
Maintain a Healthy Mental Health this Holiday Season
UPDATE: Colleen contributed to the article How to Protect Your Mental Health During the Holidays, by Ashley Martens for aSweatLife.
The holidays are a wonderful time of the year. However, it can be challenging to maintain good mental health while spending time with loved ones and enjoying festivities. Here are a few tips to help keep you happy and healthy throughout the holidays:
1. Take care of yourself physically.
Exercise is an integral part of maintaining your physical well-being. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, which will help you stay mentally healthy. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. If you don’t have access to a gym or other fitness center, try walking, running, swimming, biking, dancing, or doing yoga. You can access many home workouts through YouTube videos.
2. Get enough sleep.
Make sure that you get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. This will allow your body to function properly and give you energy for the rest of the day. It’s easy to prioritize other activities over sleeping, but this can lead to poor decision-making and increased stress levels. Most of us know that with the holiday seasons come extra work and family obligations, so make sure to set aside some time to relax and get the quality sleep necessary to maintain a healthy mental state.
3. Enjoy holiday food in moderation.
The holidays bring out our best and worst sides. We tend to overindulge in sweet treats and overeat during family holiday meals. Instead of overeating, eat smaller portions and enjoy them slowly. Also, limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine if possible, as they both cause dehydration and can increase blood pressure, which may affect your mood.
4. Be intentional in spending time with friends and family.
Connecting with friends and family is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holidays. But staying connected can also be stressful when we feel like we need to spend more time with others than we want. Take advantage of technology to connect with people who live far away from you. You can text, call, or video chat to share your holiday joy.
5. Make time for yourself.
You need to take time to relax and unwind to be able to enjoy the holidays entirely. Set aside time for yourself by taking a bath, reading a book, walking, or listening to music. These simple acts of self-care will help you de-stress and recharge. Tackle that craft project, puzzle, or a new recipe you’ve wanted to try; the holidays are the perfect time to learn something new!
6. Give back.
Help those less fortunate than you. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, donate toys to children, or volunteer at a local animal shelter. Giving back makes you feel good about yourself and gives you a sense of purpose. The mental health of those individuals you also serve benefits from your kindness.
7. Snuggle up with your pets.
Pets provide unconditional love and companionship. They’re always there for us no matter how busy we are. So, include your furry friend in your holiday celebrations. You can bake homemade treats, make or shop for a cute holiday outfit, or sit with your pet and play with them and their new toy. Your mental health will thank you, and your pet will appreciate it!
Get Support From A New Heights Mental Health Counselor
Do you find it difficult to cope with your emotions over the holiday season? Are you struggling with life’s challenges and pressures from the holidays? You deserve better than what you are currently experiencing in your life.
New Heights counselors are mental health professionals specifically trained to help individuals who struggle with the stresses and difficulties that arise during this time. If you want more information about our counseling services, please call us today at 850-757-1552.
Other Mental Health Services Offered At New Heights Counseling
New Heights Counselor offers therapy for many issues. We assist those who struggle with anger management, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, loss, abuse, trauma, PTSD, self-esteem, confidence, body image, eating disorders, and many more. We want you to feel comfortable enough to share your thoughts and feelings with us so that we can better understand your needs and help you find healing and wholeness.
Our services are for children, adolescents, and adults, and we offer in-person sessions at our Fort Walton Beach, FL location and online therapy for the state of Florida. The office is on the 2nd floor of WorkSpace Suites at 1992 Lewis Turner Blvd, Suite 1057, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547. Get directions here on Google Maps or visit our office location page.
Appointment Schedule (Last appointment – 4 PM)
Sunday Closed
Monday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Evenings/Weekends by Appointment
Additional Resources:
- Maintaining Mental Health During the Holiday Season – NAMI California
- Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping – Mayo Clinic
- Welcome Video New Heights Counseling Founder & Clinical Director Colleen Wenner
About the Author:
Colleen Wenner is the founder and clinical director of New Heights Counseling, where she provides counseling services for individuals struggling with mental health issues. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Colleen is a certified supervisor in Florida and an EMDR trauma-certified practitioner and consultant in training. Colleen is committed to providing excellent client care and services the Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, Destin, and surrounding communities.
Colleen has consistently advocated for mental health wellness and has dedicated her entire life to promoting awareness among the public. She has been featured on various podcasts such as Practice of the Practice (The #1 Podcast for counselors in private practice), Shrink Think Podcast, and The Salty Christan Podcast, to name a few. She has also contributed to several Yahoo Best Life, Unfinished Man, UpJourney, and WebMD articles. Colleen uses compassionate and authentic communication to help clients understand themselves better and feel more confident about their ability to improve their lives.