The Therapy Generation Meets Sugar Dating: How Mental Health Awareness is Reshaping Arrangements

Mental health sugar dating is one of the latest trends to hit the Bowl, especially as the younger Therapy Generation becomes more interested in becoming sugar babies. But what does it mean to invite mental wellness into the sugar dating world? How can becoming more aware of your mental health impact your sugar relationships? And what are some ways that you can boost satisfaction in your arrangements?

In this article, we’re taking a deep dive into mental health sugar dating so that you can take your practice to the next level!

A note on mental health before we get started

When it comes to something as important as your well-being, we want to clarify that your best resource is a mental health professional. Because, while this article will be full of tips for boosting life satisfaction and mental health, only a trained, licensed professional will be able to give you a personalized assessment and therapy plan that takes into account your personal history, health status, lifestyle, and personality.

Later on in this article, we’ll talk about how to find the right therapist. But if you’re currently experiencing a mental health crisis, search for your area’s crisis hotline to get in touch with a mental health professional right away.

How can mental health impact sugar relationships?

Mental health impacts all of the connections in our lives, from our relationships with family to friendships to the way that we interact with ourselves. So, it makes sense that it would also impact sugar relationships, too! And this can manifest in a number of ways:

Negotiation phase

Someone with high self-esteem and confidence will be better equipped to navigate the negotiation phase successfully. That’s because they won’t be afraid or intimidated to ask for the benefits they want and feel that they deserve. And they also won’t take it personally if the other person doesn’t agree to their requests.

What’s more, a person with a strong sense of self is not easily manipulated or bullied into agreeing to sugar dating terms that don’t align with their morals, which will lead to better outcomes and satisfaction in the arrangement.

Relationship with the self

As we’ll cover in the next section, sugaring itself can have negative impacts on a person’s identity, especially if they don’t have a strong sense of self. This can lead to feelings of doubt, guilt, or shame that are detrimental to mental health and can make sugaring feel uncomfortable and unpleasant.

In contrast, someone who feels grounded in their identity and sees themself as a strong, capable person will be better able to face some of the unique challenges of sugaring.

Jealousy and possessiveness

Negative feelings such as jealousy and envy are often rooted in personal insecurities that are linked to mental wellness. Someone who has good mental health, for instance, may not find themselves worrying about what their sugar partner is doing when they’re alone or anticipating that their sugar partner will leave them for someone else.

This, of course, is referring to sugar relationships in which infidelity is not present.

Separation

Good mental health is extremely important when a sugar relationship ends, as it will have an impact on how someone recovers from the separation. Someone with a rocky emotional state to begin with may fall into unhealthy habits such as negative self-talk, overthinking, being destructive, or trying to maintain a connection to their former sugar partner.

On the other hand, a person with established mental health resources will be able to self-soothe through the separation process. With healthy habits and the right support system, they can move through the break-up without unnecessary or drawn-out pain.

The list goes on

While we’ve highlighted some of the ways that mental health can affect sugar relationships, the reality is, there are many more examples we could have included. Mental health affects everything from our energy levels to communication to libido to conflict resolution and more. So, it’s imperative that we prioritize mental wellness as we navigate the world of sugar dating.

Common barriers to mental health in sugar dating

As we mentioned, mental health is important for all relationships, not just sugar arrangements. But, there are a few unique barriers to mental wellness that are associated with sugaring that everyone in the Bowl should be prepared for, such as:

Social stigma

Although the world is progressively becoming more open to sugaring, the fact is, there is still a social stigma associated with this style of dating. And, this can have a real impact on a person’s mental health, making them feel like an outcast. Social stigma can also lead to additional barriers to growth, such as being turned down for certain job positions or being barred from social opportunities because of this outsider status.

Being misunderstood by family members, friends, and romantic partners

As we’ll discuss later on in this article, having a network of supportive relationships is key to mental health. And unfortunately, many people who engage in sugaring find that their family and friends don’t support their lifestyle, which can lead to isolation and feelings of self-doubt.

For sugar babies, especially, it can be difficult to find romantic partners who are open to the sugaring lifestyle, which can make it harder to achieve other common life goals, such as starting a family or finding a spouse.

Potential objectification within sugar relationships

To be sure, objectification does not exist within every sugar relationship. In fact, the main idea of sugaring is that both parties are valued for the benefits that they’re able to contribute to the relationship. That being said, objectification can be present in some dynamics between sugar daddies and babies, which can have a negative mental health impact on one or both people involved.

Discretion

Given the social stigma of sugar dating, it’s not so surprising that many sugar babies and sugar daddies would want to keep this part of their lives secret. But mental health experts warn that there is potential psychological harm that comes from living a double life. The stress of hiding parts of our identity and having to keep track of lies in order to keep up appearances is emotionally draining.

