Happy Holidays
Issue 6 | December 2025
I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. (Maya Angelou)
Traditionally, blokes have had poor help-seeking behaviours—not going to a GP and ignoring mental wellness and relationships. Movember turns that around with guys growing facial hair to facilitate conversations about staying well and happy. Having prostate and testicular checks, talking about mental health and suicide, and getting in physical shape can be the new better. Knowledge is power, prevention is critical, and early detection is essential.
Happy Holiday Season:
The Christmas season is my favourite time of the year; the end of work and school for a few weeks, parties, people say extra nice things to one another, special family meals, not to mention the surprises at gift-time. It’s all great if all goes to plan, but sometimes things don’t work out like a Hollywood movie.
For some, the holiday season can be a challenge due to high expectations from self and others, along with greater challenges than usual. For example, we might assume that everything will be endlessly joyous and happy, yet we need to consider that there are some who are overextended physically, emotionally, financially, and have conflicting priorities.
We all want to be connected and have fun during the holidays, so consider the following to survive the silly season—Christmas and New Year. Commit to one change you could make for a more peaceful and enjoyable holiday season with family and friends. It may mean you have to organise yourself a little better, or accept things you usually don’t choose to tolerate, or even consider a shift in your values if that enables you to be in a better headspace.
Once you get in the groove of modifying how you think and behave, you are well on the way to replacing old, unhelpful habits with more values-driven, goal-oriented ways of living. Don’t expect miracles (unless you live on 34th Street), but you may be pleasantly surprised by how things turn out when you sharpen your focus, take control of the things you can, are more self-compassionate, accept limitations, and minimise overindulging.
Oh, and keep your sense of humour!
Happier Brain, Happier Holidays:
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins) that carry, boost, and balance signals between nerve cells and the body. Neurotransmitters play a critical role in influencing everything from movement to learning and mood. You can maximise your holiday wellbeing by ensuring quality sleep, maintaining an exercise regime, planning fun socialising, chilling out regularly, moderating alcohol use, and controlling what you can. Foods such as yoghurt, nuts/beans/seeds, eggs, kimchi/sauerkraut, and spicy meals increase the production of happy chemicals in the brain.
Having a fun holiday season requires a happy brain and a calm body. You cannot connect well to yourself and others, and get things done, whilst in the stress zone. An efficiently working brain is more present, engaged, and productive, experiences less pain, is healthier, and there is less chance of burnout.
In this silly season, ensure you plan quality, focused experiences so your brain and body will be in great shape.
Goodwill and Gratitude:
‘Tis the season to be jolly, with parties and presents, rest and relaxation. In the fun and frivolities, it’s easy to go from one event to another mindlessly. In doing so, we take things and people for granted and fail to value how privileged we are.
Set aside time daily to think about or list what you are thankful for. It might be as simple as access to good food, great friends, or a roof over your head. On days when you are stressed, review your list. Get in the habit of thanking people for what they do. Even expressing thanks to people doing small things makes a huge difference.
When people are negative, look for the best in them and see that as a sign they need time and empathy. Helping them is not only the right thing to do, it has a domino effect in the world.
When you start noticing more around you, goodwill and gratitude is enhanced—and it’s positively contagious.
Article by Dr John Barletta
(Maleny Men’s Shed)
Health and Wellbeing Specialist
Queensland Men’s Shed Association
Johnb@qmsa.org.au
Published 2025
