My Favorite Calming Rituals That Don’t Cost a Thing
(Think: feet in grass, magnesium, herbal tea, boundaries)
Let’s be real: most of my calming rituals start after I’ve already been overstimulated for too long—like when I’ve scrolled through one too many chaotic videos or, say, listened to the fish tank filter drip for an hour because I still haven’t added water. You know. The usual.
These rituals didn’t come from a perfectly curated “self-care” routine or a $47 ebook. They just slowly crept into my life when I needed a way to slow my brain down without feeling like I had to become a whole new person.
And while I still feel a little guilty when I take time for myself (why?!), I always feel better afterward. The guilt fades. The calm sticks. And then I laugh at myself for fighting it in the first place.
So here’s a handful of the rituals I’ve been doing, some scheduled, some accidental, all free. They’re simple, they work, and none of them involve taking a bath. (I’ve tried. I hate it. It’s hot and awkward and I can’t stop thinking about the wasted water. Moving on.)
1. Feet in Grass, Face in Sun
This one happens naturally first thing in the morning. I let the dogs out, step onto the grass barefoot, and just stand there. Even if it’s for one minute, it changes my entire mood. I face the sun, breathe in the quiet, and let the earth do its thing. Free therapy.
2. Bathroom Escape + Beauty Ritual
At night, I’ve started scheduling my calm time. I disappear into the bathroom or my bedroom, shut the door (this is key), and force myself to slow down. Wash my face. Put on a mask. Use that serum I forgot about. Do something with intention, even if it’s small, and it shifts everything.
Bonus: it helps me sleep better. And yes, I felt guilty at first, but now it just feels like a necessary part of resetting.
3. Sit. Breathe. Don’t Fix Anything.
After I get home from work, when I’ve mentally replayed the entire day and built tomorrow’s to-do list, I sit down. That’s it. I sit. Sometimes I turn on the Calm app, sometimes I just stare into the void for a few minutes. The world keeps spinning, but I stop. And it works.
4. Calm Magnesium Before Bed
This one’s less dramatic, but still game-changing. I take calm magnesium about an hour before bed, which helps my nervous system chill out, and helps me stay asleep. If I take it too close to bedtime, I’m up in the middle of the night peeing. Not calm. Just damp.
5. Making My Husband Do These With Me (At Least Once)
This is a fun little twist: I love dragging my husband into my rituals. He’s a good sport and will try most of them at least once, maybe not twice, but still. A few have stuck, and it makes me weirdly happy when he grabs the magnesium or goes barefoot with me in the morning. Shared rituals make it feel less like a “thing I’m trying” and more like real life.
Final Thoughts (Because I Know You’re Tired)
If you’re someone who feels guilty taking time to reset, I get it. But try starting small. Give yourself five minutes of quiet. Or sun. Or silence in the bathroom while pretending to “look for something under the sink.”
You’ll feel better. You really will. And one day you’ll realize that, without making a big announcement or overhaul, you actually created rituals that work for you.
No spa days required.