It’s the end of another year.

As we all breathe a collective sigh of relief and set our sights on the upcoming year — how is it 2022?! — it’s also a time to reflect on accomplishments.

Here at TotalWellness, we love hearing about the positive health changes in our readers and the communities our content reaches. It turns out a lot of you enjoy learning how to be well, stay well, and live a fulfilled life — both at work and at home. Some of our top-viewed content was on topics like mental health, self-care, and general well-being.

In fact, we had over 652,000 blog views this year — proof to us that workplace wellness is the focal point for many companies looking to somehow return to “business as normal.”

This year-in-review post offers all kinds of wellness insights we know you’ll enjoy revisiting. Perhaps you’ll even come across a post you may have missed during the busy year that was 2021. We hope you’ll slow down and savor the content.

Below, we share the top posts and resources TotalWellness readers loved the most.

Whether you’ve given therapy a try or are looking to start therapy for the first time, knowing how to find a good therapist can make all the difference in how productive your sessions are.

It’s important to know there’s nothing shameful about therapy either. In fact, more people are looking for answers in therapy more than ever. The prolonged pandemic has spiked the demand for licensed therapists.

Between August 2020 to October 2020, the American Psychological Association (APA) reported 84% of psychologists who treat anxiety have seen an increase in patients since March 2020. Additionally, depressive disorder treatments are up to 72% from 60%. Overall, 29% of psychologists' books have exploded with appointment requests over the last two years. Many provide remote services, making getting to therapy that much easier for working individuals.

Looking to improve your mental health? Consider this your essential guide to finding a good therapist to get you through tough times.

We all know the post-pandemic workplace looks different.

It’s created an opportunity for open dialogue between employee and employer on what the ideal work situation feels and looks like.

When the pandemic took over our lives and the workplace in March 2020, it created a disruption. But there’s something to be learned from difficulties and that’s how to be better. Now, almost two years in, there are some valuable lessons to move forth with, especially when it comes to workplace wellness.    

Here’s a look at the valuable lessons worth remembering in the post-pandemic workplace.

Struggling to naturally energize and motivate yourself during the winter months?

You aren’t the only one.

It’s scientifically proven that wintertime makes the body a lot less energetic.

Naturally, as the days shorten and grow colder, the colder weather disrupts the body’s sleep schedule. This can make it challenging to get out from under the covers in the morning and stay motivated throughout the day.

This post offers insights from experts like dieticians, psychotherapists, life coaches, and nutritionists. Below, find out what they have to say about how to increase energy and motivation throughout the darkest days of winter.

Need some healthy eating tips to survive the stress of the holiday season?

We have you covered.

As we head into the new year — when crash diets and gym memberships become all the rage — the key to staying healthy is really just eating well and moving a bit.  

No special diets needed. But sometimes, a little reminder on how to eat well doesn’t hurt. In this post, our 21 tips offer insight like how to use fennel to get rid of bloating after eating greens, which carbs are indeed the good carbs, and more.

Below are all the healthy eating tips you need to keep your diet on track through the holidays and the new year. Cheers to eating well!

What does stress management in the workplace look like at your company? Stress in and of itself isn’t bad, but when it’s chronic, that’s when the problems begin.

When the body is under too much stress, it can cause:

• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Depression
• Digestive issues
• High blood pressure
• Bodily inflammation
• Coronary artery disease

And that’s just the short list.

Recent research indicates more Americans are continuously distressed, thanks in part to the pandemic. Even simple decisions are becoming more difficult to make, states the recent American Psychological Association's "Stress in America'' survey. It found that 32 percent of adults have been so stressed by the pandemic, that they sometimes wrestle with daily tasks like choosing what to wear.

Managers have a duty to ensure their team works productively, but not to the point of a stressful breakdown. Encouraging workers to take steps to manage stress appropriately not only helps them in the short-term, it provides a healthy way for them to cope with ongoing life stressors. It will also create a more sound workforce.  

Want to help minimize workplace stress and help your employees copy in a healthy way? Here are 11 easy tips both management and employees can benefit from — any day of the week.

Have you been preparing for a healthcare cost hike come January 1?

If not, it’s time to seriously start considering how healthcare costs will eat into the company budget if you offer employees healthcare plans.

Many U.S. employers are now looking at ways to prioritize employee wellbeing and healthcare affordability as health benefits are expected to increase by more than 5 percent in 2022, stated an October 2021 survey released by Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company.

Here’s a look at a few different survey insights and cost-saving measures employers may want to consider moving into the new year.

If you’re in a leadership position, you know all too well how full your schedule gets, leaving little time for the “fun activities”. But, for health’s sake, it should never be too full to where there’s no time for self-care.

Why is self-care important? It’s what will keep you balanced and overall healthier. It keeps you grounded.

When you take care of your body and mind, you’re bound to be more productive, healthier, and happier. Every leader knows their best work comes when they feel their best. That’s really what self-care is all about.

If you’re still giving pushback to the idea, maybe this post will change your mind. Below you’ll uncover why it’s essential for leaders to increase their own self care practices now rather than later.

Does it feel like you’re walking through a fog these days?

Learning how to improve concentration and applying specific techniques can help kick the foggy feeling.

If you have brain fog — like issues with memory, concentration, or thinking —  it may be a daily battle to remember even the most basic of tasks you need to do. Whether the cause is from lack of sleep, medication, COVID after-effects, or something else, that’s where concentration tricks can come in handy.

This post will cover what brain fog is, how it impacts work and other activities, and simple ways to get a clear brain boost.

Mental health and the holidays go hand in hand.

While many people look forward to rocking around the Christmas tree and more, others want nothing more than January 1 to arrive ASAP.

Not surprisingly, an estimated 64% of those with mental illness feel their conditions worsen during the holiday season. Between pandemic isolation and other factors like loneliness and grief, the holidays can create a huge burden on individuals’ mental health. Shorter days and less sunlight can also contribute to seasonal depression as well.

As an employer, taking time to check-in, offering resources, and lessening the holiday work event pressure can be helpful for struggling employees.

 This post will look at how the holidays can hurt employees’ health and  tips for staying mentally fit during some of the busiest and most stressful times of the year.