ACUPRESSURE FOR ANXIETY & SLEEP

Acupressure for Anxiety Relief & Easy Sleep  

Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves putting pressure with the fingers or the hand on certain points of the body. The pressure can unblock the flow of Qi to release tension and restore inner harmony. You can do it home on yourself or loved ones to promote health, relieve stress and prevent disease. These points help to reduce anxiety, stress and overall tension.

HT7 / Shénmén / Spirit Gate
Apply pressure with your thumb at the point where your wrist forms a crease with your hand, in the depression on the inside of the tendon on the pinky side. Hold the acupressure point for about 2 minutes, applying a generous amount of pressure. This point is good for relieving tension and calming anxiety. 

PC6 / Nèiguān / Inner Pass

Starting from the wrist crease, measure down with three fingers. The point is at the level where your third finger touches the middle of your wrist, between the 2 tendons. Use your thumb to apply firm pressure to this point until you feel some mild discomfort. Only apply enough pressure to interrupt the normal blood flow but not so much that it causes pain. Hold this pressure point and gently knead your thumb in a tight circular motion for about 2 minutes. Do this to both wrists and you will feel your anxiety descend. This point is also highly effective for any type of nausea.

YìnTáng / M-HN-3 / Hall of Impression

Location: Directly between the eyebrows, in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead.  Lie back, close eyes, and gently massage in a circular motion using 2 fingers or the thumb.

Ren17 / Shānzhōng / Sea of Tranquility

Location: On the center of the breastbone, on the midline of the sternum, level with the nipples.  Relieves nervousness, anxiety, chest tension, anguish, depression and other emotional imbalances.

KD1 / Yõngquán / Gushing Spring 

Sitting down, cross one leg over the opposite leg and rest the foot on the knee. Start with the thumb between the 2nd and 3rd toes and draw a straight line down until about one third of the way down the foot. Push firmly on the center of the foot (see picture). Hold this pressure point and knead for at least 2 minutes and repeat on the other foot. This is a great point for anxiety and relaxation, and especially helpful at night to help easy, restful sleep. 

Square Breathing to calm the mind, easy anxiety and promote restful sleep
Click here for post about Square Breathing