Finding Calm in the Holiday Rush: Why Pausing and Resetting with Acupuncture Matters

The holiday season is often described as “the most wonderful time of the year.” I have to admit, I don’t love it. For many people, it becomes one of the most stressful times of the year. Between travel, family dynamics, financial pressure, disrupted routines, and an ever-growing to-do list, the nervous system can become overwhelmed long before the festivities begin. While we may expect joy and connection, what we often experience is tension, irritability, muscle tightness, digestive fluctuations, and fatigue.

This is where acupuncture offers a powerful opportunity—to pause, reset, and support your mind and body during one of the busiest seasons of the year.

WHY THE HOLIDAYS ARE SO STRESSFUL ON THE BODY

The holiday season isn’t just emotionally demanding; it creates real physiological stress. Some of the biggest contributors include:

1. Overstimulation

Crowded stores, social gatherings, bright lights, and noise can overstimulate the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system.

2. Disrupted Routines

Irregular sleep, perhaps sleeping in a different bed, changes in diet, and travel all contribute to nervous system dysregulation and inflammation.

3. Emotional Load

Memories, expectations, and family interactions can trigger subconscious stress patterns stored in the body.

4. Increased Sugar & Alcohol Intake

Holiday foods alter gut function, which directly affects mood and stress levels through the gut-brain axis.

5. Cold Weather and Less Sunlight

Lower temperatures and reduced daylight can drain energy and mood, creating tension and sluggish circulation. You’ll often see me with a scarf on (ok. I wear scarves year round..) For me, it decreases the tension in my shoulders and neck. 

The result? Elevated cortisol, muscle tightness, headaches, digestive upset, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping—and often all at once.

HOW ACUPUNCTURE HELPS YOU PAUSE AND RESET DURING THE HOLIDAYS

1. Regulates the Nervous System

Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) response, slowing down heart rate, easing muscle tension, and improving digestion.

Scientific support:
Research shows that acupuncture stimulates the vagus nerve and increases parasympathetic activity, shifting the body out of fight-or-flight mode. A 2021 study in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that acupuncture helps modulate the autonomic nervous system, resulting in reduced stress and improved emotional regulation.

2. Lowers Stress Hormones

Acupuncture has been shown to decrease cortisol levels—your body’s primary stress hormone, helping to restore emotional balance and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Study example:
A randomized controlled trial published in The Journal of Endocrinology demonstrated measurable cortisol reduction in patients receiving acupuncture.

3. Improves Sleep Quality

Holiday stress commonly interferes with sleep. Acupuncture increases melatonin secretion and helps regulate circadian rhythms, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.

4. Supports the Immune System

Stress weakens immunity—but acupuncture enhances circulation, reduces inflammation, and increases activity of natural killer cells.

This is especially important during winter months when viruses are more common.

5. Eases Muscular and Digestive Tension

Whether it’s tension from travel or digestive distress from holiday meals, acupuncture helps regulate organ function and relax the musculoskeletal system.

SIMPLE WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR BODY BETWEEN TREATMENTS

• Prioritize warm, cooked foods

• Avoid overbooking yourself

• Practice daily deep breathing

• Drink warm water or herbal tea

• Go to bed 30 minutes earlier and put down your phone at least an hour before bed

• Take brief pauses throughout the day

Even small moments of rest can shift your nervous system into a healthier state.

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO PAUSE

You do not need to push through the holiday season on empty. Acupuncture provides a unique space where your body can deeply reset, your mind can quiet, and your system can restore balance.

In the midst of the rush, the greatest gift you can give yourself may simply be the opportunity to breathe, soften, and slow down.

Gift Certificates are available upon request. Give the gift of health and balance this holiday season!