What to Do Between Spravato Sessions: Complementary Strategies and Habits That May Support Treatment Outcomes

When you begin spravato therapy at Allied Healthcare in North Canton, Ohio, each supervised session represents an important step in your treatment journey. However, what you do in the hours and days between those sessions can also play a meaningful role in how you feel overall. While Spravato (esketamine nasal spray) is FDA-approved to address treatment-resistant depression when used alongside an oral antidepressant, the lifestyle choices you make outside the clinic may help create an environment where your treatment has the best possible opportunity to support your well-being.

This guide explores practical, evidence-informed lifestyle habits that patients may consider incorporating between Spravato sessions. These are not replacements for medical treatment – rather, they are complementary strategies that many mental health professionals suggest as part of a holistic approach to managing depression. As always, discuss any changes to your routine with your care team at Allied Healthcare before implementing them.

Why What You Do Between Sessions Matters for Spravato Treatment

Spravato treatment typically follows a structured schedule. During the initial phase, patients generally visit the clinic twice per week for four weeks, followed by a maintenance schedule that your provider will determine based on your individual response. Between those visits, your brain and body are continuing to process the effects of the medication.

Research in the field of interventional psychiatry increasingly supports the idea that lifestyle factors – including sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and stress management – may influence how the brain responds to treatment. While spravato therapy works through specific neurochemical pathways involving glutamate and NMDA receptors, the overall health of your nervous system can be affected by daily habits. Think of it this way: the treatment is one essential piece of the puzzle, and your daily routines help shape the broader picture of your mental health.

At Allied Healthcare, patients serving the North Canton and greater Canton, Ohio area receive personalized guidance as part of their Spravato treatment plan. Your clinical team can help you identify which complementary strategies may be most relevant to your situation.

Prioritizing Quality Sleep and Consistent Rest

The Connection Between Sleep and Depression

Sleep disruption is one of the most common symptoms associated with depression, and it can also be one of the most impactful areas to address. Poor sleep quality has been shown to affect mood regulation, cognitive function, and even how the brain processes new neural connections – all of which are relevant when undergoing treatment for depression.

Between Spravato sessions, prioritizing sleep hygiene may help support your overall mental health. While perfect sleep is not always achievable, small and consistent improvements can make a meaningful difference over time.

Practical Sleep Strategies

• Maintain a consistent schedule: Going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time each day – even on weekends – helps regulate your circadian rhythm.
• Limit screen exposure before bed: The blue light emitted by phones, tablets, and computers may interfere with melatonin production. Consider setting a screen curfew 60 to 90 minutes before your target bedtime.
• Create a calming pre-sleep routine: Light stretching, reading a physical book, or taking a warm bath can signal to your body that it is time to wind down.
• Evaluate your sleep environment: A cool, dark, and quiet room generally supports better sleep. Blackout curtains, white noise machines, or earplugs can be helpful additions.
• Be mindful of caffeine timing: Consuming caffeine in the afternoon or evening may disrupt your ability to fall asleep. Many sleep experts recommend limiting caffeine intake to the first half of the day.

If you are experiencing persistent insomnia or sleep disturbances, let your provider at Allied Healthcare know. Addressing sleep issues may complement your Spravato treatment and contribute to improved outcomes.

Nourishing Your Body With Balanced Nutrition

The Gut-Brain Connection

In 2026, the relationship between nutrition and mental health continues to be an active area of scientific inquiry. A growing body of research suggests that what we eat may influence brain chemistry, inflammation levels, and even the composition of the gut microbiome – all of which have been linked to mood regulation. While no single diet has been proven to treat depression, certain nutritional patterns may support overall brain health.

Nutritional Habits Worth Considering

• Focus on whole, minimally processed foods: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats form the foundation of what many nutritional psychiatrists recommend. The Mediterranean dietary pattern, in particular, has been associated with lower rates of depression in several large-scale studies.
• Include omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, as well as walnuts and flaxseeds, omega-3s have been studied for their potential role in supporting brain function and reducing inflammation.
• Stay adequately hydrated: Even mild dehydration can affect mood and cognitive performance. Aim for consistent water intake throughout the day.
• Be mindful of alcohol consumption: Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and may interfere with the therapeutic effects of antidepressant medications, including Spravato. Discuss any alcohol use openly with your care team.
• Consider probiotic-rich foods: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods support gut microbiome diversity, which researchers are increasingly linking to mental health.

