Three Investments in Your Mental Health This Year That Will Pay Off

Every day, society confronts us with hundreds of reasons not to take care of our mental health, such as stigma and lack of time. Financial strain, especially, is a huge deterrent to many adults who want mental health care, despite it also being a massive contributor to mental health issues in the first place. 

However you look at it, though, mental health is an investment. Invest a little time, effort, and money in your mental health now, and watch the benefits accumulate for years to come.  

Below are some tips to keep in mind when opening up your wallet for the sake of your mental well-being.

By approaching your mental health investment as strategically as you would any other, you’ll improve your chances of reaping those much-needed returns:

1. Go on a Retreat

You’re probably thinking, “how will spending money on vacation solve the problems waiting for me at home?”

It’s important to note, though, that there are massive differences between a vacation and a retreat. Some retreats can be fun, sure, but they often also involve hard work and uncomfortable evaluation of your behavior to get yourself back on track. 

Retreats can also come in many different forms. There are couples retreats for partners who want to work out problems in their relationship with one another. There are also trauma-oriented retreats and eating disorder retreats, to name a few.

Of course, the most infamous type of retreat is rehab, such as at Master Center for addiction medicine. Here, individuals immerse themselves in therapy and other experiences to deal with issues of substance abuse. 

Though there are many retreats out there, some are far better than others. So you must do your research before shelling out and packing your bags for this (or any other) type of retreat. 

2. Find the Right Therapist, Not the Cheapest

Like anything else, the quality of your therapy matters. You could attend therapy multiple times a week for years, but if your therapist isn’t a good fit for you, you’ll be unlikely to see significant results. 

So it’s vital to shop around when it comes to a therapist. Go to a few sessions with several to see how their style clicks with your needs. 

Trying out many different therapists and therapy styles can add up quickly, as each practice probably has its own pricing and insurance policies. 

Don’t let that stop you on your journey for the right one. In the end, spending a little bit more upfront on finding a good fit is a much better use of your money than wasting countless sessions on someone you don’t want to rely on to help you. 

3. Splurge on the Extras (Sometimes)

If your therapist suggests more exercise, then, by all means, buy that yoga pass so you can get your anxiety down through some vinyasa flow sessions. 

If you notice that your bouts of depression worsen when you’re only eating junk food, start picking up more products regularly. 

Essentially, there are no quick fixes to mental health problems. A noticeable improvement is usually due to piecemeal lifestyle changes. 

It’s so easy to convince ourselves that we don’t need the cost of all these little extras or that we are undeserving of them. At the end of the day, they’re just as important as any other solution and should be a priority as such too. 

Follow this advice within reason, of course. Using your mental health as a scapegoat for every impulse purchase will only lead you straight into more financial stress, and by extension, more challenges to your mental health. 

Conclusion

Spending money can be anxiety-inducing, of course. Before you go, remember—your mental health is key to your happiness and success in this world, and you are worth every penny.