Beef Prices and Mental Health: How SpongeBob Battles Stress and Anxiety Like a Warrior

It was a bright, sunny day — the kind where everything feels a little easier, a little lighter… until I found myself standing in the grocery store, staring at the price of beef like it had been seasoned with gold flakes and aged in a vault at Fort Knox.

As I debated whether to take out a second mortgage for a pound of ground chuck, I heard a distinctive laugh behind me.

“AHAHAHAHAHA!”

I turned around, and there he was — SpongeBob SquarePants — bright yellow, square, and somehow pushing a shopping cart despite having no fingers.

“Bruce!” he exclaimed. “The price of beef is... UNACCEPTABLE! How am I supposed to make the perfect Krabby Patty if beef is more expensive than a new pair of square pants?!”

I sighed. “SpongeBob, the price of beef is out of our control. But you know what is in our control?”

SpongeBob’s big blue eyes widened. “The secret formula to our burgers?!”

I laughed. “Not quite. Our Mental Health — now that’s something we can take charge of, like true Mental Health Warriors.”

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My Warrior Journey

SpongeBob and I go way back. He knows my story — how for 20+ years I struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. This left me feeling so powerless, that I tried to end my life.

But in that dark time, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge — whether it’s life’s big battles or, you know, sky-high beef prices!

Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge! So you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want!

SpongeBob nodded enthusiastically. “Ohhh! So it’s like jellyfishing for your mind! You need techniques to keep moving forward, even when life stings.”

“Exactly,” I said. “We can’t control the price of beef — but we can control how we respond to stress and anxiety. That’s part of what it means to become a warrior.

I talk all about this in my book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior — and it’s something everyone has the power to do!”

I smiled and turned to SpongeBob. “Now let’s share three Mental Health Warrior strategies you can start using TODAY — even in Bikini Bottom.”

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Action 1: The Power of Morning Rituals

“Every morning,” SpongeBob said, “I wake up and yell ‘I’M READY!’ at the top of my lungs! It gets me pumped for the day — even if Squidward throws a shoe at me for being too loud.”

I laughed. “And that helps?”

“Of course!” SpongeBob beamed. “Starting my day with energy and excitement helps me face anything — even a Krusty Krab rush hour or overpriced beef!”

And he’s right. SpongeBob’s morning ritual might seem silly, but it’s packed with Warrior logic: he sets the tone for the day, before the day sets it for him!

Our Turn:

For me — it’s grabbing a random scrap of paper and dumping out every thought in my head. The stress, the worries, the to-dos, the stuff spinning too fast to hold.

Once it’s on paper, I can see it’s not overwhelming — and I’m reminded that I control how my day starts. NOT my emotions. NOT my stress. And DEFINTELY NOT whatever shows up on the news.

Whether it’s scribbling on scrap paper, stretching or yes — yelling “I’M READY!” like a sponge in square pants — the Warrior secret is this:

Start your day on purpose. Don’t let the world define it for you.

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Action 2: Gratitude as a Superpower

SpongeBob puffed out his chest with pride and told me he practices gratitude every day.

Today, he was thankful for jellyfish, bubbles and the fact that Mr. Krabs hasn’t made them pay to use the kitchen yet.

I raised an eyebrow. Gratitude? From SpongeBob?

He nodded earnestly and explained that when he focuses on what he does have instead of what he doesn’t, he actually feels happier. Even if beef is ridiculously expensive, he still has jellyfish jelly, seaweed wraps and friendship — and that’s enough.

Once again, SpongeBob was onto something.

Our Turn:

Gratitude has been a game-changer for me too. When I focus on the things I’m thankful for — like staying sober, managing my bipolar disorder and helping others — it becomes harder for the little annoyances of life to drag me down.

The next time stress creeps in, ask yourself: What’s one thing I can be grateful for today?

Even if it’s something small — like not burning your toast this morning — gratitude shifts your focus toward the positive. And that’s a powerful mindset for any Mental Health Warrior!

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Action 3: Physical Action as Mental Health Fuel

When SpongeBob gets stressed, he moves. Whether he’s flipping Krabby Patties at hypersonic speed, karate-chopping with Sandy or dancing to whatever noise Squidward calls “music,” movement is his Warrior approach — the thing that keeps him from spiraling into a full-blown krabby mood (pun absolutely intended)!

I smirked. “Dancing to Squidward’s clarinet?”

He shrugged. “Someone has to try to appreciate his… performance. And if it gets me moving, I call that a win.”

Our Turn:

Once again, SpongeBob’s onto something. Physical activity has been one of my most reliable mental health tools.

When I feel overwhelmed, I grab my sandbag and get in a workout — or I head out for a long walk. It’s not just about staying fit; it’s about redirecting emotional energy into something that helps me reset.

If you're feeling anxious, tense, or stuck in your head, move your body:

🏃‍♂️ Go for a walk

🏋️ Lift something heavy

🎶 Dance like nobody’s watching (or like Squidward is playing clarinet)

Movement reminds you that even if you can’t control what’s happening around you, you’re still in charge of your actions.

And that shift — from powerless to empowered — is what being a Mental Health Warrior is all about.

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Wrap Up

“Well, SpongeBob,” I said, “I think we figured it out. We can’t control the price of beef — but we can build strong mental health. And that’s what makes us Warriors.”

Before we parted ways, I handed SpongeBob my copy of I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior so he could share it with his friends in Bikini Bottom.

It made me think…

• Life will always throw challenges our way.

• Sometimes it’s a mental health battle.

• Sometimes it’s the price of beef skyrocketing.

What sets us apart as Mental Health Warriors is how we RESPOND. We don’t run. We don’t numb. We face it head-on — with resilience, strength and tools that remind us we are in charge.

So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: YOU have the power to take charge of your emotions, build unshakable resilience and triumph over any challenge life throws at you.

Then take Warrior action today — because your strength grows the moment you put it to work! 

Bruce Schutter

Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!