Sunshine Coast Health's mental health and dietetics experts are sharing their tips to help the community have a safe and happy festive season.
Dietitian Monique Terol urged people to enjoy their Christmas meals, and stay mindful of food safety, especially in hot weather.
"Things like seafood, cold meats, a lot of soft cheeses can be some of your cheeky foods that might grow some bacteria and we don't want to be sick around Christmas time from food," she said.
Team Leader of the Mental Health Service's Recovery and Partnerships team, Anna Mason said the expectations of the holiday period can be anxiety inducing for many people, but there are simple wellbeing tools people can use to look after themselves.
She urges people to plan ahead for how they can take care of themselves, with simple things such as exercise and sleep.
"Build in some rest time, build in time to eat, read books, spend time in your garden, play with your kids or grandkids, so I think it's important to think through the season and the busy-ness it brings and also think about what do you need to make yourself feel able to cope with the busiest season we have," she said.
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Larissa Hallam said people should make time to reach out and check on people who have lost loved ones over the year.
She said there are multiple ways people can seek urgent mental health support if they need it, including the statewide mental health line 1300 MH CALL, Lifeline, or calling 000 or accessing the Emergency Department if needed.