You’re often reminded to maintain your health to avoid future illness or injury. The same as with regular vehicle maintenance, if avoided, you face costly repairs down the road.

You do cardio for heart health, stretch and lift weights for your muscles and bones. Your organs stay healthy with a proper diet and water intake. The doctor runs annual tests to catch potential issues before they arise.

You might not be perfect, but you probably do a decent job of taking care of your body.

But what about the mind?

You can meditate and make sure you’re getting enough sleep, but the mind is incredibly complex and you likely don’t know how your internal wiring affects your mood.

Seeing a doctor to maintain the body is one thing, but do you talk to a therapist?

Yes, therapy can be expensive, and not everyone has coverage. But what are the costs of having a mental break, a period of overwhelm that spirals you into a depression lasting weeks or months?

This will happen to most people. And often, it’s only then that they seek help.

Start seeing a therapist before you need to. Talking openly with a professional can help you identify potential issues far in advance, and guide you along a path of avoidance.

If you can afford it or have some form of coverage, don’t wait. And if you can’t afford it, it’s still worth reaching out — many therapists offer discounted rates.

Therapy is preventative medicine for the mind.

Don’t wait until it’s broken.