Stories Link Copied 04.08.25

25 Worth-It Mental Health Investments, According to People Who Bought Them

Sometimes, it is worth it. BySam Brodsky

Shutterstock / Wondermind

Even in wild times like these, spending money on things that save you time and energy, or just make you feel good, is often worth it, says financial therapist Aja Evans, LMHC, author of Feel Good Finance. You might pay to get your laundry done so you have more downtime on the weekend, away from your hectic job. Or maybe buying that yoga mat really did lead to more downward dog. 

While adding to cart isn’t a sustainable way to escape hard feelings or boost your self-esteem over the long haul, taking care of your needs is a totally valid way to invest, says Evans. “The key is being intentional and choosing things that genuinely support you and make you feel better, not just spending to avoid your feelings, keep up, or numb out,” Evans adds.

To be more specific, spending money on things that require you to maintain healthy habits for your body and mind is the move here, says clinical psychologist and certified financial therapist Traci Williams, PsyD. That could be an emotional-support plant, an obnoxious water bottle that you take everywhere, or a yoga app subscription. 

With all of this in mind, here’s what people say was worth the money for the sake of their mental health.

1. Mental health medication

"When I was in college, I started struggling with really bad depression, anxiety, and OCD symptoms. Seeing a therapist helped, but I was still dealing with intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions. After six months of therapy, I decided to try medication. I realized a few days before my psychiatry appointment that she didn't take any insurance and I'd have to pay out of pocket. I didn't want to go through the process of finding another psychiatrist, then waiting for that appointment, so I dipped into my savings. It was the best $350 I’ve ever spent. The SSRI she prescribed made my symptoms way more manageable, and I've been on it ever since. Nine years later, my quality of life is exponentially better, and I'd pay for that first appointment 10 times over in a heartbeat." —Kara C., 27

2. Mindfulness apps 

“Investing in yearly subscriptions to Headspace ($69.99) and Othership ($164.99) has really helped me cope with stress. I use Headspace for nightly bedtime sleepcasts and Othership to practice deep breathing each weekday morning.” —therapist Risa Williams, LMFT, author of Get Stuff Done Without the Stress

3. Oura ring 

“In 2022, I bought the Oura ring for around $250, plus a $5.99-per-month subscription. I had debilitating insomnia that lasted over six months, and the ring helped me get back on track with my sleep. It would use sleep-related metrics—like my heart rate, sleep stages I spent the most time in, my body temp, etc.—to give me personalized tips that genuinely helped. And I learned so much about my body in the process, including how much my nighttime anxiety impacted me.” —Jessica S., 34

4. Clothing rental 

“Between my pregnant and postpartum body, I’ve changed shape and size dramatically for the past 18 months. About three months postpartum, I learned about Nuuly, a subscription-based service that allows you to rent six pieces of clothing for $98 per month. With each rental, it also lets you buy items for a discount and build a ‘closet’ of stuff you love. Nuuly has done wonders for my postpartum body image, it’s sustainable, and I don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on clothes every few weeks when I find my body changes. It’s a huge mood booster too—I can still feel cute despite being covered in spilled milk.” —Violet C., 32

5. Walking pad

“Having a walking pad at my standing desk has been life-changing for my mental health. Getting movement in while responding to emails and working on projects feels good and brings my stress levels down. Even boring administrative tasks don't feel as bad while I'm walking.” —licensed psychologist Carey Heller, PsyD

6. Floating at the spa

“A $79 75-minute floating session melts away my stress, elevates my mood, and decreases pain. You float in a big tank of warm water filled with Epsom salts, and, in my experience, you can add gentle music and lights if the sensory-deprivation thing freaks you out. It's like being in a womb—or a mini meditation retreat—weightless and free.” —life coach and licensed therapist Bryony Smith, LMHC

7. Kindle

“One of the best purchases that I’ve made for my mental health has been my Kindle. The Kindle itself was a gift, but I pay for an ‘unlimited’ subscription ($11.99 a month), and I also buy books not included in that subscription. I've replaced doomscrolling with my Kindle, and I look forward to an early bedtime so I can dive back into whatever adventure I've been following.” —licensed psychologist Erika Bach, PsyD

8. Concerts

“Spending hundreds of dollars on concert tickets—and the travel associated with them—was a meaningful mental health investment as I dealt with a lot of personal struggles. I experienced grief from my parents’ divorce, stress from post-grad life and a long-distance relationship, and hurt from racism. Concerts were my outlets for healing.

