With the sky sporting a constant shade of gray, it seems the Spring semester is in full force making self care more important than ever. When in college, it is easy to get wrapped into a steady routine of class, homework, eat, and sleep, thus leaving self-care to slip through the cracks. Making a conscious effort to incorporate self-care is hard—not to mention having a college budget in a city where every self-care service seems to be the most expensive thing available. No matter your personal definition of self care, here are The Pace Press’ college budget friendly activities.
ClassPass + Fitness
ClassPass is a credit based subscription service that allows users to book fitness classes across countless New York City studios and gyms. Rather than just having a membership with one, this app gives users access to a variety of classes such as boxing, pilates, yoga, cycling and more. The service offers a 30-day free trial which gives the user 28 credits, to book up to ten different fitness classes. This trial is nice to get out of a fitness funk without immediate financial commitment.
For a long term cost-effective fitness option, Planet Fitness is often running deals on memberships. Through February their luxury subscription is a no time commitment cost of $24.99 monthly to have access to any Planet Fitness location, or a no commitment cost of $14.99 to have a membership at just one location. Youtube also houses a plethora of free fitness tutorials and follow-alongs, ranging from stretching and yoga to high impact cardio.
NYC For Free
This website curates a list of free events and activities across the city ranging from pop up exhibits to free Athleta leggings. These events often include free food, beverage or a variety of sample products. Free events are a good way to step outside of your routine and into a new unfrequented neighborhood to step away from stressful environments.
Free Writing
Free writing, while a self explanatory name, can be a good way to ground and reflect. This can be executed in a multitude of ways such as journaling, typing or even just in your notes app. If ideas or inspiration seem to be hard to come by, Pinterest yields a plethora of options. Writing in a non-academic setting can remove the pressure of perfection and encourage bold expression.
Sunday Reset
When the world feels chaotic and disarray, having a clean space can ease the mind. While it doesn’t have to be Sunday’s, designating a day of the week to do you “you” can bring solitude. This day can be simple such as washing bedding, washing everyday water bottles and lighting a comforting candle or turning on a diffuser. The joy of a clean and cozy space often goes underlooked and can be a powerful part of a routine.
Walk with no destination
So much of day to day life is done with intention, whether you’re chasing a deadline or the next subway, life is often living around your busy schedule. Often stepping away from stressful situations for even a short break can provide clarity. Recognize burnout and take an aimless stroll down streets you may not frequent, and turn on your favorite playlist.
Comfort Media
When you’re feeling homesick or just overwhelmed with the world, a healthy distraction can be helpful. Create a cozy night in with your favorite childhood film, show, or album with snacks. For a social aspect, turn it into a cozy friends night-in reminiscent of a childhood sleepover. If alone time is resonating, instead, make it an intentional evening of pampering. Take the “everything shower,” put on your favorite pajamas/sweats and find a cozy way to enjoy.
