The holiday season can be a mixed bag. For some it brings about joyful memories and generational traditions. For others it can be complicated and somewhat painful.
Living in the past or into the future can cause you to suffer from anxiety and overwhelm. It’s important to remember during the holiday season that the best gift you can give yourself is being present in the moment.
Maybe that means acknowledging traditions that were once enjoyable but no longer serve you – and letting them go. Or, maybe it means reaching out to someone you haven’t talked to in awhile. There is no right or wrong way to signify this time of year. However you choose, make sure it aligns with your current beliefs and values.
At Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture, we work hard to put our methods into practice, especially during this time of year. This week, our practitioners are sharing their favorite holiday traditions – meaningful ways to celebrate while nurturing both body and spirit.
Dr. Adam Graves, ND, LAc, shares, “One of my favorite winter traditions is snowboarding. I love escaping to the mountains for a good workout on the slopes, whether alone or with my family. I have been an avid snowboarder for 20 years and have taken great pride in teaching my wife and kids how to board as well. There’s nothing better than crisp mountain air, fresh powder, and moving your body – followed by BBQ on the way home.”
Movement is an important part of naturopathic medicine. It’s one way you can control your wellness. If snowboarding isn’t your thing, why not try a walk after a heavy meal? Even stretching in the morning can help you become grounded and present in your body and your day.
A New Year does not necessarily mean a new you. For instance, “We talk about the year behind us and we set intentions for the year ahead,” says Kim Masia about her yearly tradition. As a licensed massage therapist and Reiki practitioner, she uses the winter months to take stock and realign her energy with intentions for the year to come.
“At this time of year, we listen to Christmas music while we decorate the tree (and the outside of the house), go Christmas shopping together, watch Christmas movies every night, make and decorate cookies, play games, cook Christmas dinner together and then exchange presents.”
Rachel Gordon, MA, MEd, is a psychotherapist trained in Buddhist philosophy. And although she is an expert at managing the mental health care of others, sometimes she encounters emotional overwhelm at this time of year. Rachel says, “My favorite winter tradition is falling into a pit of despair, hibernating, losing all motivation and energy. It happens to me every single winter and I’m ready to come out about it – this is me (pictured above) – In my pit of winter despair.”
At Humble Warrior Therapy, Rachel often works with clients to help them stay present in the moment. Her most valuable piece of advice? Acknowledge your feelings, feel them, and let them go.
Growing up in South Dakota, Tonja Graves the Expressive Art Therapist at Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture, would receive up to 6-8 feet of snow at times in the winter.
“My brother (yep, you guessed it Dr. Adam Graves) and I would play outside in snowmobile suits for hours building snow tunnels from our backyard all the way to the neighbors. We would be so cold that after hours of playing that we would go inside and my mom would make us hot chocolate and buttered toast.“
Play is an essential part of functional mental health. Tonja works with both adults and children using art and creativity as a non-verbal form of therapy. Learn more about art therapy.
As a certified acupuncturist and Chinese herbologist, Melissa Crum incorporates aspects of nature and movement to release blocked qi. Her practice areas include but are not limited to, aesthetics, pain management, autoimmune disorders, hormone balancing, and preventative medicine.
“My favorite winter tradition is to get outside in the snow. I absolutely love hiking, snow shoeing, and cross-country skiing. While I grew up in Nebraska, I lived in New Mexico for 26 years. It was rare to get snow. I am so happy to be in Colorado where we actually have winters.”
There are many ways to incorporate functional and naturopathic medicine in your daily life, just like our practitioners do. Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about going to the doctor once a year. It starts with adopting healthy and sustainable habits that last the year through. Looking back on 2024, you can choose what traditions to take forward and which ones to leave behind. We are here to help you every step of the way.
Do you want to experience a little bit of functional medicine in real life? New patients can schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Adam Graves, ND, to discuss their symptoms, understand more about functional medicine, and decide if it’s a good fit. To schedule, call 303-688-6698 or book online.
Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture is located between Denver and Colorado Springs in downtown Castle Rock, CO. Dr. Graves is licensed in naturopathic medicine and acupuncture.
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