04/02/2020
A big part of keeping our immune systems strong along with keeping inflammation down from foods we eat and getting at least 8-9 hours of sleep at night is taking care of our mental health. With all the upsetting news coming at us from all directions it is easy to feel the stress and anxiety that it causes the collective community and our selves. Everything seems so uncertain in our near future so it can be hard to stay mindfully in the present moment. I want to share some acupressure points to help ease some stress and anxiety. Our minds and guts are intricately related so easing stress can really help with the digestive process. Along with some meditative breathing practices why not try out some of these acupressure points you can do just about anywhere. Do them as often as you'd like. Just apply pressure to the points with your thumb in a little circular motion.
Now is the time to give gratitude for what we do have and stay positive the best we can. Taking time to feel all your feelings is good too along with a good cry for a release. We are in this together.
*The acupressure points for calming the mind*:
Yin Tang also known as the third eye point: rub with your thumb the space between your eyebrows and slightly above. Apply pressure for 5-10 minutes. Relaxing point, calms the spirit. Attunes one to hearing their inner voice of wisdom.
Heart 7- Shen Men, in English, Spirit Gate. Located on the wrist crease in the space below your pinky and ring finger on the side of the tendon that is closest to the thumb (radial side of tendon). Feel the depression on the side of the tendon and give pressure. Good for insomnia, heart palpitations, nervousness, irritability, anxiety. Great calming point.
Pericardium 6- Neiguan, in English, Inner Gate. Located Two cun above the transverse crease of the wrist between the tendons of the m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis. You can flex your wrist to see these two major tendons in your forearm. To find this point starting from the wrist, measure down with three fingers. Where your third finger touches the middle of your wrist is the acupoint. Take your thumb and apply firm pressure to this point until you feel some mild discomfort. Only apply enough pressure to interrupt the normal blood flow but not too 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 immediately. This point is also good for nausea!
Kidney 1- Yongquan, in English, Gushing Spring. If you are ever feeling scattered as if your thoughts are all over the place use this point. Feeling dizzy or have a headache, this is a great point that brings energy downward in the body and is very grounding. It is also very relaxing and a good one to do before going to bed to get a good night’s rest. In a sitting position, cross one leg over your opposite leg and rest your foot on your knee. Start with your thumb between your 2nd and 3rd toes and draw a straight line down until you are about a 1/3 of the way down the foot. Push firmly on the center of your foot. Hold this pressure point and knead for at least 2 minutes and repeat on the other foot.
