts to sound like torture. Instead, start small... too small. If you want to go on a run every day, start by putting on your sneakers and walking to the end of your driveway. You may think I'm crazy because this sounds counterintuitive, but starting small plants the seed for a lifelong habit. If you jump into running too fast and expect to effortlessly run a 5k in a week, you'll never stick to it because you never made the habit in the first place. Starting ridiculously small makes the habit a no-brainer so even on the hardest days, you can still do it. Eventually, you'll start to like your walk to the driveway and decide to walk to the end of the street. After slowly building this habit, going on a mile run will feel natural. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but James Clear explains this strategy in Atomic Habits. In case you can't tell, this book is the reason why I've been able to consistently exercise for over 3 years straight. Not Tracking Progress Since you see yourself every day, you don't see the gradual changes that lead to big results. Therefore, it can be disheartening to not see significant progress when in reality, you just don't see it, so tracking your progress can keep you motivated. If you're trying to lose weight, an easy way to track your progress is with a scale, but be careful of this one if you're also building muscle. I say this because muscle is heavier than fat, so if you lose fat and gain muscle, the number on the scale may not change even though you went down a shirt size. Instead, take body measurements around your waist, arms, or anywhere you want to see progress. MapMyFitness has a really nice feature for tracking such measurements and it shows graphs of your progress. Just keep in mind that the measurement will fluctuate from day to day, so treat it like the stock market and focus on the general trends. You can also use this physical fitness journal to track your measurements and progress if you prefer using pen and paper. Progress also doesn't have to be isolated to how your body changes. You can also track the progress of the weight you lift or distance you run to watch yourself become a better athlete. If you really want to get nitty-gritty, you can also track your form and watch how it improves because even if you don't lift more weight or run as fast, you may instead develop better form, which is arguably more impressive. Not Staying Accountable Some people may need someone or something to keep them accountable like a friend or habit tracker. Of course, this differs from person to person because having either may add unnecessary stress or pressure. Regardless, if you are someone who likes competition or needs external motivation, having regular check-ins with a friend or keeping a habit tracker may be the cherry on top to stay consistent and never skip a day. If you don't have a friend in mind, Under Armor's MayMyFitness app has challenges ranging from a couple of weeks to a year to keep you motivated. Conclusion These 6 mistakes may not be the only reasons why so many people fall short of reaching their fitness goals, but they are definitely some of the most common with easy techniques to avoid them in the first place. Not every fitness journey will be without mistakes, but it is important to learn from them and move forward. Best of luck! Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my affiliate links Feel Free to Pin and Share!

Table of Contents Introduction Long-Lasting DIY Lash Extensions Easy Eyebrow Touchup Instant Teeth Whitening Overnight Skincare for Fast Results Semi-Permanent Bronzer or Contour Conclusion Introduction Out of all the forms of self-care, a glow up is definitely in the top ranks. Luckily, it is possible to have a facial glow up overnight using 5 simple tricks that can weeks, giving you instant confidence and respect. Luckily, the luxury of an overnight facial glow up doesn't have to be filled with expensive serums and it can be done in the comfort of your own home on a budget using the suggested tips and products. Although there are only 5 steps, you can pick and choose which steps you want to try as these tips are only suggestions to get you started and quickly looking as beautiful as ever. Long-Lasting DIY Lash Extensions I put this one first because this is probably the most impactful addition to any glow up. You can always use mascara, but if you want something that will take your look to the next level and will last awhile, you need to try Falscara lash extensions. Falscara is different because the lashes will last a week with the lash bond, which is perfect for active individuals or anyone who likes to save time in the morning. I've tried other brands, but Falscara has consistently given me good results for such a great price. I like the lengthening wisps and this kit has everything you need to get started. You can even reuse lashes after cleaning them off. Falscara also has its own lash remover that's very gentle and I also use it to clean used lashes. Finally, there are numerous refill options including lash refills and bond/seal refills. Easy Eyebrow Touchup A really easy way to elevate your face and features is starting with your eyebrows because it can take a total of 10 minutes to change your look and make you look more polished. How to Shape Your Eyebrows The first step is to shape your eyebrows, and luckily, there are different methods depending on your preferences: Plucking or Tweezing Waxing Threading My personal preference is a combination of threading and tweezing: I go to a salon to get my eyebrows properly shaped with threading, and then I upkeep it with tweezing. This way, I have someone with experience shape my eyebrows and I maintain the shape for free using this set that comes with brow scissors. If you want to shape them yourself, you can find a simple guide to eyebrow mapping and shape your eyebrows according to your facial features. What about waxing my eyebrows? Well, there are a couple of reasons why I don't wax my own eyebrows: Acne topicals will make your skin sensitive and your skin can be ripped off by the wax (I learned this the hard way) It is easy to take off too much of your eyebrow without experience Needless to say, this is my own experience and if you find waxing to be a lot faster with better results, then go for it! How to Fill Your Eyebrows After shaping your eyebrows, there are two different ways to fill them in: Makeup (temporary) Beard or eyebrow dye (semi-permanent) You can't go wrong with makeup because if you mess up, just take your favorite makeup remover and wipe it off. This lets you play around with different shapes and see the final result as you fill in your eyebrows. My favorite eyebrow pencil is Maybelline's brow tint pen because it easily gives me a natural-looking wispy brow perfect for my no-makeup makeup look. This micellar water makeup remover also does a perfect job of taking it off without smudging or leaving an oil residue. On the other hand, beard or eyebrow dye is a bit riskier because it is naturally semi-permanent, so any mistake will last a while. On the bright side, this technique will save so much time when getting ready (or un-ready) and is waterproof for swimmers or active individuals. Luckily, there are techniques to get the perfect brow every time that you can find here. I get the best results using the same beard dye as the tutorial because it has a lot of color options to get your perfect shade and gives a realistic look if you don't go too dark in color. There are also eyebrow dye kits like this one that are also great to use and have good results, but they tend to be more expensive since they are marketed for eyebrows and you will get less product as a result. The nice part about this eyebrow dye kit is that there are a lot of color and kit options that also come with stain remover for new users and other useful tools specifically for eyebrows. Instant Teeth Whitening Another way to instantly look more polished is to whiten your teeth, and there are different at-home methods to do so: Gel Kit Strips Pens Toothpaste and Mouthwash DIY How to Whiten Your Teeth with Gel This method is my favorite because it gives the best results and it's easier to do correctly since the mouthguard doesn't move around in your mouth. Plus, there's something professional about using gel kits, making it perfect for a spa day at home. I use this gel kit because it's very inexpensive compared to other whitening products and is