We’ve all heard of mental health, but have you heard of mental wealth? They go hand in hand, and investing in your mental wealth can significantly improve your general wellbeing.
So, what is mental wealth? Ruth Cooper-Dickson, a positive psychology practitioner, explains that mental wealth is: “about how we can tap into our thoughts, feelings and emotions to re-frame how we are viewing our life.”
The Mental Wealth Academy states that: “investing in your mental wealth helps to prevent mental illness and mental health issues”.
Investing in your mental wealth doesn’t have to be expensive. There are lots of realistic, affordable ways you can get started.
1. Buy a Journal
Journalling can be very beneficial and cathartic. It allows you to get things off your chest and process your emotions.
Research shows that journaling can be a great way to help you manage your mental health by helping you to organize your thoughts, identify your emotions, improve emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and manage stress.
You could choose a plain journal and simply use it as a place to jot down your thoughts in a way that suits you. If you’d prefer something more structured, a guided journal can be really helpful.
Guided journals have prompts and questions to get your mind working.
2. Buy a Self-Help Book
Investing in a self-help book can really enhance your mental wellbeing. They can be very uplifting and motivating.
I find that reading about how other people see the world and how their experiences have shaped them can be inspiring. Sometimes these books encourage you to look at your life from a new perspective and help you figure out the way forward.
If you’re just getting started with self-help books, this Good Vibes, Good Life book is a good starting point. It focuses on developing self-love and transforming your emotions.
If you prefer something more spiritual, the Power of Now is a book that has been life-changing for many people.
Good Vibes, Good Life
In this book, Vex will show you that when you change the way you think, feel, speak and act, you begin to change the world.
Power of Now
This book takes you on an inspiring spiritual journey to reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light.
3. Buy an Adult Coloring Book
Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore! You’ve probably seen adult coloring books: they’re about all over the place. But don’t overlook them, because they can be very relaxing and enjoyable.
Clinical psychologist Scott M. Bea, PsyD explains that coloring acts as a form of mindfulness, redirecting our attention to the present moment and encouraging the brain to relax.
This Secret Garden coloring book is a beautiful option, but there are plenty of other choices to suit your preferences (including more funny, ‘swearing’ coloring books).
Secret Garden Coloring Book
This interactive colouring book takes you on a ramble through a garden created in beautifully detailed pen–and–ink illustrations.
4. Download a Mood Tracking App
Investing in a mood tracking app allows you to identify changes in your moods and figure out triggers for these changes. You can learn to cope with your triggers and better regulate your emotions.
Over time, this can empower you to improve your life, building more productive habits to maintain a positive mood. The Daylio app is a great option and is easy to use.
5. Download a Mindfulness App
The American Psychological Association explains that mindfulness has many benefits for our mental health, including reducing stress; improving emotional regulation and cognitive function; improving our memory and focus, and generally enhancing our wellbeing.
If you’re new to mindfulness or prefer guided mindfulness, mindfulness apps can be a great choice. They typically contain a range of guided meditation, visualization, and other mindfulness sessions.
The Headspace app is well known for a reason and is a great option. You can read our Headspace review for more information.
The Calm app is another excellent choice, and you can read more about it in our review.
6. Invest in an Online Mindfulness Course
If apps aren’t your thing, an online mindfulness course might be more your speed. Courses tend to be focused on a specific type of mindfulness.
They typically take you through lessons on mindfulness, guided activities, and give you ‘homework’ to practice in your own time.
The Be Mindful course is an excellent, science-backed choice focusing on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). It’s designed to reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance your general wellbeing.
7. Buy Some Pampering Products
Self care is powerful and is pivotal for your mental health. Self-care refers to any tasks that you do to look after your physical and mental health, including exercising, eating well, and having a regular sleep schedule.
Self-care is also about being kind to yourself and making time for yourself. Why not treat yourself to some pampering products to help you relax?
Whether you’re masculine, feminine, or non-binary, pampering yourself is for everyone. You could invest in some good skincare products, some bath bombs, some scented candles, or some essential oils for example.
8. Buy a Whiteboard
Time management can be tough, especially when you have a busy life. A whiteboard can help you to organize your time.
You can put your whiteboard up at home or work. You can write lists, figure out which tasks to prioritize, and set goals for the day.
