$0 Investments To Make Right NOW To Reap Huge Rewards Forever

Empower your future with these investments with guaranteed returns

Darshak Rana

May 18, 2024

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“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.”
— Etty Hillesum

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.”

That’s why investing in yourself = the highest ROI.

But it’s not always easy to do something when you feel drained — especially when self-care practices mean taking time away from your responsibilities and spending money.

I find myself in a rut where my lack of sleep or irregular daily routine makes me feel like there is no way out.

And then, with everyday life and work deadlines looming over your head, even having a moment for yourself seems impossible sometimes.

The truth is that self-care practices don’t need dedicated time or financial investment.

If it does, the results are short-lived and don’t even serve the purpose of self-care because:

They make you anxious about losing productive time
They stress you about spending hard-earned money

Self-care practice means doing something anywhere and anytime that requires nothing yet yield high returns in terms of long lasting calm, relaxation, vigor, and happiness.

[1]. Practice “JOMO”

Do you always agree to post-work cocktails or dinners against your wish?

Do you often agree to Friday nights because you think your friends will stress out without you?

If yes, it’s time to try something different.

JOMO!

The joy of missing out.

If you have problems saying no to invites, use the “I don’t” method to prevent concern and guilt trips. “I don’t go out on nights” eliminates the possibility of any argument.

Research conducted by the University of Houston and Boston College discovered that using this language helps reaffirm the choice while empowering the individual.

It feels so better sometimes to spend time alone!

[2]. Walk barefoot on grass

Walking barefoot on grass aids in self-care because it allows you to feel grounded.

It also promotes relaxation and reduced cortisol levels, which have been linked to reduced stress.

Research has proved that barefoot contact with the earth produces instant effects on physiological health, like better sleep, releasing muscle tension, and reducing body pain.

I have experienced all the benefits stated above.

Taking just fifteen minutes out of the day for this exercise reduces your anxiety significantly.

[3]. Neck stretches

Given all the time you spend looking at a computer, phone, or TV — your neck holds some tension.

Neck stretches mean:

Reducing tension, headaches, increasing range of motion, restoring movement control
Preventing injury by keeping joints lubricated and flexible so they can move without stress
Easing the pain by realigning the spine with gravity to decompress pressure on discs in vertebrae

The next time you are sitting down, take your pointer finger and thumb on both hands, place them at the bottom of the skull on either side of his neck. Gently pull down (do not press too hard), starting at the base of his skull until you feel a slight stretch in the back of your neck.

Hold for about 15 seconds, then release the pressure and return the head upright.

Repeat this movement three times.

You’ll feel a lot better with this two-minute self-care practice.

[4]. Blow balloons

Even though balloons seem like an activity made for children, it has many benefits for adults.

An online study suggests blowing up a balloon or blowing bubbles forces you to breathe more slowly and deeply using your diaphragm. It also activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces your heart rate and helps relax your muscles.

I’ve noticed that blowing balloons enables me to bring back stress-relieving thoughts of childhood as well.

[5]. Make your environment help you

I have had a lot of anxiety lately, and I knew I had to address it.

The first thing that I tried was organizing my home, but the clutter would pile up again.

Finally, I found a video series on Netflix about how to declutter your home and get rid of things you no longer need. I decided to try this out, and it helped me relax!

According to WebMD, organizing and decluttering aids in:

Better focus: Decluttering can help you focus better on any task at hand.
Higher self-esteem: Not staying organized can make you feel out of control. And tidying your living space can restore feelings of accomplishment, contentment, and pride.
Decreased risk of asthma and allergies. Messy doesn’t mean dirty — that’s untrue. Decluttering restricts pests’ growth. It also prevents the accumulation of dust, mold, and mildew, which may trigger asthma and allergies.
Improved lifestyle and well-being: A well-arranged home makes it easier for you to find things easily without frowning at the last minute.

**[6]. Relax and unwind without your best friend**

Everyone knows that technology has become an integral part of everyday life, yet many people rely on them way too much.

Research says unplugging from technology helps you experience peace, calm, relaxation, stillness, better sleep, and recharges your mind for better functioning.

Every day, I turn off all devices and shut them in a room for an hour or two while I sit in another room either to meditate or read books.

If you’re compulsive about smartphone addiction, set your phone to airplane mode every Sunday night so you can’t access any apps or notifications until Monday morning, when you are ready to start the week afresh. I do it all the time and have seen a productivity boost on Monday.

[7]. Listen to classical music

While listening to music can be a zero-investment self-care activity, it is important how one chooses their music because not every genre of music will help relax us.

We need calming tunes without lyrics so that we can enjoy the sounds of nature. Classical music is known to produce feelings of pleasure and euphoria.

The study confirms that those who listened to Mozart and Strauss had markedly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as lower heart rates.

It’s also scientifically proven that classical music aids in better sleep by releasing pain and elevating emotional well-being.

[8]. Take a hot bath

Enough of cold showers!

What’s wrong with a hot bath?

I find it extremely refreshing and energizing after a long day.

This practice can be done by anyone anytime, even without leaving their home. You just need to run hot water and soak yourself for at least 10–15 minutes.

If you’re not convinced, here are some scientifically-proven benefits of hot baths:

Easy breathing as the steam clears your sinuses and chest
Reduces pain and inflammation of the nervous system
Balances the hormones
Cleanses and moisturizes your skin, hair, and eyes
Improves heart health
Aids in better sleep as body and mind are relaxed

[9]. Water your plants

When I first started decorating a little part of my house with tiny, leafy plants and a few succulents, it was merely for the goal of embellishing and livening up the space.

However, after devoting practically daily time to caring for my plants, I realized that they are more than simply a way to achieve my household aesthetic aim.

Plants are a key to good mental health.

It’s backed by research.

Constantly seeing and being near plants makes individuals feel more peaceful and relaxed, lowering anxiety levels. It improves attention and memory.

Being in the presence of plants, whether at home or work, improves memory and attention span by 20% and can boost focus.

They help us relax and breathe better.

One study found that simply having a plant in the home can reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels by a significant amount.

Plant care keeps us in the present moment and connected to nature. Plants have been shown in studies to increase productivity, creativity, mindfulness, and reduce stress.

Before You Go

Self-care practices are essential to living a fulfilling life.

You need zero dollars and zero effort into self-care, but the benefits you reap will be high.

So, take some time out of your day for yourself by indulging in one of these nine zero-investment self-care activities and see the difference in your lifestyle.

Which strategy resonated with you the most? If you have any more self-care practices that require no financial investment, I am all ears!