very intuitive to use. It gives you enough gel to use over 24 times and is gentle on sensitive teeth. It also comes with a desensitizing gel for sensitive teeth and a laminated paper strip to gauge the color of your teeth and track progress. I like to whiten my teeth as I do other things on this list like skincare or just scroll on my phone as I wait for the timer to go off to rinse my teeth. I'll be posting a video soon of me using and reviewing the product, so join any of my social media to be the first to see it. How to Whiten Your Teeth with Strips This method is oftentimes more expensive than the whitening gel kit I recommend and it is harder to mess up because the strips will move around if you aren't careful. Nonetheless, if you use the proper technique, you'll get great results very quickly. I found this technique to be very successful because it makes sure that the strip is directly touching your teeth and won't move around. Since on-brand whitening strips are expensive, I opt to use these whitening strips instead that are half the price, but just as effective because they use the same ingredients. I usually won't move around as much when I use strips to make sure that the strips don't move around and keep in contact with my teeth. I like to use this opportunity to browse social media or just relax. How to Whiten Your Teeth with a Pen This option won't have strong instant results but is perfect when you're on the go and don't have time for gel or strips. You can also use it in addition to gel and strips, but be mindful of how sensitive your teeth are so you don't damage your enamel. I like to carry this whitening pen with me because it's really easy to use after a cup of coffee. It comes with a desensitizing pen as well if you have sensitive teeth like me. Plus, it's the same brand as the gel kit that I really like, so I know it's good quality. You can buy the gel kit and pens together for a great deal you can't find anywhere else. How to Whiten Your Teeth with Toothpaste and Mouthwash Like the whitening pens, this method won't have instant results, but it still plays an important role in your daily routine to look your best. Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash won't remove deep stains like whitening gel and strips will, but they can help remove surface stains to give your teeth some shine. I use this whitening toothpaste and this whitening mouthwash because Crest is a reputable brand with alcohol-free products and these aren't expensive. Additionally, I like to buy them in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco for additional savings. I've also grown fond of this purple toothpaste that has been trending on social media. How to Whiten Your Teeth with DIY Methods I used to use DIY methods, but they didn't give me the same instant results as gel and strips. Additionally, some methods may be abrasive to your enamel, so it can't be used very frequently. Nonetheless, DIY methods can still be effective when used consistently over longer periods of time. If you want to see what professionals honestly think of different DIY teeth whitening techniques, check out this post from the University of Rochester Medical Center. Overnight Skincare for Fast Results Anyone who knows anything about skincare will know that good skin comes from consistency and time, but there are ways to give your skin an instant boost by spot-treating acne and using face masks for fast results. How to Clear Your Skin with Spot Treatment The first thing that comes to mind is pimple patches, which are stickers you can put on pimples to reduce their appearance or make them disappear overnight. They work by killing bacteria in the area and absorbing any discharge out of the skin. They also contain hydrocolloid gel to keep the area moist and promote healing while fighting infection. The Mighty Patch is a very popular product that I have had good overnight results with. I also like Differin's pimple patches because they contain salicylic acid to kill more bacteria and it is a brand recommended by dermatologists. You can also make your own pimple patches by cutting up or hole-punching hydrocolloid bandages. That way, you get more patches for cheaper and still get the benefit of absorbing discharge and promoting healing. Another way to spot treat is with creams or gels that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to kill the bacteria. Neutrogena has a benzoyl peroxide cream for stubborn acne and Differin has an adapalene gel with ingredients prescribed by dermatologists for treating acne. The Best Face Masks and Serums for an Overnight Glow Up There are many different face masks out there, but for instant results, you want a clarifying mask, a nourishing mask or serum, and a hydrating serum or lotion. A clarifying mask will exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin to give you an instant glow and allow other products to reach deeper into your skin. The mask I like to use is by The Ordinary and this one comes with a hyaluronic face serum that is the perfect duo. It is a little intense and may have a slight burning sensation, so don't leave it on for too long, but it always leaves my face super soft and fresh. Next is a nourishing mask or serum that brightens your face and evens your skin tone. I use this vitamin C face mask by Mario Badescu or CeraVe's vitamin C serum which already has hyaluronic acid in it. Finally, after cleaning and nourishing your skin, you need to hydrate it. If you already have the products above, you can use them and skip this step since they already have hyaluronic acid, unless you get dry skin like me. Depending on your preference, you can use a hyaluronic serum like the one by The Ordinary with the exfoliating mask or this one from Neutrogena. For something thicker, you can use this lotion by CeraVe that I use religiously. Semi-Permanent Bronzer or Contour If you like to sleep in like me, then this step may be a lifesaver. You can use self-tanner to contour or bronze your face and have it last for weeks. Using self-tanner as contour or bronzer is fairly straightforward: you take your favorite self-tanner and apply it as if you were applying contour or bronzer, wait the instructed amount of time, and then wash it off. For more detailed instructions, check out this post by Ecosmetics. You can use either body tanner or face tanner, but if you're prone to breakouts, stick to face tanner. I like this tanner because of the color variety and it isn't splotchy. Plus, it's very inexpensive. If you'd rather stick to makeup, I love this contour by e.l.f. and this bronzer by Physicians Formula for any look and skin tone. Conclusion An overnight glow up is definitely possible in 5 simple steps, and most of these steps can be done weekly such as Falscara lash extensions, teeth whitening, and self-tan contour or bronzer. With simple upkeep and maintenance, your overnight glow up can become a new look or lifestyle, giving you lasting confidence and a new self-care activity. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my affiliate links Feel Free to Pin and Share!

Table Of Contents Introduction Planning Your Trip Save Money on Lodging and Hotels Save Money on Transportation and Flights Eating Out Affordable Activities and Attractions Conclusion Introduction Traveling and exploring are very important for making memories and experiencing different cultures. With limited vacation days and paychecks, traveling can be expensive, making it hard to comfortably enjoy your stay or get the most out of your vacation. To help afford traveling while on a budget, I want to share 5 tricks that have saved me hundreds on a single trip, allowing me to experience more and still save money for my long-term goals. Planning Your Trip Saving money on traveling starts before you even make your first purchase or commitment. Choosing the best destination and time will drastically impact the overall price and experience of your desired dream getaway. When planning, make sure to consider the following advice to save as much as you can while experiencing an unforgettable vacation. Destination Have you ever tried to buy anything in a tourist location? If so, you've probably run across $15 chicken tenders or a $5 bottled water like I have. Visiting large, popular tourist areas almost guarantees price markups because attractions know tourists are more willing to spend more for convenience and experience. With that in mind, it is important to consider alternative