Are you prioritising self-care in your monthly budget?

Published on 28th June, 2023 at 04:04 pm

It’s easy to relegate self-care to a bubble bath every now and again, or a rushed walk around the block when you can be bothered to find your sneakers. But it’s important to prioritise both time and money to look after yourself. Here’s why – and how.

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In this article you’ll learn:

• The importance of self-care for body and mind.
• Why you should budget for self-care, and how your Sanlam Reality health benefits can help you keep self-care in your budget.
• What to include in your self-care budget.

Why self-care is important

“As the demands of modern life increase, self-care has become more imperative,” says therapist and life coach Danelle du Plessis. “Self-care, which includes both mental and physical health, is vital for a healthy, productive and happy life. It influences everything – from how we think, feel and act to the choices we make and whether they’re healthy/good or unhealthy/bad.”

Du Plessis believes it’s important to be intentional about self-care and see it as an ongoing practice and lifestyle. “It is something we must become disciplined about,” she says.

Life coach Michelle Schwartz agrees and adds that self-care and self-value are correlated. “People who value themselves, care for their well-being. Conversely, practising self-care increases self-esteem.”

Why you should make space in your budget for self-care

Looking after yourself is about managing all aspects of your well-being proactively. “There’s a lot of evidence substantiating that proactively looking after your physical, mental and emotional health leads to a longer life, and improved quality of life,” says Danelle van Heerde, Head: Advice Solutions at Sanlam. “This allows people to be productive members of society for longer, which is a benefit to all.”

While some self-care habits are free – such as slowing down and living in the moment, staying hydrated or getting enough sleep – there are others that need you to be a bit more financially savvy. “Self-care is a critical aspect of our lives. It’s therefore important to include self-care when you prioritise your resources, including time and money,” van Heerde explains.

What you should include in your budget

When you draw up your monthly budget, remember to include any costs related to your wellbeing, for instance:

• Your favourite physical activity or sport, which can include gym or club fees, as well as related expenses such as equipment and clothing
• Appointments with a psychologist or psychiatrist for your mental health
• Annual check-ups with your doctors and dentist

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If you don’t budget for your health and wellbeing, it won’t be top of mind, making it less likely that you’ll proactively practise self-care. “You also run the risk of not having funds available when you realise you need self-care. This may result in either overspending or going without, which could be detrimental to your wellbeing,” van Heerde shares.

“Self-care applies to all aspects of life – including proactively managing your finances so you can be financially confident,” she continues. “A trusted financial planner who can enable you to make sound financial choices is an important partner in self-care.”

When it comes to financial self-care, a qualified financial planner is the perfect expert to enlist. Speak to one today.