Six things worth investing in to avoid COVID burnout
Spending money on your wellness can buy you relief from feeling tired and anxious amid the prolonged pandemic, high inflation and worry over what’s to come.
And, it doesn’t need to cost thousands or throw you into debt to feel happier.
Here are a few ways to use your money, even if it’s limited, to bring a bit more joy to your current situation.
Resting and relaxing
What can you do to set up your environment to be more restful?
This might mean investing in a new set of sheets, buying the mattress you know you need but haven’t wanted to spend the money on, painting your bedroom and office off-white just like they do at a spa, changing the blinds in your bedroom so that no light creeps in while you’re trying to sleep or decluttering your most-used spaces.
For me, with a newborn on my hip and a two-year-old holding my other hand for most of the day, I’m investing in two things; a meditation app that I can use when my little ones are both sleeping and a sleep training program for my wee one so that both she and I can rest better at night … soon, hopefully.
Exercising
You know this. Moving your body five times a week for 20 to 30 minutes is directly linked to better health — and better finances. The same discipline you use for your workouts is applied to the way you approach money matters like budgeting and reviewing your investments regularly.
So, what can you do to get the exercise you need?
For me, I bought an aerobics riser and a set of 10-pound weights last week to complete my modest home gym. The whole set up has cost just $145 — thanks to the second hand fitness gear market. For you, it might mean that you’re finally going to buy the Peloton you’ve been eyeing or you may use up the wellness credit you have through work for personal training. Or, if money is tight, you might commit to following a few fitness gurus on YouTube and doing their workouts for free a few times a week.
Eating better
I hate to break it to you, but the cost of groceries and takeout isn’t going down anytime soon. Some economists actually think prices could rise further. But, you can still eat healthy and economically.
A few ways to keep costs low and eat healthier are to un-refine your diet (buying more whole foods that don’t have salt or sugar added like raw oatmeal, fruits and vegetables, beans and meats); in other words, buy less prepared foods. Incorporate more vegetarian dishes. Meal plan the entire week so that you eliminate food waste (the average family throws out $1,200 a year in food). Keep takeout to a minimum, or focus your orders on nutritious dishes. It could make sense to spend money on meal boxes if that’s going to relieve stress and get you eating healthy.
Investing in a weight management program like Noom or Weight Watchers might also be a great use of your funds. If it leads to better health and a more balanced relationship with food, it could be worth it. And, if you don’t have a scale at home, perhaps this is the purchase you need to make first in your weight management journey. Or consider investing in a nutrition coach or dietitian if you need extra support. Check with your benefits provider for coverage.
Reading and learning
Grow your brain by investing in books, courses, coaching, brain games and so on. Not everyone has the luxury of spending big bucks in this budget category, but perhaps a lower cost version of this is something you could afford — even a library card or signing up to be a beta tester for online course creators.
Planning your eventual holiday
Simply visioning yourself on a beach somewhere could be enough to buoy your spirits. If you’re feeling confident that you would like to travel in the not so distant future, you could start booking. For my family, we haven’t been on a vacation in almost three years, so we have gone ahead and booked a kid-friendly getaway later this Spring. Certainly there is a risk that it might not happen, but there’s also a strong chance that it will … and just the act of booking that trip has made my husband and I feel stronger. We also cashed in our stash of travel points, which brought the costs down considerably.
Mental health
This could be the best thing to spend your money on. What’s happening for you, your mood, your mental wellness will impact every facet of your life from how you show up in your relationship, the way you parent, your performance at work, the drive you have to workout and eat well.
My advice is simple — don’t mess around with your mental health. If you need counselling, get it. If you need medication or other support, get it. Reach out to a friend if you’re struggling. The great news is that across Canada there are some incredible free or low-cost resources you can access if you are cash strapped.
Yes, a lot of happiness can be found for free, but you can probably nudge it along faster by spending a bit of money on what will make you happy. So trim back in other areas of spending that aren’t strategic and refocus those dollars here.
This article was originally published in The Star. Lesley-Anne Scorgie is a Toronto-based personal finance columnist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star.
