Follow our gaze.

Happy 2026! Writing with hopes that your holiday season offered whimsy, connection with loved ones and moments of “pause” and the perspective that may bring.

This January, we invite you to “follow our gaze”. Caring for women for over two decades, I’ve noticed women are highly attuned to “self-improvement”. As such, we are uniquely vulnerable to the marketing of “new year, new you” and suggestion that resolutions are required to become one’s best self. However, consider “following our gaze”.

As clinicians, honored as collaborators in your vitality, our perspective is that YOU are unconditionally worthy of positive self-regard.

When patients establish with us as providers, our unwavering vision is that you are uniquely precious and due for supportive sanctuary. As you draft your trip around the calendar year, I invite you to center practices which signal this positive “self regard”. Habit formation from this lens is, in my clinical view, the basis for transformative steps towards heightened well-being.

Examples might be:

“How might I ‘speak to myself’ as I would a dear friend?” 

“Might we intervene when a “thought track” holds us apart from our highest self-regard?”

My meditation teachers have described conjuring imagery of oneself as a beloved infant— might we engender that image mentally and flash this picture when self-talk transcends kindness?

This practice takes but a moment yet banks powerfully with consistency of use. There is nothing to improve; only you, to most generously support. 

“What might constitute a 5 or 10 minute morning routine that harnesses positive self-regard each day?”

Research suggests that beginning our day with hydration (sleep is inherently dehydrating and our kidneys are especially receptive to fluid/electrolyte intake as we wake). Meditation (cues safety and nervous system regulation) can set a tone. Data on meditation shows that the duration is far less important than the cumulative effect of regular practice. 5 minutes most mornings changes the architecture of our brain..

Protein at breakfast (we find most benefit from 30 grams) creates less blood sugar variability and heightened stability for the day ahead. It provides metabolic fuel for building lean mass when the body is most primed, post-sleep, for reception of those building blocks.

Sunlight exposure offers cue for circadian rhythm- great nightly sleep begins with light in the morning, even if cloudy or overcast; step into your yard for 5 minutes before looking at your phone’s synthetic (blue) light.

In 2026, at Gingko, we hope to deepen our collaboration with you towards vitality, recovery and personalization. 

In the third week of January we will kick off our “Foundational Habits for women’s wellness”, a telehealth group run by our health coach, Julie Griffith to identify your goals and granularity in support for achieving those. Commune with other women carving space to center their wellness in the coming year.

🗓️ Wednesday evenings on Zoom from 7-8 pm for 4 weeks beginning January 21st.

We hope you'll join us and center YOU for 2026.

Please let us know if you’d like to participate by contacting our patient liaison Deb: Deb@gingkointegrative.com

Also— Reminder that in 2026 our follow up acupuncture visits will modify to $160/visit.

As always, touched by your confidence and the healing we are honored to witness as you hold yourself (appropriately dear) under our care. 

Warmly Rachel