Closing the Stress Loop: Using Acupuncture to End the Year Grounded & Calm
- Nikki Vanecek
- 1d
- 4 min read
A Year End Message for Our Acupuncture Community
Wow, 2025 is coming to a close and the holiday season is officially here. This time of year tends to fill up fast: gatherings, to dos, work deadlines, family commitments, and everything in between. But before we all get swept up in the whirlwind, I want to share a gentle reminder:
The holiday season should be a time of celebration, connection, and consistency. And the most important consistency of all...
You showing up for yourself.
We often say, “I’m too busy.” But if we’re honest, it’s not always about being busy, it’s about what we’re choosing to prioritize. And it’s time to make your health the priority.
A Little Story About Bookmarks
Remember when we read actual books, the kind you held in your hands, turned page by page, and saved with a real bookmark
If you left the book untouched long enough, you’d eventually have to flip back a few pages to remember what was happening before you could continue the story.
Your health and wellness work the exact same way.
When you’re consistent, getting acupuncture, eating well, prioritizing sleep, supporting your mind and body, you keep moving forward. But when you drop your bookmark and walk away for too long, you often have to backtrack just to get back to where you were.
And this backtracking is where we start to hear those familiar lines:
"My back pain is just normal for my age"
"Here comes my usual migraine"
"I always get irritable in winter because it is the darkness"
But these aren’t truths, they’re symptoms of losing your place in your own story of wellness.
Stay With Your Story
Do yourself a favor (and honestly do me a favor too)
Keep your bookmark exactly where it is. No losing your place. No starting over.
You’ve worked hard in 2025. You’ve invested in your health, made progress, healed, strengthened, calmed, released, and realigned.
Don’t let the holidays pull you out of the habits and care that got you here.
In fact, this is the best time of year to come in.
Acupuncture helps you:
• Decompress from holiday stress
• Rebalance your energy
• Support your digestion
• Lift your mood
• Regulate sleep
• Strengthen your immunity
• And reconnect with the grounded, steady version of yourself you actually want to bring into each event, gathering, and moment.
Because you deserve to enjoy this season your way with a clear mind, a nourished body, and a calm, steady nervous system.
Let’s Close Out 2025 Feeling Good
As we move toward 2026, let’s make a pact right now:
You commit to keeping your bookmark in place, and I commit to helping you turn the next page feeling your best.
If you haven’t scheduled your year end or early January appointments yet, now is the perfect moment.Your body will thank you, truly.
Here’s to staying grounded, staying consistent, and staying well.
Happy holidays, and I can’t wait to support you through the close of the year.
3 Tips to Stay Centered, Balanced, and Calm This Holiday Season
1. Ground Yourself with Breathwork
Even 2–3 minutes of deep, slow breathing can help calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and bring your body back into balance.
Try this simple exercise:
Inhale for a count of 4
Hold for 4
Exhale for 6
Pause for 2
Repeat 5–10 times while sitting or standing quietly. You can do this while waiting in line, during a work break, or right before bed.
2. Gentle Movement to Release Tension
Short, mindful movement helps your body release stress and improve circulation. Options include:
5–10 minutes of stretching or yoga
A slow walk outdoors focusing on your breath
Simple neck and shoulder rolls while seated
The key is consistency, not intensity—just a few minutes a day can make a noticeable difference.
3. Mini Meditation or Acupressure Breaks
Take a moment each day to press gently on acupressure points that calm the nervous system:
Third Eye Point (between eyebrows) – helps reduce anxiety and promotes clarity
Pericardium 6 (inner wrist, 2 finger widths from the wrist crease) – supports calm digestion and relieves nausea or tension
Even a minute of mindful pressure can reset your energy and help you feel grounded.
Immune Support: Simple Bone Broth Tea
A warm, nourishing drink can help strengthen your immune system while supporting digestion and overall vitality.
Ingredients:
1 cup chicken or beef bone broth
1 slice fresh ginger (about ½ inch)
½ tsp turmeric powder or a small slice of fresh turmeric
Optional: a dash of black pepper and a squeeze of lemon
Instructions:
Warm the bone broth in a small pot.
Add ginger and turmeric and simmer for 5 minutes.
Strain if desired, add black pepper and lemon.
Sip slowly while breathing deeply to enhance relaxation.
This tea is perfect as a morning energizer or an evening ritual to wind down after a busy day.
Give us a call or book online to have one of our providers help you incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine into your life!