Investing in Mind and Body
An investment, according to the dictionary, is a dedication of resources with the goal of receiving a return over time. I love that we use the word “investment” for anything we pour our time, attention, or effort into. If I want to get stronger, I invest in exercise. If I want to learn, I invest in reading. We even call university an investment because we sacrifice time, money, and energy now for a future payoff.
We understand this concept when it comes to our bodies, careers, and finances. But one area where we rarely invest — or simply don’t know how to invest — is our mental health, our emotional resilience, and the overall wellness of our nervous system.
Brian Regan has a skit about going to the gym where he walks in, pretends he knows what he’s doing, climbs into some contraption, moves things around, and someone finally says, “Hey buddy, can you get out of the paint scaffolding?” It’s hilarious — and it illustrates something important: sometimes we genuinely don’t know how to do something, and we need a coach. That’s not weakness; that’s wisdom.
Many people avoid mindfulness practices for that exact reason. Some were never taught what mindfulness is. Others were taught it was “unproductive.” We live in a culture that worships busyness, as if being overwhelmed is a badge of honor. I used to feel proud when people commented on how busy I was, like I had achieved something simply by running myself ragged.
But busyness has a cost.
If I lift 40 lb dumbbells over and over again, eventually my muscles stop responding. After a few sets, my arms won’t budge and my grip gives out no matter how hard I try. The solution isn’t more effort — it’s rest.
Our minds work the same way.
When we live in a constant state of stress — at work, at home, in the car, even while we sleep — our bodies shift into fight‑or‑flight. That state is meant to last minutes, not days or years. When it becomes chronic, our bodies begin to break down. Our brains stop processing efficiently. We work harder and longer just to accomplish what used to be simple. This is why so many people experience anxiety, mental fatigue, and difficulty focusing.
And here’s the part we often overlook: Stress shuts down connection.
We are wired for connection. It is one of the primary ways the nervous system regulates itself. But when we’re stressed, the brain skips the connection process because it’s focused on survival. This leads to anxiety over small things, emotional explosions, relational strain, and even addictive behaviors. They say, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety — it’s connection.” I would add that the opposite of poor relationships, mental health challenges, and even many physical issues is also connection.
When given what they need, our minds and bodies are capable of extraordinary things. When neglected, we pay the price.
I always liked the metaphor: if I had five hours to cut down a tree, I would spend the first four sharpening my saw. We know that the quality of the investment determines the quality of the return — and many of us are using a dull saw, creating more work for ourselves, when all we need is a simple sharpening session.
When you invest in stillness, breath work, massage therapy, and meditation, your brain pays you back in dividends that extend far beyond productivity. You gain mental clarity, emotional resilience, better relationships, and a healthier body. These practices help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and support long‑term wellness.
This article is posted on the website for Sage Day Spa in Rexburg, so of course I’m going to say that massage is one of the best ways to invest in your health. The funny thing is: modern research agrees. Massage helps reduce anxiety, improves circulation, supports immune function, and activates the body’s natural relaxation response.
Invest in your most valuable and irreplaceable asset — yourself — and you will never regret the return.
