37 Easy 5 Minute Self-Care Ideas on a Budget

Discover the 37 easy 5 minute self-care ideas that you can stick to, on a budget!

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Carving out the time to incorporate some practical and budget-friendly self-care ideas into your life can transform your well-being without breaking the bank. And I don’t know about you, but I love the sound of that.

Taking care of yourself shouldn’t be hard but oftentimes, we put ourselves at the very bottom of the totem poll and justify it with the excuse of a busy schedule.

In reality, we should all aim to allocate at least 5 minutes for self-care each day.

I hope this post inspires and affirms that self-care can be simple. The key is to be more intentional about allocating the time and ensuring that these practices evolve into everyday habits.

Table of Contents

How can I fit 5 minute self-care into a busy day?

I think the best approach for making sure a self-care routine of any sort gets executed daily is by scheduling it.

As silly as it sounds, scheduling self-care creates a sense of structure and importance similar to our commitment to attending work meetings and doctors’ appointments.

The key is recognizing that these few minutes aren’t a luxury but a necessity. Unlike a to-do list, which may not always get completed or get postponed until the next day, prioritize your 5 minute self-care by selecting the best time in your daily schedule. This will ensure you show up for yourself and make these moments non-negotiable.

Why is 5 minute self-care important?

Why is it important? Because life is hard. Because life can be chaotic and stressful.

And the best thing we can do about it is make it a little easier every day.

At times, sleep is the only time of day we can disconnect from the day’s responsibilities. This means that the brief moments you take for your self-care routine can serve as the only reminders to pause, breathe, and prioritize your well-being amidst the chaos.

In just five minutes, you can significantly impact your mental and emotional state, creating a sense of calm and resilience. This small but intentional investment in self-care can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall productivity. Incorporating a 5 minute self-care routine into your everyday life can ultimately promote a more sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle.

5 Minute Self-Care Ideas for When You Are Short on Time

1. Deep breathing exercises

Sometimes just closing your eyes and concentrating on your breathing is good enough. Unless you’re like me who has a hard time dismissing all the other thoughts flying through my mind.

To help with this, try guided breathing exercises, which can be found on YouTube, or a free app like Insight Timer, which is what I use. I found it is easier to complete this when someone is guiding me through all the steps giving me something to concentrate on.

2. Take 5 minutes to stretch

Recognizing the significance of stretching, particularly for those who spend long hours sitting, is crucial. Working from home, I often find myself sitting for 95% of the day, especially in winter.

I understand that suggesting a stretch routine without providing examples can be impractical, so I’ve simplified it for you. I’ve scoured the internet and found a 5-minute-stretch routine that I’ve enjoyed in the past.

3. Listen to a favorite song

Only listen or… have a dance party in your kitchen, if you’re more advanced. As silly as it sounds, sometimes that’s all it takes to get your dopamine flowing.

4. Positive affirmations

You may not be into journaling, but positive affirmations don’t have to be written down. Speak them into existence. If you’re new to this, here is a list of positive affirmations to get you started.

5. Mini-meditation session

You’ve probably heard of apps like Headspace or Calm. Unfortunately, both are paid and that’s not so budget-friendly. Instead, I use Insight Timer which is FREE (with some features disabled), but it’s perfect for these mini-sessions.

6. Sip a cup of your favorite tea

My favorite is the Good & Gather raspberry hibiscus tea from Target. It’s not very flavorful by itself but when you add black tea to it it’s amazing. If you’ve ever had the hibiscus tea from Dunkin Donuts, I like to claim that this is the dupe.

Add some honey and lemon and you got yourself a delicious mindful tea.

7. Take a brisk walk around the block

I’ve been taking advantage of the mild winter weather we’re having and started going on audiobook walks. Not into audiobooks? That’s fine. Take this time to breathe fresh air and soak in the sun.

8. Write down one thing you love about yourself

It seems simple, but I don’t think any of us take the time to do this enough. This is a powerful act of self-affirmation that can help you become more confident and encourage a positive self-image and personal growth.

9. Declutter a small area

I love a good self care challenge. Set a timer for this. Decide on the small area you will clean don’t get distracted. This is a fun and fast way to cross off another thing off your to-do list promoting a feeling of accomplishment and clarity.

10. Light a candle and enjoy the scent and movement

I associate candles with a post-cleaning freshness or sitting down after a long day at work. Candles can give you a quick relaxing sensory escape. Taking the moment to savor the smells and watch the movement of the fire can easily become one of the easiest self care practices on this list.

11. Do a quick skincare routine

When was the last time you exfoliated? I’m pretty good at everyday face cream but often skip out on the exfoliation. Why? Because it takes time. Use your 5 minutes to do it now. It doesn’t have to be morning or night. We are using the time we have.

12. Practice gratitude journaling

Take 3 minutes to write down 3 things you are grateful for. Take the remaining 2 minutes to reflect on those 3 things. In doing so, you are rewiring your brain to concentrate on the positive aspects of your time.

