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Welcome to The Mental Minute where our goal is to make mental health an everyday conversation. Take a few minutes to enjoy today’s news, tips, key resources and product reviews.

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Recent research shows a significant drop in U.S. overdose deaths from fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that’s caused tens of thousands of tragedies in recent years. After peaking in 2023, fatal overdoses tied to fentanyl fell sharply through 2024, and early data suggest that trend may be continuing — a hopeful shift in a long-running crisis.

Experts think one key factor behind this unexpected decline is a major disruption in the global supply chain of fentanyl’s precursor chemicals, likely tied to regulatory actions by the Chinese government that made the drug harder to produce and distribute. This doesn’t mean the crisis is over — fentanyl is still extremely dangerous, extremely potent, and still kills far too many people every year. The drop highlights how external forces like supply changes can impact public health.

Read More: Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Are Now Falling Sharply, and You’ll Never Guess Why (Futurism)

Motivational coach Tony Robbins says the “single most important tool” for beating stress isn’t some secret hack — it’s decision-making. On Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Robbins explained that a lot of stress comes from feeling like life is happening to you instead of because your choices, and learning to decide — even imperfectly — helps you feel more in control. He points out that fear of making the wrong choice or not being perfect keeps people stuck and anxious.

According to him, decisiveness builds momentum and reduces overwhelm, so you spend less energy worrying and more energy living. While this isn’t a mental-health cure-all, it’s a reminder that small choices add up and can shift your mindset when things feel heavy. If stress has you in a loop, try focusing on one tiny decision today and notice how it changes your sense of agency. 

Read More: Tony Robbins Reveals 'Single Most Important Tool' For Overcoming Stress (iHeart Radio)

The holiday blues are temporary feelings of sadness, loneliness, stress, or anxiety that occur during the holiday season, often between Thanksgiving and New Year's, stemming from social pressure, financial strain, loneliness, or unmet idealized expectations. These feelings are usually short-lived and distinct from clinical depression, but can worsen existing mental health conditions and share symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, and sleep/appetite changes.

Know someone struggling with the holiday blues? Common causes include unrealistic holiday portrayals, family conflicts, grief, and the burden of extra tasks like shopping and entertaining. To combat the holiday blues, prioritize self-care, set realistic expectations, learn to say "no," manage finances, stay connected with loved ones, limit social media, get sunlight, and find joy in small activities like volunteering or new traditions, seeking professional help if feelings persist.

Some tech startups are now stocking free nicotine pouches in offices and even installing vending machines for workers to grab them as a “productivity perk,” hoping the stimulant helps with focus and energy. Doctors and public health experts are sounding the alarm, saying these products are addictive and not harmless — nicotine can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and long-term health risks, even if it’s marketed as tobacco-free.

Researchers have also found nicotine can affect mood, attention, and anxiety, and can be especially risky for young adults whose brains are still developing. Workplace perks that encourage stimulant use instead of rest or real support can unintentionally normalize reliance on substances just to cope with stress or workload. Overall, perks that boost productivity shouldn’t come at the cost of mental or physical well-being.

Read More: Tech startups hand out nicotine pouches as productivity perk — while doctors worry about addiction (NY Post)

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