Wrap up your year with 31 days of Wellness
Each day in December, our mental health team will share short, research-based wellness videos on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and our Be Well YouTube playlist—simple practices we do ourselves to nurture connection, calm and wellness, as part of our 2025 year-end Season of Wellness Campaign. We’d love for you to follow along, share them with others, and take time to practice wellness yourself.
Our hope is that these daily moments become a gentle reminder to slow down, breathe, rest, laugh, and connect with yourself and others in meaningful ways.
Be Well, Laugh
Did you know that laughter lowers stress hormones and boosts endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good chemicals?
A cross-cultural study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that laughter therapy improves both physical and mental well-being. Laughter reduces cortisol, lowers blood pressure, strengthens immune function, and even improves pain tolerance. Their findings suggest that laughter is not only a response to joy but a creator of it, helping the body and mind recover from stress.
Even a small laugh can make a difference.
Be well, laugh.
This Be Well practice was shared by Fuller Life therapist Jessica Coufal, as part of our Year-End Campaign: Be Well, Give Wellness, expanding access to therapy across Houston.
Hasan, H., & Hasan, T. F. (2009). Laugh yourself into a healthier person: A cross-cultural analysis of the effects of laughter on health. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 15(5), 56–64.n
Be Well, Dance
Did you know that just one dance session can lift your mood and lower stress hormones?
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology (2025) found that movement, especially with others, increases endorphins and strengthens feelings of connection.
Even a brief dance can create a lasting sense of calm. Be well, dance.
This “Be Well” practice was inspired by a video shared by Fuller Life therapist Shayla Johnson on her personal social media, which inspired our entire Be Well series! Thanks Shayla!
Zhang, Y., & Ma, H. (2025). The impact of dance on the mental health of older adults: A network meta-analysis of anxiety, depression, and well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1733911.
Be Well, Self Soothe
Did you know that peppermint can wake up your mind and sharpen your focus?
Research shows that even brief exposure to peppermint aroma boosts alertness, improves memory, and increases energy. In a 2008 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, participants who inhaled peppermint reported higher motivation, less fatigue, and better performance on attention tasks, all without caffeine or stimulants. Peppermint is a scent we often associate with this season, making it an easy and familiar way to refresh your thoughts and refocus your energy.
Be well, self-soothe.
This Be Well practice was shared by Dr. Amy Fuller, Founder and Clinical Director of Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute, as part of our Year-End Campaign: Be Well, Give Wellness, supporting accessible mental health care in Houston. All month long, we’re sharing daily Be Well videos with simple, research-backed practices.
Moss, M., Hewitt, S., Moss, L., & Wesnes, K. (2008). Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. International Journal of Neuroscience, 118(1), 59–77.
Be Well, Unplug
Did you know that taking short breaks from screens can lower stress and improve mood?
A 2016 study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that people who took a one-week break from Facebook reported higher life satisfaction and lower stress compared to those who stayed online. Even brief pauses give our attention, emotions, and nervous systems a chance to reset.
This season, take a moment to unplug — open a book, watch the light change, or listen to the quiet.
Be well, unplug.
This Be Well practice was shared by Fuller Life therapist Erin Viramontes.
Please excuse the irony of offering an “unplug” prompt on the very screen we’re using to encourage you to “Be Well” this month as part of our Year-End Campaign. We hope you’ll follow along, unplug when you can, and share with anyone who might find these wellness shorts helpful.
Tromholt, M. (2016). The Facebook experiment: Quitting Facebook leads to higher well-being and lower stress. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 19(11), 661–666.
Stay Tuned…
We will be sharing a new research backed wellness tip every day in December!
Even a small laugh can make a difference.
Be well, laugh.