locations to popular tourist attractions so you can get more out of your vacation. Not only can they be cheaper, but alternative locations can also be better for experiencing nature and culture as these locations will not be polluted with traffic and scams. For example, according to livingcost.org, Costa Rica is 32% more expensive than Honduras. This means that you only need $30 a day to enjoy a vacation in Honduras, but you need over $50 a day to enjoy Costa Rica according to Indie Traveler. For more affordable tourist attraction alternatives, you can check out this post by Travel Lifestyle Magazine. Time Not only does the destination impact the price of your vacation, but the time of year or season is also very important. Especially with cruises, there are slower months in the year when a lot of attractions will be discounted to attract visitors during those slow times. Typically, the best deals can be found in the spring and fall in the months of May, June, September, and October. In addition to the locations being cheaper, the transportation to the attractions also varies by the time of year and popularity. To see how to save money with flights and more, check out the transportation section. Preparation The last thing you want while you're traveling is when looking for a place to stay, all of the cheaper places are booked out, so you have to settle on an expensive hotel room you can't afford. Preparation and research are vital for a successful vacation. Don't get me wrong, a spontaneous trip is thrilling, but not having a place to stay or an activity to do can put a damper on your mood. While planning for a vacation, research popular activities to do, food to eat, and places to stay so you have an idea of what to expect and are not wasting time on your trip trying to figure out what to do. My favorite website for researching vacations is TripAdvisor. It has every attraction you can think of and is broken down into categories for easy searching. Plus, everything is rated by users so you know exactly what to expect. If possible, make reservations in advance so you know that your must-haves are a will-have. No one wants to arrive at a restaurant and find out that it's a 3-hour wait or buy a ticket only to find out that the tour is full. For tips on how to save money on your plane tickets when planning your vacation, check out this Google Flights Hack. Save Money on Lodging and Hotels Lodging is a considerable portion of your travel budget, and it's important to save money on your stay so you can spend more on experiences. Finding lodging can be tedious, but following these tricks can ensure that you're getting a good deal. Which Lodging Option is Best? There are a lot of lodging options nowadays between hotels, motels, Airbnb, and hostels, making it hard to choose the right one for your stay. But, here are some general trends that can help you narrow down your search: Hotels are the most reliable, consistent, flexible, safe, and family-friendly, but also can be the most expensive Motels are more affordable and have similar characteristics, but can be inconsistent in quality and service Airbnb has a great range of prices and access to kitchens most of the time, but are also inconsistent, unreliable, lack privacy, and have expensive hidden fees Hostels are the cheapest and are great for socializing, but have little privacy, are inconsistent, and are not family-friendly Book Your Lodge Correctly There are a lot of third-party websites that boast cheap lodging deals and want you to purchase rooms through them, but do not do that! First, these websites have to make money somehow, so they may increase the price of the booking or add a fee to make commissions and take advantage of you using their service. Additionally, booking rooms through these websites gives you no leverage or security if something goes wrong. If you need to cancel or relocate a room, staff cannot accommodate your requests or refunds since a third-party website made the reservation on your behalf. But this doesn't mean you cannot use these websites. In fact, I still encourage it, but instead of making purchases through the website, only use it for research. Once you find your desired room, go to the hotel's or hosting company's website and reserve the room there. For help finding the exact hotel booking, check out the Travel Arrow Browser Plugin. TripAdvisor is a great resource to find lodging because it leverages other lodging platforms, like Expedia, to give you the best offers available. Also, it tells you which days are cheaper, has every filter you can think of, and includes real reviews so you find your best match. Bonus Tip: view lodging rates on a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This will mask your location so Google won't rip you off based on the wealth statistics in your area. Use or Buy Points For Cheaper Rates Did you know that you can save money on lodging by paying with hotel points instead of cash or credit? You don't even need the points in the first place because you can buy them on the company's website to save hundreds! Many lodging companies allow you to purchase your stay using points, and with a little bit of math, sometimes the cost to buy enough points for the room is a lot cheaper than using your credit card directly. For example, let's say that a room is $268 a night or 8,000 points. If you can buy 8,000 points for $134 on the company website, that means that instead of paying $268 for one night, you can purchase and use points to get the same room for only $134. That's half off! And if you spend 3 nights there, you already saved over $400 on lodging alone just with this simple trick! Better yet, companies will occasionally have discounts on points, so keep an eye out for any promotions when planning a trip. To save more money, you can also apply this trick to get cheaper flights. Check out the travel section here. If you want to earn more points with your everyday purchases so you don't have to buy points in the first place, check out the best credit cards for travel points. Bonus Tip: view lodging rates on a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This will mask your location so Google won't rip you off based on the wealth statistics in your area. Last Minute Lodging Savings If it's getting late and you need a place to stay that night, the Hotel Tonight app is easy to use and gives you a list of cheap hotels in the area. Sometimes, hotels will discount rooms last minute because they'd rather fill the room for the night and earn money than have the room sit empty. With the Hotel Tonight website or app, it finds those last-minute deals for you when you're on the go, or even days beforehand. Hotel Tonight has its own points as well, so the more you use the app, the more you can save. But, don't solely rely on Hotel Tonight to find deals on Hotel Rooms. As mentioned before, it is better to book a room with the hotel directly to receive better service, upgrades, and cancellation forgiveness. Save Money on Transportation and Flights Just like with lodging, transportation can easily become a large portion of your travel budget, but you can still save money with proper planning. To get the most out of your travels and not break the bank, try these tricks to save money on transportation. Which Transportation Option is Best? Not only should you be thinking about how to get to and from your destination, but you also need to plan for how to get around once you're there. Long-distance transportation includes flying, driving, and trains. Here are the pros and cons of each: Plane: flying is the fastest and is great for long distances (especially overseas), but is also expensive and limited luggage Car: driving is very flexible as you are on your own schedule and is great for transporting more items, but also takes the longest and can be hard on your vehicle Train: trains offer the most comfort and legroom while still being affordable, but are slower than flying and have limited routes Local transportation has more options such as car, bus/tram, taxi/Uber, subway, and ferry. Pros and cons of each include: Car: you can save a lot of money if you're driving your own car and it's very flexible, but you also have to worry about parking and traffic Bus or Tram: there can be free public busses and trams available and you don't have to worry about parking, but you must work with the schedule, wait at stations/stops, and figure out which routes to take Taxi or Uber: