Marlborough Wellness Center, Marlborough, MA

Acupuncture, Massage and other modalities in Marlborough MA

holidays

Acupuncture, Peace, Grace and the Holidays

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As I look back at this holiday season, I can honestly smile. We are all done with our shopping and wrapping. We have kept it simple this year because we are traveling and yet, the gifts are thoughtful. This is the first Christmas without my Dad. It was his holiday, he would have been here visiting us by now. Drinking coffee on my couch while watching American Pickers or something fascinating on the History Channel that he would recount for me once I got home. He’d be laughing with my kids and most importantly, reading the book “Twas The Night Before Christmas” to us all on Christmas Eve night. That’s a ritual that may be tough to go without this year but new rituals will hopefully begin. Maybe my brother will take up the role of the reader, passing along something special to my dad’s grandchildren who he loved dearly. Either way, family is what is truly important in the end. The love and the memories that we have shared are what we are left with in the end.

Interestingly enough, I have noticed many of my clients have been coming in with the frenetic energy that is all to common this time of year. Not to mention the stress of entertaining family and possibly fighting the colds and flus that are running rampant right now. We are all still ragged from the Election and trying to transition into the Winter cold. So as I was going through my emails, I found a great article from the Chopra Center that I thought was important to share. “9 Ways to Bring Peace and Grace to Your Holiday Season” is a must read! (9 Ways to Bring Peace and Grace to Your Holiday Season) And remember, the best gift is the gift of health and acupuncture can be the perfect gift for anyone you know needing help transitioning into the Winter, fighting a cold, or just need to find some kind of balance in the new year!

Acupuncture and Managing Holiday Stress

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The holidays are a big part of the fall and winter months. This is often a time to reconnect with family and loved ones, to attend social events, and celebrate your beliefs. Unfortunately, it can also be a time of extra commitments, nonstop activity, and pressure to get it all done. This can result in a lot of stress both mental and physical.

Everyone feels stressed occasionally, but when it continues for a long time or gets overwhelming it can take a real toll on your health. The immune system is particularly sensitive to the effects of stress, which means that ongoing stress can leave you vulnerable to colds, flu, and other illnesses.

The good news is that you can take charge of the stress in your life. One way to do that is to set realistic expectations for the holidays. Spend some time thinking about what’s important to you. Rather than concentrating on making everything “perfect,” try to focus on enjoying yourself whether that means spending time with family, volunteering to help others, or taking a vacation.
Another good strategy is to set boundaries. Don’t take on more than you can handle, say “no” if you have to, and ask for help if you need it.

Other ways to beat stress include:

Eating right: Remember to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and try to keep your intake of sugary holiday treats to a minimum.

Rest: Get plenty of sleep, even if you have a lot to do, to keep your body and mind healthy and energized.

Meditation: Take a few minutes during the day to sit quietly and simply focus on your breathing.

Exercise: Try to work exercise into your schedule. It’s a natural energy and mood booster. Yoga is an excellent choice this time of year.

Talking to someone: Share your thoughts and feelings with a friend or a counselor. Expressing yourself may make you feel better and you might even find solutions to stressful situations.

Vitamins and herbs: Be sure to take a daily multivitamin, and consider taking extra vitamin C to help strengthen your immune system. Herbs such as ginseng can help you adapt to stress and valerian can soothe and calm your mind.

Additional methods include treatments such as acupuncture and massage, which can help relax both mind and body. With a little preparation and adding some new coping strategies, you can make this year’s holiday season happy, healthy and stress-free!

The Allergy and Holiday Seasons Are Coming…

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Be prepared before you have to suffer needlessly! The herbalists have specialized formulas to boost your immune systems so that your seasonal allergies are a thing of the past.

And remember to think of acupuncture and massage for your loved ones for their birthdays and the holiday season…gift certificates are available now!