Mental Wellbeing Month asserts that being mentally healthy is a vital part of your overall wellness. Just as it’s important to monitor markers of your physical health such as blood pressure or cholesterol levels, you should keep careful track of your emotional wellbeing. This can include your moods, ability to function socially, energy levels and ability to respond to challenges.

• Practice mindfulness by slowing down during your day to fully experience the present moment. Take stock of how you’re feeling and let go of stress.
• Seek professional help if you experience ongoing feelings of sadness or hopelessness, loss of energy, insomnia, early awakening, oversleeping or restlessness and irritability.
• Schedule meaningful activities each day, such as creative hobbies, that are important to you. Identify and work into your routine the activities that reliably help you relax and recharge.

Visit the Mind Your Mental Health page on your member website or call your program for confidential mental health resources.

Working on physical health

Never underestimate the importance of nurturing your physical wellbeing. It’s never too late to work on improving your health.

• Physical health forms the foundation for mental and emotional resilience—allowing you to meet the challenges of the day, manage your relationships and succeed in your work.
• The connection is clear—prioritize regular movement, a healthy diet, quality sleep and you’ll likely experience increased energy, improved mood, enhanced appearance and greater capacity to pursue what matters most to you.

With the start of a new year, it helps to assess not only your physical health but your mental wellbeing, too. Mental wellbeing serves as a foundation for all your activities, and it is important to get your thoughts and emotions pointed in a positive direction.

• Check in with yourself. If the recent holidays have left you feeling mentally conflicted or rattled, confide in a supportive loved one or a mental health professional. You are not alone!
• Get a gratitude start. While it is easier to spot the negative aspects of life, do not forget to make note of the great gifts you have each day—health, family, friendships, purpose, appreciation of nature and more.
• Ramp up self-care, particularly during stressful times. To unplug from stress, decrease your screen time, get outdoor exercise and spend time with loved ones.
• Take a trip. The bleak midwinter can sometimes be a drag. So, schedule a long weekend away where you take in new sights and sounds. This refreshment is great for your mental wellbeing!

Emotional wellbeing: Managing your emotions.

Your ability to handle daily life and major life events is heavily influenced by your emotional wellbeing. Thus, it is important to find ways to keep your emotions on as even a keel as possible. When confronted with uncertainty, know that you have been resilient before and can use the tools of resilience again to minimize your levels of stress and anxiety.

Visit MagellanHealthcare.com/about/bh-resources/mymh or call your program for confidential mental
health resources.