How to Support Your Spravato Treatment Outcomes: Lifestyle Guidance for Patients at Innovative MindCare in Chicago and Downers Grove

Starting Spravato treatment in Chicago represents a meaningful step for adults living with treatment-resistant depression or major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions. While the medication itself plays a central role in care, the daily habits and lifestyle choices patients maintain between sessions can meaningfully influence how they respond to treatment over time. At Innovative MindCare, patients in Chicago and Downers Grove receive not only supervised clinical care but also guidance on how to create an environment in their daily lives that supports lasting improvement.

This article outlines practical lifestyle strategies that may help patients get the most from their Spravato treatment plan, from nutrition and sleep to physical activity and stress management. These are not replacements for medical care but rather complementary practices that can work alongside a structured treatment protocol.

A Brief Overview of Spravato and Why Lifestyle Matters

Spravato (esketamine nasal spray) is an FDA-approved treatment specifically indicated for treatment-resistant depression in adults, as well as depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who experience suicidal thoughts or actions. It is administered under medical supervision in a certified healthcare setting as part of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. At Innovative MindCare, every Spravato session takes place in a monitored clinical environment with trained medical professionals overseeing patient safety.

Because Spravato is typically administered on a structured schedule – with sessions occurring at defined intervals over weeks and months – patients spend the majority of their time between appointments. What happens during that time matters. Research continues to underscore the connection between daily lifestyle habits and mental health outcomes. Patients who actively engage in supportive behaviors between sessions may experience more consistent progress, though individual results vary and should always be discussed with a qualified provider.

Spravato treatment is typically covered by insurance, and Innovative MindCare accepts Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid for this service. This coverage helps make treatment more accessible for patients across Chicago and Downers Grove who are seeking advanced options for depression that has not responded to other medications.

Nutrition: Fueling Your Brain for Better Mental Health

The Connection Between Diet and Depression

The relationship between nutrition and mental health has received increasing attention in 2026. A growing body of evidence suggests that dietary patterns rich in whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and micronutrients may support brain function and mood regulation. Conversely, diets high in processed foods, refined sugars, and inflammatory ingredients have been associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms.

For patients undergoing Spravato treatment, maintaining a balanced diet is one of the most practical steps they can take to support their overall well-being between sessions.

Practical Dietary Strategies

• Prioritize omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel, as well as walnuts and flaxseed, omega-3s play a role in brain cell membrane health and have been studied for their potential mood-supporting properties.
• Include complex carbohydrates: Whole grains, legumes, and vegetables provide steady glucose for the brain, helping to avoid the energy crashes associated with refined carbohydrates.
• Maintain adequate hydration: Even mild dehydration can affect cognitive function and mood. Patients should aim to drink water consistently throughout the day.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine: Both substances can interfere with sleep, mood stability, and potentially the body’s response to treatment. Patients should discuss their alcohol and caffeine intake with their treatment provider at Innovative MindCare.
• Eat regular meals: Skipping meals can lead to blood sugar fluctuations that may worsen fatigue, irritability, and depressive symptoms. Consistent meal timing supports metabolic stability.

Patients should consult with their healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, particularly if they have other medical conditions or take medications that interact with certain foods.

Sleep Hygiene: Restoring a Critical Foundation

Why Sleep Matters During Treatment

Sleep disturbances are among the most common symptoms of depression, and poor sleep quality can create a cycle that worsens mood and cognitive function. For patients receiving Spravato treatment in Chicago or Downers Grove, improving sleep hygiene may help create conditions that support the treatment’s intended effects on mood and neural pathways.

Quality sleep allows the brain to consolidate emotional processing, regulate neurotransmitters, and repair itself at a cellular level. When patients consistently get restorative sleep, they may be better positioned to benefit from each treatment session.

Evidence-Based Sleep Practices

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule: Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day – including weekends – helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm.
• Create a restful environment: A cool, dark, and quiet bedroom supports deeper sleep. Consider blackout curtains and white noise if environmental factors are disruptive.
• Limit screen time before bed: The blue light emitted by phones, tablets, and computers can suppress melatonin production. Aim to power down devices at least 30 to 60 minutes before sleep.
• Avoid stimulants in the evening: Caffeine consumed even six hours before bedtime can significantly reduce sleep quality.
• Develop a wind-down routine: Reading, gentle stretching, or breathing exercises before bed can signal to the body that it is time to transition to rest.

If sleep difficulties persist despite lifestyle adjustments, patients should raise this with the clinical team at Innovative MindCare. Persistent insomnia or hypersomnia may require additional evaluation and treatment.

