A Season for Stillness: The Best Places to Rest & Rejuvenate After the Holidays- By MacKenzie Fitzgerald

Written By Rachel Amiralian

The holiday season is magical — full of gatherings, glittering lights, and memories made with loved ones. But after the New Year’s Eve ball drops and the confetti settles, the pace of life begins to shift. Many of us feel the pull to slow down and reconnect with ourselves.

This is your sign to step away from the to-do lists, breathe like you’re not late for something, and give yourself a moment (or a whole glorious day) of calm. And guess what? We found the perfect places to do exactly that.

Explore these local, off-the-beaten-path spa destinations, wellness escapes, and relaxation experiences to help you step into the new year feeling refreshed, grounded, and restored. Every business on this list is women-owned — so while you treat yourself, you’re uplifting the powerhouse women in our community.

Added bonus: Many of these businesses are treating Amie members to special discounts or the chance to win a gift card! Check out the details below.

1.   Acupuncture Atelier

Husband-and-wife team Afsheen and Sara Khosrowjerdi left their Wall Street careers behind in 2015 to open Acupuncture Atelier — a place built on transparency, compassion, and truly patient-centered care. Sara is a true master of her craft and provides thoughtful, effective treatments that make you feel cared for, instead of rushed.

They offer acupuncture for pain relief, stress reduction, sleep support, and overall wellness, along with cupping, gua sha, and more. After three months of treatments, I’ve never slept better and I can feel the stress lifting.

During a recent visit, I mentioned that I was fighting a head cold, and Sara immediately said, “Let’s treat it!” Who knew acupuncture could help ease symptoms and even shorten the duration of the winter colds that plague us New Englanders? In addition to traditional acupuncture techniques — some in new-to-me spots like my nose and forehead — Sara applied essential oils to key lymphatic drainage points. She even incorporated moxa, a technique that involves burning herbs from the mugwort plant and applying the warmth near acupuncture points.

Mugwort offers a host of benefits, including aiding digestion, improving sleep, relieving menstrual cramps, and soothing the skin thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. And it smelled incredible! I left my session feeling energized, clear, and congestion-free — and before I knew it, my cold was gone.

I feel so fortunate to have met Sara and Afsheen. Sara’s gifted work has become an essential part of my self-care toolbox.

  • Best for: Holistic healing, better sleep, and relief from pain or stress via compassionate care, instead of clinical coldness.

  • Amie member perk: As an Amie member, you’ll be entered to win one of three $50 gift cards to Acupuncture Atelier!

Acupuncture Atelier, 9 Cornerstone Sq, Ste. B200, Westford, MA 01886

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MacKenzie Fitzgerald is a local author of poetry, children’s books, and creative nonfiction. Guided by a lifelong love of language, she uses words to explore meaning, connection, and the quiet spaces in between. With degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Vermont, her work is grounded in both storytelling and an understanding of the human experience. When she’s not writing, she finds stillness through yoga, gardening, cooking, and savoring time with her son and partner. You can purchase MacKenzie’ debut poetry collection,Beneath Borrowed Skies, on Amazon.

Rachel Amiralian