The holidays are one of the happiest times of the year. But the holidays and winter months can also adversely affect your mental and emotional well-being. Less sunlight means more time indoors and, in turn, more fatigue. The holiday season can add pressure to our already stressful lives.
Caring for your mental health during the winter months is even more important. Stephanie Braunwarth, a licensed acupuncturist and owner of Waconia Women's Health, has more than a decade of experience with women, especially working moms, managing these seasonal struggles through Traditional Chinese Medicine practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional guidance.
Stephanie specializes in supporting women's health and mental well-being. For clients, feelings of stress and overwhelm are always a concern, and those feelings are amplified as the weather turns and the holidays approach.
How Winter Affects Mental Health
"Winter leading up to the holidays is a very stressful time for many of my patients," Stephanie explains. "Between holiday parties, planning, and family obligations, people often feel more anxious and overwhelmed." Whether it's symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that occurs during the winter months due to reduced sunlight, or you're simply stressed and overwhelmed by the busyness of the season, Stephanie's clients often mention feeling fatigued, down, low on energy, and lacking in motivation.
Along with mood changes, many clients also experience physical signs of stress. This includes more frequent illnesses and disrupted sleep patterns. Stephanie has seen firsthand how these factors, along with the holiday-related indulgence in alcohol and sugary foods, further impact mental health. "During the holidays, people often don't eat as well, and that can negatively affect their mood and overall health," she notes.
The Role of Acupuncture in Supporting Mental Health
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body to improve the flow of energy, or "qi," through pathways called channels. Stephanie likens these channels to highways, explaining that "everything needs to operate correctly for traffic to flow. If things aren't working right, you develop traffic jams, also known as symptoms."
By placing needles at certain points along these channels, acupuncture increases blood circulation and promotes the release of endorphins—the body's natural mood enhancers. "There's a lot of research showing that acupuncture increases endorphin secretion, which helps improve sleep, emotional state, and overall mood," Stephanie explains. Regular acupuncture sessions can help people reduce feelings of overwhelm, improve energy, and sleep better—critical aspects of maintaining mental health during winter and all year round.
For those experiencing chronic issues, Stephanie recommends consistent acupuncture treatments, typically one to two times per week. "The more you support your body outside of the clinic, the faster you'll see results," she adds. This comprehensive approach emphasizes lifestyle changes alongside in-clinic treatments to help patients feel better more quickly.
Lifestyle Tips for Winter Wellness
Stephanie also offers practical advice to support mental health during the winter months, including a focus on nutrition. "Eating seasonally, warm foods like soups and root vegetables can help nourish the body in colder months," she says. She also advises limiting refined sugars and processed carbs, which can cause blood sugar fluctuations and negatively impact your mood.
Daily movement is another critical factor. "Exercise is nature's serotonin," Stephanie explains. Incorporating regular physical activity — even if it's just a short walk outside — can make a significant difference in how you feel during the darker months.
Managing Holiday Stress
The holidays are often a time of increased stress and anxiety, and acupuncture can be a powerful tool for managing these feelings. Stephanie notes that acupuncture treatments help calm the nervous system, decrease adrenaline dependence, and promote a more grounded emotional state. "Many moms I see report feeling less overwhelmed after treatment," she shares.
By focusing on the body's overall balance, Stephanie's approach to Chinese medicine helps people manage the emotional toll of the winter season while improving physical health. Whether through acupuncture, dietary adjustments, or daily movement, her methods provide a holistic way to support mental health and thrive during the colder months.
For those looking to explore natural ways to support their mental health this winter, Waconia Women's Health offers a thoughtful, individualized approach to wellness rooted in the traditions of Chinese medicine. Learn more and connect with Stephanie here: https://waconiawomenshealth.com/
Winter leading up to the holidays is a very stressful time for many of my patients. Between holiday parties, planning, and family obligations, people often feel more anxious and overwhelmed.
There's a lot of research showing that acupuncture increases endorphin secretion, which helps improve sleep, emotional state, and overall mood. Acupuncture can help calm the nervous system, decrease adrenaline dependence, and promote a more grounded emotional state. Many moms I see report feeling less overwhelmed after treatment.