you don't have to worry about parking and can call an Uber ahead of time, but this option will be the most expensive and shouldn't be used unless necessary Subway: like busses and trams, subways are affordable, but they're on a schedule, can get crowded, and you must figure out which routes to take Ferry: usually when you take a ferry, it's because it's the most accessible water transport, but it can be expensive and has limited luggage accommodations Planning transportation ahead can not only save money but reduce stress as you already have a plan (and maps, if necessary) so you can focus on the experience and not the transportation. Tips to Save on Flights Flying can be expensive with two-way flights around $800. But, there are of course tricks you can follow to save you hundreds. Checking Luggage Companies and airlines like Spirit can easily surprise you with expensive luggage fees, making you lose any savings you could have if you chose an airline with free checked baggage. Therefore, you need to prepare when traveling with luggage. The easiest way to save money on checked luggage is to have a credit card that gives you free checked luggage. For suggestions, check out the best credit cards that offer free checked luggage. If you don't have time or access to a credit card with such a perk, a lot of airlines have cheaper rates for carry-ons, including a free carry-on. I personally use this carry-on backpack because of the following features: Waterbottle, hidden phone/wallet, and other small outside pockets External USB charging port and internal pocket for portable battery Computer/tablet/book front compartment for easy access Water-resistant internal pocket for liquids and toiletries Shoe pocket with vents Optional shoulder straps that can be tucked away Expandable to give you an extra 2.5 inches 6 complimentary packing cubes Perfect carry-on size and won't catch on anything If all else fails and you're traveling with your significant other or close friend, try to pack one suitcase and split the cost if possible. Use a Pillow as a Suitcase This trick is becoming more popular, so airports may start checking, but instead of bringing a traditional pillow, fill a pillowcase with clothes to save room in your carry-on. Airlines consider a pillow as a free carry-on separate from your small carry-on and a personal bag, so you can pack a lot more clothes for free. Additionally, if you pack the pillowcase with soft items, you can still use your pillow for sleeping on the plane. Packing Lighter If you struggle to fit everything into a carry-on or have a habit of overpacking and have to pay fees for overweight bags, you will definitely benefit from these tricks. To save space with clothes and pack lighter, I suggest bringing layers instead of large, heavy clothes. I find that thermal undershirts like these often do a good job of keeping me warm and can be easily taken off if the climate changes. Additionally, bring clothes that you can style with multiple outfits. For example, a pair of jeans can be worn multiple times and look great with different shirts. The Belle Voyage has an easy guide to travel capsule wardrobes here. Furthermore, finding solid alternatives to liquid products can save a lot of space and keep your luggage mess-free. This shampoo and conditioner bar is great because it is all-natural, lasts a long time, and is free of preservatives, silicones, and dyes. Finally, this may be the easiest tip, but wear your heaviest garments on the plane. Wearing hiking boots and a heavy winter jacket will save you so much room for smaller items. Find the Best Rates with Travel Arrow Travel Arrow is a browser plugin and website that lets you easily compare rates on different third-party sites. The benefit of Travel Arrow is that you can search the same flight on Skyscanner, Kayak, and more instantly, saving a lot of time and headaches. Additionally, Travel Arrow has free virtual travel agents to help you plan your trip and flight. Once you find the flight with the best rate, I still recommend trying to purchase the ticket from the airline's website so that if anything goes wrong with your flight, it'll be easier to receive accommodations and service. Google Flights Hack If you're planning a vacation and are not sure of the exact dates or location, you have the potential to save so much on your flight tickets. For the travel hack, go to Google Flights and choose where you're leaving but not the destination. For more options, you can add up to 5 locations if you have multiple airports around you that you can leave from. Then, view your results. You can find round-trip flights under $100 and can play with filters such as flexible or specific dates to find the best option for you. Bonus Tip: view the results on a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This will mask your location so Google won't rip you off based on the wealth statistics in your area. Find Cheap Flights with Skiplagged If you don't mind layovers, Skiplagged can open way more doors for you to save money on a flight. Skiplagged is a website that looks for connecting flights to get you to your destination as cheaply as possible. For example, a nonstop flight from Nashville to Detroit may cost $700, but Skiplagged can find a flight from Nashville to Indianapolis for $200 and another flight from Indianapolis to Detroit for $300. Using Skiplagged, you may only need to pay $500 for your flight instead of $700. Although you won't need to know the destination location when searching for results, you will need to know the departure and return dates. The biggest catch when using Skiplagged is to not use it often and buy the tickets directly from the airline websites. Although it's not illegal, airlines do not like this practice because they lose money and may try to ban you. If you use this practice sparingly though, you'll go unnoticed and can save a lot of money. Another important detail is that you must use carry-ons instead of checked bags so your luggage stays with you when you switch flights and won't be left behind at the intermediate airport. For tips on packing a carry-on, check out the packing section. Taking these factors into consideration, a lot of experienced travelers use this practice, helping them afford their travels. Use or Buy Points For Cheaper Rates As I explained in the transportation section, paying for flights with points instead of cash or credit can save you hundreds. A flight that costs $700 can cost the equivalent of $400 in points. Even if you don't have the points, you can navigate to the airline's website to easily buy points and save money. Better yet, airlines will occasionally have discounts on points, so keep an eye out for any promotions when planning a trip! If you want to earn more points with your everyday purchases so you don't have to buy points in the first place, check out the best credit cards for travel points. Bonus Tip: view flights on a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This will mask your location so Google won't rip you off based on the wealth statistics in your area. Tips to Save on Rental Cars Like lodging and flying, you can save a lot on rental cars if you know some tried-and-true tricks. To help you save on your next rental, here are some tips to try. Best Websites for Cheap Car Rentals The first step to finding affordable rental cars is to know where to look. For those who are Costco members, the Costco travel portal has a lot of affordable options and is a reliable company. Plus, you can cancel anytime up until pickup without a penalty fee, which is helpful for the next money-saving trick. Another useful website is Autoslash. Although it varies for each rental, most rentals can be canceled at any time before pickup without a penalty or even no fee for no-shows! But before taking advantage of this, make sure your specific rental follows that policy. For the car rental version of Airbnb, check out Turo. Turo connects you with local car owners who are renting their cars, making it more affordable than renting from a rental company. Additionally, they have free cancelations up to 24 hours before pickup. Keep Your Eye Out for Lower Prices Even after you book your rental car, there's a chance you can still get the exact same booking for cheaper. This is why it's important to pay attention to the cancellation policy and take advantage of it. Every so often, return to the same webpage where you booked your rental car and check if the price