Do you have a favorite form of self-care that costs little or nothing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it’s a quiet evening with a good book, while others need a full-on spa day. No matter what fills your cup, sis, caring for your mind, body and soul is a must.
The good news? You don’t have to spend a fortune to nurture yourself. We’ve rounded up amazing freebies to support your self-care journey. Whether you need relaxation, inspiration or a little motivation, there’s something here to help you recharge for free!
Mind
Brain & Life magazine subscription
Get a dose of brain health with a free subscription to Brain & Life magazine, a publication from the American Academy of Neurology. You’ll get six printed issues a year, full of healthy living tips and the latest neurological science, designed to help you keep your brain fit. Also, follow the Brain & Life podcast for weekly conversations on brain health.
Brain games
Online brain games are a great way to exercise your brain, challenge your memory and improve mental function. CogniFit.com and lumosity.com are popular brain training programs. While you can choose paid memberships, they offer numerous brain games and resources without charge. Also, access select free games at the AARP Game Center.
Online classes
Stretch your brain with free classes on online course platforms, edX.org, Coursera.org and Udemy.com. You’ll find informative classes from recognizable institutions like Columbia, Harvard, MIT and others. Learn how to beat anxiety, manage your nutrition, pick up a new language and much more. Also, explore AARP’s Virtual Community Center for brain-stimulating workshops and classes.
Mindfulness apps
Access meditations, music, workshops and other resources through free mindfulness apps. A few options include the Exhale App, InsightTimer, UCLA’s Mindful App and the Healthy Minds Program.
Brain health resources
With a monthly cognitive assessment, challenges, recipes and informative newsletters, the AARP Staying Sharp platform is an excellent resource for boosting brain health and mental well-being. Also, browse AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health resource library for helpful tools.
Books & magazines
Explore free ebooks and audiobooks on the Libby app and Project Gutenberg — or browse free magazine subscriptions on ValueMags.com.
Mental health resources
Get a range of mental health support, including workshops, therapy referrals and scholarships, through multiple organizations: Black Girls Smile, NAMI, Black Mental Health Alliance, Black Emotional Mental Health Collective, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and the Loveland Foundation.
Mental wellness podcasts
Find community and sisterly support with these podcasts and platforms focusing on mental health for black women: Therapy For Black Girls Podcast, Balanced Black Girl, Resilient Black Women and Melanin and Mental Health.
Body
Skincare samples
Indulge your skin with new products. Available skincare samples include CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Furtuna Skin Porte Per La Vitalita Face and Eye Serum, La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum and La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum. For more skincare and beauty samples, check out freeeflys.com, as the selection changes daily.
Gym passes
Take advantage of complimentary passes offered by many gym chains. Anytime Fitness, Chuze Fitness, Crunch, Gold’s Gym, LA Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, Planet Fitness, Retro Fitness, The Edge Fitness Clubs and 24 Hour Fitness offer passes ranging from one to seven days. Your local YMCA or independent gym may also provide trial memberships.
Online workouts
Get your body moving with free fitness apps and websites. AARP’s fitness library, Adidas Running, Nike Training Club, Map My Fitness, Yoga for Beginners and YouTube offer a range of workouts for all ages and fitness levels. Also, explore the AARP Virtual Community Center, Eventbrite and Meetup for free online and local yoga classes and other fitness events.
Nutrition apps
Access weight loss resources and nutrition guidance with websites and apps like Lose It!, MyFitnessPal and Start Simple with MyPlate. While you can pay for premium features on some of these apps, the free versions will have essential functions like meal tracking, calorie counting and logging your exercise — and the websites have a wealth of resources. Some also have free meal plans and access to a community.
Vitamins
Get your nutrients in with Good Neighbor Pharmacy’s Free Vitamin Program, which provides complimentary 30-day supplies of vitamins to children and adults.
Health screenings
Through its Project Health program, CVS offers free health assessments and tests at select locations and mobile units. Some grocery chains, like Price Chopper, offer complimentary health screenings as well, so stop by your supermarket’s pharmacy to check.
Dietitian services
Several supermarkets, including Big Y, Giant, Kroger, Publix, ShopRite, Stop & Shop and Wegmans, offer complimentary diet and lifestyle advice from registered dietitians and nutritionists. Services vary by grocery chain but include individual consultations, in-store events, webinars, meal planning and online videos.
National park admission
Do your body, mind and soul some good by spending time in the great outdoors. The National Park Service (NPS) waives park admission on designated free entrance days.
Soul
Prayer hotlines
Ask for and receive prayer online or live from free prayer lines, many of which operate 24/7: The JOY FM Prayer Line, CBN Prayer Center and Daystar Prayer Center.
Guided meditation
Check out our guide to free meditations, or attend live virtual classes and meditation sessions at Shambhala Online. Also, explore Eventbrite for local meditation sessions.
Bible reading plans and devotions
In addition to offering various digital translations of the Bible, Bible.com has guided prayer, devotions, reading plans and other resources. Current Bible studies include Women Who Thrive, Destined for Greatness, Teach Us To Pray and one-year bible reading plans.
Prayer journal templates
This printable prayer journal template from World Vision UK guides you through praying for yourself and others.
Soulful playlists
Elevate your spirit with our soul-lifting, mood-boosting playlists: Heavenly Voices, Miracles, Give Thanks and Praise, Black Girl Joy, Gospel Workout, Rainy-Day and much more. Also, find playlists for your every mood on Pandora, Spotify or iHeartRadio.
Art therapy resources
While formal art therapy requires working with a professional, you can soothe your soul with some of the activities used by art therapists. Here’s a resource of 100 art therapy exercises and 100 art therapy prompts with several free printable worksheets.
Museum events
The Smithsonian offers free online events sponsored by its various museums. Upcoming events include Meditation and Mindfulness sessions, creative writing workshops and discussions hosted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Soul health resources
Care for your soul with free resources from soulcare.com. Take a free Soul Health Assessment, confront burnout with a free video course, download journaling prompts and more. Also, the She Thrives Resource Library is a curated source of mind, body and soul-care resources related to aging.
Self-care printables
Use worksheets from Day Designer’s library to support and improve your self-care journey. You’ll find 39 Ways to Treat, Fulfill & Recharge Yourself, Quick Fixes for When You Feel Overwhelmed, a Daily Gratitude Journal, a Self-Care Habit Tracker and more.
Do you have a favorite form of self-care that costs little or nothing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
