While the holidays are depicted in movies as a time of idyllic serenity and joy, we have all felt the realities of holiday stress.  Financial concerns, gift giving, busy schedules, family obligations, weight gain and lack of exercise all play into the "holiday cheer".  These pressures can affect us physically, emotionally and spiritually often leading to anxiety and depression.   Acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide a unique perspective and intervention for these common seasonal difficulties.

Anxiety comes in a wide range of manifestations, from mild worrying to more physical responses such as nausea, insomnia, shortness of breath and panic attacks.  Some anxiety is a healthy response to the stress of daily life and new situations; however, anxiety that occurs randomly or excessively is a sign to take notice.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help balance both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety and help to create harmony and spaciousness.

From an acupuncture and Chinese medicine perspective, many manifestations of anxiety can be traced back to the energetic concert between the heart and kidneys.  The temperament of the heart is fiery, expansive and upward.  From a Chinese medicine standpoint, it exhibits yang characteristics.  The dynamic terrain of the kidneys are on the other end of the Chinese medicine continuum.  The kidneys' energetic character is fluid, inward and contemplative, exhibiting a yin nature.  If there is too much fire, we may experience symptoms of anxiety and agitation of the mind.

It is estimated that 20% of the population is depressed at some point in life.  Common symptoms of depression during holiday time include a sense of apathy, cynicism or anger toward the holiday season, isolation from festivities and holiday traditions, crying spells and over-consumption of food and/or alcohol.  Depression may be compounded in some people by SAD, seasonal affective disorder  - a type of depression associated with the low light conditions experienced during the winter months.

In acupuncture and Chinese medicine, the liver's job is to negotiate the free flow of energy in the body.  Impaired liver function can lead to inappropriate jams, limited availability of resources and sluggishness.  In acupuncture and Chinese medicine this condition is often referred to as liver depression and qi stagnation.  The "depression" is the body's reduced ability to move its resources.  Stagnation occurs when the lack of energy to circulate needed supplies becomes obstructed.  This can cause sleep and digestive complaints, musculoskeletal pain and emotional instability.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer effective strategies to remedy the depressed energy and to move the resulting stagnation, leading to better health and outlook.

While modern life has helped make so many aspects of daily living easier, many people still suffer from emotional distress especially around the Holiday season.  Subsequently, anxiety, increased stress and depression are some of the most common conditions affecting individuals during this eventful season.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are effective and safe tools to help smooth and balance what can be a challenging time of the year even under the best circumstances.

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Great (and Healthy) Foods to Nourish You in Winter!

OATMEAL

Warm up on a cold day with a steaming bowl of oatmeal. This popular and hearty breakfast food is brimming with B-vitamins and fiber, nutrients which can support a healthy mood and a full stomach.

WINTER SQUASH

Acorn and butternut squash are loaded with vitamins and nutrients, and while you can buy them year round, we think about them in the fall and winter when people are more likely to prepare dishes that include them. A cup of baked acorn squash cubes is packed with vitamins and minerals. Try this yummy Butternut Squash Soup recipe.

LOW-FAT COTTAGE CHEESE

Just a small portion of low-fat cottage cheese packs a healthy serving of protein, which can fill you up and stave off mood swings caused by blood sugar fluctuation. Cottage cheese also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that may help promote relaxation.

SALMON

Salmon contains vitamin D and omega-3 essential fatty acids, nutrients that may help support a sunny disposition. Vitamin D intake is especially crucial during the winter months when sunshine is scarce.

TURKEY

One of the first foods people think of when they think "winter" is a Thanksgiving tradition -- turkey.Turkey is a tremendous food for winter. It's lean, a great source of protein, and from a calorie standpoint, it's remarkably low. Turkey soup, a turkey sandwich on a hearty whole-grain bread, as well as turkey on its own, is always a treat on a cold winter day.

GARLIC

British researchers recently discovered that garlic may prevent you from getting sick. In the 12-week study of 164 healthy adults, the group of participants that received a garlic supplement reported only 24 colds, while the group that received a placebo reported 64 colds. One explanation is a chemical in garlic called allicin, which may stimulate the production of infection-fighting white blood cells. Whatever the reason, adding garlic to your meals may help you stay above the weather. Just don't eat too much-you want to keep disease at bay, not your friends and family.