Let’s face it, while they are indeed “merry & bright”, the holidays can also be a stressful time of the year. Big spending, big eating and big chunks of time with family, work colleagues and friends can be a volatile mix and can wreak havoc on your ability to keep cool, calm and collected.
With consumer spending confidence at a decade low, the stock market see-sawing wildly and the Occupy Wall Street movement occupying the national psyche, this year may be even more stressful than years past. So, let’s think about how acupuncture and Oriental Medicine might help lighten your load and make the holidays festive again…
There are growing numbers of people and organizations that are turning to Oriental Medicine and, specifically, acupuncture as a safe and effective stress reliever.
In 2010, the Wall Street Journal wrote a great article about how “U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army doctors are using acupuncture to treat musculoskeletal problems, pain and stress in stateside hospitals and combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.” The piece continued on to talk about how “delegations from Acupuncturists Without Borders are holding communal ear-needling sessions to reduce stress among earthquake victims in Haiti.”
Additionally, a 2003 study conducted at the Yale University School of Medicine and presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting that year showed that mothers that were given acupuncture when their children were going into surgery had less anxiety. Experts said that this was key because when parents are less anxious, there is less anxiety in children.
So, as you kick off this joyous time of year, remember to take a few moments to breathe. If relieving your stress is on your holiday list of To Dos, you may want to consider an acupuncture session with a licensed practitioner. It could be the best gift you receive this season.
Happy Holidays!
