37 Totally Free Self Care Activities

Self care doesn’t have to be expensive. Actually, there are tons of 100% free self care activities you can treat yourself to every day.

Remembering to take care of ourselves can be tough. That’s why we’re doing the work for you.

We’ve outlined 37 free self care activities so you can show yourself a little love.

PS. Technology can make self care even easier. Check out these 22 self care apps you can’t live without!

Free Self Care Activities Worth Trying

1.  Try Meditation

Meditation goes back centuries. It helps ease worries and remove anxiety and restlessness. Overall, meditation should you chill out. Get started with meditation by trying out a beginner app right from your phone. You may love it so much you incorporate it into you daily schedule!

2.  Have a Cup of Tea

A cup of tea can help you slow down and enjoy the moment. It’s a free self care activity that will bring on the zen while probably giving your body some good nutrients too. It’s true you will need to buy some tea first, but we’re betting on the fact that you already have some at home.

3.  Take a Long Shower

A lot of times we’re rushing to get through showers. Whether it’s to get ready for the day, or to jump out before the kids meltdown, showers are way too rushed. Give yourself the gift of a long hot shower with no interruptions. You can even bring in some music to play to stay extra relaxed.

4.  Compliment Someone

Free self care activities don’t have to be all about you. Sometimes doing something for someone else brings more joy to your life than them! Give someone random a compliment. You’ll brighten their day, and yours too.

5.  Take a Bubble Bath

Treat yourself to a free self care activity that brings some major relaxation. Grab some alone time, light some candles, pour in some bubbly and chill. A warm bath is soothing for your mind, and your body too.

6.  Read a Book

Give that brain a mental break by reading something it actually enjoys. Find something you’re interested in learning about, or something that’s just plain entertaining. Keep this self care activity free by finding a book you already have at home, borrowing from a friend, checking out the free books on your reading device, or hitting your local library.

7.  Plan a Surprise

Bring a little joy into someone else’s life by planning a surprise for them. It could be as simple as making an extra cup of coffee, baking some cookies, offering to help with an errand, or leaving a sweet note somewhere unexpected. You’ll be surprised how creating this little treat for someone else will make you happy too.

8.  Make a Vision Board

Dream big. Grab some old magazines and make a vision board for your future goals. Your aspirations will help you get excited about the future. Putting dreams down on paper might just help them come true too! This is also a free self care activity that’s super fun to do with friends.

9.  Forgive Someone

Take some weight off your metaphorical shoulders by forgiving someone or letting something go. Grudges hold you down. Making the decision to move on should free up some mental space for you, and the other person you’ve been dealing with. You’ll feel lighter, and happier.

10. Give Yourself a Manicure or Pedicure

Skip the nail salon and treat yourself to a totally free manicure or pedicure at home. Create a relaxing environment and take your time. Going through the whole process of removing polish, cleaning up and filing your nails, moisturizing, and polishing will make it feel just like a salon. Use a non toxic nail polish brand to treat your body to a chemical free experience too.

11.  Take a Nap

Give yourself the ultimate free self care activity of taking a nap. Shut the blinds, get in cozy pajamas, and cuddle up for a nice snooze. Your body will appreciate the rest, and your brain will appreciate the chance to reboot. With super busy lives, naps can be a rarity. This self care idea will feel like a real treat.

12.  Marie Kondo Your Life

Marie Kondo is the declutter and organization queen sweeping the world with joy. Let her make your life happier and lighter following her process. If you already have Netflix you can watch her show, Tidying Up, and learn the ropes for free. Trust us, you and your family will greatly appreciate the efforts.

13.  Take a Free Class Online

There are literally thousands of free classes online. Some of them are even from amazing universities, like Harvard. Don’t believe it? Check out HarvardX. Find a topic you’ve always wanted to learn about and dive in. Learning something new will excite your brain and reinvigorate your daily perspective.

14.  Make a Bucket List

Nothing is more fun that dreaming up an amazing to do list. Get cozy with a fresh pad of paper and start dreaming big. Write down a bucket list, and then pin it up somewhere you can see it. Get creative and see if you can start knocking some items off the list too. This free self care activity is fun to do with a partner or friends too.

15.  Volunteer

Giving back is a powerful free self care activity. Helping someone else will fill your heart and add meaning to your life. Find a local charity or cause you can lend a hand to and dive in! You may surprise yourself and come a regular.

16.  Watch the Sunrise

Set your alarm and get up with the sun. Watching a sunrise will put things into perspective and add a little beauty into your daily life. Plus, you’ll be up and early and be totally ready to tackle the day.

17.  Wash Your Sheets

It’s way too easy to let washing our bedding hit the back burner. You’re most focused on having clean underwear and clothes to wear than your sheets. Show your bed some love with freshly washed bedding. If you want to really treat yourself, iron your sheets. Crawling into bed will feel like a five star hotel experience.

18.  Exercise

Take care of your body with this totally free self care idea. Get outside or watch a free video on your phone. There are literally countless free exercise options to work with. If you need a little extra inspiration, check out this amazing list of free exercise and diet apps.

19.  Exfoliate

Give your skin new life with this free self care activity you can do at home. Check out these 5 DIY body scrubs you can make with ingredients you already have in the kitchen. Treating yourself to a little at home spa treatment is the ultimate indulgence.

16.  Do Something Kind

Give the gift of a free self care activity to someone else. It will make you feel just as good. Open the door for someone, ask to help carry something heavy, offer to help a friend, or write an unexpected thank you note. These small gifts of kindness will mean the world to whoever is receiving them.