went down. If it did, and you are still within the cancellation period, rebook the rental car and cancel your previous order. Depending on how many times you're able to do this, you can save hundreds of dollars on your rental car alone using this trick, giving you the best deal possible. Use Your Credit Card If you want to earn points and rental upgrades just from your everyday purchases, look into getting or using a credit card with such perks. For a list of great credit cards that can help you get free rental cars, check out this post by CardRates. Eating Out If you don't happen to be staying at an all-inclusive resort, you most likely will be paying for meals, and depending on your family size, that can quickly reach $100 a day. To keep your meal costs low without sacrificing a great experience and quality food, try these tips. Eat Out for Lunch Instead of eating out for every meal, eat out once a day, and maybe try to have leftovers stretch to your next meal if possible. I personally like to eat out for lunch instead of breakfast or dinner because of multiple reasons: Lunch has more options than breakfast, giving you more ways to experience the culture or atmosphere Lunch is cheaper than dinner and many restaurants may have a promotion to attract customers midday The timing is perfect. If you're out exploring an area, you can stop at a restaurant to embrace the experience and people-watch You can have leftovers for dinner Better yet, indulge in a filling brunch so you can knock out two meals for the price of one. For eating-in ideas while you're traveling, keep reading. Pack Ready-to-Eat Food I know this one is a no-brainer, but it is easy to forget or neglect when you have a busy schedule. For packing food on the go such as in the car, your best bet is to keep it simple. For a portable mess-free meal, a Lunchable- or charcuterie-style meal is really easy to prepare and customize for the family. Bento boxes are a great way to store food and snacks when you don't have time to sit down at a dinner table. I really like this bento box because of the different stackable compartments and it comes with utensils and sauce containers. If you don't have time to prepare bento boxes, packing a cooler of cold meals is an easy alternative. You can stick with classic PB-and-J sandwiches, or get creative with pinwheels and pasta salads. For ideas, check out these cold lunch ideas by Taste of Home. Prepare Food If you have some time for grocery shopping before your trip, get ahead of your meal plans with easy and affordable meals you can make in a kitchen or microwave. Easy Meals with Pots and Pans If you have access to a kitchen with pots and pans, one-pot or one-pan meals are super easy and affordable. Plus, most of them come pre-prepared and you just have to heat it up! One-pot meals include stir-fries that are loaded with protein and vegetables. There are a lot of frozen premade stir-fry kits or you can make your own with fresh or frozen vegetables, protein, grains, and sauces. Just heat them up and serve on some microwaved rice! One-pan meals are the same thing, except cooked in the oven. It is easy to throw and season all of the ingredients on one baking sheet, leaving minimal dishes. Although there are frozen premade kits and ingredients, I suggest using fresh ingredients for better results. One-pan and one-pot meals are easy to transport since each meal can be stored in only 1 to 2 bags, depending on if any meat needs to be separated. Here are some frozen one-pot recipe ideas by Happy Money Saver. Easy Meals with a Microwave Not everyone has access to a full kitchen when traveling, but microwaves are easier to come by. Plus, microwave meals are super simple and don't take a lot of time to prep. The easiest choice is premade frozen microwave meals. I like Lean Cuisine from Target because they're a great choice if you're on a diet, but they aren't very big, so keep that in mind if you have a big day ahead. If you want something a little bigger, check out these microwave recipes by Taste of Home. An easy side idea that'll give you a boost of nutrients and fiber is steamed vegetables. I like to use this microwave steamer and the vegetables come out perfectly every time. You can also make oatmeal, rice, and noodles using this microwave steamer that comes with a spoon. For breakfast, this microwave egg cooker will give you a huge protein boost in under 1 minute. They're perfect for a breakfast sandwich or they can be scrambled and eaten as scrambled eggs. Grocery Shop Instead of Eating Out Instead of spending an arm and a leg for chicken sandwiches at a restaurant, you can feed your entire family for $10 with a trip to the grocery store. One precooked rotisserie chicken, a pack of hamburger buns, and any desired condiments can make upwards of 6 healthy chicken sandwiches. Some popular ingredients for making easy grocery shop meals you can throw together are: Canned or packet meats Precooked meats (rotisserie chicken is a super cheap option) Canned or fresh produce (vegetables, beans, fruit, etc.) Packaged condiments and toppings Premade sides (such as potato salad) Bread and wraps Another great food to buy at the grocery store instead of eating out is desserts. A fancy ice cream shop can quickly add up, but a pack of cookies or cake from the grocery store can last a few days and give everyone something to look forward to. Split Meals If you have family members who can't finish a meal, such as your kids, or you're going to a restaurant with large portions, consider splitting meals. Instead of trying to eat an entire entree, plan to share it between 2 people and add on any sides as needed. That way, for 2 people, you pay for a $16 entree and a $3 side instead of two unfinished $16 entrees, saving you $13 and wasted food. Also, I split my desserts all the time. I often cannot finish a large treat and I find it more meaningful when I can share it with someone. Especially when you're on a diet but you still want to have a sweet experience, splitting treats is a great way to save money and calories. Affordable Activities and Attractions Because it is the activities and attractions you'll remember the most, don't skimp on this category. It is ok to splurge a little after saving so much on lodging, food, and more, as explained previously. But, you also don't want to blow all of your hard-earned money in one day, so you must find a balance between high-cost and low-cost activities and attractions to fill your trip. To make that balance easier, you can try these tricks. Prioritize Must-See Attractions It can be easy to overbook yourself in the excitement of an adventurous trip. Maybe you hope to do 5 things in one day, but only have time to do 3. Or, maybe you're putting too much money into the smaller activities and can no longer afford that one attraction you've been dying to see without going over budget. Either way, make sure to schedule and budget the activities that are most important to you so you can guarantee enough time and money to do them. Then, fill in the rest of your trip with smaller, not-so-important activities that you can delegate to fit into your schedule and budget. For ideas, keep reading. This strategy helps you focus on the most important experiences without going over budget or running out of time. Research Free or Low-Cost Activities Maybe you have a spare hour or two one day that you want to fill with an activity. If this activity is just to fill time, your best bet is to find a free or low-cost activity so you can stay within your budget and not feel bad if you need to cancel the activity. Hikes, walking, and people-watching are very easy activities that can enhance your trip. If you're in nature, find a cool trail to hike, or if you're in the city, walk around and check out what the culture has to offer. If you're going to a popular location such as a city, keep your eye out for local events that are commonly hosted in the summer. Festivals, fairs, and carnivals are great examples of fun activities you can enjoy without breaking the bank. For more ideas for your area, check out TripAdvisor to find different things to do. You can also Google self-guided tours in your area to find some hidden gems. Find Discounts A lot of attractions will offer student, military, and senior discounts. The best way to find out is to ask before purchasing or calling ahead. You can also search for locations that offer such discounts in your area. If none of these discounts apply to