Not every day is a banner day. Stress, anxiety and feeling down are sometimes just par for the course. These feelings are natural and come with being human.  

Your bad days and times don’t seem all that bad. You’ve got a handle on it all, and everything is fine. But that doesn’t mean mental health care isn’t right for you.

Mental health care is something many of us don’t really want to talk about. We think needing help signifies weakness. Why shouldn’t we be able to handle our daily stresses all on our own?  Or, when we think of mental health care, we think it’s only for those with a diagnosable illness.

But just as you want to eat a heart healthy diet to prevent chronic health problems like high cholesterol or heart disease later in life, paying attention to your mental health fitness has its own long-term benefits. Downloading meditation applications on your phone or trying the latest at-home workout routines are equally important to your overall well-being.

Bottom line, mental health is health. And it’s okay – even encouraged – that you pay attention to it.

Where to begin

When seeking mental health care, there are a variety of options to consider. Like physical fitness, not every activity is right for everyone, their bodies or their preferences. Maintaining a healthy level of cardiovascular activity, for example, does not require running. You may have joint problems or just hate going out and pounding the pavement, meaning a regular running regimen is not the best way to get your heart rate up.

The same is true for mental fitness. While seeing a therapist weekly may be ideal for some, it’s not a productive activity for others. You may, instead, consider online workshops, self-guided reflections or support groups, to name a few. As you research, you’re invited to check out the mental health services options available through Teladoc for FEI employees enrolled in our benefits program.