The nights are longer and the days chillier
For many people, the holidays bring up a mix of emotions: joy, sadness, and anxiety to name a few.
In the midst of any activities, don’t forget to be ‘present’ for yourself this holiday season.
Here are a few ways to care for yourself this month.
- Take a walk. Even short (10-15 minute) walks can boost our mood, improve attention & reduce anxiety. If you find yourself sitting inside most of the day, a quick walk around the block can help you stay alert and feel refreshed.
- Drink water. It is easy to reach for more coffee, but our bodies need water. Try to keep a water bottle nearby and fill it 3-4 times a day outside of meals.
- Prioritize sleep. Try turning off your electronics 30-60 minutes before you want to go to sleep. Scrolling on our phones in bed is hard to resist (Instagram reels). Unfortunately, this activity often keeps us up longer and makes falling asleep more difficult once we do turn off our phones. Try a book or magazine instead; it stimulates the brain less, and is easier to put down.
- Fuel your spirit. We can’t pour from an empty cup, so make time to do something just for yourself this month that will “fill you up.” Perhaps that is an outing with a friend, reading a new book, taking a bubble bath, or attending a concert. Make out time for yourself this season and give yourself the gift of being ‘present’.
At the NeuroScience & TMS Treatment Center, we have several treatment options we can use, beyond common medications and therapy, to aggressively treat you for brain diseases. Learn more about our treatments and services on our Comprehensive Behavioral Health Page.
Blog Post Authors
Eveleigh Wagner, MD
Board Certified Psychiatrist – East Brentwood Location
Board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Eveleigh Wagner, received both her undergraduate degree and Doctor of Medicine from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She then moved to Nashville and completed a psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Following residency she became board certified and joined the Mount Auburn Psychiatric Group in Cambridge, Massachusetts specializing in psychopharmacology, as well as, Women-Focused and Geriatric Psychiatry.
Michelle Cochran, MD, DFAPA
Founder & Chief Medical Officer • Medical Director, Nashville Locations
Dr. Cochran has been living and working in the Nashville area for over 25 years. She supervises the skilled Nurse Practitioners who work in our clinics. She has been offering TMS services since 2011 and lectures and consults nationally and internationally about TMS. She is Board Certified and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Learn more about Dr. Cochran.
Jonathan Becker, DO
Medical Director, Brentwood Locations
Dr. Becker is a native of Tennessee, born in Memphis. He completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Developmental Psychology at Tulane University in New Orleans before attending Des Moines University for Medical School. He completed his psychiatry residency program at Vanderbilt University and served as a faculty member there for 7 years before transitioning to our office. While at Vanderbilt, Dr. Becker served as the medical director of the neuromodulation service from 2017-2020. Dr. Becker has also published many psychiatric articles. Learn more about Dr. Becker.