As you will know, every so often I like to let someone else take the lead and share some thoughts/idea’s and opinions on the blog. Today I have the pleasure of Claire sharing some of her easy and cost effective ways to boost your wellbeing…
Hello, I’m Claire St from Stapo’s thrifty life hacks and I think that everybody should be focusing on their wellbeing, especially at the moment. Here are my top tips for boosting your personal happiness when you’re on a budget.
1 Get outside
Getting out of the house is so important. You might not be able to travel far, but simply walking down the street can help to boost your mood. When the weather is bleak, you might put off getting out and about, but for the sake of your wellbeing, you must try to get over the doorstep each day.
On the days when I really don’t want to leave the house, I have a hot drink in my back garden. Just breathing in fresh air can make all the difference to your mood.
2 YouTube
YouTube is a great resource. I use it to get workouts to follow. But even if fitness isn’t your bag, YouTube is a tool you can use to help boost your wellbeing.
On YouTube you’ll find millions of videos covering anything and everything. So if you’ve always wanted to learn to knit, or you want to master calligraphy, then check out YouTube. You can learn all sorts by watching videos on there and it’s a free resource.
3 Run a bath
Take some time to have a bath. Put a face mask on, lie back and relax. Life is busy, but taking some time in the day to focus on yourself is important.
4 Read a book
When I’m stressed I find that reading is one of the first things I sideline. I struggle to concentrate when I have things on my mind. But dedicating ten minutes per night to reading can help to boost your mood.
Reading is a great way of escaping into your imagination and it’s a pretty thrifty passtime. I have a pile of books waiting for me to delve into and I haven’t paid for one of them. They were all passed on to me by friends and family members. So if you fancy reading a book, but you don’t know where to start, ask a friend if they have a good book that you could borrow.
5 Watch some comfort tele
We all have that television show that we could watch over and over. For me it’s Sex And The City. I could watch it on repeat for hours and I find it very comforting. So if you could do with a boost, then pop a television show on that you love.
If nothing comes to mind, then search on BBC iplayer or Netflix for ‘comedy’ and pop on something lighthearted. It should help you to switch off and may be a welcome distraction.
6 Family time
Spend time with your immediate family. You don’t have to do anything fancy. It could be that you eat dinner together, go for a walk, or crack open a board game. But being with your nearest and dearest can have a really positive impact on your wellbeing,
7 Connect
You don’t necessarily have to physically be with people to connect. Jump on Zoom or FaceTime. It isn’t the same as face-to-face contact, but you will probably feel better for it.
8 Self Soothe
If you start to feel down, it makes sense to have a self-soothe strategy in your back pocket. You could have a collection of things that bring you comfort. The contents of your kit will depend on what brings you comfort, but it could contain a blanket, a book, and your favourite hot drink.
I created a calm box with things I had lying around my house. This means that I have something to reach for when I’m down and I could do with a boost.
9 A digital detox
We’re all constantly consuming information. BBC News 24, Facebook, The Guardian, Instagram, Whatsapp. But this consumption can have a negative impact on our mind. So stop.
You might not want to come off social media completely, but stopping at 9pm could make the difference between a good night’s sleep and an overactive mind. Your brain needs a break and by constantly feeding it information, you’re not helping yourself.
10 Write
Even if you’re not a keen writer, I’d recommend writing down your thoughts. Make to do lists, write down your aims for the week, put your feelings into words. Getting it down on paper may give you sense of release
11 Show gratitude
Most of us have plenty to be thankful for, even if those things aren’t immediately obvious.
At the start of the week, I like to list things that I’m looking forward to over the coming week. Showing gratitude is a great, free way of boosting your happiness.
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