Tag Archives: nashville events

Nashville Holiday Wellness Events

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This time of year can be magical for some and for others, not so much. If you’re someone who dreads the shorter days, hectic schedules, or the emotional weight of the holidays, there’s no shame in that. This blog is for you.

The holidays often bring up a mix of emotions—anxiety, grief, seasonal depression (SAD), or simply a lack of enthusiasm. And with the time change coming up, we’re about to lose some of our daylight (Nashville, we feel this one hard). No matter how many times it happens, the first 4:30 p.m. sunset always feels like a shock to the system.

If this all sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone, and that there are ways to feel grounded and even find some joy again this time of year.

At The Happy Hour, we love creating spaces and experiences that make the season feel a little lighter and more connected. This December, we’re teaming up with some of our favorite Nashville wellness partners to help you slow down and reconnect with yourself.

 

Grounding & Gratitude at 1 Hotel

December 4th

We’re partnering with 1 Hotel Nashville for an exclusive evening of Grounding and Gratitude. This special event is designed to help you pause, recharge, and find presence in the middle of the holiday rush.

You’ll be guided through a meditation featuring a mini sound bath and a group reflection focused on the connection between gratitude and presence. Your ticket includes:

  • The full workshop experience
  • A complimentary mocktail from Harriet’s, 1 Hotel’s stunning rooftop bar
  • Complimentary valet parking
  • 25% off a meal at 1 Kitchen or Harriet’s (the perfect way to keep the evening flowing)

It’s the perfect reset to bring you back into a positive and grounded mindset this season.

 

Sound + Acupuncture at The Happy Hour

December 9th

We’re also bringing back one of our most-loved experiences: Sound + Acupuncture, in collaboration with Shen Medicine Acupuncture. (It sold out in record time last year!)

During this session, you’ll settle into a comfortable position while Clara Belden guides you through a deeply relaxing sound bath. As the sound helps quiet your mind and calm your nervous system, Paige from Shen Medicine will gently offer acupuncture treatments to each participant.

This unique combination helps release blockages, relieve stress, and open the heart. You’ll leave feeling aligned, relaxed, and fully at peace.

 

Whether you join us for a special event or simply take a few moments each day to slow down and check in with yourself, remember—you’re not alone in feeling the ups and downs of this season. There’s space for both joy and rest, gratitude and grief, connection and quiet.

 

Check Out All of Our Events

HERE

How to Make Friends as an Adult in Nashville

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Real Ways to Build Community and Connection

 

Making Friends as an Adult Is Hard, But You’re Not Alone

If you’ve been wondering how to make friends as an adult in Nashville, you’re not the only one. Whether you’re new in town, starting a new chapter, or simply craving deeper connections, this stage of life can feel isolating—even in a city full of people.

Gone are the days of dorm rooms, group projects, or running into your best friend at the dining hall. Adulthood brings work schedules, family responsibilities, and physical distance. Slowly, the day-to-day friendships we once leaned on start to fade, and we’re left asking:

Where do I even begin to find my people again?

 

At The Happy Hour, we hear this all the time—from young professionals, new moms, empty nesters, and longtime locals alike. You’re not broken, you’re not weird, and you’re definitely not the only one craving community.

Let’s talk about real ways to reconnect.

 

Why Friendships Matter for Mental Health

Friendship isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a mental health tool.

Studies have shown that strong social connections can help reduce anxiety, depression, and even physical health risks. A 2000 study by Bolger, Zuckerman & Kessler found that a sense of belonging is one of the strongest predictors of long-term well-being.

Building community is essential—not just for fun, but for emotional resilience and healing.

 

Where to Meet New People in Nashville

If you’re ready to put yourself out there but not sure where to start, here are a few accessible ways to meet people, make friends, and feel like you belong again.

1. Join a Book Club in Nashville

Book clubs are an underrated way to make real connections. Not only do they bring people together around a shared topic, but they also spark conversations that go deeper than small talk.

At The Happy Hour, we host book clubs focused on self-growth, relationships, and mental wellness. Many attendees form friendships that last well beyond the final chapter.

Bonus tip: Turn your book club into a potluck, wine night, or post-meeting dinner for extra bonding time.

 

2. Take a Class That Feeds Your Curiosity

Looking for a fun way to meet like-minded people in Nashville? Try signing up for a class.

It could be:

  • A pottery or flower arranging class
  • Learning a new language
  • Calligraphy, yoga, or creative writing
  • Even a class on mindfulness or emotional intelligence

You’re not just building a skill—you’re entering a space full of people who value the same things you do.

 

3. Attend Local Events and Wellness Workshops

Sometimes a lower-commitment option is best. Attending one-time events or themed workshops can be a great introvert-friendly way to meet others who care about what you care about.

At The Happy Hour, we offer:

  • Group wellness events
  • Sound baths and breathwork sessions
  • Seasonal gatherings and creative workshops
  • Women’s circles and sober-curious meetups

These are natural spaces to connect, reflect, and find people who are also investing in themselves.

Check out our upcoming events in Nashville!

 

4. Volunteer for a Cause That Moves You

If you want to build friendships around shared values, volunteering is a powerful way to do it. Whether it’s mentoring, environmental clean-ups, or working with local nonprofits, volunteering connects you with people who care deeply—just like you.

Nashville has dozens of nonprofits that are always looking for extra hands (and open hearts).

 

5. Reach Out to Someone You Already Know

Not ready to join a group just yet? Start with one small act of courage: reach out to an acquaintance you’d like to know better.

