According to NAMI, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental health struggles each year. When an individual is anxious or depressed, for example, the body can respond in kind with physical health issues such as chronic pain, headaches and fatigue. Conversely, when an individual experiences physical health issues, mental wellbeing can also be affected. Just as important as the yearly physical or annual mammogram, “checking in” on your mental health can help with early detection and intervention.

Maybe the concept of mental wellness is new to you or maybe you’ve considered it but haven’t taken actionable steps to address your mental health. Either way, the simple tips below can help you prioritize your mental wellness:

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1. Take a mental health screening: Mental Health America provides free, fast and anonymous tests to help indicate whether you may be struggling with a mental health disorder. These screenings—with the help of a qualified clinician—can provide an accurate mental health diagnosis to guide the best course of treatment.
2. Ask for help: Whether you might be struggling with addiction or mental health issues, the “We Care More” family of companies—Parkman Recovery, First Step Recovery and Travco Behavioral Health—can help.
3. Adopt values-based living: Begin by identifying your values and then implement practical goals to integrate values-based activities into your life.
4. Incorporate self-compassion: This can help promote happiness and the release oxytocin—a chemical in the body that increases feelings of trust, calm, safety and connectedness.
5. Practice an attitude of gratitude: It may sound overly simplistic, but gratitude—in many ways—is a key component of well-being.
6. Get some zzzz’s: Adequate sleep can lead to better mood, improved decision-making and increased emotional regulation.

Each person’s mental wellness journey is unique. With the suggestions above you can begin the path to recognizing and honoring your personal mental wellness.

Learn about how the "We Care More" family can help with your mental wellness journey!