Mental wellness strategies

So far, we’ve talked about how important good mental health is for sugar relationships as well as some of the ways that sugaring itself can be an emotional stress. The good news is, there are many strategies that we can rely on to both minimize the potential negatives of sugaring and make sure we’re caring for our mental health for the benefit of our relationships.

Here are a few tips from mental health experts:

Find a therapist

Therapy can be a game-changer in improving your mental health. After all, having a professional in your corner can help you identify patterns, triggers, and areas for growth and release that will make you feel more in control of your wellbeing and relationships.

But there are a few things to keep in mind about using therapy while sugar dating:

• Make sure that you find a sugar-positive therapist. Not all therapists are open to the sugaring lifestyle, and you might find an old-school professional who makes you feel more judged than accepted. Sadly, bad experiences with the wrong therapists can turn many people off to therapy! But the truth is, there are many great professionals out there who will empower you to make your own choices and validate you as a member of the sugar community.
• Try a few different therapy modalities. Choosing the right therapist is clearly important, but you’ll also want to consider the kind of therapy you’re signing up for, too! Ask a potential therapist what kind of therapy they practice, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or psychoanalysis, as each style will appeal to different people.
• Don’t be shy about including therapy in your negotiation. The secret about therapy is that it’s worth the investment, and experienced, well-reviewed therapists typically charge more than those still finding their footing in the field. If you’re struggling to pay for therapy on your own, consider including it in your sugaring benefits! After all, your mental health is essential for the success of your relationships.

Physical wellness

More and more research is coming out about the benefits of physical exercise on mental health. What studies are finding is that inviting more movement into our lives can result in higher amounts of feel-good chemicals in the brain, better sleep, and more emotional stability. And whether you already have an exercise plan or don’t consider yourself much of a gym person, here are a few ways that you can start to prioritize physical wellness for your mental health:

• Find a sport or form of exercise that you genuinely enjoy. One of the best ways to make your physical health a priority is to make it enjoyable! Whether you join a softball league or a running club, make sure that you choose a form of exercise that doesn’t feel like a chore.
• Exercise with other people. Having a core group of people you exercise with can give you a sense of community and accountability. And, this doesn’t have to be in-person! You might find a friend to whom you send messages every time you exercise to make sure that you’re staying on track and not missing too many workouts!
• Dance! Studies show that dance in particular has a positive impact on depression and anxiety in adults. And whether you opt for dancing alone, with a partner, or in a group setting such as a Zumba class, committing to regular dance sessions can boost your mental health.
• If you’ve been thinking about getting a dog, do it! To be sure, there are certain stressors that come with becoming a pet parent, especially if you get a puppy. But if you’re ready for the commitment, having a dog can jumpstart a more active lifestyle, as you’ll be responsible for daily walks and playtime.
• Don’t forget about other forms of physical health. Physical wellness isn’t just about getting exercise, but also making sure that you’re looking after your body by staying up to date with doctor’s visits and eating healthy foods.

Sleep and recovery

It’s no secret that we can get a little cranky when we haven’t had enough sleep. But the research shows that chronic sleep problems can lead to long-term health problems such as depression and anxiety.

There are many small changes that you can do to improve your sleep for the sake of your mental health, such as:

• Avoiding caffeine and intense exercise in the evening/night.
• Going to bed at the same time every night.
• Turning off electronics about an hour before sleep.
• Improving your sleeping conditions by turning off all lights, lowering the thermostat slightly, and tuning out any disruptive noises.

If you’re dealing with insomnia or consistent problems with your sleep, it might be worth looking into going through a sleep study to give you more information about what’s going on.

Support networks

This is another one that feels very basic, but the truth is: friendships are important for mental health. In fact, studies show that healthy, supportive friendships and relationships are some of the most significant predictors of physical and mental well-being in adults. And, when we surround ourselves with happy friends, we’re more likely to feel happy ourselves.

Now, if you’re at a point in your life in which you don’t have the kind of support network that you’d like to have, don’t worry. Adult friendships may feel more difficult to find and maintain than they were when you were in school, but there are plenty of ways to make friends at any life stage. For instance, you might sign up for a writing class, art workshop, volunteering position, or other interest group to start meeting like-minded people. Nowadays, many dating apps have the option for friendships, making it easier than ever to find your group!