Seeing Kehlani and Janelle Monáe made me feel energized, liberated, confident, and sexy when I felt like I was losing touch with my sensuality. Seeing Usher for my birthday was another way to celebrate and uplift myself. Dancing to music that has been rooted in my culture and my family for generations at a Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire show brought me strength while processing my parents’ divorce.

It’s not just about the performers though. Sometimes it’s also about the location. For example, I moved to Boston after college and was having a hard time acclimating by myself with no family around. To make matters worse, I felt lonely dealing with workplace racism in this new city. Going to a Keith Sweat, New Edition, and Guy concert 30 minutes from Boston helped me organically connect to my new home base.” —Trinity A., 25

9. Orangetheory 

“Working out has always helped my mental health, and I spend $130 a month on Orangetheory classes. It soothes my stress, helps me sleep better, and boosts my self-esteem.” —Amanda C., 28 

10. Skincare 

“Every night, I have an hour-long ritual where I listen to my favorite music (mostly jazz) and apply products I love while saying positive affirmations. My OG essentials are Great Barrier Relief by KraveBeauty and the Living Cleansing Balm by Then I Met You.

Taking care of my skin, especially as someone who has struggled with acne due to PCOS and thyroid issues, has been a major part of learning to love and accept myself.” —Diana R., 26

11. Happier app

“The best mental health purchase I've ever made has been and continues to be a $99.99 yearly subscription to the meditation app Happier. I use the app almost every day to release stress, refocus, or fall asleep. Meditation is a reminder that no matter what's going on in your life, you can always find peace. 

Happier teaches the basics of mindfulness meditation in an engaging and science-backed way, and it also lets you advance your meditation practice with more complex sessions.” —clinical psychologist Aaron Weiner, PhD  

12. Presently bracelets 

“I bought Presently bracelets with the quote, ‘brave the uncomfortable,’ for myself and my daughter. Wearing these bracelets every day reminds us that we can do hard things despite both having OCD. For example, this wearable phrase helps me keep in mind that when I’m having intrusive thoughts, I am brave enough to sit with the discomfort I am feeling. I will be OK on the other side.” —Lauren N., 35

13. Massages

“I love investing in massages, around $60 to $80 for an hour. I don’t see them as a financial waste, but they’re definitely a luxury and privilege. It feels good to nourish my body in this screen-free way. Massages also help alleviate my stress-induced neck pain (and this pain has been at an all-time high because of the political landscape).” —therapist Olivia Verhulst, LMHC, PMH-C

14. Paint supplies 

“Watercolors and watercolor paper are worth the money because painting brings me joy, calm, and focus—a state of flow, you might say. Listening to traumatic stories as a therapist can be challenging, even if I love what I do. When I’m heavy-hearted after work or from hearing news about the world right now, painting eases stress and creates a sense of delight and play. It's like my own personal art therapy in the evenings.” —life coach and licensed therapist Bryony Smith, LMHC

15. Trips 

“Weekend getaways and longer trips help when I’m overwhelmed. People say getting away like this is an attempt to ‘escape yourself,’ but I've always felt like it's running toward  myself. Getting out of my daily routine, going somewhere without expectations and familiar faces, lets me self-reflect more easily.” —Anonymous, 29

16. Gym membership and training program

“I deal with anxiety and depression. Since moving my body helps me boost my endorphins, jam out to fun music, and work toward goals I’m proud of, I try to make it as easy as possible. I pay $20 a month for a training program from Jason and Lauren Pak so I don’t have to plan my workouts. I also spend $189 per month for a gym on my street corner so that it’s convenient for me to go.” —M.K., 30

