Embracing Wellness During the Holiday Season with TCM

Understanding Christmas Challenges Through TCM

Christmas often involves rich foods, late nights, and emotional highs and lows. According to TCM, these factors can disrupt the balance of yin and yang and affect the flow of Qi (vital energy) in the body. Overeating heavy, greasy foods and lack of movement can imbalance the Spleen and Stomach, leading to digestive discomfort, heaviness, and fatigue.

For many, Christmas can be a source of stress rather than joy. While the holiday season is often depicted as a time of celebration and togetherness, it can evoke anxiety and distress for individuals facing unresolved conflicts, strained relationships, or the absence of loved ones. The pressure to create the perfect holiday experience can lead to overwhelming expectations. Financial burdens from gift-giving and travel can exacerbate stress, causing individuals to spend beyond their means and feel inadequate.

Stress can affect us on many different levels. It can disrupt sleep, cause tension in the body, and lead to digestive disorders. As a result, the Kidney Qi, which governs vitality and resilience, may become weakened.

TCM views health as a balance between internal organs and the external environment. The cold winter season corresponds to the Kidney and Bladder meridians, which need extra care during this time. Supporting these organs helps maintain energy and immunity.

Preparing Your Body Before the Festivities

Strengthen Your Spleen and Stomach

The Spleen plays a central role in digestion, supporting the muscles and energy production in TCM. To prepare for holiday meals, you could:

• Eat light, warm, and easily digestible foods in the days leading up to Christmas. Balance heavy dishes with steamed vegetables and lightly spiced sides.

• Include congee or soups with ingredients like ginger, pumpkin, and carrots. Orange foods support the Stomach and Spleen.

• Avoid cold and raw foods and drinks that can weaken digestion.

• Limit alcohol intake, as it can deplete Yin and cause heat imbalances.

  
  

Boost Kidney Energy

The Kidneys store the essence that fuels vitality. To support Kidney Qi:

• Get adequate rest to replenish your energy reserves. In the run-up to Christmas, we may often feel tired. If you have some time and space, it may be a good idea to have a nap. Definitely aim to go to bed before 10 PM.

• Keep your lower back warm. If your back is achy, a hot water bottle may soothe the discomfort, or wearing a haramaki over your back and tummy can help.

• Incorporate warming foods such as black beans, walnuts, and lamb.

• Practice gentle exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong to stimulate energy flow.

  
  

Managing Holiday Stress with TCM Practices

Stress can block Qi flow and create imbalances. TCM offers several ways to calm the mind and body:

• Walk in nature: Slow movement activates the flow of energy and blood, improves digestion, and clears the head.

• Breathing exercises: Deep, slow breathing helps regulate the nervous system and improve Qi circulation.

• Herbal teas: Chamomile and lavender teas soothe the nervous system and promote relaxation. Fennel tea supports digestion and warms up the digestive system, especially useful in cases of constipation. However, it’s not advisable if you consume a lot of heating foods—like spicy or sweet foods, coffee, or alcohol.

  
  

Using TCM to Support Immunity in Winter

Winter is a time when the body’s defenses can weaken. TCM emphasizes strengthening the Lung Qi and Kidney Qi to protect against colds and flu.

• Keep warm and avoid exposure to cold drafts.

• Eat warm foods and drinks; sipping warm water throughout the day is perfect.

• Ensure you get enough rest.

• If you feel the first signs of infection, the advice would differ based on whether you have more Cold or Heat symptoms.

  
  

Cold Symptoms

If you experience chills, mild fatigue, stiffness in the neck, headache, or a runny/blocked nose, the advice is to warm your body. Wrap up, use a hot water bottle on your back, and consider a hot bath with Epsom salts, ginger root, or eucalyptus oil. Drink ginger tea and warm fluids to encourage sweating. If you’re unable to eliminate the wind-cold quickly, it may transform into wind-heat, with a sore throat as the first sign.

Heat Symptoms

If you have flu-like symptoms, such as a fever stronger than chills, a sore throat, or thick, sticky yellow/green mucus, the advice is to cool your body slightly. However, do not try to decrease your temperature before the body starts sweating. You may want to drink peppermint tea and gargle with saltwater to soothe a sore throat.

In both cases, avoid dairy, caffeine, sugars/sweets, and rich or fried foods, as well as alcohol. Wrap up, rest, drink plenty of warm fluids, and consume broths and rice. Gentle guasha on the neck and shoulders may feel nice. Using Evil Bone Water topically on your chest, back, neck, and throat can be beneficial if you have the first signs of infection. If you have Cold symptoms, rub it in with a cotton ball. If you have Heat symptoms, spray it on the area and let it cool down.

When to Seek Professional Advice

When to Consult Your Doctor or Call 111

• You suffer from a high fever (over 39°C) for more than 3 days.

• You have a rash, difficulty bending your neck, or light sensitivity.

• The sputum you are coughing up is green or blood-tinged.

• You have significantly swollen glands.

• You experience shortness of breath, wheezing, or painful or shallow breathing.

• You have a severe sore throat or ear pain.

• Your cold lasts for more than 2 weeks, or instead of getting better, you start to feel worse.

• You feel fatigued, dizzy, or confused.

  
  

I hope the last paragraph does not apply to anyone, and you can enjoy the holiday season in whatever way you want. Please remember to take care of your needs, rest, recharge, and rebalance your energy. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year. The clinic reopens on 6th January 2026.

If you happen to be on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, I try to share some TCM wisdom there. So far, I haven't worked out how to link them together, but I am working on it! If you have any topics you would like me to cover, please drop me a line.

I am so grateful for all our sessions; they help me learn more and more. I love sharing simple tips on how to head towards balance. Wouldn't life be wonderful if we were all healthy and happy? Wishing you just that!

Kate

TCM

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