Mental health struggles should never be ignored, but they should always be addressed by a professional. The only real downside is that therapy isn’t really affordable. Actually, it’s considered quite expensive, and most people can’t afford regular therapy sessions.
But if you’re still looking to improve your mental health, there are actually many ways you can do that without spending too much, and some are even accessible from the comfort of your own home.
Online Therapy
Online therapy can be quite affordable because there are many platforms that you can choose from. Here you can find a comparison of all cheap therapy platforms that also allow you to the clinic with a licensed therapist in a much more affordable way. There are subscriptions that range from $60 to $80 a week, which is about half of what you’ll pay a therapist if you met them in person. Some sites even offer you a free trial of at least a week.
On top of that, you’re saving money as you are not commuting to your therapist’s office. You also have the option to choose from different methods of communication, whether you’re more comfortable texting your therapist or talking via phone or video call.
Taking supplements might be helpful when it comes to practicing mindfulness after therapy sessions. Supplements like HempLucid’s mushroom gummies can offer useful benefits for mental health and well-being.
Community Mental Health Center
Community mental health centres are also a way to improve your mental health. These are run by professionals, whether that’s therapists, counselors, or psychiatrists. Most provide therapy sessions with flexible fees, and in some cases, they can also offer financial aid programs.
In addition, they might have accessible services and programs for specific demographics such as refugees for example, or people that struggle with substance abuse. Therefore, it’s important to check out the community mental health centre in your area to see what kind of options they have for their residents.
Mental Health Apps
They say there is a mobile app for everything, and you can actually find many wellness and mental health apps that could help you improve your mental health. For example, The Fabulous is a premium application that will help you get on top of your goals whilst at the same time motivating you to take care of yourself.
There are also apps more focused on mental health and some specific mental health issues like the application MindShift CBT – Anxiety Relief that incorporates CBT in addressing any anxiety and panic attacks. Happify is another example that offers stress reduction and cognitive techniques to address anxiety.
Journaling
Journaling is another great method of improving mental health because it allows you to express what you’re feeling and thinking and put it on paper. There’s a really great connection between expressing your thoughts and finding more clarity.
Of course, you can find many different journal prompts. For example, prompts that are more focused on your future goals or journal prompts that are specifically designed for anxiety or self-esteem issues, but there are also quite easy ways to get into journaling just by writing everything down without censoring your thoughts and feelings, and that can be a great way into improving your overall mental health.
Meditation
It’s scientifically proven that it improves mental health in the long run; today, there are many guided meditations online, as well as apps like Headspace, which can help you meditate and find a practice that works for you.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness has gained a lot of traction in recent years, and it can be explained as the ability to be fully present at the moment and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. It will help you be in the present moment to help you gain clarity of your situation. Again, there are plenty of mindfulness apps you can choose from.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Some businesses might offer compensation for mental health services, or they might have therapy services for free through employer programs. It can definitely be used for counseling or even as an assessment of your mental health, and it’s quite affordable or available for you at minimal costs.
If your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) then it is advisable to take full advantage of all the services offered to you which can include 24/7 counselling services and wellbeing apps.
Online Courses
There are many online courses that could help you find balance in your day-to-day life and offer your new perspective. For example, Irene Lyon offers multiple programs that teach you about regulating your nervous system and gives work that you can do on a daily basis. There are also many free courses and tutorials on CBT and other therapy modalities that can be used by individuals on a daily basis.
Exercise
It is also scientifically proven that physical exercise on a daily basis can boost your mood your energy and help you improve your mental health in the long run. By exercising, your body produces so-called happy hormones, and these are essential for regulating your mood and feeling fulfilled. There are many exercises to choose from and also a lot of options available for free, think online yoga, walking, or doing sport.