All discounts listed in the Tip Sheet can be found at mtabenefits.com.
As the colder months settle in, many of us will experience a notable shift in our mood. In fact, 38 percent of respondents reported feeling a decline in mood during the colder months, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s November 2022 Healthy Minds Monthly poll, taken from October 2019 through October 2021. But don’t fret. Here are five ways you can help uplift your mental, emotional and physical well-being – all tailor-made for MTA members.
These approaches may be the antidote you need for the winter blues!
1. TAKE A YOGA CLASS
Yoga offers myriad of benefits for both the body and mind. Through a blend of physical postures, mindful breathing and meditation, it builds strength and promotes overall well-being. Beyond the physical improvements, it also serves as a powerful stress reliever, providing mental clarity and emotional resilience. The meditative aspects of yoga can help produce heightened self-awareness and a sense of inner peace. MTA Benefits provides members with access to several yoga and fitness studios, all at a discounted rate. Options include The Yoga Loft, Yoga Anita and Yoga with John.
2. BOOK AN ACUPUNCTURE SESSION
Acupuncture is a healing practice in existence for more than 3,500 years and has been reported to help treat conditions and ailments such as migraines, high blood pressure and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). But its benefits also extend to include stress reduction, a major component of fostering mental wellness. MTA Benefits offers discounted sessions at two practices: Denise Patnod, in Cambridge, and Emma Lee, in Northampton. Whichever practice you choose, expect to find some needed relief and a greater sense of overall wellness.
3. SIGN UP FOR VIRTUAL THERAPY
About half of the 60 million people grappling with mental health conditions in the United States do not receive treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. However, virtual therapy can help combat this undertreatment through its convenience and accessibility.
The United Concierge Medicine (UCM) behavioral health program allows MTA members to connect with a therapist in as little as 24 hours. The program through UCM must be adopted by your local association for members to participate. However, MTA Benefits soon will introduce an individual option for mental health services, which will allow members to access these services more quickly than through traditional, brick-and-mortar locations.
4. TAKE PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS
The high price of certain medications can often be a hindrance for people while accessing the mental health treatment they need. That’s why discount prescription drug programs can make a world of difference. MTA members can take advantage of the SingleCare Savings program, a comprehensive solution that gives members access to necessary prescriptions, with savings of up to 75 percent. Other program perks include zero deductibles and no claim forms.
5. LEARN (OR TRY) SOMETHING NEW
Taking on a new hobby or learning a new skill have been proven to boost mental health and make people’s lives feel more purposeful. Other great benefits include deepening your relationships with others, feeling happier and boosting self-confidence and immunity. In the Discount Directory, members will find several activities and learning resources to choose from, including pottery classes at Mudflat Pottery Studio in Somerville and courses at the Professional Training Institute in Needham.
Prioritizing mental health during winter is crucial, and MTA Benefits offers a diverse range of discounts to help members do so.
Find all the discounts listed in this article, and even more resources, at www.mtabenefits.com.
