A Conversation Between Generations
At Metro Acupuncture in Atlanta, Georgia, healing doesn’t only happen on the treatment table. Sometimes, it begins with a conversation, a shared moment, or a warm drink. In a recent discussion between Dr. Mark Lewinter and his cohost, partner, and mother, Dr. Andrea Lewinter, a deceptively simple topic emerged: hot water. What began as a lighthearted exchange quickly evolved into a profound exploration of how something so basic can offer meaningful support for anxiety.
The Origins of the Idea: Japan, Tea, and Stillness
The idea took root during a recent trip to Japan, where Mark and Andrea attended a traditional tea ceremony. The experience was more than cultural. It was immersive, a blend of ceremony, connection, mindfulness, and matcha. As Mark reflected, he felt deeply calm, not just from the tea, but from the moment itself. That calm lingered.
This led him to a surprising realization. When asked what his favorite herb for anxiety was, Mark replied: “Warm water.”
The Physiology of Warmth
It might sound too simple. But as Mark explains, sipping warm water isn’t just comforting. It engages the parasympathetic nervous system, the part responsible for rest and digestion. That warmth, like a gentle bath from the inside, relaxes the muscles, dilates blood vessels, and soothes the gastrointestinal tract.
In Chinese medicine, this resonates. Many traditional herbal formulas include water as a primary component, often ending in the word “tang” which means “soup.” The base of healing, in this view, starts with warmth, hydration, and intentionality.
Accessible, Empowering, and Effective
For many, anxiety ebbs and flows. One day it’s manageable; the next, it flares. Having a simple tool, something immediately available, can be both empowering and effective. Mark emphasizes that warm water isn’t meant to replace more complex treatments. But it can be a first step, a daily ritual that brings presence and calm.
Andrea adds that warm water has long been used to help regulate digestion and soothe emotions. She recalls the universal tradition: when someone is upset, we offer them a cup of tea. Not necessarily for the caffeine, but for the act of sitting down, grounding, and connecting.
Mindfulness in a Mug
The conversation also turns to the vessels that hold our water. Mark and Andrea share stories of their favorite mugs, gifts from loved ones, memories from travels, and even trophies from local races. These cups, they say, become part of the ritual. They anchor us to meaning and memory.
Andrea introduces a Japanese cup she brought home from their trip, repaired using the art of kintsugi – the practice of mending broken pottery with gold. It’s a metaphor for healing itself: embracing imperfection, honoring resilience, and seeing beauty in the broken.
The Wisdom of Cowboy Water
Mark brings in a childhood memory of his grandfather joking about “cowboy water” in Westerns, that magical sip of water that helped a wounded cowboy rise again. While humorous, it holds a kernel of truth: water, offered with care, can be restorative. Even if it doesn’t solve everything, it sends a signal of support, of presence.
A Gentle Tool, A Daily Practice
This isn’t a dismissal of herbal medicine or acupuncture both of which play central roles at Metro Acupuncture. It’s a reminder that tools don’t need to be expensive or complicated to be effective. Sometimes, simplicity offers the greatest relief.
Warm water won’t be the answer for everyone. Some people are naturally warm and may not find it comforting. But for those who do, it offers a moment of regulation, of connection, of pause. As Andrea says, “We know these things. We just forget.”
For those interested in the broader role of acupuncture in treating anxiety, check out this page from Henery Ford Health.
A Moment to Sip and Reflect
At its heart, the conversation between Mark and Andrea isn’t about water. It’s about remembering what brings us back to ourselves. Whether it’s sipping warm water, stepping outside for fresh air, or lying on an acupuncture table, healing often begins with presence.
And yes, if you visit their clinic, they’ll happily offer you a cup of warm water.
If you’re in Atlanta and curious about how acupuncture might support your health journey, schedule a visit with us at Metro Acupuncture. We’d be honored to support you.
