--- title: "Mental Wellness: Staying Above the Fray in the Age of the Pandemic and beyond" description: Your USFHP benefits include individualized outpatient therapy, group counseling, or more intense therapy if needed. image: https://blog.usfhp.net/hubfs/USFHP%20W21.png --- [![](https://usfhp2.knockmedia.dev/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-1.png)](https://blog.usfhp.net/) - [About Us](https://usfhp.net/about/) - [Events & Webinars](https://usfhp.net/events-and-webinars/) - [Contact Us](https://usfhp.net/contact/) [Members](https://member.usfhp.net/) [Providers](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [For Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [Members Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) - [Care Management Program](https://usfhp.net/care-management-program/) - [Health Centers](https://usfhp.net/health-centers/) - [Member FAQs](https://usfhp.net/member-faqs/) - [Providers](https://usfhp.net/providers/) - [For Providers](https://usfhp.net/for-providers/) - [Providers Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Become a Member](https://usfhp.net/eligibility/) - [Eligibility](https://usfhp.net/eligibility/) - [Health Benefit Consultants](https://usfhp.net/health-benefit-consultants) - [Plan Benefits](https://usfhp.net/plan-benefits/) - [Tricare Prime Coverage](https://usfhp.net/tricare-prime-coverage/) - [Enrollment](https://usfhp.net/enrollment/) - [Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [For Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [Members Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) - [Plan Benefits](https://usfhp.net/plan-benefits/) - [Care Management Program](https://usfhp.net/care-management-program/) - [Health Centers](https://usfhp.net/health-centers/) - [Providers](https://usfhp.net/providers/) - [For Providers](https://usfhp.net/for-providers/) - [Providers Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Webinars](https://usfhp.net/webinars/) - [Contact](https://usfhp.net/contact/) - [Enrollment](https://usfhp.net/enrollment/) - [About](https://usfhp.net/about/) - [Provider Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Member Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) ### Contact - - - # Weekly Health Tips # Mental Wellness: Staying Above the Fray in the Age of the Pandemic and beyond Posted by [USFHP](https://blog.usfhp.net/author/usfhp) on May 29, 2021 4:06:54 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![USFHP W21](https://blog.usfhp.net/hs-fs/hubfs/USFHP%20W21.png?width=1920&name=USFHP%20W21.png)](https://www.pexels.com/@prasanthinturi)Let’s talk about the **elephant in the room**. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit us all...and it hit us all hard. From the [massive loss of life](https://covid19.who.int/) to the toll on the global economy, this pandemic will have long-term effects on society, some of which have yet to even be discovered. One notable effect is the impact on our **mental health.**  As social animals, humans are especially susceptible to the psychological complications that come with being cut off from the world around us. Over the last year, the lack of social interaction, overdependence on technology, limited exposure to nature, coupled with insufficient daily exercise has bore a heavy burden on our mental well-being. The good news is--- **change is on the way**! As vaccines roll out on a massive scale, countries open their borders, and schools and businesses open; we are feeling optimistic that this catastrophe may be coming to an end. Optimism is good for our spirit! Take this time to enhance your mental well-being by adding these suggestions into your daily routine:  - **Meditate** - Whether mindfulness, spiritual, mantra, movement, focused, or transcendental—gaining a sense of calm by being present in the now through [meditation](https://www.headspace.com/meditation/techniques) will go a long way toward preserving your peace of mind. - **Exercise the Brain** - You can read a book, play board games, work on puzzles, create works of art, or simply ponder deeply on thought experiments. Anything to keep the brain in shape with meaningful [mental exercise](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mental-strain-helps-maintain-a-healthy-brain-201211055495#:~:text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20keeping,skills%20and%20memory%20in%20tone.) is a plus. - **Exercise the Body** - This one might not seem obvious, but [physical exercise](https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm#:~:text=Exercise%20can%20help%20provide%3A,helps%20prevent%20age%2Drelated%20decline.) is also necessary for the release of endorphins that keep your mental state intact. Be sure to stay in motion with a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 days a week. - **Eat Right** - The brain works better on a [healthy diet](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-brain-foods) than on one loaded with junk food. Brain foods like kiwi, carrots, turmeric, and salmon loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients like antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids help the brain process cognitions and keep a balanced emotional state.  Talk to a doctor if feelings of loneliness and social isolation persist. Health professionals can make more personalized recommendations and refer you to a behavioral health provider. Your overall health is important to us. USFHP provides excellent [behavioral health benefits](https://usfhp.net/members/behavioral-health-benefits/) through our partnership with Magellan Healthcare. Your benefits include individualized outpatient therapy, group counseling, or more intense therapy if needed.  Visit [usfhp.net](https://www.usfhp.net/) or call 1-800-241-4848 for help finding a provider or assistance scheduling an appointment. Topics: [mental health](https://blog.usfhp.net/topic/mental-health), [exercise](https://blog.usfhp.net/topic/exercise) [![](http://usfhp2.test/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Group-1774.png)](https://blog.usfhp.net/) To provide the highest quality health care for uniformed services family members, retirees, and their family members. - - - [Contact Us](https://blog.usfhp.net/) [Member's Portal](https://blog.usfhp.net/) Provider Quick Links - About - Resources - FAQs - Videos [Provider's Portal](https://blog.usfhp.net/) Member Quick Links - [Enroll](http://usfhp2.test/enrollment/) - Benefits - Locations - Webinars --- TRICARE is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency. ©2022 All rights reserved. website by [knockmedia](https://knockmedia.com)