Browsing through job boards, tweaking your resume, filling out online applications and preparing for interviews — sometimes your quest for employment can feel like a full-time job in and of itself.

It’s an emotionally taxing process, one that can start to feel overwhelming if you let it. That’s why an appropriate level of self-care is crucial to sustaining any focused and fruitful job search.

Self care can take on many forms, whether it involves exercise, shopping, enjoying a meal with friends or binging the latest Netflix series. Anything that offers a fun, rejuvenating respite from the daily grind can qualify as self-care. It doesn’t have to break the bank, either. Check out these free and low-cost suggestions from Starkloff Career Academy alumni and partners for incorporating self care into your regular routine.

Enjoy a movie

Eased COVID restrictions means people are finally able to return to the movie theater. While the viewing experience is hard to beat, a night at the movies can get expensive, particularly when you’re taking an entire family. But Debra Mize has discovered an affordable way to take a weekly self-care break at the cinema.

“Marcus Theatres has $5 movies on Tuesdays, with free popcorn if you sign up for their loyalty program,” Debra explains. “I’ve had the opportunity to see most new releases I have wanted to see. And all these things are on the bus route, so I can independently go for free with the ADA pass.”

Check out Groupon

Regardless of what city you live in, Groupon is a great way to save money on local entertainment. For instance, St. Louis area residents have recently enjoyed deep discounts on admission to attractions like the Selfie Room, the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis, Lewis & Clark Boat House & Nature Center, as well as the Cahokia Mounds.

Take advantage of free attractions

Of course, many of St. Louis’s most iconic landmarks are free to visit. When he’s not busy reading books and watching documentaries, Noah Otte suggests the occasional outing to the St. Louis Zoo, Grant’s Farm, the St. Louis Art Museum and Missouri History Museum.

St. Louis’s most recognizable landmark is of course the Gateway Arch, and the surrounding national park is free to visit. The Museum at the Gateway Arch is located at the base of the Arch and is a shining example of Universal Design. Thanks to the leadership of SDI Co-Founder David Newburger, who presently serves as Commissioner on the Disabled for the City of St. Louis, the Arch Museum was designed to ensure the best visitor experience for everyone.

Visit your local library

Leslie Quarles recommends taking advantage of free programming at the local library to escape the drudgery of job searching. The St. Louis County Public Library has recently hosted events like Virtual Tech Talk, Virtual Book Discussion: Book Journeys, and Bridgerton Night with a Mocktail.

Gather with loved ones for a picnic

Although summer temperatures in St. Louis can get pretty hot and muggy, Annette Hintz still likes to gather friends and family for the occasional picnic. Forest Park, Tower Grove Park and Lafayette Park offer a variety of scenic spots for outdoor dining and socializing.

These are just a few ideas for how you can break up the monotony of your job search and practice some much-needed self-care. Regardless of where you live, wherever your interests happen to lie, you can always find affordable options for a bit of fun and relaxation along the path to employment.