17. Credenza 

“I bought this sideboard for our apartment, and it has made a serious impact on my mental health. Putting it together felt like such an accomplishment (I did it mostly without my fiancé's help), and having all of our clutter organized in this beautiful piece adds a lot of joy to our space.” —licensed psychologist Erika Bach, PsyD

18. Opal app 

“I can set limits on my iPhone screen time, but that’s easy to override. To keep me more accountable, I have an Opal subscription ($99.99 a year), which limits access to apps for designated periods of time—no overrides allowed. With Opal, I can't access any social media from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. It’s totally gotten rid of my nighttime scrolling habit. This, in turn, has improved my sleep and overall mental health (since sometimes seeing people’s posts takes a toll on my self-esteem). It also gives me a few social media-free hours in the a.m., which helps me center myself and focus on my morning routine before a busy day.” —therapist Gianna LaLota, LMHC, LPC

19. ClassPass

“As a psychologist, I tell my clients how important self-care is, but I realized I wasn’t always practicing what I preached. Becoming a ClassPass customer for $89 a month was one of the best mental health investments. Taking different classes three to four times a week helps me slow down and reconnect with my body. Over time, I’ve noticed improved sleep, a significant reduction in stress, and a greater sense of accomplishment—both personally and professionally. It’s a powerful reminder that investing in my well-being isn’t just beneficial for me; it’s also beneficial for the people I support!” —psychologist Ayli Carrero Pinedo, PhD

20. Conversation card deck

“My partner and I take regular walks and ask each other questions from the {THE AND} relationship card deck (couples edition). Prompts like, ‘What is something I do that makes you feel seen?’ and, ‘What’s one way I could support your growth right now?’ spark meaningful conversations. On top of that, we record our talks, then transcribe them with a private AI tool, to reflect on our relationship history. Doing all of this helps us connect and communicate better, especially when we feel stuck or misunderstood. It’s like holding up a gentle mirror to the relationship to understand where we’re thriving and where we could be more mindful.” —licensed psychologist Heath Schechinger, PhD 

21. Disney visits 

“For the last seven years, I’ve spent roughly $2,600 each year on annual passes to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. People say that’s a ton of money, but I think it’s worth having these places when I need to leave my anxieties behind. Going to the theme parks gets me out in the sunlight, moving my body, and socializing, which have all been positives for my mental (and physical) health.” —Casey C., 25

22. Down Dog app

“I started paying for the app Down Dog after my primary care doctor recommended yoga for stress. I knew getting to a yoga studio regularly would be difficult for me, so the app has been a convenient way to stress less.” —clinical psychologist and certified financial therapist Traci Williams, PsyD

23. New York Times subscription 

“I’m constantly online. About a year ago, I purchased a New York Times print subscription, and I have the newspaper delivered every Saturday and Sunday. There is something special about flipping through the physical pages. It gives my brain a digital detox. I also treasure this time to open my mind to new viewpoints on some of the challenges facing our country, the world, and my generation.” —Grant P., 27

24. House cleaning 

“One of the best mental health investments I've ever made was hiring a house-cleaning service ($300 a month for two cleanings) after my first kid was born over four years ago. The time, arguments with my husband, mental load, and energy saved from this decision is worth every penny. I feel less resentful and overwhelmed. Before, we weren’t splitting up cleaning despite both doing double duty, working and parenting. But now, we both tidy up when needed, knowing the bulk of the cleaning will be handled. It truly keeps the peace.” —financial therapist Aja Evans, LMHC

25. Gym membership with childcare

“Motherhood is lovely but so exhausting. And, since I usually can’t predict when my little one needs me, going to the gym is sometimes my only opportunity to have a half hour to myself. Going to the YMCA (for $112 a month with a referral discount), where I don't have to worry about finding childcare last minute or paying a babysitter, is huge! It's also been good for him socially and developmentally, so it's a win-win investment.” —Autumn T., 30

Quotes have been edited and condensed for length and clarity.