you, Groupon is a great website to check out to find discounts. Groupon is a website where businesses will post discounted goods and services to attract customers. With Groupon, you can find discounted memberships, meals, rentals, activities, goods, and services. Even when I'm not traveling, I'm always checking Groupon whenever I need a haircut, a night out, or a membership renewal. Prioritize Nature and Low-Cost Outdoor Activities Whenever I need a getaway from the city, work, or suburban life, I go for a nature-focused vacation. My go-to cheap weekend-long vacation is camping or backpacking. It's very refreshing to disconnect from the media and embrace the fresh air on a hike in the woods. Even if camping is not your thing, try to find destinations that have beautiful landscapes you can explore. I love to walk in rivers and on beaches or find some hidden caves and waterfalls. You can spend an entire day exploring nature in an area, and you can get some cool pictures to show your friends too, all for a very affordable price. Conclusion A nice fulfilling vacation doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Additionally, lodging and transportation don't have to take up your entire budget. With proper planning and implementing the tips previously explained, you can experience an action-packed vacation while saving money for your goals. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my affiliate links

Table of Contents Introduction Mindfulness Techniques Hygiene Routine Fitness Decluttering Habits Healthy Eating Journaling and Gratitude Creative Outlets Outside Activities Social Connection Conclusion Introduction A lot of mental health advice takes a long time, requires a commitment, or is expensive, which makes it very hard to turn them into habits and fit them into a busy schedule. Especially for mothers or women taking care of others, it is too easy to neglect our mental wellness in favor of tending to work, family, and other obligations. Inevitably, if our mental health is neglected for a long period of time, we will experience burnout and depression, making self-care even harder. Therefore, allocating small 5-minute practices in our busy lives can help us handle stress and conquer whatever life throws at us. In this guide, we share easy, practical, and affordable self-care tips tailored toward busy women who want the energy to continue showing up for themselves and others. These are not just fleeting ideas you'll only use for a week – these are strategies you can realistically integrate into your daily routine and actually stick to. Mindfulness Techniques "The opposite of anxiety is not calming down, it is being present" Mindfulness does not require hours of meditation or special equipment. In fact, you can practice while waiting in line, driving to work, and falling asleep. Spending only 5 minutes at a time throughout the day will help you feel present with yourself and your surroundings, keeping anxiety and stress at bay. Here are some of my favorite and most popular mindfulness practices that are super easy to incorporate into a busy lifestyle and don't take a long time. Breathing Awareness If you feel overwhelmed or stuck in your head, this is a good technique as it slows your heart rate and grounds you in your body. During breathing awareness, pay attention to your breath as you inhale and exhale, focusing on breathing in your stomach. This exercise can last as long as you want, making it a great technique to use on the go whenever you need it. Headspace has a free 1-minute guided breathing video here so you can follow along and practice techniques in real-time. If you want to learn more meditation techniques, check out their free and paid services here. They also have a great discount for college students! Body Scan Many people, like myself, hold stress as tension in the body – I mostly hold it in my jaw and shoulders. The problem with holding unwanted tension in the body is it can lead to physical issues like back pain or teeth grinding, so mental exercises are also important for physical well-being. To perform the body scan, close your eyes and starting from the toes, slowly work up to the top of your head, focusing on identifying and releasing any tension in the body. This can be done standing, sitting, or laying down, making it a great exercise to take a moment to yourself wherever you are. Headspace has another 1-minute guided video for the body scan technique here. Although the video is meant to be performed before going to sleep, it can be applied anywhere, especially at a desk. Mindful Eating This is a must-have for stress eaters looking to overcome eating disorders but is also great for people wanting to enjoy their meal. Mindful eating prevents overeating and encourages a healthy relationship with food. Mindful eating is obviously performed while eating a meal or snack. For the exercise, you must slow down and focus on the sensations of the food in your mouth and stomach. Pay attention to colors, textures, flavors, and satiety (satisfaction). Livongo has a longer 10-minute mindful eating video you can follow here while you eat, or listen to it beforehand to get an idea of the practice and go at your own pace. For easy healthy eating tips, check out the healthy eating section. Hygiene Routine Having a hygiene routine is important for saving time because having a predefined order limits pauses to think about what to do next. Additionally, a consistent routine makes it easier to stick to because you won't forget anything. However, whenever I am feeling depressed or burned out, hygiene is very difficult for me because I have to spend extra energy that I don't have to take care of myself. Although it can be difficult, I found that prioritizing hygiene is a great first step for self-care. I have found that having a situational morning and night routine has worked for me. Now how can a routine be situational? Well, for both my morning and night routines, I made 3 options I can choose from: I have extra motivation and energy I have average motivation and energy I am barely hanging on today For example, a nighttime routine with these 3 options can look like this: I have extra motivation and energy: Wax my legs Face mask Teeth whitening strips Bath with candles Face serum and retinol Face/Body Lotion Brush/floss my teeth 2. I have average motivation and energy: Lotion hair removal Shower Brush/floss my teeth 3. I am barely hanging on today Dry shampoo Brush/floss my teeth The reason why having the three options is life-changing is because if I have no motivation, I have an achievable bare minimum that I know I can do. Meanwhile, if it is a Sunday night with extra time on my hands, I can completely pamper myself. By setting myself up for success, no matter how I am feeling that day, I can keep a consistent routine and take care of myself. Fitness Physical well-being is closely linked to mental health because exercise releases chemicals that make your brain happy and help you sleep better. But, when people think of exercise, they think of intense HIIT workouts or hot yoga that isn't sustainable. Instead, recent studies have found that you only need about 7,500 steps a day to get the benefit of exercise! That is about 3.5 miles or an hour of walking. But what does this look like if I am too busy to exercise? Fitness While Working From Home For people who work at home at a desk, the best option is to get a desk treadmill or a similar exercise machine. I like this desk treadmill because it is easy to move around with the attached wheels and is slim enough to store in tight spaces. The best time to use it is during meetings when I do not have to be at the keyboard. During these meetings, I also like to use these wireless headphones because with the flip-to-mute microphone, I can easily mute and unmute myself to reduce background noise. Plus, the wireless feature means I can meal prep or do other tasks while online. But, if you aren't looking for gaming headphones, this wireless pair is also easy to mute and is more affordable. Another easy habit you can use every day while working from home is doing an exercise whenever you enter a room, sit down, or pass by an object. For example, add a pull up bar to the doorframe of your office, so whenever you walk in or out of your office, do a pullup. You can also do an exercise whenever you sit in your office chair or a tv commercial comes on. Self has 21 chair exercises with pictures you can read about here. Fitness