Physical Activity: Movement as a Mood-Supporting Tool

Exercise and Depression Management

Regular physical activity has been shown to have a positive effect on depressive symptoms in many patients. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins, supports neuroplasticity, and may help regulate the same neurotransmitter systems that Spravato treatment targets. While exercise alone is not a substitute for medical treatment, it can serve as a valuable complement to a structured care plan.

In 2026, clinical guidelines continue to emphasize the integration of physical activity into comprehensive depression management, reinforcing that movement is one of the most accessible tools patients have at their disposal.

Getting Started With an Activity Routine

• Start small: Patients who have been inactive should begin with short walks or light stretching and gradually increase duration and intensity. Even 10 to 15 minutes of movement can make a difference.
• Aim for consistency over intensity: Moderate-intensity exercise performed regularly – such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming – has been shown to be more sustainable and beneficial for mood than sporadic high-intensity workouts.
• Explore options that feel enjoyable: Patients are more likely to maintain an exercise routine if they enjoy it. Options might include yoga, dancing, gardening, hiking, or group fitness classes available throughout the Chicago area.
• Consider outdoor activity: Spending time outdoors, particularly in natural settings, has additional benefits for mood and stress reduction. Chicago’s lakefront trails and parks offer accessible options for gentle movement year-round.

Patients should always consult their provider before starting a new exercise program, especially if they have physical limitations or other health conditions.

Stress Management and Mindfulness: Building Emotional Resilience

Reducing the Impact of Daily Stress

Chronic stress can undermine mental health progress by keeping the nervous system in a heightened state of activation. For patients pursuing Spravato treatment in Chicago, developing effective stress management strategies can help maintain a more stable emotional baseline between sessions.

Stress reduction does not require dramatic lifestyle overhauls. Small, consistent practices can build resilience over time and help patients feel more in control of their daily experience.

Techniques to Consider

• Mindfulness meditation: Even five to ten minutes of daily mindfulness practice has been associated with reductions in stress hormones and improvements in emotional regulation. Numerous guided meditation apps and local classes are available for patients in Chicago and Downers Grove.
• Breathing exercises: Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing or box breathing can quickly activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce feelings of acute stress or anxiety.
• Journaling: Writing about thoughts, feelings, and experiences can provide an outlet for processing emotions and tracking progress throughout the treatment journey.
• Setting boundaries: Learning to say no, delegate responsibilities, and protect personal time is a practical but often overlooked stress management strategy.
• Social connection: Maintaining relationships with supportive friends, family members, or peer groups can buffer against isolation – a common challenge for individuals experiencing depression.

Structuring Your Day: The Value of Routine and Consistency

Depression often disrupts daily structure, making it difficult to maintain regular schedules, complete tasks, or engage in activities that once felt meaningful. One of the most impactful lifestyle changes patients can make is to establish a predictable daily routine that includes time for self-care, rest, movement, and social engagement.

A structured routine does not need to be rigid. Instead, it serves as a framework that reduces decision fatigue and provides a sense of purpose. Simple strategies include:

• Waking up and going to bed at consistent times
• Scheduling meals at regular intervals
• Incorporating brief periods of physical activity or relaxation
• Identifying one small goal or meaningful task to accomplish each day
• Keeping Spravato treatment appointments as scheduled to maintain the structured protocol

Over time, these small habits can compound, helping patients feel more grounded and engaged in their daily lives as they continue their treatment at Innovative MindCare.

Communicating With Your Treatment Team

Lifestyle adjustments work best when they are coordinated with clinical care. Patients receiving Spravato treatment should maintain open communication with the team at Innovative MindCare about their daily habits, any challenges they are facing, and how they are feeling between sessions. This information helps providers tailor treatment plans and make informed recommendations.

Important topics to discuss with your provider include:

• Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or energy levels
• New or worsening symptoms between sessions
• Challenges with implementing lifestyle changes
• Use of supplements, over-the-counter medications, or herbal remedies
• Any side effects experienced during or after treatment sessions

Treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder are complex conditions, and the path to improvement is rarely linear. A collaborative relationship with the treatment team allows for adjustments that keep care aligned with each patient’s evolving needs.

Taking the Next Step Toward Comprehensive Care

Supporting your Spravato treatment outcomes is about more than what happens during each session – it is about creating a daily life that reinforces progress and promotes long-term well-being. By focusing on nutrition, sleep, physical activity, stress management, and routine, patients at Innovative MindCare in Chicago and Downers Grove can play an active role in their care.

If you or a loved one is considering Spravato treatment for treatment-resistant depression or major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions, Innovative MindCare is here to help. With insurance accepted from Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid for Spravato, access to this FDA-approved treatment may be more achievable than you think. Contact Innovative MindCare today to schedule a consultation and learn how a personalized treatment plan, combined with supportive lifestyle strategies, may help you move forward.