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Grace And Grace At City Walk Bham, Used For Bcbsal — Lean on your friends during this season, Alabama. (Nathan Watson / The Bama Buzz)

As magical as the holidays can be, this time of year may also bring unexpected loneliness, and mental health issues can sometimes resurface.

Instead of brushing it under the rug, it’s important to have these conversations, so organizations and individuals across Alabama are creating spaces where mental health is discussed.

Keep reading for a few tips to boost your mental health this season and all year long.

Healthier People Are Happier People - Bluecross Blueshield Of Alabama

Learn something new

Used For Bcbsal — Find a new hobby, like painting! (Lacey Muenstermann / The Bama Buzz)

To give you something else to focus on and help boost your mood, try a new hobby or revisit an old one.

When you learn a new skill, you could meet new people, discover new talents or find unexpected enrichment in your day-to-day life. Plus, learning new things challenges your brain and benefits your mental fitness.

Alabama is full of craft shops, community sports, young professional groups and more:

Take care of your physical body

The Fitness Court Has Seven Movements For A Full Body Workout. (Lacey Spear / Bham Now) — Get up and get moving across Alabama. (Lacey Muenstermann / The Bama Buzz)

Mental health and physical health go hand in hand. Think about it: If something is wrong with your physical health, you might be worried about it and, in turn, drag down your mental health.

“Because they’re locked together, anything you can do to help yourself physically is going to help your behavioral health. The first thing you can do is take better physical care of yourself, and to a certain extent, the mental side will follow.”
Dr. Darrel Weaver, Vice President, Provider Engagement and Support, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

When you know your physical health is in good hands, it’s one less thing to worry about. Exercise has proven time and time again to ease symptoms of depression. Plus, physical activity can help you sleep better and feel better.

Find an activity that gets your heart pumping and make it a habit. Here are a few ways to get moving.

Monitoring what you put in your body is important, too.

When you fuel your body with the right nutrients—fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins—you’ll find you have greater energy, clearer thoughts and a more stable mood.

Lucky for us, Alabama’s cities are full of healthy and tasty restaurants.

And, since we’re in the midst of holiday parties and tons of treats, you might opt for healthier options to all your seasonal faves. Find a few healthy recipes to bring to your holiday spread this season.

Set boundaries

Bcbsal, Grace And Callie On Computer — It’s a busy time of year, Alabama. Take care of yourself and set boundaries. (Nathan Watson / The Bama Buzz)

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by deadlines and demands, I get it. One thing I’ve had to learn over and over again: It’s okay to take a step back.

Take a minute to evaluate what needs to get done immediately and what can wait. Communicate those boundaries kindly to others, and remind yourself you’re doing the best you can. Take care of yourself first.

Check out more mental health resources at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

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