Taking care of yourself shouldn’t feel like another budget line item. Real self-care is about creating small, meaningful moments that help you breathe deeper, think more clearly and move through life with more presence and ease. Sometimes, the simplest support makes the biggest difference.
That’s why we’ve gathered free resources to nurture every part of you — mentally, physically and spiritually. From tools that sharpen your mind to programs that support your health and practices that restore your peace, these no-cost finds are here to help you feel more balanced, grounded and cared for all year long.
Mind
Self-care starts from the inside out — beginning with your thoughts. Keeping your mind engaged, supported and inspired helps you move through life with more clarity and calm. These free resources stimulate your brain, support your mental wellness and help you grow at any age.
College classes. Learn something new or earn that degree you’ve always wanted. Many colleges and universities offer free courses to adults 50 years young and better. Find free college courses in your state.
5-day digital detox. Take a break from tech and retrain your brain for focus and spiritual connection with this guided digital detox plan from The Soul at Rest.
Brain & Life newsletter. Subscribe to the Brain & Life newsletter for brain health tips, resources and inspiration. Also, follow the Brain & Life podcast for weekly conversations on brain health.
Board games & hobbies. Try a variety of board games or pick up a new hobby — no financial commitment required — through your local library. Most public libraries lend chess sets, Scrabble sets, knitting sets, bird-watching kits, and more.
Brain games. Give your brain a workout, challenge your memory and boost mental function with online brain games. The AARP Game Center, CogniFit.com and lumosity.com each offer select games for free.
Online classes. Explore new topics and learn at your own pace with online course platforms Coursera and Udemy. Classes from well-known institutions like Columbia, Harvard and MIT are available. Also, explore AARP’s Virtual Community Center for brain-stimulating workshops and events.
Self-care apps. Find your calm with guided meditations, relaxing music, sleep sounds and more with Calm, Exhale, InsightTimer and the UCLA Mindful App.
Brain health resources. The AARP Staying Sharp platform is an excellent resource for boosting brain health and mental well-being. You’ll find a monthly cognitive assessment, challenges, recipes and informative newsletters. Also, browse AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health resource library for more helpful tools.
Mental health resources. Get support through organizations offering workshops, therapy referrals and scholarships, including Black Girls Smile, NAMI, Black Mental Health Alliance, Black Emotional Mental Health Collective, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and the Loveland Foundation.
Books, magazines & newspapers. Borrow ebooks and audiobooks or read newspapers and magazines for free on the Libby app, Hoopla, Project Gutenberg, the Palace Project and other digital services through your local library. Free print magazine subscriptions are also available through ValueMags.com.
Mental wellness podcasts. Find community and sisterly support through these podcasts and platforms that focus on mental health for Black women: Therapy For Black Girls Podcast, Resilient Black Women and Melanin and Mental Health.
Body
Movement, nourishment and preventive care all play a role in feeling your best — and none of it has to break the budget. These freebies help you stay active, feel cared for and stay in tune with your physical health.
Fitness and wellness equipment. Explore the “Library of Things” at your local library for items to support your health and wellness goals. Available items often include bicycles, pickleball sets, light therapy lamps, pedometers, jump ropes and more.
Online workouts. Moving your body is easier than ever thanks to the wealth of free fitness apps and websites. AARP’s fitness library, Adidas Running, Nike Training Club, Map My Fitness, Yoga Fit and YouTube offer workouts for all preferences, 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.