How a 26‑year‑old turned wellness into her biggest investment

Like many young people in the U.S. and around the world , Tiffany Henriques rarely drinks alcohol. Instead, the 26-year-old wellness influencer, based in Delray Beach, Florida, has redirected her discretionary spending to her own wellbeing, investing more than a thousand dollars each month on her physical and mental health.

"Things I used to spend more money on — for example, going out on the weekends or drinking at the bar — now this money goes towards my health," Henriques says. She spends roughly $600 a month on locally sourced, organic groceries, and another $400 on supplements like magnesium and sea moss. Other expenses, including wellness classes, trackers and apps, amount to at least $200 per month. More occasional expenses, such as a meditation retreat Henriques is planning to attend in January, could cost as much as $2,000.

Although Henriques' wellness journey was initially spurred by a desire to lose weight, she says it’s no longer just about her physical wellbeing. Her priority now is "definitely mental health over physical health and feeling good inside and out."

The wider trend

Henriques’ approach reflects a broader trend. As younger people report higher levels of burnout, many are starting to prioritize wellness spending, according to McKinsey’s annual Future of Wellness survey , with Gen Z and millennials driving more than 41% of annual wellness spending in the U.S. compared to just 28% for people aged 58 and up.

Financial planner and therapist Joy Slabaugh says that at a time when young people may not feel like they have control over their finances, it’s normal for them to gravitate to things they can control. Still, she cautions against letting wellness spending come at the cost of long-term financial stability. "If you are spending so much on your skincare and expensive exercise regimens that you're not able to build safety and security for yourself ...I would encourage people to question, 'Hey, is this in balance?'"

Takeaways

Start with free activities that work for you. For Henriques, it's meditation. "I would say definitely meditation is the number one thing I've incorporated that (has made) the biggest difference in my life," she says.

Identify what wellness means for you. Henriques says it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. "You don't need a whole supplement regimen,” she says. “It's actually more important to just get that in your foods — fruits, vegetables and all those things — and that's where you'll actually be able to tell a difference.”

Focus on what you can control. "In some ways, that is a healthy adaptation," Slabaugh says. "Focus on what we can control, let go of what we can't."