This basic whiteboard is a good choice and it's available in a range of sizes so you can pick one that suits your needs.
Amazon Basics Whiteboard
A simple and affordable magnetic dry erase board.
9. Buy a New Pillow
We all know that sleep is vital, but did you know it’s just as important for your mental health as it is for your physical health? You’ll no doubt have experienced that feeling of being grumpy and irritable after a bad night’s sleep.
Sleep enables our mind to process memories, improve our cognitive function, and regulate our emotions. An article from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School explains that “even partial sleep deprivation has a significant effect on mood.”
To sleep, we need to be comfortable, and many of us are sleeping on old, uncomfortable pillows. You could invest in a new, supportive pillow to help you sleep more comfortably.
Weekender Memory Foam Pillow
Soft, yet supportive CertiPUR US certified memory foam provides superior pressure relief and comfort.
10. Join a Fitness Class
During exercise, endorphins are released, which are the body’s ‘happy hormones’. They reduce stress and enhance our sense of wellbeing.
Research shows that any type of movement can help to improve your mood and prevent depression and anxiety.
You could join a fitness class to help motivate you and get you started with exercise. You’ll get all the benefits of exercise, as well as being able to connect with others and have fun.
11. Download a Sleep App
We’ve already talked about how important sleep is, but so many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep. A sleep app can help you drift off to sleep at night and encourage deeper, more restful sleep.
The Slumber app is a great choice, providing mindfulness sessions, bedtime stories, and relaxing sleep sounds.
12. Buy a Water ‘Tracking’ Bottle
Staying hydrated is vital to keep your body and mind functioning properly. Experts at Harvard Medical School explain that staying hydrated not only keeps your body physically healthy, but it also improves cognitive function, mood, and helps you sleep better.
Lots of us struggle to drink enough water (especially when there are so many other yummy drinks on the market). A water tracking bottle helps you to set a realistic goal and encourages you to drink water throughout the day. This one is a great choice.
Giotto Water Bottle
With unique inspirational quote and time markers on it, this water bottle is great for measuring your daily water intake, reminding you to stay hydrated and drink enough water throughout the day.
13. Invest in Some ‘Meal Prep’ Containers
What you eat is just as important as what you drink: it’s the fuel you give your body and mind to function. We all know the importance of a healthy diet, but sometimes it can be hard to keep up with healthy eating habits when life is busy.
Something I’ve found really useful is meal prepping: you plan and prepare your meals at the beginning of the week and you’ve got healthy meals ready to just heat up.
Here are some good quality meal prep containers that are dishwasher and freezer safe.
14. Buy a Weighted Blanket
The National Sleep Foundation explains that weighted blankets mimic a calming technique called deep pressure stimulation. This simply means using firm, controlled pressure to produce a feeling of calm and relaxation.
They state that weighted blankets can: “stimulate the production of a mood-boosting hormone (serotonin), reduce the stress hormone (cortisol), and increase levels of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. “
I love my weighted blanket, I find that it eases anxiety and helps to relax me. It feels like getting a cuddle! It’s great for improving sleep or even just relaxing while watching TV after a stressful day. This weighted blanket is a great choice, and you can also check out our guide.
YnM Weighted Blanket
The original YnM weighted blanket offers a natural way to help calm your body for a restful night of sleep; great calming sensory blanket for adults and children to help decompress and provide comfort.
15. Get Some Fidget Toys
Just like coloring books, fidget toys aren’t just for kids!
They can be a great resource to help you focus and reduce bad habits like biting your nails. They can be especially useful if you struggle with anxiety or other mental illnesses which impact your ability to focus.
There are so many types of fidget toys on the market, you’re bound to find one that suits you. You can even buy packs with multiple types so you can play around and see what feels right.
We also shared some of our favorite fidget toys in this guide.
16. Get a Massage
Massage doesn’t only benefit your physical health, it also has an impact on your mental wellbeing. Experts at Mayo Clinic explain that massage can reduce stress and tension, improve energy and alertness, and promote a sense of deep relaxation.
You could treat yourself to a massage appointment or even buy a personal massager. You’ll be making time for yourself and helping yourself to relax.
Investing in your mental wealth can make a significant, positive difference to your wellbeing. Why not try out one of these ideas and take notice of the impact it has?