While Working In Office For those who have to go into the office for work and a treadmill is not an option, taking frequent breaks to walk will not only help physically but also mentally. A quick walk to the water fountain, coffee machine, bathroom, or around the office will help your mind recharge and stay focused. For more exercise ideas you can do at work, check out this post from Healthline. Decluttering Habits Decluttering is actually very important for mental health and is a great self-care activity. A tidy environment can reduce stress, enhance focus, and improve sleep. If maintained, it only takes 5 minutes at a time. Here are some easy ways to incorporate decluttering into a busy day. Set A Timer Especially for people with ADHD, setting a timer can be an easy spark of motivation to clean. Racing a timer turns cleaning into a game and gives an easy cue to start. When I have a short break or window between meetings, it is easy for me to set a 5-minute timer to guarantee that I'm not late. You'll be surprised how much you can do in 5 minutes, such as unload and reload a dishwasher. This timer has become very popular for cleaning because it is fast to use and serves as a visual reminder to clean, but you can always use a timer app on your phone. Leave Rooms Better Than You Found Them Everyone knows the saying, "Leave it better than you found it," and that can also apply to rooms. It is easy to be in a hurry and throw clothes on the bed or leave dishes in the sink, but if you prepare the room for your next visit, you can prevent chores from piling up. Like with the timer, keeping cleaning to small, frequent chunks will make them easier to complete and increase consistency, which is what many people lack. But, this habit is harder to implement because instead of having the reminder of a timer, you have to remember to clean whenever you leave a room. 30-Second Rule My favorite is the 30-second rule because it is the best when in a rush out of the house or when unmotivated to clean. The 30-second rule means that if a task can be done within 30 seconds, you must do it. For example, putting a dish in the dishwasher, throwing a napkin away, or wiping down a mirror all take 30 seconds, so if you notice any of these things while walking by, you have to do it. Not only is the 30-second rule defined by visual cues, which is perfect for those who have ADHD or are busy and forgetful, but it eliminates the excuse of "I'll do it later." Because small tasks pile up quickly, the 30-second rule is a time-efficient way to prevent that. Healthy Eating Healthy eating is a great practice of self-care as proper nourishment will fuel you with energy and a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, not everyone has time for hours of meal planning and meal prep. Luckily, instead of turning to vending machines or chemical ramen meals, there are easy, healthier options available for lasting health. For mindful eating tips, check out the mindful eating section. Meal Delivery Services If you have time to cook or someone to cook for you, but you don't have time to meal plan or grocery shop, meal delivery services are a great start. With meal delivery, you go to the service provider's website, pick out some meals from their selection, and set a delivery date. That's it! The meal will be delivered in a box with all of the ingredients and a recipe, so all you have to do is prepare the meal. With this method, you know what ingredients are going into your food and you get the luxury of a healthy home-cooked meal with little effort. I like to use Hello Fresh as my meal delivery service provider because they have a big selection of 40 meals that changes every week and is super easy to use. Plus, Hello Fresh uses high-quality ingredients and has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options. Best of all, they even have a promotion for new members! Depending on the plan, new subscribers can receive: 16 free meals $25 Amazon gift card Free shipping on first box To subscribe and learn more about Hello Fresh, check out this link. Healthy Premade Freezer Meals Freezer meals are super easy to throw in the microwave or toaster oven and serve as a healthy, fulfilling meal. They're great to take to work on the go or make at home after a long day. There are three options for freezer meals: Make your own freezer meals Buy freezer meals Freezer meal delivery service Make Your Own Freezer Meals Making your own freezer meals are cheaper and are easier to make in bulk for the whole family. Homemade freezer meals also give more options for cooking them, such as the oven or crockpot. With this method, I like to shop at Costco or Sam's Club and make a lot of freezer meals in one afternoon. For homemade freezer meal ideas, check out 150 freezer recipes here by Taste of Home or this cookbook with 255+ freezer meal crockpot recipes and meal plan (free if using Kindle Unlimited). Buy Freezer Meals Making freezer meals from scratch still take a lot of time because you have to meal plan and meal prep, but there is a faster, more convenient option: buying freezer meals from your local grocery store. Unfortunately, you won't get a home-cooked meal and are limited to using a microwave, but you can't beat a healthy instant meal in under 5 minutes with no meal prep. I like to get the Lean Cuisine frozen microwave meals from Target because they are low in calories and have high protein options, which is perfect if you're on a diet or are looking to stay full longer. Lean Cuisine has a plethora of delicious options, and I feel like I'm eating a cheat meal every time while staying under 400 calories a meal. You seriously can't lose. Meal Replacement Shakes Now meal replacement shakes are a must-have for busy people who tend to skip breakfast and tend to regret it later. When I am trying to hit my protein goals, stick to a diet, get a serving of vitamins, or stave off sweet cravings, a healthy shake is an easy option to go. I have tried many different protein shakes and these are my favorite. Not only are they affordable and perfected the flavors without tasting overly artificial, but the ratio of protein to carbohydrates and fat is impressive. For the chocolate flavor, one shake has: 24 vitamins and minerals 30 grams of protein 5 grams of carbohydrates 3 grams of fat 3 grams of fiber Only 1 gram of sugar Plus, they are the perfect creamer for my morning coffee or dessert for my sweet tooth. I find them in bulk at Sam's Club, but they can also be found at participating grocery stores and online. But when using a shake as a meal replacement, it is important to make it balanced by adding sufficient protein, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber. Neglecting any of these categories will not keep you satisfied until your next meal. World of Blenders has 22 delicious and balanced shakes under 500 calories that use healthy ingredients such as greek yogurt, nut butters, and leafy greens. Journaling And Gratitude This isn't the first or last self-care post that will include journaling, but most articles don't do it justice. I really like journaling because I can do it first thing in the morning to set my day up for success or last thing before bed to clear my mind and sleep better. Journaling is a great hobby and can effectively regulate feelings, but only if done correctly. Additionally, there are different strategies for different goals, and I want to share the most popular techniques suggested by therapists. Spheres Of Influence This journaling technique is highly underrated and oftentimes overlooked. Spheres of influence is my go-to technique when I am feeling overwhelmed and not in control. For spheres of influence, take a journal, blank sheet of paper, scrap paper, or even a napkin and write down everything that you are worried is going to happen or is happening. After making the list as long as you want, go one by one down the list and cross off anything that you can't control. Then, go through what you can control and write down your next steps of action to control the situation in your favor. This forces you to focus on the things you can control (the sphere of control) instead of worrying about what you can't control (the sphere of no influence). For example, I may be worried about a big presentation tomorrow, so some worries I could write down are: I'll be late for the presentation The projector won't work for my PowerPoint I'll forget what to say No one will like my presentation If