When one talks about self-care, the image usually conjured would be spa days or trips to the tropics. But self-care does not necessarily mean that you have to spend a ton just to make yourself happy. And neither is it something limited to a certain percentage of the population. Self-care applies to each one of us. We all have pressures that affect our mental, emotional, and physical selves. This is where self-care comes in. 

To avoid the negative effects of stress and pressure, we should make it a priority to take care of ourselves. In fact, some common effects of not caring for ourselves first are depression, burnout, irritability, resentment, and anxiety. All these factors may lead to even more problems in our work and personal life if not addressed in a timely manner.

Some common low-budget ways to take care of yourself would be to have a quick change of environment, such as going for a walk if you’ve been cooped up working at home the entire week. Or it could be relaxing your body with a nice hot bath after the physical stress of your work. Whatever it is you find that rejuvenates your mind and spirit, that’s your way of self-care.

Each person’s self-care routine is unique to their circumstances. But if you’re stuck on what activities to do or want to give the gift of self-care to yourself or your loved ones, consider the products listed below that you can invest in for a heightened self-care experience.

Light Therapy

Seasonal affective depression (SAD) is no laughing matter. This is usually more apparent in winter when receiving less sunlight means your internal body clock gets disrupted and you experience a drop in your serotonin and melatonin hormone levels (responsible for mood swings and sleeping patterns). If you’ve noticed that you’ve been feeling more tired lately, have trouble sleeping, and there are changes in your appetite, consider purchasing a light therapy box. This gadget helps mimic outdoor sunlight and has been proven to help ease the symptoms of SAD, meaning it lightens depressive moods and enables you to sleep better.

Personal Massages

One can always have a personal massage therapist at their beck and call. However, if personal massages on a daily basis aren’t possible, maybe you can consider the next best thing—a personal massage chair. If you’re working in an industry that has you physically moving almost the entire time you’re on duty, then an investment in a massage chair can help you maximize your downtime. The perks of having a massage chair over massage gadgets for your hands or feet is that it gives you a full-body massage, vibrating those aches and pains away and ensuring you’re energized for your next shift. Take a look at some of the top-of-the-line massage chairs like the JPMedics Kumo or the Daiwa Hubble to get started on your massage journey.

The Gift of Sleep

Anyone who has ever gone in to work with only three hours of sleep or less knows just how much of a physical and mental challenge that is. Being able to get a good night’s rest is a form of ultimate self-care as it ensures you’re energized for the day ahead. Try sleeping with a weighted blanket if you or someone you know struggles with getting adequate rest due to insomnia. Touted as being blankets that “feel like a hug,” these new products are heavier than normal blankets (anywhere from five to 30 pounds) and use deep pressure stimulation to relax the nervous system and help deal with issues like anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, and relief from physical handicaps such as osteoarthritis and chronic pain.

Manage Anxiety

If you’re the type of person who has a lot on their plate—from work activities to home life to sideline jobs, you’ve probably dealt with anxiety over having to handle so many things at once and with such limited time. One form of self-care would be prioritizing what you can do and delegating simple tasks to people you trust. But even with delegating, sometimes the feeling of having too many things to do can feel suffocating and increase your anxiety. One of the best things you can do in these cases is to buy a planner or journal to help you organize everything you need to do or give you a safe space to write down all the thoughts in your head. Being able to write things down will get them out of your head and onto a place where there is less chance of forgetting. Processing your thoughts without feeling the need to censor yourself is also a form of mental self-care.

Whatever issues and stressors you are currently dealing with in your life, take the time to sit down and make a self-care plan for yourself to ensure that you continue to live your best life.