The holidays bring warmth, family, and a lot of food. They also bring crowded calendars, travel, gift lists, and relatives who know exactly how to push your buttons. If you notice yourself feeling wound up and reaching for another cookie when you’re not even hungry, you’re not alone. I’m Dorothy Pang, L.Ac., and every year I see my patients’ stress, sleep, and cravings climb together.

Why stress and cravings go together

When you’re stressed and tired, your body often looks for quick comfort and quick energy, which for many people means sugar, carbs, and fatty foods. Stress can also disrupt sleep, and poor sleep tends to make cravings stronger. None of this is a willpower failure. It’s your body responding to pressure.

How acupuncture may help

Acupuncture isn’t a cure for holiday stress, but many of my patients find it makes the season easier to get through.

• It may help you calm down. Acupuncture can help your nervous system shift out of “fight or flight” and into rest mode, and it may prompt the release of endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good chemicals. You can read more in Acupuncture Is the Original Nervous System Regulation.
• It may support better sleep, which makes stress and cravings easier to manage.
• It gives you an hour to yourself. In a busy month, that quiet time on the table is valuable in its own right.
• Some patients tell me their cravings feel easier to manage as stress comes down. The research on acupuncture and food cravings specifically is limited, so I don’t promise it, and I see it as one supportive piece, not a fix.

What a visit is like

If you’re new to acupuncture, I place very thin needles at specific points, and then you rest, and many patients nap. Most people find it comfortable. You can read more in What Does Acupuncture Feel Like? or in my beginner’s guide to acupuncture. At your first visit, we’ll talk about your stress triggers, your sleep, and what the holidays look like for you, and I’ll tailor treatment to that.

When to schedule

A few ideas, depending on how your season goes:

• Before a big stretch, such as travel or hosting, so you start the week more settled.
• After a stressful event, to help your body come back down.
• Regularly through the season, since the effects of acupuncture often build with consistent visits.

A few simple things that also help

• Eat regular meals, since long gaps make cravings stronger.
• Protect your sleep, even when your schedule is packed.
• Take short breaks for a walk, or a few slow breaths, between events.
• Allow yourself the treats you love, without guilt. Enjoying holiday food is part of the season.
• Set a boundary or two, such as leaving a gathering earlier or saying no to one commitment.

If food feels out of your control, or the holidays are a difficult time for you emotionally, please talk with your doctor or a counselor. You deserve support, and there’s no need to handle it alone.

Ready to feel calmer this season?

I’d love to help. [Click to Book your appointment] or call (650) 588-0888. Coverage for acupuncture varies by plan. I provide a superbill you can submit for possible reimbursement, and HSA and FSA funds can often be used. I’m happy to answer any questions about fees before your first visit.

Related reading: 10 Signs Stress Is Affecting Your Nervous System, Unwinding the Knots: How Acupuncture Eases the Physical Toll of Stress, and contact my office.

This article is for educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for medical advice.