3…2…1… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Or… is it?

For many people, a new year is a time of excitement and joy, reflecting on the previous year and getting ready for a new one. But for others, a new year can be riddled with stress and the pressure of returning to work, trying to do better, and starting anew. It can be overwhelming to see everyone around you working toward their own goals and self-improvement, and feeling the pressure to do so yourself.

The holidays can be full of contradictions: Time off leaves us exhausted, fun and social gatherings feel lonely or isolating, and small talk turns into big debates with politics, religion, or world affairs. If we acknowledge that contradictions do and will abound whether we want them to or not - like heaping portions or inflatable lawn decorations - we can start to practice acceptance to shrink the discomfort of contradictory environments.

Have you ever walked away from the holidays feeling empty? Have you forgotten about your holiday memories immediately after returning to work? Or have you looked around the table and been frustrated at how separated everyone seemed? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you might be struggling to be present during the holidays.

The holiday season is such a joyous time of the year, but it can also bring a lot of stress, and you aren’t alone in this. The American Psychological Association reported that about 9 out of 10 Americans feel stressed during the holidays because of finances, missing loved ones, and family conflict. When we are stressed out, it is important that we have healthy coping strategies ready in our back pocket. Here are seven way to make this season less stressful and more joyous.

Stress and anxiety are universal experiences, but many people still struggle to understand and manage them in healthy ways. At LifeSpring Counseling Services, our therapists help clients navigate these challenges every day by offering practical tools for coping and deeper insight into their emotions. I asked our clinicians what coping strategies they recommend to someone struggling with stress, and what some common misconceptions they wish people understood better.

Everyone struggles with the rollercoaster of life. Whether it be finding a job, coping with medical problems, or trying to understand a complex relationship, life can come with so many ups and downs that it feels almost impossible to cope with them. The 2017 movie The Big Sick tackles these different themes by looking at the way anxiety trickles through each one.

The holidays can be a time of renewed connection with family and friends, traditions celebrated, good food shared, and a new year begun. However, the holidays can also leave us more than a little drained and sometimes frazzled. When the string lights turn on, those of us that are close to loss of a loved one, divorce, or career upset might feel daunted or even overwhelmed. “Have a happy holiday!” starts to feel like a demand rather than well-wishing.

This might be a surprise to some, but therapists also feel stressed out and need a breather sometimes. To learn more about how our team at LifeSpring takes care of their own mental health, I asked them to share their favorite ways to unwind and small daily rituals that help them reset after a long day. Here is what some of them had to say!

After a divorce, separation, or break-up, the holiday season can be emotionally challenging. Looking ahead might fill us with anxiety, but preparing in advance can mitigate feelings of loneliness or sadness and allow us to recenter ourselves amidst the un-grounded-ness associated with shifting shared traditions. What follows are some strategies to help navigate the holidays with grace and health.

One of my favorite films of the last few years is the 2024 animated movie The Wild Robot. The wonderful thing about this movie is that both children and caregivers can learn a lot about belonging, resilience, and believing in oneself through the story. Below are some reflections on how the film tackles these themes and the interesting way that we can learn from a robot what it is like to be human.

One of my favorite films of all-time is the 2002 animated classic Lilo & Stitch. I loved this movie as a kid and the more I rewatch it, the more I realize just how much the stories of both Lilo and Stitch are meaningful to my life and the lives of so many others. Throughout the course of the film, you get to follow their journey adjusting to their new lives, battling grief, and finding their place in the world. In this blog, I’ll be sharing some reflections from the movie and how the characters humanize mental health struggles, especially for kids.

Life keeps moving despite the pain we feel everyday. We try to find ways to ignore it and numb it, but pain fills our minds and won’t let go. The 2024 film A Real Pain recognizes this struggle and hones in on the ways different people experience pain. Throughout the film, you get glimpses of their mental health through discussions about depression, pain, and intergenerational trauma. I was struck by how real and vulnerable this film got, and how humanizing the mental health of these characters and their journeys felt.

Navigating significant dates or milestones after a loss can bring up emotional and physical responses we might not have experienced before. After a loss, dates that used to bring joy and celebration now stir up feelings of sadness and dread. In the following blog, I’ll share some creative strategies that can help you remember your loved one and ease anxiety and grief the next time a day on the calendar starts to sneak up on you.

Completing your ketamine assisted psychotherapy session is only the beginning of your healing journey. The hours and days following treatment are just as important as the session itself. Many clients in Baltimore seeking ketamine therapy find that the integration period helps solidify the benefits of their experience. By creating a calm, supportive environment and being intentional with how you spend your time, you can maximize the positive effects of your ketamine treatment.

If you are considering ketamine therapy in Baltimore, Maryland, preparing properly can make your treatment more effective and meaningful. Being prepared can also help you feel more comfortable too, and that’s important! A ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) session is not a typical therapy appointment. It’s an intentionally curated space for healing, reflection, and growth that involves the use of a medication and a trained and attuned therapist. By following a few preparation steps, you can ensure that your body and mind are ready for the experience.

Life always seems to pull us straight out of our comfort zone, plucking away the people and routines we feel are comfortable with. Whenever these transitions happen, the adjustment to a “new” life can be jarring. The 2022 film The Banshees of Inisherin takes a stark look at how three different men navigate difficult transitions in their lives.

If you’re considering ketamine therapy in Baltimore, Maryland, it’s natural to feel curious about what to expect during a session. Below is a step-by-step overview of what your ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) session will look like, so you can approach it with confidence and peace of mind.

Baltimore is a rich and vibrant city, but it’s also one of the most stressed. According to Wallethub (2025), Baltimore is ranked the third most stressed city in America, with work stress being the biggest reason why. The long commutes on I-695 and I-95, safety concerns, rising housing costs, and demanding work schedules all add to this pressure.

In 2024, Pixar Animation Studios released a sequel to their 2015 hit film, Inside Out, which tackled themes of childhood emotions. Inside Out 2 expands on this world within a young girl’s head. Notably, Anxiety was included as one of the newly featured emotions, sparking many discussions about mental health among moviegoers. Whether you are someone who struggles with anxiety on a daily basis, knows someone who constantly faces anxiety, or are curious about how to manage those bouts of anxiety we all face, Inside Out 2 provides a strong and beautiful characterization of anxiety.

Struggling with your mental health can feel isolating. It can be hard to find any form of connection in a world that values perfection and idealism. However, thousands of people deal with mental health struggles every day and tell their stories to connect with those in a similar place. One medium that has provided a number of mental health stories is film. This blog will introduce a series of upcoming blogs that will be looking at different films that portray mental health, covering various concerns and analyzing the quality of their depiction.