The winter months, especially after the holiday season, can often feel like a challenge for our mental health. But Paul Penner of Pembina Counselling Centre, shares a few pieces of helpful insights and actionable advice for managing your well-being during this time of year.
1. Acknowledge your feelings—It’s okay to feel what you feel
The holidays are often thought of as the “most wonderful time of the year,” but for many, they can bring stress, loneliness, or sadness. Paul reminds us that everyone’s experience is different, and it’s important to recognize that how we feel has reasons behind it:
“There’s so many things going on in people’s lives and everybody’s circumstances are different… There’s reasons why we feel what we feel. It might be really simple like we’re just not looking after ourselves and we need to, or we’ve just put out a lot and we kind of crash because we need to refresh.”
2. Make self-care a priority
Paul also cautions that taking care of ourselves is essential, especially during times when our routines are disrupted or we’re feeling overwhelmed, and while taking care of others is a good thing, a person should also remember to take care of themself.
“We need to be intentional, and we need to know ourselves and what gives us energy and what we enjoy…We need to look after our body, our health. We need to look after our relationships, and we need to look after ourselves.”
3. Invest in meaningful relationships
One of the most rewarding ways to improve your mental wellness is through your relationships with others. Sharing moments with people you care about can provide immense joy:
“I believe the biggest source of joy…is caring about other people… A little kid who’s happy to see you… they light up because they see you. It’s just a beautiful picture, but it happens when people feel cared for and you give them your attention. Relationships are huge.”
4. Address the blues with simple actions
January can feel especially long and draining due to the lack of sunlight and the colder weather. Paul explains that feelings of low energy often signal unmet needs.
“When we’re cold, we turn up the heat. Right? And when we’re tired, we need to go to sleep…When we have down feelings, it’s information… We need to do something. We need to be intentional with ourselves. It can be as easy as I need to get out and go for walks.”
5. Seek support when you need it
Reaching out for help can be one of the most powerful tools in maintaining your mental well-being. If you’re feeling stuck, lonely, or overwhelmed, talking to someone can make all the difference.
“Joy shared is multiplied and sorrow shared is halved. We need people. We need people to do life with well.”
To catch the full conversations with Paul Penner, click below.