January 16th this year is dubbed Blue Monday, that day in January when credit card bills come to remind you of your Christmas bingeing, the weather remains gloomy, and not a bank holiday in sight until Good Friday on April 14th. And if you started the year with lots of good intentions about watching your alcohol intake, eating more healthily and getting more exercise, what’s happening two weeks into the new year?

If you’ve already broken a resolution, don’t despair. Setting goals is great, but it’s also important to be kind to yourself. If we want to make a change, we need to realise that it takes time to create long-lasting, sustainable changes. A few days alone will not do it. I read somewhere that it takes a minimum of 21 days of doing something consistently to create a habit.

So whether you are ditching alcohol, avoiding sugar, going back to the gym, or sticking to your budget, take into account that it takes at least three weeks for a habit to form. And ask yourself, what kind of support do you need?

Chinese medicine is a great ally when it comes to supporting you with your health objectives. As acupuncturists,we are not just a healer buts much as an enabler or a supporter.

Because Chinese medicine is such a flexible medicine, it can help with myriad conditions such as relieving stress, improving sleep, optimising your digestive functions (thus helping with weight loss), boosting immunity. This beautiful medicine treats the whole person, not just an illness. A patient (whom I’ve been treating for stress relief) told me the other day that because he felt less bloated and more energetic (and more relaxed), he was more motivated to exercise more and eat better. What a lovely way to start the year!