12 Fun Frugal Self-Care Activities to Start Doing Today

Are you looking for some fun and frugal self-care activities? Then, we’ve got you covered. Practicing self-care is critical for maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual health. Here are several self-care hobbies and activities that cost little to nothing to indulge.

1. Reading

Reading is a frugal activity that provides hours of entertaining or educational fun. Try browsing a bookstore to fully immerse yourself in the smell and energy of books. After discovering which books interest you, head to the library and check them out for free. Also, the Libby App provides free digital instant access to thousands of books and audiobooks.

2. Biking

Biking is a relatively frugal hobby. There is an initial cost for the bike and safety gear, but you can find cheap and free bikes everywhere. Try your Facebook Marketplace. Always buy new safety gear, though.

Biking is an excellent exercise that allows you to appreciate the landscaping and architecture in your neighborhood and community. It comes with the added bonus of the sun and wind on your face.

3. Free Yoga on YouTube

Free Yoga on YouTube is a frugal activity with amazing benefits, especially for people with chronic back and neck pain. Even 15 minutes a day has been life-changing with my pain levels. Grab a cheap yoga mat and check out Yoga With Adriene and Yoga With Kassandra.

4. Grow a Garden

There’s never been a better time to start growing a garden. From growing fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme on your windowsill to planting fruits and vegetables, there’s nothing more satisfying than growing something. You can get a cheap grow light and start from seed. If you have a smaller backyard or deck space, begin with bucket gardening.

5. Doing a Puzzle

Doing a puzzle is a self-care activity that sharpens cognitive skills, relieves anxiety and stress, and improves your mood with dopamine released with each sense of accomplishment.

Progress Lifeline reports: “Working on a puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed, and is an effective way to improve short-term memory.”

6. Walking

Walking or hiking outside in nature, specifically around trees, is remarkably calming. The repeating patterns in the leaves, called fractals, are supposed to reduce anxiety. 

An Darach Forest therapy explains: “Researchers have found that looking at fractals can reduce stress levels by 60%, supporting the theory that fractals activate the areas of the brain responsible for regulating stress. Since prolonged exposure to stress is detrimental to our mood, productivity, and well-being, even a short session of looking at fractals can be beneficial. Plus, the effects are almost instant.”

7. Journaling

Journaling is a frugal self-care activity that positively impacts mental health. There are various journaling styles, so it may take trying a couple before finding your preferred method.

For example, there are traditional journaling, gratitude journals, sober journals, creative writing journals, nature journals, and art journals. My favorite method is prayer journaling. There are seven remarkable benefits to prayer journaling for people in recovery.

8. Baking

One of the biggest perks of baking for self-care is eating delicious treats. Baking bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes, and other pastries fill your home with delightful smells, and the art of mastering your favorite recipes is rewarding.

9. Take a Short Nap

Taking a short nap (15-30 minutes) is fun for people who value their sleep. Did you know the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute researchers assessed data from over 3,200 adults in Spain, where midday naps (siestas) are common? They found that about one-third of adults took regular siestas — often four days a week:

“Among regular nappers, those who slept for 30 minutes or less were 21% less likely to have elevated blood pressure compared to non-nappers. Those who napped for more than 30 minutes were likelier to have a higher body weight. They were also 41% more likely to have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and a larger waist circumference.”

10. Spend Time With Your Friends

Spending time with your friends in real-world spaces is critical self-care that many neglect in isolation with internet connections. Get out of the house and genuinely interact with the people you love and care about in your life. It’s important to nourish your relationships.

I know there have been many times when I almost didn’t go to something because I didn’t feel like it at the moment, but then I ended up making cherished memories of those experiences. Don’t neglect your friendships.

11. Meet Your Basic Needs

Meeting your basic needs may not sound like a fun self-care activity, but trust that having them met creates more fun and less stress. For example, keeping a budget, paying bills, eating healthy, and getting adequate exercise and sleep help you stay well-rounded and in a positive mental health space.

12. Take a Hot Bath

Taking a hot bath is one of my more seductive, frugal self-care activities. I’m tempted by the thought of lighting my favorite candles and filling my tub with bubbles and salts. Many read or listen to audiobooks or podcasts while soaking in their tubs.

I enjoy listening to classical or instrumental music; movie scores are the best. You can turn your bathroom into a magical getaway. Bonus: If you put clean sheets on your bed, you can slip out of the bath and into clean linens!

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