During the holidays, true balance comes from supporting the whole person—body, mind, and emotions—rather than pushing through stress. From my perspective as a chiropractor and life coach, physical energy is protected by good posture, gentle movement, breathing, and stable nutrition; mental energy is preserved by simplifying schedules, limiting distractions, and practicing presence; and emotional energy is maintained through self-awareness, healthy boundaries, and thoughtful responses instead of reactions. The holidays are not about endurance or perfection, but about alignment—honoring your limits, staying grounded in daily anchors, and allowing peace, not pressure, to guide the season.

Dr. Fred Clary, founder of Functional Analysis Chiropractic Technique and lifting/life coach/ gym-chalk covered philosopher talks about BALANCE during the Holidays!

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression triggered by reduced sunlight during the fall and winter months, disrupting the body’s circadian rhythm, serotonin levels, melatonin production, energy, mood, and sleep. Symptoms include low mood, fatigue, increased sleep and appetite, difficulty concentrating, and a sense of heaviness that lifts as spring returns. Effective treatments include bright light therapy, CBT, medication when needed, consistent routines, exercise, outdoor exposure, and community or spiritual support. Natural and alternative approaches—such as Vitamin D, omega-3s, herbal supports, dawn simulators, red/infrared light, thermal therapy, aromatherapy, improved nutrition, and creative or social engagement—can complement clinical care and help stabilize mood during winter.

Because SAD affects the entire person—mind, body, and nervous system—many benefit from chiropractic care, posture correction, massage, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, breathwork, and cold/contrast therapy, all of which help regulate tension, improve sleep, enhance breathing, and restore balance to the autonomic nervous system. Integrating physical, emotional, and spiritual practices—such as breath-prayer, embodied posture, Scripture reflection, and daily routines of light—can ground hope and resilience. With the right support, SAD is a highly manageable condition, reminding us that emotional winters are temporary and that the light always returns.

Dr. Fred Clary, founder of Functional Analysis Chiropractic Technique and lifting/life coach/ gym-chalk covered philosopher talks about SAD!

The real historical Thanksgiving of 1621 was not a sentimental harvest festival but a fragile moment of diplomacy between two peoples facing fear, loss, and uncertainty. After a devastating winter that claimed half the Pilgrims’ community, and following an epidemic that had wiped out much of the Wampanoag population, both groups found themselves in desperate need of allies. When the Pilgrims fired celebratory guns during their successful harvest, Massasoit and ninety Wampanoag men arrived prepared for possible conflict, only to discover it was a feast in progress. What followed was a cautious but genuine three-day gathering centered on food, negotiation, and the renewal of a mutual defense treaty that would hold for nearly fifty years. Far from a simple tale of harmony, the first Thanksgiving was a complex meeting shaped by hardship, diplomacy, and the human desire for peace in a dangerous world.

Dr. Fred Clary, founder of Functional Analysis Chiropractic Technique and lifting/life coach/ gym-chalk covered philosopher talks about a little history.