4 Easy Ways to Treat Yourself

Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming.

We should all spoil ourselves from time to time. (Hey, you deserve it!) But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money to treat yourself. Here, four ways to practice self-care—whether you’re craving major fun or some alone time—that you can do with items you already have on hand.

Have a Spa Day

What could be more relaxing than pampering yourself from head to toe? You can have a spa day at home without spending a fortune by using items around the house. If you have sugar and coconut oil available, you can quickly put together a sugar scrub by mixing the two in a bowl, using twice as much sugar as oil. Then take a bath and scrub all over to leave your skin silky smooth. Why not grab a few candles and a guilty-pleasure magazine while you’re at it?

Another great DIY: Make a face mask using half of an avocado (a soft, overripe one is best), a tablespoon of honey, and a tablespoon of plain yogurt. Combine all three ingredients in a bowl until you have a relatively smooth mixture to apply to your face. Avocados are full of Vitamin C, which can help brighten your skin, as well as moisturizing omega-3 fatty acids. The honey also helps with hydration, while the yogurt gently exfoliates your face. You can wear the mask for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove with a warm washcloth.

Get Creative

For some people, the best treat is an enjoyable activity. There are a ton of fun craft projects you can try, like jazzing up your backpack or accessory pouch. And you can make your project even more fun by turning it into a friendly competition: Have your friends do the same kind of project using either an identical set of supplies or only what’s available at home. Take the weekend to complete your projects—in total secret, of course—and then post the before and after photos on social media. You can arrange a prize for whoever gets the most likes!

Plan a Picnic

We’re all spending a lot more time at home than usual right now. Especially if you’re an introvert, a great way to treat yourself might be to get out of the house and have a little alone time. Why not grab your backpack and fill it with things that make you happy—such as a great book, your headphones, snacks, magazines, a handheld gaming device, and a blanket—and then head out for a picnic? You can spend all afternoon enjoying the outdoors and taking in a much-needed change of scenery.

Have a Movie Night

Make staying in extra special with a movie night. Pick out two or three movies you really love. Then, set the scene: You can make popcorn with bacon and parmesan, order pizza, put together an ice cream sundae bar, or all of the above. If you want company, ask everyone you live with to come in their pajamas—or, make it a red carpet event and dress up. In between screenings, you can quiz each other on movie trivia, throw a three-minute dance party, or pull together the next round of snacks.

What’s your favorite way to treat yourself? Let us know by sharing with #LifeUnzipped on social media!

By: Jessen O’Brien