Wellness guru Minna Lee knows a few things about taking care of mind, body, and spirit—just check out her site Living Minnaly. It inspires us to take a 360-approach to wellness by prioritizing our mental health as much as our physical health. This wasn’t always the case for Lee, though. A former competitive figure skater, she found self-care felt far more like work than play.
“For a long time, health was performance-oriented and fitness was results-based—in a way that was arguably not healthy. There were a lot of strict rules and regimes,” says Lee. “Now, it’s about treating my body and mind well in a way that comes from a place of respect for myself. It’s most important for me to truly feel well and balanced, not to be checking things off the list of prescribed ‘healthy’ things to do.”
Part of feeling “well and balanced” for Lee is staying on track with money. But taking care of ourselves from the inside out doesn’t always come cheap (we’re looking at you, green juice, organic food, and massages on repeat). Fortunately, the trainer, nutrition coach, and well-being advocate has a wealth of intel on how to do it without depleting your rainy-day stash.
Photo by Minna Lee
Create a home workout studio.
It goes without saying that regular workouts do wonders for your mind and body. They not only can ward off anxiety, but they also help manage it while reducing your risk for a slew of physical ailments. But filling your calendar with the latest class crazes isn’t the most wallet-approved way to go about it. Fortunately, there are plenty of work out from home options.
“You don’t need much to get a great movement session in,” Lee says. Having a few budget-friendly basics on hand can help you move and stretch. Try an exercise mat, hand weights, resistance band, jump rope, and foam roller. Whatever helps you move and stretch.
“Learning how to work out on your own or do streaming classes from home is often far more budget-friendly than consistently visiting fitness studios or gyms,” she says. Whether you’re into cardio, HIIT, cross-training, Pilates, or yoga—there’s an app for that.
Photo by Minna Lee
Invest in a juicer.
Real talk: Store-bought green juices and smoothies are delicious, yes, but a week’s worth can blow your food budget. Instead, buy your own juicer. It’s a small investment that will legit pay for itself since juicers typically cost between $100 and $500.
“A quality juicer will last for a very long time if maintained properly,” Lee says. That means doing regular, thorough cleanings and not using it for food your juicer wasn’t designed for (think dry ingredients like almonds).
Plus, juicing doesn’t have to be an everyday job. “I typically make enough juice to last two to three days at a time,” says Lee.
Photo by Minna Lee
Open a credit card with cash rewards.
Opening a credit card with cash rewards at a store you frequent can equal some serious savings to spend on self-care. Lee likes the myWalgreens™ Mastercard® because it allows her to earn Walgreens Cash rewards for everyday purchases, including self-care products, when she shops at Walgreens and other retailers.
“It allows me to earn Walgreens Cash rewards on everyday items: 10 percent Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens-branded products* (exclusions apply) and 5 percent Walgreens Cash rewards for almost everything else storewide—even at the pharmacy* (exclusions apply). The Walgreens Cash rewards add up quickly, so I can often get some wellness products I routinely purchase for free!”
If you’re approved for the myWalgreens Mastercard®, you can also earn Walgreens Cash rewards when you use your card outside of Walgreens—3 percent Walgreens Cash rewards on grocery and health and wellness purchases (gym memberships, home gym items purchased at sporting good stores, etc.)* and 1 percent anywhere else Mastercard is accepted (fitness apps, juicers, and more).*
Photo by Minna Lee
Take an Epsom salt bath.
Nothing says relaxation like a bath. It’s downtime, alone time, and—well—bath time all rolled into one. For Lee, it’s a ritual that starts the second the faucet turns on. “I turn on the water and use that as my signal to start mentally winding down. I close the bathroom door, change out of my clothes I’ve been wearing all day, and use that as a metaphor to strip the stress/energy of my day away.”
When the tub is about half-full, she sprinkles in Walgreens Lavender Epsom Salt, lights a candle with a relaxing scent, and puts her phone away. “I climb into the bath (usually with a book) and get lost in another world for a while as the Epsom salt does its work on relaxing my body.”
Lee finds this self-care ritual translates to spending less on massages throughout the year. “If I’m regularly taking Epsom salt baths, my body feels better, and the time between professional treatments (like massages) can be extended more easily.”
*Rewards on prescriptions and other pharmacy items and services cannot be earned in AR, NJ, or NY. Only prescriptions picked up in store are eligible to earn rewards. Must be a myWalgreens™ member. Walgreens Cash rewards are not legal tender. No cash back. Walgreens Cash rewards good on future purchases. Exclusions apply. Complete details, including Walgreens Cash rewards expiration dates, at myWalgreens™ Terms and Conditions. Purchases with a myWalgreens credit card are subject to credit approval. See credit card reward program terms for program details.
The myWalgreens Mastercard® is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
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