Happy Hump Day!

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.

Winter burnout doesn’t have to stick around — and a new idea called a midwinter mental health reset is helping people shake off the seasonal slump. Experts featured on WCNC Charlotte Today suggest simple routines like adding sunlight exposure, short walks, mini goal check-ins, and connection with friends to break the “blah” feeling that often hits mid-season.

These resets aren’t about big life changes, but tiny adjustments that recharge energy and sharpen focus even when it’s still cold outside. It’s a reminder that hitting pause and treating yourself with intention can make winter feel less heavy and more manageable.

Read More: A ‘Midwinter Mental Health Reset’ Helps Americans Shake Off Winter Burnout (WCNC Charlotte)

Reggaeton star J Balvin is reminding everyone that celebrity lives aren’t perfect — even when social media makes them look that way. In a recent interview, he talked about struggling with anxiety and pressure behind the scenes, and how fame can hide real emotional ups and downs.

Balvin urges fans to remember that no highlight reel tells the full story, and that comparison only deepens stress and self-doubt. His honesty is a powerful reminder that everyone — famous or not — deals with feelings and challenges, and that it’s okay to be real about them.

Read More: J Balvin Debunks the Myth of 'Perfect' Celebrity Lives (People)

Dry January is a popular trend where people abstain from drinking alcohol for the entire month of January as a health reset, allowing them to explore their relationship with alcohol, improve well-being, and potentially lose weight, sleep better, and save money after holiday indulgences. It's a 31-day challenge started by Alcohol Change UK, offering a chance to build healthier habits and notice benefits like increased energy, clearer thinking, and better skin. 

Dry January started as a simple idea — take a break from alcohol for the first month of the year to reset your habits and kick off healthier routines — but it’s become a cultural movement embraced by millions. NPR traces how the challenge grew from small beginnings into a global trend, with people using it to rethink their relationship with drinking instead of just quitting forever.

Many participants report better sleep, clearer thinking, and less anxiety, which shows how small lifestyle shifts can have big effects on mood and well-being. But experts also remind us that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s awareness and self-care, and listening to what your body and mind actually need.

Read Now: Dry January Started With 1 Person Years Ago – Now Its A Phenom (NPR)

MYTH: Seeking help means I’ll have to take medication

FACT: Treatment for mental health is highly individualized. While medication can be effective for some, it is not the only option. Even when medications are used, they are not magical in improving mental health. Most patients experience the most benefit when medication is used along with other things such as therapy, lifestyle changes, and mindfulness practices. The key to finding what works best for you is an important part of the conversation that takes place between a psychiatrist and their patient.

The Mental Minute is your #1 source for the latest mental health news, tips, key resources and product reviews. Our goal is to make mental health an everyday conversation.

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Thanks, and Be Well.

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