08 Apr Happiness & wellbeing strategies that cost nothing!
A few weeks ago I published a post on Instagram, asking a question about happiness and wellbeing strategies and what obstacles existed, which elicited quite a few responses and somewhat surprisingly, one of the more common was along the lines of … cost!
It seems quite a few people feel that they can’t enjoy or create more happiness for themselves because … it’s too expensive to do so!
Although I’m fully aware of the cost of living pressures many are under, I found this slightly disappointing because most of the strategies I frequently recommend can be accessed for free, or very little, and most of the proven strategies, developed within Positive Psychology and other evidence based approaches, are also free or require minimal spending.
On reflection, my surprise was reduced when I realised that so much of the “wellbeing industry” is dominated by “influencers” who more often than not, are spruiking (selling) some product or other. More often than not, these products (e.g. supplements and shakes, retreats and all manor of weird and not so wonderful options) have NO scientific support and notably, more relevant to this post, can be VERY expensive!
Which brings me to the purpose of today’s article. What can you do to boost your happiness and wellbeing for FREE (or at VERY LITTLE cost)? Well, I’m happy to say … lots! And here are just a few suggestions …
- setting and working towards meaningful goals is one of the most powerful ways to create more happiness and especially, satisfaction and contentment. You’re probably doing this already, so the ADDITIONAL COST will be nothing, or might be negligible, but what you can do is to make sure you THINK ABOUT what you’re doing not just as a way of enjoying achievement and accomplishment BUT ALSO happiness. A reframe, change of mindset, costs nothing!
- Keeping fit and healthy can, obviously be expensive. Gym memberships and fancy food can cost lots, BUT there are many things you can do to boost your physical health and wellbeing, which will then enhance your psychological health and wellbeing, at not cost at all. Go for a walk, swim in the ocean, sit quietly for 10 minutes and focus on your breath, eat a few more vegetables and a few less unhealthy options, drink water instead of carbonated drinks. The list could go on and on but there really are MANY ways to get fit and healthy, or fitter and healthier, without spending lots of money.
- Above, I mentioned mindset. And this is, arguably, one of the most important contributors to happiness and wellbeing if one includes in this constructs such as hope and optimism, gratitude and appreciation, solution focused thinking and resilience. Whatever you label this approach, it need not, again, cost anything! Sure, you can get help from a therapist or coach, and if you need it and can afford it then I’d highly recommend it. But if you’re looking for cost free options then there are many, including searching the internet for free tips and strategies, listening to podcasts or watching YouTube videos from reputable sources, or even, for just a small cost, buying a self-help book.
- And finally, for now anyway, one of the indisputably most important factors when it comes to happiness and wellbeing, is connection, or the quality of our relationships with others. And there’s no doubt that we can foster and develop good quality relationships without spending anything. Make time with others, especially those who lift you up and support you, a priority. There’s no doubt that at times, there might be a cost involved in this via the expense of a coffee or a meal or some other activity but you can also just meet a friend for a walk, sit in the park and chat, visit a relative in their home or invite them to your home for a cup of tea or coffee!
Anyway, I could go on, but I really just wanted to make the point that if you can and if you want to you can definitely spend a lot of money on health and wellbeing and happiness. BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO! There’s much we can do for our happiness, that’s completely FREE, and this list is just the start so … put your thinking cap on and come up with a list that’s relevant for and that will work for you : )