It's the most wonderful time of the year!.....but is it?
I've got so much to do.
I'm staying up way too late and definitely not getting enough sleep.
It's the end of the year at work so things are hectic and I'm working a lot.
I can't believe how many gifts I have to buy. It's an expensive time of year.
I'm eating way too much and I know it.
I've got so many parties to attend.
I'm drinking more and I'm definitely feeling the effects.
These are the things I consistently hear from patients during this time of year. It's so understandable. Between the holidays and the end of the year, it's a busy time of year in our society.
The problem is that what society has designed for us does not match what nature is guiding us to do.
The balance between Yin and Yang is the major guiding principle in East Asian medicine. Yin is cold, dark and quiet whereas Yang is hot, light and active. This is the Yin time of year. We should be sleeping more, doing less and spending time being more introspective. Instead, many do the opposite, which causes sluggishness and stress.
It's not too late to make adjustments. Consider doing the following during these winter months.
1. Sleep more. Go to bed a little earlier than usual and get up a little later than usual. The amount of extra sleep necessary to feel better can vary from person to person. Personally I find if I add an extra 20-30 minutes on each end of my sleep time I feel better and more energized in the morning.
2. Meditate. For some, especially beginners, meditation can be quite difficult. Keep in mind that meditation is a practice and there is no such thing as a bad meditation. Even those who have meditated daily for years occasionally have sessions that aren't easy or comfortable. It's all part of the practice. Consider joining my group meditation session this January 14th (see details below). During those sessions not only do we meditate but I also teach tricks for making meditation easier.
3. Light candles and string lights. Soft, warm light can soften the mood and create a calming effect. For those who live in parts of the world that get no sunlight for months (check out this video about living in the northernmost part of Norway), lighting candles is essential for their mental health. Obviously never leave a candle unattended.
4. Avoid early morning screen time. Emails, texts and Wordle can wait until mid morning. Take the early part of the day to move a bit slower with as little stimulation as possible. Being quieter in the morning gives the nervous system a chance to ease into the day, which helps you respond better to stressful situations that arise during the day.
5. Let go of things. Though spring is typically the time of year when cleaning out is encouraged, now is a good time of year to slowly let go of things that you no longer need. Let me reiterate the word slowly....cleaning out an entire basement may be exhausting during this time of year. Consider rehoming a few things here and there that have sat in your basement or in your cupboards for years unused. These things may be quite useful to others. Fun story - I inherited a set of cookware that I really didn't need and I donated it to Restore in Randolph. A week later was that horrible fire in Dover that displaced over a dozen families. Restore outfitted the apartments these families lived in after the fire, so there's a strong chance that the cookware I donated went to one of those families.
6. Acupuncture. If this has been a busy time of year and you're feeling stressed, an acupuncture session can reset your nervous system to help you sleep better, sharpen your focus and improve your overall energy. If you need a reset, you can schedule by replying to this email or using my online scheduling.
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