I then cross off what I can't control and write down my next steps of action, my list will look like this: I'll be late for the presentation --> I'll arrive 20 minutes early I'll forget what to say --> I'll make notecards to bring to read off of Now, instead of being anxious and feeling helpless, I have a to-do list to follow to make sure the presentation goes to the best of my ability. Self-Reflection If you tend to have extreme emotions (especially during that time of the month), self-reflection is a healthy practice to regulate emotions and prevent doing anything you'll regret later. Self-reflection entails documenting what happened, how you reacted, and most importantly, how you can grow from the experience. It is easy to repeat unhealthy emotional habits (such as lashing out at loved ones or stress eating), but you can set yourself up for success for next time. With self-reflection, you write about an experience that made you feel a strong emotion, such as what someone said or what happened at work. In this part, try to give as much context as possible, as this will help in later steps. Next, write about how you felt at the time without judgment. In this step, leave out commentary on your behavior and only document the emotions you went through, trying to correlate what parts of the event triggered which emotions. Finally, analyze the previous steps and look for what could be improved. Could the event have been prevented? Were you open-minded? Has this happened before? Try to create instructions for how you would like to handle the experience next time it happens. For example, if I reacted poorly to a boss' comment, my reflection could look like this: The experience: My boss told me that I was taking too long to complete my report that was due yesterday. So, I lashed out at her complaining that she isn't considerate of her employees and gives us too much work. My feelings: Her comment that I was taking too long on the report made me feel rushed and underappreciated, which came off as rage. After lashing out at her, I felt instant regret and wish I could take everything I said back. How I can grow: Next time I feel rushed and pressured, I can inform the person that I am feeling so and reassure them that I will finish the task as soon as I can. I can also suggest a solution for next time such as getting extra help or extending the due date. Using this technique helps me process strong emotions without judgment, and then analyze them so I can grow from them. Additionally, writing everything down encourages an open mind and prevents resentment. Gratitude It is scientifically proven that you cannot have negative thoughts when practicing gratitude. Best of all, gratitude can be done anywhere, anytime, with or without a pen and paper. Plus, with practice, it becomes easier and can take less than 5 minutes. There are great gratitude prompts you can find online like here, or if you like to write in a journal, this journal has daily and monthly pages that include gratitude, affirmations, goals, and more. Plus, it is super affordable at under $7. If you want a journal that has daily gratitude prompts, I highly recommend this journal because it has 66 daily gratitude prompts that help you focus on small things you may take for granted. If you don't want to write your gratitude in a journal or you want to practice it on the go, I like to use this prompt at the end of my day: List something you are grateful for today List something that you did well List something that made you smile I like this prompt because not only does it encourage you to look for what you're grateful for, but it also helps you notice the things that you are proud of and find joy in. Other Journals If you like journaling daily and want to combine the three practices above and more, this daily self-care journal actually has it all. At only $23, you get: Daily pages that include gratitude, reflection, and affirmation prompts Exercise and mood tracker Weekly and monthly reviews Weekly wellness checks Sticker pages Or, if you want the freedom of mix-and-matching techniques for when you need them, this blank lined journal is affordable and made of quality materials. It comes with 160 pages, a ribbon bookmark, and an elastic band to keep it closed. If bullet journaling is more your thing and you want a dotted grid for custom designs, I like this dotted journal because it comes with all the same features at another affordable price. For something that is a fun, unique twist on journaling, check out Wreck This Journal. Creative Outlets Do you ever get a random spark of creativity and don't know what to do with it? Or maybe you're looking for a small self-care hobby that doesn't take a lot of time? There's a plethora of quick, creative outlets that won't break the bank and will help you connect with yourself. Photography Photography is a great self-care activity because any camera will do, even the one on your phone, making it a cheap hobby you can easily do every day on the go (even in the car). Additionally, photography can encourage you to go outside, and spending time in the sun can improve your health mentally and physically. Even driving around to new places can give you the motivation to get out of the house and explore your local area or meet new people. Most importantly, photography can serve as a way to express your view of the world and appreciate the beauty of it. If you want to highlight the serenity of the city at night or the personality of your dog, you can start a social media account to share your ideas with others. If you run out of ideas or are not sure where to start, PhotoJeepers has 52 weekly photography prompts to expand your ideas. Adult Coloring If coloring is more your cup of tea, there are great books and apps online that can help you relax and have fun with colors. This coloring book has pages of inspirational quotes to color for only $8 and I like to pair it with these affordable dual-tip adult markers for easy coloring. For coloring on the go, coloring book apps are a great option. This post by DIY Candy ranks the best coloring book apps, including free versions. Outside Activities There are a lot of ways that spending time outdoors can improve your health. According to this article by Healthline, these include: Better breathing Improved sleep Reduced depression Motivation to exercise Mental energy Immune health Better vision Emotional wellness Additionally, outdoor activities are super inexpensive and oftentimes free. Here are my favorite ways to spend time outdoors for my mental health when I'm busy: Walking or hiking (perfect time to listen to that podcast you've been catching up with) Yoga (I like this 5-minute full-body stretch by Yoga with Bird) Outdoor lunch break Turn phone calls into walks Mindfulness exercises outside Outdoor journaling or photography If you're working from home, take your work to your backyard The easiest way to get some vitamin D and get the benefits is to do daily activities outside instead of inside when possible. Social Connection Social connection is not just for extroverts. Everyone should have a balance of social interactions in their lives because being present in society can help your mood, boost your motivation, and encourage healthy habits. It is easy to incorporate social connection into a busy life by just changing the setting or adding company to everyday activities. Here are my favorite activities to incorporate social connection: Instead of working out alone at home, go to the gym or find a running buddy to keep you accountable Go out to eat occasionally to interact with others and invite a friend Call an old friend or family member in the car to catch up If you work from home, occasionally work from a coffee shop and let the ambient sounds keep you focused Tweaking everyday rituals to include social aspects can greatly improve your mental and physical health without having to break the bank, making it a great practice for self-care. Conclusion Self-care doesn't have to cost a pretty penny or take an entire evening out of a busy day. By adjusting current habits or forming new ones, self-care can be easily integrated into your chaotic schedule. Moreover, small, effective changes can make it easier to stick with long-term, helping you take care of yourself and be the best you can be without extra effort. If you want more self-care ideas, check out more self-care posts here. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my affiliate links