Cultivating Care: Embracing Mental Health and Wellness This Holiday Season
As we approach the winter holiday season—a time brimming with both joy and a bit of extra stress—it’s a good moment to reflect on how we can keep ourselves grounded, nurtured, and connected. For many in our community, this time of year stirs thoughts of family, support, and what it truly means to care for ourselves and others.
And let’s be honest: while there’s a lot of emphasis on giving to others, we can sometimes overlook the importance of giving to ourselves. This might be as simple as taking five minutes to breathe deeply between obligations or letting ourselves feel more present.
At The WOMB Bruce County, we’re here to support you at every stage of this journey, helping you keep your “cup” filled for yourself and the people you care about.
The Quiet Work of Taking Care
Every person, no matter their current stage of life, has mental health that, like physical health, deserves attention and care. Mental health support looks different for everyone. For some, it might be figuring out daily routines that bring steadiness and calm. For others, it’s learning to breathe through life’s difficult moments, even in the quiet ways we don’t usually notice but feel deeply.
If you’re someone who’s spent time exploring your mental wellness, you probably know how meaningful it is to show up for yourself so that you can also show up for others.
Some days, it may look like sharing the things that weigh on your mind. Other days, it’s simply allowing your feelings to be there without judgment. Maintaining mental wellness doesn’t mean we stop experiencing ups and downs; it means we’re a bit more prepared to ride the waves, a little gentler with ourselves, and maybe even a bit more open to sharing these experiences with others.
The work of caring for mental health, though it can be quiet, impacts all our relationships, decisions, and daily interactions. Just as we might make an effort to exercise or eat nourishing foods, mental wellness is a type of “workout” with benefits that ripple through everything we do.
Navigating the Holiday Season
The holiday season is here, often filled with family gatherings, social events, and gift-giving. For many, this is a special time, but it can also bring up emotions about the support we have—or the support we wish we had.
It’s common to feel a mix of joy and tension as we try to balance connection with the risk of feeling stretched too thin. For some, the season might even serve as a gentle reminder of the importance of support systems, whether those involve family, friends, or community groups.
Acknowledging these emotions isn’t always easy, and yet there’s a quiet strength in allowing ourselves the space to feel everything that comes up—joy, nostalgia, or even a bit of weariness. It’s okay to experience all of it. If you’ve explored these emotional landscapes before, you may already know the power of checking in with yourself, noticing what’s present, and finding ways to stay grounded and connected.
This season, it can help to think of ways to care for yourself even as you care for others. These moments of self-care, however small, are ways to recharge and reconnect with yourself, adding a layer of ease to the demands of the season.
Reflection and Renewal in the New Year
As we look to the new year, it’s natural to consider the practices, routines, and relationships that most deeply support us. This season invites us to acknowledge the strength it takes to balance well-being with the demands of life, work, and relationships. For those in the perinatal period; trying to conceive, new parenthood, or supporting a loved one in this stage, self-care practices are essential to feeling steady and supported.
Taking steps to focus on wellness, no matter how small, can create meaningful shifts.
If you’re new to mental health care or have been working on it for years, remember that each act of care is an investment in your well-being. Mental wellness isn’t about “fixing” yourself but creating an environment in which you can grow, heal, and feel resilient.
So, here’s a gentle invitation: as you reflect on this holiday season and look to the new year, consider what “cultivating care” means to you. Perhaps it’s an act of self-compassion, setting a boundary, or simply taking the time you need to feel at ease. Each of us has unique ways of finding balance, and however you approach it, remember that self-care is a gift both to yourself and to those around you.
Staying Connected with The WOMB Community
One of the wonderful things about The WOMB Bruce County is the sense of community we create together. The front area is a warm, welcoming space where you can connect, share, and feel part of something larger. During the holiday season, it’s helpful to remember that support isn’t simply about giving and receiving—it’s also about building meaningful connections. If you’re ever in need of a moment to unwind or share a story, know that our CommUNITY is here for you.
Starting in January: Therapy as a Space for Renewal
Beginning in January, I’ll be available Monday through Friday at The WOMB Bruce County, offering more consistent support for clients at all stages of the their journey. With the new year also comes a chance to look at your health benefits, as many of them reset in January. If you’re thinking of starting or continuing therapy, it’s a great opportunity to make mental wellness a priority in 2024.
By booking ahead With Chanel Wainscott (View Schedule Here), you can secure time set aside for your personal growth and well-being as we head into the new year. I look forward to being part of your journey and working with you toward a balanced, fulfilling year ahead.
About the Therapist
With a rich background in community mental health, Chanel has had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life, helping them navigate a wide range of challenges. Her passion lies in supporting parents and caregivers through the ups and downs of the perinatal period, where new changes, joys, and hurdles converge.
Chanel offers both individual and couples counselling, providing a space where clients can process perfectionism, shame, and disconnection, particularly as they often show up in parenting. She’s dedicated to helping fathers manage the unique experience of postpartum depression, which often goes unacknowledged, and works with clients to build confidence in communicating with their support networks, ensuring they feel seen and understood.
Chanel’s practice is a warm, inclusive environment, openly welcoming neurodivergent and Queer clients. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process, offering a blend of empathy, humour, and honesty to help you find meaningful insights and strategies that genuinely work for you as you navigate this one-of-a-kind phase of life.
