Holiday Stress and Acupuncture: How to Find Peace During the Most Hectic Time of Year
The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy and togetherness. But for many people, it can also be a time of stress. With the short daylight hours, shopping, cooking, planning, gifting, and socializing, it is easy to become overwhelmed.
There are several things you can do to decrease stress, both during the holidays and in general. If you guessed exercising, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep, you are correct. But those aren’t the only ways.
Acupuncture is an excellent option to reduce stress. Acupuncture has been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, aka the rest and digest system, promoting relaxation and reducing the body’s stress response. Additionally, acupuncture releases endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that alleviate pain, reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance your sense of overall well-being. Endorphins are released when you do pleasurable activities.
If the lack of sleep during the holidays is your issue, acupuncture can help with that too. Just like with stress reduction, acupuncture can help regulate the neurotransmitters influencing the sleep-wake cycle. And let’s not forget the blissful acu-nap. The 30-minute nap during an acupuncture treatment is so deep and relaxing that it feels like you slept all night.
If your stress manifests as pain or tension, I can help. A combination of acupuncture, cupping, or gua sha can get you feeling relaxed and pain-free so that you can enjoy a little holiday skiing, ice skating, or simply be headache-free as you listen to the fifth rendition of Jingle Bells by local carolers.
Here are some of my other favorite holiday stress-reducing tips:
A warm bath with 3 cups of Epsom salts, 3 tbsp sweet almond oil, and essential oils like lavender, clary sage, and sandalwood.
Setting solid boundaries and not overcommitting. You are not required to go to every holiday party, so say no when your heart isn’t in it. Your friends would rather you be present and jovial, not a walking zombie.
Likewise, schedule time for yourself, even if it’s just 30 minutes here or there. If you can, plan a whole day just for yourself.
Try doing a 5-15 minute meditation during the day. It could be first thing in the morning, when you are experiencing a stressful situation, or before you go to bed. Focus on your breathing while you are doing this. I like the 4-6 technique where you inhale for 4 counts and exhale for 6 counts. Repeat this until you are feeling calm. Alternatively, box breathing is another technique to help calm the body. This is where you inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, then hold for 4 counts, and repeat until you feel calm.
Ear seeds! These are pretty magical. They are little seeds or pellets attached to small stickers that are placed on points in the ear. The ear is a microcosm of the whole body so we can treat just about anything from the ear alone. Ear seeds usually stay on for about 3-5 days and while they are effective on their own, you can also increase stimulation by massaging them.
As a holiday special, I am offering 15-minute ear seeding appointments. You come in, tell me what you want to work on, and I will clean your ears and place up to 10 ear seeds (5 per side) to help with your condition. This is perfect if you don’t feel like you have enough time to stay for a full treatment but want a little boost to get you through the holidays.
While the holidays can be a time of joy and celebration, it's essential to prioritize our mental and physical well-being. Acupuncture offers a holistic and time-tested approach to managing holiday stress, providing relief by promoting relaxation, improving sleep quality, and reducing pain and tension. As you navigate the festive season, consider incorporating acupuncture into your wellness routine to ensure a balanced and harmonious holiday experience.