Yes, it might feel awkward. But chances are, they’re craving connection too. One text can lead to coffee, and that coffee might just lead to something deeper.

 

A Final Word on Connection

The hardest part is starting—but that first step? It’s worth it.

Be gentle with yourself as you practice showing up. And remember: way more people in Nashville are looking to make friends than you think. The truth is, we’re all walking around hoping someone else will start the conversation.

So go ahead—say hi. Invite someone in. Or come find us at The Happy Hour. Whether it’s through therapy, coaching, or community events, we’re here to help you feel better—and more connected—one moment at a time.

 

Looking to Build Your Community in Nashville?

Start here:

 

THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

Curiosity is the Key to Connection 

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In recent years, I’ve learned that one of the best ways to find connection is through curiosity.

Being curious about people you’ve just met — and staying curious about the people you’ve always known. It sounds simple, but we often overlook the power of asking questions.

Questions are freeing. They give people the opportunity to decide how they want to portray themselves. Only the person being asked truly knows the answer, which gives them a sense of confidence, control, and the feeling of being interesting and seen.

And here’s the key: Listen. Really listen. Don’t think about what you’re going to say next. Fully process what the other person said before coming up with a response. This might surprise you — your responses will likely be different (and deeper) if you wait. You hear more clearly, you understand more fully, and you come across as more genuine.

Learning to ask good questions — and being willing to dive into people’s stories — has been a game-changer for my own experience with social anxiety. I used to worry constantly about what to say next in conversations. My mind would race with thoughts like, “I’m being awkward,” or “Do they even like me?” That anxiety would fill the silence and often rob me of a chance to really connect.

But then I had a shift. I realized: if I want deeper connections, I need to ask better questions.

Since adopting this practice of leading with curiosity, my relationships have deepened. I genuinely feel more confident and capable in social settings. Making friends has gotten easier. Dating feels less stressful. I finally understood that in those moments, I’m actually the least important person in the room — even though my anxiety tries to convince me otherwise.

When I focus on other people, something beautiful happens. And the funny thing? You will get your turn to speak — and by then, they’ll actually want to hear what you have to say. Because you’ve made them feel safe, seen, and heard.

If this resonates with you — if you’re craving more meaningful conversations and want to develop tools for deeper connection — join us for our next Hello Nashville! event:

 

Conversations That Connect Generations

September 18th • 6:30 – 7:45 pm
Low-key, wine-in-hand gathering at The Happy Hour
Led by Jessica Roseberry, a professor from MTSU, who will guide us through the art of asking meaningful questions and preserving the important stories of others.

Let’s practice the kind of connection that starts with simply asking a question.

LEARN MORE

 


THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

Last Minute Gift Guide

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If you you’re feeling stumped about those last minute gifts – or even if you just feel like treating yo’self (after all, you’ve achieved a lot this year) – we’ve got you covered! “But what about shipping deadlines”, you ask? All the gifts here are either digital and can be delivered instantly, or they’re available in-store in the Nashville area. Let’s get shopping!

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The Commune Collection by Wooden Spoon Herbs – For the Friend Who Has Everything

The latest range of tonics created by clinical herbalist, Lauren Haynes, is designed for everyday wellness, helping to leave you feeling energized, uplifted and balanced. Available individually or as a set. The broad range of benefits makes this a great gift for anyone in your life – even the person who has everything, because even if they already have these tonics, you’ll bet they’ll want a backup for when they run out!

Available online, or locally at Lemon Laine in Nashville.

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Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, by Lori Gottlieb – For the Bookworm in your Life

Topping just about every book list, this book is a must-read. According to Shondaland, Psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb’s memoir is “a funny behind-the-scenes look at what happens when people – even shrinks themselves – ‘break open’ with the help of a therapist”.

Heartwarming and insightful, this book reminds us that so many of our problems are universal, and it might even inspire some self-exploration.

Available online, or locally at Parnassus Books in Nashville.

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A Reflexology Gift Card – For the Hard Working Caregiver who Needs a Little TLC

We all know someone who is either a caregiver by profession, or gives so much of themselves to their loved ones you’d think it was their profession! Why not treat them to something a little more therapeutic than the standard pedi, with a relaxing reflexology session?

Available online and locally at Salt and Soles in Nashville.

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A Ticket to a New Year Intention Setting Workshop – For the Go-Getter who’s Looking to Crush their Resolutions

Ok, we’re guilty of a shameless plug on this one, but this really is a fantastic gift for anyone (including you!) who loves self-improvement, yoga, or who is looking to start the new year on the right foot. Through a combination of yoga and group discussion led by a licensed counselor, you will hone in on one intention to live by in the new year, helping you to gain the clarity you need to create a life you love.

The workshop will be held at Inner Light Yoga on Sunday, January 12th from 5-7pm. More info here.

Tickets available online.

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The Gift of Quality Time – For Any Person You’d Like to See More Of in 2020

We’re taking the idea of a personal gift card to the next level with this one by being really specific – no IOUs for a vague dinner sometime in the next year. Pick an activity and a date and get it on the calendar. Instead of getting your arty friend a book from the museum gift-shop, why not buy a set of tickets to the next exhibit and schedule a day of art and quality time together? If you and your mother are always talking about taking a cooking class together, now’s your chance to make that happen! Have you and a friend talked about completing a specific hike? Buy the guide book and start planning that trip together. The beauty of these gifts is that aside from putting a smile on your loved-one’s face, they’ll also nurture your relationship, leaving you both with happy memories for years to come.

Happy Holidays!