Healthy Holidays Start Now
By Stephanie Kinnander – Prevention Specialist with the Human Service Agency
December marks the start of the holidays - a time of celebration, family gatherings, and community events. While the season brings joy and connection, it can also bring added stress, pressure, and risky situations if we aren’t intentional. That’s why “Healthy Holidays Start Now” is a reminder that taking care of your health, making safe choices, and planning ahead can help ensure a happy and safe holiday season.
December is the perfect time to build healthy habits, plan safe celebrations, and prepare for potential challenges. This includes preventing substance misuse, managing stress, and supporting mental well-being. Early preparation can prevent accidents, emotional strain, and dangerous situations that often increase during the holidays.
Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season
- Plan Safe Celebrations: Host/attend events with a focus on fun, connection, and safety. Offer sober ride options and include activities that don’t center around alcohol or drugs.
- Manage Stress: Holidays can be hectic. Practice self-care, set realistic expectations, and ask for help when needed.
- Model Healthy Choices: Children, teens, and peers often emulate the adults around them. Demonstrate responsible behavior - such as safe driving and avoiding substance misuse, to set a positive example.
- Stay Connected: Strong social support helps prevent risky behavior. Check in with family and friends, and encourage open conversations about safety and well-being.
- Know Your Limits: Whether it’s alcohol, screen time, or commitments, recognize your limits and make choices that protect your health and happiness.
Healthy habits don’t have to be boring. Incorporate games, volunteer opportunities, outdoor activities, and creative ways to celebrate that prioritize wellness and safety. By starting now, you set yourself up for a joyful, meaningful and regret free holiday season.
This December, commit to making small, smart decisions that lead to safer, healthier holidays. Every mindful choice—whether it’s choosing a designated driver, limiting alcohol, or checking in on a friend—makes a difference. Healthy holidays truly start now.
To support healthier choices this season, the NEPRC is hosting its annual Holiday Mocktail Contest! Submit your mocktail recipes to neprc@humanserviceagency.org for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Want an extra entry? Post a video of yourself making the mocktail on Facebook and tag @NE_Prevention. All entries are due by December 17 at 4 p.m. All recipes will be shared on social media before Christmas so you can find your favorite just in time for your holiday parties.
For more information, contact the NE Prevention Resource Center at the Human Service Agency at (605) 884-3516 or visit
www.humanserviceagency.org/NEPrevention. To stay informed, follow us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/NEPRC.HSA or Twitter
www.twitter.com/NE_Prevention.