Christmas Health Tips - Maureen Cromey

by Maureen Cromey

An Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Expert

OMG it’s nearly Christmas AGAIN.  How did that happen?  Last year I resolved that this year would be different.   Cards would be written in time to post, shopping for gifts could be a leisurely pursuit through autumn, my accounts would be in order, website completed and my entire wardrobe in a nifty capsule form.  

Now it’s nearly here and yet again I have failed to reach these targets (although the capsule wardrobe is, admittedly a long shot).

There have been a few disasters along the way, a divorce one year, a tragic double bereavement another, a comically bad one when my sister slept in with the new boyfriend and forgot to put the turkey on, lunch wasn’t ready until 11pm. 

In my clinic it would seem that the worries about Christmas start to set in around the second week in November. Emotionally difficult situations such as bereavements, relationship problems and family tensions seem much worse at this time of year.

Christmas covers the coldest, darkest and lowest ebb of earth energy.  It is the most yin point of the year.  This is naturally reflected in our energies and we can feel unreasonably tired, negative, unattractive, inadequate and depressed.  Compare this with midsummer, the most yang time when we feel charged with qi and happy optimistic and excitable.

My major health tip is drop your expectations of Christmas, it does not have to be perfect and occasionally it can be awful.  Accept this. 

Keep it calm simple and in perspective.  Don’t overbook or overspend.  Allow downtime.
Drink fennel tea to aid bloating and indigestion.
Drink chrysanthemum tea to gently sooth the liver and brighten jaded eyes.
Go to bed early whenever you can.

If you are dreading emotional aspects of Christmas try writing therapy...... let your thoughts flow onto paper for 10-15 minutes every day.  It is only for your eyes, don’t hold back.  
Seek professional emotional support if you feel the need.

Go for lots of walks and eat as much as you like for one day only. The rest of the time stick to the eating until you are 70% full rule. Avoid too much processed food, and sugar.
Go for more walks and whenever you have an alcoholic drink have a glass of water.

If you decide to sit on the sofa for days watching TV drinking sherry and eating chocolates and turkey sandwiches that’s OK too.  Just don't do it all year.  You will have to work a little harder to undo the damage but if you are prepared for that so be it!

Plan ahead: Your acupuncturist can treat you to move emotional blocks in qi energy causing anger and depression.  Acupuncture is also wonderful for calming anxiety and unsettled emotions.  Chinese Herbs can be taken right through the festive period when your TCM practitioner may be away.
There are some fantastic herbal formulas for countering overindulgence, clearing the liver and promoting digestion.

If you do over-indulge relax about it.  After the festive season you can have acupuncture or herbs to tonify the spleen to help shift the bloating and extra weight, and to clear your liver and aid detoxification.  Treatment combined with attention to diet and exercise will be very effective. 

Have fun, remember all things in moderation, including moderation. If all else fails book a holiday.

 

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