Are you participating in a New Year’s group health challenge like Dry January? There’s also Sugar Free January and even Phone Free February. We all turn to things which help us cope in the moment- they give us a short term escape. If you’re tired of the way these quick fixes make you feel and are looking to make some changes, here are some tips for success:

Get Support

This is part of being kind to yourself: it can really impact your chances of success (whatever that means to you) when you have someone to call on during a particularly rough moment, or just to discuss how things are going, sharing the highs and the lows. This could be a friend, family member or mental health professional.

Make a Plan

First off, be clear about your goals. Is it to completely eliminate alcohol/sugar/tech addiction? Is it to stop turning to it during particular times? What is your definition of success in making this effort? Only you can answer that.

Second, make a plan for replacing the bad habit with something else, and make it specific and easy to do.  Meditation, exercise, drinking a cup of tea, reading or journaling, or picking up phone to call a friend or relative are just a few ideas.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is fantastic for normalizing the functioning of the nervous system and once you have a plan in place it can create a bridge to adopting those healthier habits. Acupuncture has been shown to increase parasympathetic nervous system activity (think: rest and digest) and release endorphins. At the same time it reduces inappropriate levels of sympathetic nervous system activity (the fight or flight one) and the resulting stress hormone production (adrenaline).

In our clinic we look at what stands out about your symptoms and try to connect the dots, formulating a “pattern diagnosis” and choosing the most appropriate acupuncture points from there. We often teach our patients acupressure points to continue the progress at home, and love giving acupressure stickers on the body or ears which can be left in place for 3-4 days.

Herbs

The practitioners at our office are trained herbalists and can recommend a personalized herbal formula to help your body in this state of transition. One formula we turn to often is Xiao Yao San which is also called Free and Easy Wanderer. It regulates Liver Qi, nourishes the blood and support digestion. Many herbal formulas can safely be taken for 1-3 months so once Dry January is over, this can make it easier to continue the momentum you’ve built around lifestyle changes.

Teas

We recommend teas such as chamomile, lavender, and mint to help calm your body and mind. Overall, the best tea for relaxation is your favorite tea :-). Make it a ritual that feels good to you, as it’s often more about the entire experience rather than purely the substance itself.