Let’s be honest: social media’s idea of self-care is very trendy and oftentimes unrealistic. Not everyone has the time or money to take a bath with rose petals, bath bombs, and fancy salts. Marketing strategies under the guise of self-care are common. Businesses want you to believe that you have to buy expensive face creams and pricey silk eye masks to participate in self-care. What if, however, there were ways to take care of yourself without spending unreasonable amounts of money?

Self-care does not have to be expensive; there are plenty of ways to relax and unwind without spending anything! There are many articles that cover inexpensive ways to take care of yourself. Check out this list of self-care ideas on the website Groov, for instance.

Taking a moment to engage in deep or paced breathing may not seem like self-care, but there are major benefits to doing so! Studies like the one here on the National Library of Medicine show that breathing exercises can positively affect your emotional state, reducing feelings of anger, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, breathing exercises can stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, the system that regulates stress. Breathing exercises can be done anywhere and are inconspicuous.

Taking a short walk may also seem trivial or unhelpful, but like deep breathing, there is scientific evidence to back up the benefits. Articles such as this one by Harvard Health Publishing state that walking can relieve joint pain related to arthritis, improve your immune system, and even reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Finally, meditation can reduce stress and lower your heart rate. According to the Mayo Clinic in this article, meditation can improve your focus, sleep quality, and self-awareness, among many other benefits. Like deep breathing, you can meditate anywhere! Meditation is not limited to certain spaces or times. You can meditate while you brush your teeth, ride the bus, or make your bed.

Self-care can take many different shapes and forms. It does not need to be an expensive endeavor. You can take care of yourself in many ways, including deep breathing exercises, short walks, and meditation. While the media’s image of self-care may seem daunting and costly, you do not need to buy products sold by celebrities in order to participate in self-care. Self-care can be as simple as closing your eyes and slowly breathing in-and out.