For most of us, the holidays are a mixed bag. We may have had great holidays as a kid or not. 
There can be a lot of pressure to buy gifts, this adds more financial pressure. In a time of inflation this can be an added stress. I am pretty much done with my holiday shopping, I need to pay off my credit card bill and yet I am STILL getting bombarded with emails/ marketing, trying to get me to buy, buy buy. I have kids so it could really be endless. 
When do we stop? So much of discipline and balance is saying NO. 

We also start eating more, which can create a sense of lethargy and even add to emotional distress, when our blood sugar is unstable.  We may feel pressure to socialize when we don't want to. If life is about creating balance, notice if you are isolating yourself, maybe make a plan with some friends. It's the yin and yang of life. 
When is it fun to go out and celebrate and when is time to say no and stay home with some tea? Asking ourselves these questions help!  

If we follow the cycles of nature, winter is a time with more darkness, a lot of people experience more sadness and depression. It is a time where we should be going inward and slowing down. Before electricity, people had to prepare use candles, go to bed earlier! It is a time where we can rest, eat good food, find joy inside and out (luckily we live in Colorado). Rejuvenate for the busier times of the year of longer days. I know I often get sick in January, my goals to not be run ragged by then, so I have to slow down. Our bodies also like stability in routine, in chinese medicine, consistency is a key part of our health. What is a tradition or routine you can do for yourself that could bring you comfort and joy? 

Where can you find the natural season of winter in your life ?  Examples are... going to bed earlier? Taking some time to reflect, meditate, journal? I love the twinkly lights and there is/ can me more magic to be experienced of course! 
But, We don't want to ignore that other emotions are there, there can be sad memories or a loved one is no longer with us and more. 

I like to exercise mindfulness, slow down, make a good meal, a cookie, watch a movie, take a walk, take a nap if you are tired! Vitamin D is especially important this time of year. 
Literal exercise is very important to get our blood flowing, drink lots of water, flush out toxins, lactic acid. It's good to eat warmer foods, veggies, try to avoid sugar! Bacteria and viruses can thrive on sugar, so one important way to avoid getting sick is to avoid it. Use honey or eat fruit! 

We can help you with your stress, with acupuncture, massage and also chinese herbs are great for immunity and treating these circulating bugs. 

Life is full of seasons, and I wonder if  you could take a moment and listen to your body, what would/ could your body need right now ? Often when we honor our bodies, it allows us space to experience all the emotions, sadness, joy, peace and more.  I wish you all much healing, soothing darkness and healing light this Winter Season. 

There comes a point, where our bodies  can't take any more, and we need to stop and take care of them. 

I went through this a few weeks ago, after getting exposed to C multiple times from different vectors, I got really sick. All I could do was rest, take my herbs and medicines and zone out on netflix. And to be honest the recovery has been slower than I would like.  
I have read studies that a small viral load of the Omicron doesn't necessarily turn out to be very severe.
Well, I had ALL the symptoms, and I am finding my body is still more sensitive a few weeks later. I can't just jump into the rigorous life I was leading, I need to leave space for rest and good nutrition. 

If there were something positive from this Pandemic for me, it is that I have had to learn to slow down and focus on gratitude. From a neuroscience perspective, gratitude helps our brain grow and expand into more positive neural pathways. BUT when we are too worn out it can be hard to be grateful when we feel stressed. A

Boundaries: Part of our wellness journey may involve saying NO, to others, ourselves, our cats, loved ones, work. 
A little trick I learned in regards to boundaries is to notice the level of resentment. Check out this resentment journal here. 


Also movement is KEY To health, weather it be a walk around the block, dance, something you enjoy, some light stretching, this gets our endorphins going and creates a conversation between our bodies and minds. 

Here are a few things to remember: 
1. Rest
2. Move at whatever capacity feels right for your body
3. Say NO to something that feels to much
4. Create social contact with a pet or someone you like, this stimulates our pre-frontal cortex! 
5. Eat well, regularly, full balanced meals
6. Hydrate
7. Have compassion for yourself, this too shall pass

Acupuncture is a great overhaul, reset for your nervous system, it stimulates the Mind, Body Connection and works deeply in the nervous system. Our bodies can "freeze" when we get stressed, and Acupuncture gets the energy flowing and circulating. Book your next session here and we can also talk lifestyle, emotions, nutrition and more. We also offer free consults online or in person to discuss your situation and how we might best serve you. 
In gratitude, 
Stefanie Rothert

What happens when we feel stressed? In Chinese Medicine, it stagnates our QI, for healthy immunity and a healthy body and mind, we need our Qi to flow. Movement is one of the easiest ways to get our Qi flowing. 
It can be simple, some gentle yoga or a walk around the block. 

We need a balance of things for optimal health, rest, joy, social interaction is KEY. Even in these times if we can't or don't want to gather in large groups, interacting stimulates our pre-frontal cortex of our brain, therefore bringing us into "higher" emotions. Spend time with a friend who makes you LAUGH. Joy is key for the health of the heart in chinese Medicine. 

A healthy diet, green veggies and fruit are very important as well. Greens have important vitamins and minerals and for women are actually key in balancing our hormones. Green is the color of the liver in Chinese Medicine as well, so bitter/ darker veggies are helpful to keep the liver flowing. The liver rules the smooth flow of qi and blood. 

Acupuncture is a DEEP reset of your nervous systems, it disables your fight or flight/ sympathetic nervous system so you can HEAL. It can give a reprieve from stress. 

We are here to help! 
Warmly, Stefanie Rothert LAC 

Although, we can not not claim to Treat the virus Covid-19, we can treat it from a chinese Medical perspective. I have personally been treating more and more of these issues since the pandemic started. We can also help assist your body in processing the Jab, from a chinese medical perspective. 

In Chinese Medicine, viruses are called evil wind or pathogenic qi, they can enter through the nose, mouth, ears and neck. 

I think we can all relate to that, we get a little headache, a sore throat, a runny nose, an extra ache. Covid seems to manifest in all sorts of different ways. What drew me to chinese medicine was how we look at a person's whole body/ constitution to treat them. Not everyone gets the same Treatment, we base it on your disease pattern. That is made up of various diagnostic methods. 

In the acupuncture discussion boards, covid is thought to be a cold virus, that manifests as chills, runny nose, body pain, even fatigue. 

Viruses move through different layers of the body, sometimes creating damage, that can lead to the long hauler symptoms. Acupuncture and herbs, can help to push out the virus or pathogen, and then strengthen your body to heal and help it repair faster. 

I am so happy to be able to assist the pandemic in this way, please contact with questions. 
Vitamin C, D, zinc are always a bonus for the immune system as well. We can also help strengthen your immunity without illness too! 
Warmly, 
Stefanie Rothert @ Acupuncture for Wellbeing