Zen (and the Art of Holiday Maintenance)
The bills are stacking up, the weight is piling on, and your anxiety level is maxing out. It’s time to call in backup.

 

By Terri Trespicio

Photos by Yeheshua Johnson

1. The Personal Trainer
Roman Szpond
“A good trainer will keep you focused and engaged,” says Szpond, “and help you achieve real results”—such as sticking to a regimen and keeping off extra holiday pounds. Plus, when you’ve already paid 100 bucks an hour, you’re more likely to show up. ($100 per session, Inner Strength, 309 Main St., Watertown, 617-924-0111; 1524 VFW Pkwy., West Roxbury, 617-325-6200, innerstrengthyoga.com)

2. The Hypnotherapist
Brian Mahoney
You needn’t be a claustrophobe or pack-a-day smoker to benefit: Hypnotherapy can address even garden-variety anxiety. “By creating a calm, pleasant state, you gain control over your emotional reactions, and can access that feeling later when you need it,” says Mahoney. (Cost varies, Boston Hypnosis, 48 Melrose St., Boston, 617-542-4444, bostonhypnosis.com)

3. The Chaplain
Walter Cuenin
For the unsettled spirit and anxious mind, connecting with faith can bring some peace and clarity. “Talking to someone you trust in the religious community may help you deal with issues that arise this time of year,” says Cuenin, of Brandeis. “Even if you feel estranged from organized religion, this is a good time to take another look.” (Free)

4. The Energy Healer
Diane Fraser
Don’t roll your eyes—light-touch energy healing may have you feeling calmer, more energized, and better equipped to cope with the onslaught of seasonal angst. “There isn’t a person who leaves without feeling an immediate change,” claims Fraser, who makes house calls. ($75–$100 per session, 617 -407-6552)

5. The Chiropractor
Julie Burke
It might be more than shopping bags putting a knot in your back. “Physical and emotional stress accumulate, throwing off your natural balance,” says Burke. Her gentle touch (no snapping or popping) helps restore alignment and reduce muscle fatigue. (Cost varies, Newton Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, 345 Boylston St., Newton, 617-964-3332, welladjusted.com)

6. The Cosmetic Dermatologist
Ranella Hirsch
Quick procedures like wrinkle-reducing dermal fillers, laser treatment for correcting sun damage, and peels for clearer, brighter skin create that radiant holiday glow (without the hangover). ($250–$2,500, 777 Concord Ave., Cambridge, 617-868-8685, skincaredoctors.com)

7. The Biofeedback Practitioner
Inna Khazan
“Biofeedback measures your pulse, temperature, breath, and heart rate so that you can learn to control your response to stress,” says Khazan. You’ll gain insight into your freak-outs—and learn how to stop them before they start. ($145 per session, 10 Post Office Sq., Boston, 617-231-0011, drkhazan.com)

8. The Acupuncturist
Matthew Amato
Tiny needles are inserted into specific points on the body, allowing the patient to experience “fewer aches and pains, lower stress levels, and even better sleep,” says Amato. ($70–$100, 617-429-0942)

9. The Herbalist
Madelon Hope
Hope will target the root of your woes (sleeplessness, panic, et al.) with customized herbal formulas. “Herbs are safe and gentle, but potent, too,” she says. “Used correctly, they can ease many chronic issues.” ($75–$150 per session, Boston School of Herbal Studies, 12 Pelham Terr., Arlington, 781-646-6319, bostonherbalstudies.com)

10. The Life Coach
Kerri Richardson
A life coach can give you a hand in sorting through your biggest problems, from dealing with family to staying out of debt. “A coach can help you develop a strategy that works,” says Richardson. “This can be the year you do it right.” (Cost varies, 978-312-1044, kerririchardson.com)

11. The Meditation Teacher
Tulku Thondup Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhist Rinpoche leads workshops on meditative healing, which, he says, can result in a positive, serene state of mind. (Cost varies, Buddhayana Foundation, 3 Barnabas Rd., Marion, tulkuthondup.com)

 

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