Fall 2026 5 Q&A: Holiday blues? You’re not alone: Help is available Q: Why can the holidays be hard on mental health? “Some people are grieving, missing family or friends, dealing with strained relationships, or feeling lonely,” says Psychiatrist Ryan Seaver, MD. Financial stress; disrupted routines; and shorter, darker days can also contribute. Q: How can people protect their well-being? Set clear expectations. “It is OK to say no, set a budget, limit commitments and choose the traditions that are actually meaningful,” Dr. Seaver says. You can also let someone trusted know that this holiday season is hard for you. Q: When should you talk to a provider? You might want to reach out if your emotional struggles linger past a couple weeks, get worse, lead to increased substance use or interfere with daily life. Dr. Seaver suggests that you might start by saying, “I haven’t felt like myself.” Hand arthritis hits harder in winter For many people, the aches and pains of arthritis seem to worsen with winter weather, and the hands are no exception. Experts don’t fully understand why, but one reason may be that when barometric pressure drops ahead of a weather front, tissue around a joint expands. “That can create a little more pressure on those joints, especially if there’s already that underlying level of arthritis,” says Adam Whitmire, PT, DPT. Also, cold weather constricts blood vessels, reducing circulation to your joints and causing stiffness, discomfort and less flexibility. The hands may be especially vulnerable, since reduced circulation means they get colder more quickly. We also tend to move less in winter, leaving many joints achier and stiffer. If your hands ache more in winter, there are things you can do. “The simplest one is to keep your hands warm, whether that means using hand warmers, wearing gloves or holding a warm cup of coffee or tea,” Adam says. “Also, keep your joints in motion. Gentle hand stretches and regular exercise overall can help reduce arthritis inflammation and pain.” See your provider if pain in any of your joints starts affecting your daily life or the activities you enjoy. Help for hurting joints Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/ Orthopedics to get on the mend. Find your light in every season Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/ BehavioralHealth to learn how we can help you or a loved one.
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