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Fall is finally here! Sometimes October feels like the calm before the storm of the holidays, so I hope everyone is taking some time to sink into the season and take part in some of the yin activities that we often feel drawn to at this time of year (more on that below!).
In this email, you’ll find:
- A few clinic and schedule updates, including a new appointment type!
- Seasonal information on fall and the transition into winter
- A few things I have been enjoying lately, and a (tiny) health experiment I am trying
Sometimes, taking care of ourselves and finding joy can feel difficult, or even selfish, when we observe all of the personal and public struggles happening around us. 2025 has been a bit of a wrecking ball of a year for almost everyone I know (including me!). But, I am a firm believer that finding joy is essential and something we can cultivate, even as we are caring about injustice and wading through difficult times, whether they are personal or external. I wrote a bit about cultivating joy in a previous newsletter - you can read more about it here.
As always, you can reply to this email with any ideas or questions - the emails go right to me!
Take care,
Kate Thomas, LAc
P.S. If you've recently visited the clinic, I'd appreciate it if you could take a minute to leave a Google review! Google reviews make a huge difference for small businesses - it helps businesses show up when someone searches. If you've already left a review, thank you so much!
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- The clinic will be closed the week of Thanksgiving (Nov 24-28) for the holiday! My first day back will be Dec 2.
- My schedule always fills up more quickly this time of year! I recommend that current patients plan on booking out at least 2 weeks in advance, especially if you have limited availability.
- If you do need to reschedule your appointment, please try to do so as early as possible so that others can schedule!
- Info on new patient appointment availability and the wait list can be found on this page.
As we enter cold and flu season, please review the illness policy! There have been a few updates. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I really appreciate everyone’s help in reducing exposure to illness in the clinic!
Clinic Hours
A quick reminder, my clinic hours are:
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 am - 6 pm
- Wednesday 1 pm - 6 pm
- The clinic is closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
In an effort to slow down and pace myself better, I am really focusing on being present in the clinic when I am here, and being present in my life outside of the clinic when I am not here! This means I will respond to all messages, emails, and voicemails as soon as possible during the hours listed above. For current patients notifying me of a schedule change, the time you contact me will "count" as your contact time for the cancellation window, even if I don't respond right away!
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New: Acupuncture + Coaching Appointments |
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Acupuncture + Coaching appointments are a new appointment type for current patients. These appointments are 75-minute follow-up appointments designed for current patients who want to combine wellness coaching with their acupuncture appointment! In these appointments, we'll check in on your progress and talk for about 45 minutes, then you will receive an acupuncture treatment. This appointment does not include bodywork (cupping, gua sha, etc.).
I designed these appointments for patients who would like a little extra time and support in changing habits and achieving health goals, whether it is related to nutrition, sleep, or other health habits. They’re also perfect for people who like to learn more about Chinese medicine theory and how to apply it in their day-to-day life, from food therapy to lifestyle habits!
I also offer virtual coaching-only appointments. For more information about wellness coaching, click here!
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Fall & The Metal Element
In Fall, we tend to feel a shift towards more yin instead of yang. The days get shorter, and the plants start to retreat underground to prepare for next year’s growth. Many of us feel pulled to slow down and gather our energy as well! Often, we’re drawn to slower, quieter activity and getting more rest. Embracing this yin energy is one way to take care of ourselves in this season.
In a recent blog entry, I shared about some of the emotions related to Metal: grief, melancholy, and letting go, as well as some practices you can try to help you settle into this yin time of year.
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Many of us - myself included - really struggle with prioritizing and dedicating time to more slow, introspective activity. When life gets busy, things like journaling, meditating, prioritizing extra rest, and just slowing down a bit are the first things that get put on the back burner. But, ironically, these things are more important than ever whenever we are feeling run down and burnt out. The transition to fall can be a good reminder to us that, just like we observe in plant life, we also need time to slow down, gather our energy, and restore our yin.
I don't mention it in the entry above, but Lung conditions are most common this time of year! This can show up as respiratory tract infections, but also in less anticipated ways: dry skin, a dry cough, and feeling a bit "run down" are all more common this time of year, too. I have a few tips on working with that in this blog entry.
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Currently:
- Health experiment: I've been experimenting with the Nutrivore food tracking system, and it has been a great way to challenge myself to get more whole foods in my meals, as well as more variety in what I eat! It overlaps really well with Chinese medicine food therapy, too, and it feels great to get credit for eating healthier food 😂 And, for my fellow Type A people out there, a reminder that the goal isn't to get 100% or check all the boxes every week!
- Fermenting: I've been fermenting a few vegetables, which is a great way to slow down this time of year - and cooler temps keep things from fermenting too quickly! This YouTube video gives a great overview of easy ways to ferment veggies. It really is easier than you think! Carrots are a great place to start. The library also has great books with recipes and how-tos.
- Journaling and fountain pens: I got my first fountain pen for my birthday! Having one has been a great motivation to get back into journaling on paper instead of on the computer. I have been working hard to reduce screen time, and this is a fun way to do it! There's something very satisfying about writing with a fountain pen that is hard to explain.
- I use a mix of styles of journaling - prompts, recording what I see in nature, bullet journal style, a bit of a commonplace style where I collect quotes and poems, and more. It can be really nice to have a spot to collect everything! (I talk more about different styles of journaling in some of my blog entries.)
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We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and recenter ourselves. And we’ll also have a lot more joy in living.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
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That's all for this email! A lot is going on behind the scenes, which I will hopefully be able to share more about soon. In the meantime, I hope you're able to find - or create! - pockets of quiet and rest.
As always, please feel free to email me with any thoughts or questions!
Take care,
Kate
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