Connect to a sense of purpose

When it comes to sugaring, in particular, having a purpose can help your mental health as you navigate relationships with sugar partners. Some common reasons that people are drawn to being a sugar baby, for example, may include:

• Wanting to achieve financial independence or pay off debt.
• Wanting to meet specific goals, such as finishing higher education, starting a business, or buying a house.
• A desire to travel the world or experience different ways of living.
• Wanting to be taken care of while they pursue personal goals such as becoming an artist or filmmaker, or taking on a physical challenge such as running a marathon.
• Having access to powerful people in a given field through networking.

·       And for sugar daddies, the purpose may be:

• Wanting to share their wealth with someone else.
• A desire to stay open-minded to different perspectives.
• Mentorship goals.
• Wanting to travel with a partner.

Being specific about your sugaring goals is a great way to maintain your mental health, as goal-setting has been linked to positive psychological outcomes.

Hobbies and interests

More and more, science is finding out that hobbies aren’t just for fun. They can actually be a very serious and effective way to manage stress, decrease depression and anxiety, and foster community. There are even physical benefits to pursuing a hobby, even if that hobby has nothing to do with exercise! That’s because being able to enter a flow state is a great way to lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

Here are a few ways that you can incorporate hobbies into your mental health sugar dating plan:

• Set aside time for hobbies. Just like you might block out time for a doctor’s appointment or work meeting, setting aside time for your hobby is a good way to make it a priority in your life. You’ll be much more likely to actually engage in your hobby if you dedicate the time instead of doing it when you have free time.
• Keep your materials nearby. Keeping your hobbies in plain sight can be a good way to prevent them from going by the wayside. After all, out of sight really is out of mind, so put your art supplies, knitting projects, and sourdough starter out in the open!
• Don’t be afraid to shake things up. If you’ve lost the spark for your favorite hobby, don’t hesitate to try something new. Staying creative with novelty is a great way to maximize the mental health benefits of hobbies.

Be mindful of screentime

You knew this one was coming, didn’t you? Of course, your mental health can benefit from less screentime! Studies show that reducing screentime can have dramatic effects on depression, feelings of stress, sleep habits, and overall mental health. Exactly why this is the case is still being explored, but experts theorize that it may have something to do with reducing exposure to negative feedback, images, and messaging that are common on social media. Another idea is that screentime ultimately prevents us from accomplishing our goals, which can result in poor mental health.

Compartmentalize

Compartmentalizing is considered a healthy stress management technique in certain scenarios and can lead to better work/life balance, relaxation, and focus. The point here is not to ignore things that are harmful to your mental health (more on that in the next section). Rather, the goal is to learn how to put helpful boundaries between your sugar relationships and your personal life in order to protect yourself from burnout and some of the negative effects of sugaring.

Here’s an example. Perhaps you and your sugar partner went out to lunch, and someone passing by your table said something rude about your age difference. It threw you off, but you didn’t have too much of an emotional reaction until your sugar partner started yelling at the stranger. Things calmed down eventually, and you finished your date.

Once you got home, you gave yourself a few moments to process what had happened, and you wrote your feelings down in your journal, which allowed you to realize that the comment had more to do with the other person than yourself. You also realized that you would like to talk to your sugar partner about how to handle comments like that in the future that don’t involve raising your voice. You knew that your partner went to work after your date, so you made a point to bring it up at your next date instead of sending a message right away. Afterwards, you called up a friend to go to the movies and put the experience behind you for the time being.

You can see how compartmentalizing doesn’t mean sweeping problems under the rug, but instead, allows you to address problems in the appropriate moments. Making a note to talk about how your partner reacted the next time you see each other, for instance, ensures that you don’t sacrifice your free time thinking in circles about your sugar relationships.

Mental health sugar dating red flags

There are a few instances in which your sugar relationship might be negatively affecting your mental health. In this case, it will be in your best interest to end the arrangement and find someone else. Here are a few red flags to watch out for:

• You feel emotionally drained or uneasy with your sugar partner.
• You’re experiencing physical signs of stress such as trouble sleeping, digestive problems, muscle tenseness, and more.
• Your sugar partner isolates you from friends and family.
• Your sugar partner treats you unkindly and doesn’t respect your boundaries.
• You find yourself excusing unsafe or unpleasant behavior.
• You don’t want to end the relationship because you feel guilty or fearful of their reaction.
• You feel trapped in the sugar relationship because of the power dynamic or financial reasons.

Overall, it’s better to protect your mental health by ending a sugar relationship instead of staying in one that makes you feel unhappy. Remember that good mental health is essential for a successful sugar relationship, and you deserve a partner who makes your life better!

Will you focus more on these mental health sugar dating tips?

In this article, we’ve talked about the importance of mental wellness in the world of sugaring and some ways that you can make self-care a priority for the good of your relationships! So, how are you feeling about your mental health as a member of the sugaring community?