Mental health insurance coverage is on the rise so it has never been easier to stay mentally fit. Staying on top of your mental health isn’t as much of a gray area as you think. There are some simple and very beneficial steps to take that set you up for both a mentally healthy lifestyle and a fulfilling lifestyle. Here are 5 tips for staying on top of your mental health and fitness

1. Surround yourself with good, uplifting people

They say that who you’re surrounded by, you become. Even the strongest set-in-their-ways kind of people will be affected by who they’re around and the words/actions they are saying/doing. One of the best things to look for in a friend or community is to ask the question, “Are they encouraging people?”, “Do I leave spending time with them feeling like I am a better, healthier person?”, “Are they consistently speaking positive things?”, and “Are they the kind of people who will stand by me even in the hard times?

2. Stay active by keeping your body moving

This doesn’t have to mean Crossfit or Orange Theory. This can be as simple as going on daily walks outside, stretching, taking a cycling class, or doing something that keeps your body in motion consistently every week. You can even start moderately by deciding to walk twice a week and stretch every morning

3. Gage when it’s time to put others first and when it’s time to take care of yourself

Being there for those around you and for other people is a great and ultimately healthy way of living. But sometimes you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you feel like you’re running on empty and being asked to show up in big ways for people, it’s ok to set boundaries and ask for a raincheck. This could also mean being particular about who you spend your time with based on how you fill up your tank. Bigger group events might be more draining than simply needing to spend quality time with just one person

4. Set yourself up well for a good night’s rest

With the amount of information we see every day with work, news, or social media, protecting what enters our minds makes a huge impact on our mental health and also our sleep. Try shutting off your phone an hour or two before you go to bed. If you want to take it another step further, try sleeping with your phone in another room and using an alternative alarm clock to wake you up in the morning. Better sleep helps us stay clear, focused, and mentally healthy.

5. Meet with a mental health professional to gain personalized mental health support

A check-up every once in a while can only benefit you! A visit with a mental health professional can give you personalized action steps based on your individual needs and give you accountability for following through. Just like any fitness, mental health fitness is optimized when you have a personal trainer.

Here at MLD Agency, we connect people who live in Illinois with health insurance that works best for them. Curious about coverage for mental health services in Illinois? Watch this video and subscribe to our channel for more information on insurance coverage and mental health support. 

For an appointment to discuss your insurance needs please give us a call directly at (630) 845-8678 or use the contact us form. We look forward to serving you.

Written on behalf of the MLD Agency by author Cara Luck