Employee Health & Wellness: Mental Well-being

The holiday season can be a time of joy and happiness, but this is not always the case for everyone. Spending the holiday season without loved ones by your side can cause a lot of emotions to surface, and grappling with them can be difficult. It is easy to get caught up in the holiday fun, but addressing your own wellness needs is essential.

Experts suggest practicing mindfulness as the first step in dealing with holiday stressors. Meditating while taking the time to focus on yourself and being aware of how and what you are feeling allows you to transition into a state of acceptance. Mindfulness exercises can include simply breathing, body scan meditation, sitting meditation or walking meditation. The goal is to live in the moment and accept your emotions.

Balancing holiday activities can be another stressor on your mental well-being. From everything including large family and friend gatherings to travel plans and holiday shopping, it can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. Taking the time to rest and recharge during the Winter Break can be an opportunity to clear your mind and prepare for the new year.

The holiday season can be challenging, but having a group of individuals that care about you can help. Reaching out to family and friends for support when you need it can help overcome emotions that are difficult to navigate alone. For additional help, there are also free and confidential mental health resources.