Is wellness worth the investment?

Wellness can be expensive, but is it the price that puts you off or the “value” on offer?

In the below examples we make clear choices on how to spend our money, because we already know the expected outcome…

• Maybe it’s replacing the sofa that’s been with you for 20 years and is looking and feeling worn. It’s scruffy and makes the whole room look untidy. You hate it on a daily basis. And eventually enough is enough, it’s time to go shopping! 
• Maybe it’s a better car, you justify it by saying it makes those long drives a little more comfortable or the boot space is bigger, and maybe it is all those things, but does it also make you feel a little proud, successful, like an achievement?
• Or the new outfit for your work xmas do that will make you feel a little more confident, more put together, slimmer maybe? All the good feels to make it a great night!

In all these situations you happily pay the money because the outcome is certain, and instant.

And I can see how wellness can be a little fluffier. Even the term wellness can relate to so many things - weight, emotion, pain, stress, illness etc. 

But also the results are a little less certain because they usually require change, effort and application on your part. The financial transaction is only the first of many steps towards “wellbeing”. The journey can be seriously off putting and slow.

Because living a healthy life requires more than just a financial transaction. It requires time, commitment, consistency, effort and mindset. It’s a lifestyle, not a 6 week course.

But, let’s take a moment to consider the alternative, because I get it, it’s easy to not bother…but as out of reach as wellbeing might seem, the certainty that exists when we DON’T invest in our health and wellbeing is closer than you might think. 

Here are a few examples

Financial cost of ignoring wellness

• Assisted living or maybe even full time care in later life (incontinence and mobility issues are the main reasons why living alone becomes impossible)
• Inability to do your job - pain, stress, anxiety, depression, injury.
• Physio, massages, acupuncture etc
• Scans, x-rays, private appointments
• Home equipment (eg standing desk) 
• Upgraded living (eg firmer mattress)
• Transport requirements

Emotional cost of ignoring wellness

• Breakdown
• Burnout
• Fear for the future
• Restrictions on “living” - not able to live the life you want.
• Nagging worry about spiralling issues
• Low confidence and self belief
• Embarrassment
• Constant feeling of failure 

Physical cost of ignoring wellness

• Joint and muscular pain
• Injury
• Illness - cardiovascular disease, diabetes etc
• Lack of mobility and balance - possible falls
• Incontinence, prolapse, hernia
• Weight gain
• Osteoporosis, breaks and fractures
• Arthritis

So you can see…Investment in wellbeing and self care may not give you the instant dopamine hit of a new car, sofa or dress, but it will give you an empowerment, a confidence, a sense of certainty and a feeling of control. 

Wellness is an investment in today and in your future, and there aren’t many other investments we can make that give us such a long term and impactful return.