Nutrition changes do not need to be dramatic to be beneficial. Small, sustainable shifts – like adding an extra serving of vegetables to your lunch or swapping a sugary snack for a handful of nuts – can add up over time and may create a more supportive internal environment as you continue your treatment.

Incorporating Movement and Physical Activity

Exercise as a Complementary Strategy

Physical activity is one of the most well-researched lifestyle interventions for supporting mental health. Regular exercise has been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth and maintenance of neurons. For patients undergoing spravato therapy, which also appears to promote neuroplasticity, combining treatment with regular physical activity may offer complementary benefits.

It is important to note that when depression is at its most severe, exercise can feel nearly impossible. This is not a personal failing – it is a symptom of the condition. The goal is not to achieve an intense fitness routine overnight, but rather to find forms of movement that feel manageable and even enjoyable.

Accessible Ways to Move More

• Walking: A 20- to 30-minute walk, especially outdoors, combines the benefits of light exercise with exposure to natural light. North Canton and the surrounding Stark County area offer parks and walking paths that can make this habit more enjoyable, particularly during Ohio’s warmer months.
• Gentle yoga or stretching: These low-impact options can help reduce muscle tension, improve flexibility, and promote mindfulness – without requiring high levels of energy or motivation.
• Swimming or water-based activities: Aquatic exercise is gentle on the joints and can be calming for both body and mind.
• Gardening or household tasks: Even light physical activity counts. Tending a garden, cleaning, or organizing a space can provide a sense of accomplishment alongside modest physical benefits.

Start with what feels realistic. Even five to ten minutes of movement on days when motivation is low is a worthwhile effort. Over time, many patients find that increased energy from their treatment makes it easier to gradually build a more active routine.

Mindfulness, Stress Management, and Emotional Processing

Building Awareness Between Sessions

Spravato therapy may help shift neurochemical patterns associated with treatment-resistant depression, but ongoing stress and unprocessed emotions can continue to affect how you feel day to day. Incorporating mindfulness and stress management techniques into your routine between sessions may help you become more aware of your emotional patterns and develop healthier responses over time.

Techniques to Explore

• Mindfulness meditation: Even brief daily sessions of five to ten minutes have been associated with reduced rumination and improved emotional regulation. Free and low-cost apps and online resources make guided meditation accessible to beginners.
• Journaling: Writing about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences between Spravato sessions can serve multiple purposes. It may help you process emotions, identify patterns, and provide useful information to share with your treatment team at Allied Healthcare.
• Breathing exercises: Simple techniques like box breathing (inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four) can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help reduce acute stress responses.
• Talk therapy: If you are not already engaged in psychotherapy, consider discussing this option with your provider. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based modalities can complement Spravato treatment by addressing the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression.

The period between Spravato sessions is an opportunity to actively engage in your mental health – not passively wait for the next appointment. Even small daily practices can contribute to a greater sense of agency and progress.

Creating Structure and Social Connection

The Value of Routine

Depression often disrupts daily structure, and the loss of routine can in turn worsen depressive symptoms. As you progress through your Spravato treatment plan, gradually establishing a predictable daily framework may help stabilize mood and provide a sense of purpose. This does not need to be rigid or overly ambitious – a simple morning routine, a scheduled daily walk, or a set mealtime can serve as anchoring points in your day.

Staying Connected

Social isolation is both a symptom and a contributing factor in depression. While meaningful social connection may feel difficult during depressive episodes, even small interactions can be valuable. Consider reaching out to a trusted friend or family member, attending a community event in the North Canton area, or joining a support group for individuals managing depression. Your care team at Allied Healthcare may be able to recommend local resources that align with your needs.

Working With Your Treatment Team at Allied Healthcare

The complementary strategies outlined above are not intended to replace your prescribed treatment plan. They are lifestyle habits that may help create a supportive foundation for your spravato therapy and overall mental health recovery. Every patient’s experience with treatment-resistant depression is unique, and what works well for one person may not be the best fit for another.

At Allied Healthcare in North Canton, Ohio, patients benefit from a care team that understands the complexities of treatment-resistant depression and the importance of a comprehensive approach. Spravato treatment at Allied Healthcare is covered by several major insurance providers, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Medical Mutual of Ohio, United Healthcare / Oxford, SummaCare, and Aultcare, making this advanced treatment accessible to many patients in the region.

If you are currently receiving Spravato treatment and want to discuss complementary lifestyle strategies, or if you are exploring whether Spravato may be appropriate for your situation, Allied Healthcare is here to help. Contact Allied Healthcare to schedule a consultation and learn more about how a thoughtful, integrated approach to treatment may support your path toward improved well-being.