17.  Work on Posture

You don’t need an expensive gym to start sitting up straight. Pull those shoulder blades in and work on your posture. This free act of self care will make your body feel better, build muscles, and give the impression of more confidence. Your future self who is not bent over a walker will thank you too.

18.  Start a Gratitude Journal

Gratitude is the gift that keeps giving. Appreciating your life is one of the best free self care activities there is. Focus on what you have instead of what you don’t and see the joy stream in. Skip the fancy journal and start with a simple pen and paper you already have at home.

19.  Start a New TV Series

Let your mind relax by binge watching a new show you’ve been dying to try. Instead of always being “too busy” give yourself the self care gift of time and relaxation. If you already have cable or a tv streaming service, this activity is totally free.

20.  Say No

Take advantage of the ultimate free self care activity and say no. Say no to things you don’t want to do, and people you don’t want to spend time with. Cutting extra toxicity out of your life will help you feel lighter and happier. You’ll also have more time to spend on things you actually want to do.

21.  Go to Bed Early

Sleep helps us recharge and stay healthy. Our bodies literally need it. Add a little extra sleep into your life by hitting the sack early. Turn off electronics so you’re not sucked into one more episode, or one more article. Get cozy, turn off the lights, and recharge.

22.  Cuddle Your Pets

Animals are their own type of therapy. They provide healing, joy, and love to our lives. If you already have a pet, remember to give them some love. Play with them, or just cuddle together on the couch. If you don’t have your own pet, borrow a friends, or volunteer at a local shelter.

23.  Garden

This free self care activity will not only help your hard, it will get you connected back to mother earth. Wait for a beautiful day and then get outside. It will feel good to feel the sun on your face and get a chore accomplished at the same time. You may even get inspired to nurture your green thumb and grow something new.

24.  Journal

Journaling can be a powerful experience. Let whatever is on your mind flow out onto paper. You can journal about random thoughts, worries, stories, ideas, memories, or daily experiences. The options are truly endless. This free self care idea should help you clear your mind, and can be pretty neat to look back on years later too.

25.  Try Out a New Hairstyle

Stuck in a hair rut? Jump on youtube and find one of the million hair vloggers on Youtube to help get inspired by a new do. Set yourself up with the right tools and then watch a how to video and give it a try. It might take some practice, but having a new look should help you feel fresh and confident.

26.  Listen to Music

Nothing is as therapeutic as the right playlist. Find the music that feeds your soul and rock out to a playlist. Spotify comes with pre-made playlists (we love Confidence Booster) and is totally free as long as you can handle some commercials. The right song can change your entire day.

27.  Ask for Help

Let someone else help you for a change. This free self care activity involved letting go of needing to do everything yourself. Asking for help is a powerful shift in how you life your life. Give yourself the gift of less pressure, and a bigger sense of community. You’ll be surprised how eager others are to help, and you may return the favor one day too.

28.  Hydrate

Water. On of the simplest and cheapest self care options there is. Hydrate your body with some good old H2O. You’ll see benefits all the way from healthier skin to cardiovascular benefits. Make it ice cold, lukewarm, or add some fruit slices or a little extra punch. Drink up friends!

29.  Save More Money

Saving more money now will help you later. Think of this free self care activity as an investment in your future. You can make it super easy by using a cool automatic saving or investing app, like Acorns, which takes your spare change and invests it for you. Saving has never been easier!

30.  Play a Game

Remember how much fun games were when you were a kid? Newsflash, they’re still fun! Get out some old games or a deck of cards and have a little fun. You don’t have to be under 10 to let loose and get a little competitive with your friends or family.

31.  Donate Something

Chances are you’ve got a ton of extra stuff laying around you don’t actually need. Go through your clutter and find something to donate. You’ll get a double win by clearing your own space and giving to someone in need at the same time.

32.  Unfollow Friends on Social Media

Social media is a lot of fun, but it can also be a major time suck and toxic too. Get rid of the annoying people and brands cluttering up your feeds. You’ll spend less of your day scrolling. It will also feel refreshing not to get annoyed every time you open your favorite social app. Thanks to new settings on social media platforms like Facebook, you can even delete someone from your feed without them knowing. The ultimate stealth free self care activity!

33.  Listen to a Podcast

Escape wherever your mind is currently stuck with a new podcast. Choose to learn somethign new, or find something purely entertaining. There are TONS of great podcasts to choose from, and even better, they’re free. Listen during your workouts, commutes, or chores, to spice up your daily routine.

34.  Take a Walk

Get some fresh air in your life with a walk. Take a spin around your neighborhood, or checkout a new park or trail. Go alone for some introspective thinking, or invite a friend, family member, or your dog. A little exercise with fresh air is good for the brain.

35.  Visit the Library

Take a quick visit to your local library to remember all the free content right at your fingertips. Find a book, movie, or magazine you’d love to enjoy. Check it out to bring home, or relax right at the library for some uninterrupted self care time.

36.  Eat a Meal Outside

Nothing says free self care activity like a spontaneous picnic. Grab some grub you have at home and head out to a scenic area. Coordinate with friends, family, or kids to add a little social time into your day too. Eating outside will bring on new appreciation for nature and add a fresh perspective to your week.

37.  Do Some Yoga

You don’t have to be a full blown yogi to enjoy the practice. Download a free yoga app or pull up a free video online and give it a try. Your body will appreciate the extra love and you can give your mind a break too. You may even fall in love with this free self care activity and become a regular!

Dedicating part of your weekly routine to self care can seem overwhelming. But it’s important to remember self care doesn’t have to be time consuming, or expensive.

Enjoy the totally free self care activity ideas above to get started showing yourself some love without draining your wallet.

Want to invest a little more into your self care routine? Check out these 24 amazing self care ideas all for under $20!