Roots of Success: Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine & Beyond
59 minutes ago
5 min read
One of our favorite SOMA publications, Matters Magazine, featured an entire section on local Women in Business. They asked each of the Business Women featured to describe the "Roots of their Success"? In other words - what are the abilities, experiences and people in your life and lessons learned that make you successful in your work?
As a small business Owner, Acupuncturist & Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner it was a question I struggled with. Harder still, was that I tend to be a wordy, descriptive "explainer," which is challenging when limited to 100 words or less for the article. How could I narrow it down accurately - so many things over a lifetime have influenced my work, and brought me to this point.
For a quick read of the Matters Magazine article click link here: Roots of My Success
SELF CARE: Staying On Track as the Season Changes
For many of us, as the seasonal change of Fall brings a flurry of business - with kids getting back-to-school, the impending holidays, increased work demands and the pressure of what needs to be completed by end-of-year.
This is time of year when we sometimes let our commitment to taking care of ourselves fall aside! The ease of warmer weather exercise routines are harder to stay on track with, the extra running around getting kids where they need to go takes time and energy, and the work projects piling up with deadlines can take precedence to self-care.
In some ways, this is the perfect time to see how you can strategize prioritizing quality rejuvenation time just for you! If you can figure this out while the "busi-ness" is at it's peak - the chances are you will continue your self-care routine (whatever that may be!) through the Winter and beyond.
Whether it's monthly brunch with your bestie, getting to the gym a few times weekly, regular massage, a regular spa day, or committing to carving out quiet time just for you - consider how you can re-prioritize yourself amongst the demands of everything else. Your long term health and wellness depends on it!
Research shows that self-care — including proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management — significantly improves mental health, reduces chronic disease risk, and supports overall longevity. [1, 2]
Core Pillars of Self-Care
The Mind-Body Connection: Studies published by Harvard Health Publishing demonstrate that psychological stress, chronic anxiety, and loneliness directly impact physiological health, raising blood pressure and lowering pain tolerance. [1]
Mindfulness and Sleep: Clinical trials—including research featured in JAMA Internal Medicine—show that structured mind-body practices and mindfulness meditation measurably improve sleep quality and decrease daytime fatigue compared to standard education alone. [1]
Digital Self-Care and Tracking: The World Health Organization and eHealth research highlight that mobile apps, wearables, and self-monitoring tools help users track symptoms, improve medication adherence, and actively manage chronic conditions. [1, 2]
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can be a wonderful addition to your self-care routine - so consider a way to integrate treatment into your itinerary.
Stay Healthy This Fall - Five Simple Tips
Seasonal changes affect all of us – both physically and emotionally. Fall brings with it cooler air, more wind and rain, and even a bit of snow at times.
Fall also brings along more colds and flus, and the aches and pains that accompany them. Here are a few tips to stay well in the season:
1. Wash Your Hands
This may seem basic, but studies confirm that the vast majority of common colds and flus can be prevented by regular handwashing. Fall’s cooler weather brings us indoors and in closer vicinity to one another, thus increases your exposure. Elevator buttons, door handles, taxi doors, etc. – all potential spots you could come in contact with someone else’s cold. Washing your hands regularly, especially before eating, can reduce the likelihood. Just warm water and soap, 30-45 seconds, should do the trick!
2. Stress Less
Stress literally changes the chemistry in your brain, thus your body, thus your emotional health. It lowers overall immune system function and contributes to chronic inflammation – both of which you want to avoid.
Find a way to relax and release stress on a daily basis. Write poetry, exercise, walk the dog, try Qi Gong, Yoga, Meditation, or Tai Chi. Cozy up and read a book, take a hot bath, get a massage, get a baby-sitter to make time for yourself. Whatever works for you – do it, its well worth it.
3. Sleep In
The Classical Chinese Medicine text, the Huang Di Nei Jing, states: “sleep early, rest well, and rise after the sun.” The idea is to follow the Sun’s lead through the Seasons and sleep a little more when the sun rises later.
Use the longer Fall nights to rest and restore the energies you've expended, and possibly depleted during the longer days of the Spring and Summer.
4. Seasonal “Tune-Up”
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is a great way to bolster your immune system (Wei Qi) thus prevent colds and flus. Consider Fall acupuncture treatment(s) focused on preventative care. It’s also an opportunity to review food, sleep, and exercise habits with your practitioner and stay on track with your health into the cold season.
5. Cut back on Sugars and "Foods that Turn into Sugar"
With the holidays season approaching, consider starting to moderate your sugar intake now. This way if you decide to "indulge in the holidays", the season "to be jolly" is not one you'll have difficulty recovering from.
Remember that grains are the hidden "sugars" in our everyday eating – thus
pasta, rice, and breads for the most part become sugar in the body. Fruits too are best in smaller portions - and best eaten after a meal, as opposed to being “the meal” itself. Pair with cheese, and nuts to reduce the sugar impact.
Lastly, consider skipping that last drink of the night at the company party before you order it. Alcohol turns into sugar in the body pretty quickly and can be part of the sugar-crash that disturbs your sleep at night.
Phil Veneziano, M.S., L.Ac.
Cristina R. de La Mar, M.S., L.Ac., Doula
(917) 210-1063
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