I have struggled to find the joy in this busy season. For years, I did too much—the decorated house, the perfectly chosen gifts, the good food, all while trying to create a warm and beautiful experience for the people I love. It was exhausting. And the funny thing? That wasn’t what was important. What mattered was simply being together. No one wants a tired, crabby gift giver with a perfect plate of treats.
The holidays are meant to bring light into a time of year that is dark, not to burn us out.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, stress disrupts the smooth flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body, particularly affecting the Liver, which governs the free flow of emotions and energy. When Liver Qi becomes stagnant, we experience tension, irritability, tight shoulders, headaches, digestive upset, and difficulty sleeping—all those familiar holiday companions we’d rather do without.
How Acupuncture Helps with Holiday Stress
This is where acupuncture becomes such a valuable tool. Acupuncture works by regulating the nervous system and restoring balance. Research shows that acupuncture treatments can lower cortisol (your stress hormone) while increasing endorphins and serotonin—your body’s natural mood stabilizers. I’ve watched countless patients come in wound tight and leave the treatment room visibly softer, calmer, more themselves.
Regular acupuncture sessions during the holiday season can help you:
Acupressure Points You Can Use Anytime
Between acupuncture appointments, you can support yourself with these simple acupressure points. I use these myself when I feel the holiday pressure building:
Liver 3 (Tai Chong) – Located on the top of your foot in the webbing between your big toe and second toe. Press firmly for 1-2 minutes on each foot. This powerful point helps move stuck Liver Qi and promotes calm.
Heart 7 (Shen Men) – Found on the inner wrist crease, on the pinky side. Gently massage this point to calm anxiety and support restful sleep.
Pericardium 6 (Nei Guan) – Located on the inner forearm, about two inches above the wrist crease between the two tendons. This point helps with nausea, anxiety, and chest tightness.
Simplifying Makes Space for Joy
Beyond acupuncture, I’ve found that simplifying is one of the most powerful things we can do. When I let go of perfection and focused instead on presence, the holidays became lighter. Here are some TCM-based strategies that also help:
Permission to Pause
The holidays don’t require perfection. They benefit from your presence, not your exhaustion. The light we’re meant to bring into this dark season comes from connection, warmth, and simply being together—not from running ourselves ragged trying to create some idealized version of celebration.
Taking time to care for yourself—whether through acupuncture, rest, or simply breathing deeply for five minutes—isn’t selfish. It’s how you stay well enough to actually be present for the moments that matter.
If you’re feeling the holiday squeeze, I encourage you to schedule an acupuncture appointment. Give yourself that gift of calm. Your nervous system will thank you, and the people you love will benefit from having the real you at the table—relaxed, present, and able to enjoy the season alongside them.
Julie
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