The holidays are an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate with family and friends, but they can also cause social, emotional and financial stress. So it’s important to take time for yourself and approach the holidays in a way that will preserve your own mental well-being. Luckily, many holiday traditions naturally support wellness!

For those coping with grief, the shift from fall to winter can be especially hard, as the holiday season lies ahead and our thoughts turn to people, things and experiences that are missing. Mental health professionals with the UFT's Member Assistance Program offer coping strategies. 


Counting your blessings isn’t just a nice thing your elders probably advised you to do. It’s also a key practice for both mental and physical health.

In the spirit of Optimistic October, let’s look at the intertwined issues of burnout and work-life balance from their starting points, when they’re easiest to control and keep in check.

With the shift from summer to fall, now is the time to reap the benefits of a likely change in routine, to make decisions about what’s really important — and to develop whatever new habits you’ve been meaning to.