13. Phone a friend, or a loved one for a brief chat

This may vary from person to person. Sometimes your family can be a source of stress rather than a source of calm and happiness. That is ok. Call someone easy to talk to. As an example, I like to call my grandma. She radiates positive energy.

14. Read a short poem or quote

Read a short poem or quote to get a quick dose of inspiration.

15. Color in a coloring book

Adult coloring books have come a long way since they were first introduced. If you don’t have a whole coloring book at your disposal, just doodle your feelings away instead.

16. Take a power nap

While I’m sharing all of these fun self care activities, I understand that sometimes all you need is a nap. A dedicated 5 minutes to close your eyes and unwind. It’s entirely yours.

17. Watch a funny YouTube video

Feeling down? Cat videos. I said what I needed to say.

18. Write a quick note of encouragement to yourself

If no one is doing it for you, be your advocate. You are your strongest supporter. Got a work presentation tomorrow? Take a moment to leave a post-it note for your future self, wishing you the best of luck.

19. Listen to nature sounds online

This can be as budget-friendly as you prefer. YouTube always works however, I have a sound machine. Originally purchased for my dog but amusingly, I find myself using it most often.

My sound of choice? Crystal singing bowl. If I were told to rank sounds with the biggest impact, singing bowls would always be my top choice.

20. Mindfully eat a piece of dark chocolate

Mindfully eat a piece of dark chocolate, even if it’s not your favorite. Paying close attention to the flavors might surprise you. Use this small indulgence as an opportunity to savor the moment and discover the subtle pleasures of this treat.

21. Look at the sky and observe the clouds

This is a simple way to appreciate nature and feel a sense of peace and connection.

22. Read an inspiring blog post

Not to toot my own horn but here are some inspiring reads:

23. Take a moment to appreciate nature

Pause for a moment to appreciate the trees, flowers, or wind around you. Isn’t it all so beautiful?

24. Watch the sunrise or sunset

This is a good one to schedule. If you’re a morning person, try to wake up a little earlier to catch the sunrise. Otherwise, make the time during your evening to watch the sunset. Check your weather app to see the timing of both.

25. Clean out your purse

Throw out all of those crunched-up receipts, garbage, and anything else you’ve been needlessly carrying for months!

26. Write down your favorite inspirational quote or scroll down your favorite Instagram quote account

Research a quote to inspire your actions for the rest of the day. Try to do everything with that quote in mind.

27. Write a quick gratitude list

Taking a moment to write down some things you are grateful for can shift your focus to the positive aspects of life creating a more optimistic mindset for the rest of your day.

28. Lay in Savasana

This term might be familiar among my fellow yogis, but I will define it for everyone else. Savasana is a relaxing position usually done at the end of a yoga session where you lay on your back and relax your body, one muscle, and one thought at a time. It may seem simple but it requires a fully conscious mind.

29. Watch a motivational TED Talk

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE Ted Talks. The majority of the ones I’ve watched in the past have opened up my mind to perspectives I’ve never considered. Most are longer than 5 minutes but here are some of my favorite ones that are 5 minutes or less.

30. Put lotion on your feet

Am I the sole dry feet offender here? Our feet tirelessly carry us everywhere throughout the day, yet they are frequently the last part of our body to receive appreciation. Grab some lotion and treat yourself to a quick 5-minute foot massage.

31. Do a quick digital detox

Make an intentional effort to put away all electronic devices for 5 minutes. This break will allow you to reduce internet and social media information overload and help you be present in the moment.

32. Do a quick act of kindness for someone

Doing a small act of kindness for someone not only makes them happy but can also bring you a satisfying feeling, sometimes even more than doing something for yourself. An idea, send someone a $5 gift card to purchase their morning coffee.

33. Take a moment to appreciate your pet

Dedicate this time to spend time with your pet. Their presence offers comfort, companionship, and a source of unconditional love that will brighten your day.

34. Write a quick thank-you note to someone

Handwritten notes get extra points! A quick thank you note to someone is a simple way to make someone’s day a little better.

35. Plan a simple self-care activity for later

If you’re feeling extra gracious, take the 5 minutes to plan a longer self-care activity for later in the day or in the week. While this may not give you immediate reward, it will give you something to look forward to and get excited about.

36. Imagine yourself succeeding at a goal

If you’ve invested a considerable amount of time in pursuing a goal, set aside a moment to envision your success. Working towards a goal becomes more manageable when you can visualize the light at the end of the tunnel. One of the many reasons people stop working toward a goal is because they lose sight of the desired outcome.

37. Ground yourself

Literally, go outside and touch some grass. Trust me, the experience is worth it. For an even better effect, lie down, close your eyes, and simply be present in the moment.

As always, don’t be a stranger! Share your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback is always greatly appreciated. Bye for now!

This post was all about the 37 easiest 5 minute self-care ideas.

Posted By: Angelika · In: Lifestyle, Mindset