Holidays Archives - Healthy Minds Philly®

Mind Your Holidays: A Season for Compassion, Connection, and Care

The Holidays Aren’t Easy for Everyone The holiday season often brings excitement, gatherings, and good cheer; but for many, it can also stir up feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and grief. At Population Health’s Healthy Minds Philly Initiative, we recognize that the holidays can look different for everyone. As part of our community commitment to mental well-being, we’re inviting you to Take the Pledge to Mind Your Holidays - to bring mindfulness, compassion, and care into every part of the season. Why "Mind Your Holidays" Matters Behind the glitter and festivities, some people [...]

Janine Monico2025-11-04T10:11:05-05:00November 3rd, 2025|Awareness, Holidays, Self-Help|

How to Keep Your New Year Resolutions for Better Fitness, Healthy Eating, and Mental Health in 2024

Fitness and good food are important for your mental health. Research suggests that exercise helps lower anxiety and improve mood. And we know foods impact the way we feel. New Year resolutions are an opportunity to set fitness, nutrition, and mental health goals for 2024. But the reality is many of us fall short of our goals by Jan. 3. As a trainer, I want to share simple tips that will help you stick to your resolutions for better mental health, diet, and fitness. Let me tell you about my [...]

Janine Monico2024-01-03T09:35:55-05:00January 3rd, 2024|Holidays, Self-Help|

Managing Trauma Triggers During the Holiday Season

The holidays can be very stressful for people coping with traumatic experiences. Some people with a history of traumatic experiences may feel overwhelmed and dysregulated when confronted with intense emotions around the holiday time. Others may feel numb and have a hard time feeling connected. Fortunately, we can take steps to cope with trauma. When we make connections between experiences and memories that create traumatic responses, we can better recognize and prepare ourselves for potential trauma triggers. Here is a three-step approach to mitigate the impact of trauma on your [...]

Janine Monico2023-12-15T08:24:21-05:00December 18th, 2023|Holidays|

Avoiding the Holiday Pressure to Drink

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many people – especially for the 18 million Americans who have an alcohol use disorder as holiday celebrations often center around alcohol. The CDC has found that the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day sees a dramatic increase in DUI offenses and other alcohol-related issues. Seventy percent of people report higher alcohol use during the last two weeks of December. People drink for many reasons. They may drink to feel relaxed, because they enjoy the taste, or because they feel [...]

Janine Monico2023-02-07T12:08:50-05:00December 5th, 2022|Addiction & Recovery, Holidays|