8 Pressure Points That Reduce Stress
We
all have our ways of dealing with stress. Some people escape to a sunny
beach, some prefer a nice glass of wine, and others even do their best
to ignore it. Each way has its advantages (and sometimes disadvantages),
but we can’t always do what helps at the exact moment we need to. This
is where pressure points become a quick and effective long-term
solution. Pressure points are areas in the body that can trigger various
effects in our bodies and minds when pressure is applied to them.
The Scalp
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The
Scalp is full of pressure points, many that can effectively and
discretely reduce stress levels. You can sit at your office desk, lean
back and use two fingers to massage the point where the neck meets the
skull for about 20 seconds. Much of the stress we accumulate during the
day collects in the shoulders and neck muscles, and applying pressure to
this point can relieve much of it.
The Ear
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This pressure point is known as Shen Men
(The Spirit Gate), and some experts claim it’s the best
stress-relieving point in the body. In reflexology, it’s also used to
reduce inflammation and pain throughout the body. It’s recommended that
you massage this spot with a cotton bud or even a pen, and to take deep,
slow breaths during the massage.
The Chest
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Stress
can make us forget to breathe, or take shallow breaths. This point
helps reduce the stress that accumulates in your chest, while reminding
you to breathe normally again. Use three fingers to massage this point,
or one finger to tap rhythmically on the area while taking deep breaths.
If you experience chronic stress, combine massaging this point with the
point between your eyebrows. The connection between these two points
helps to calm the nervous system.
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The Stomach
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Many
reflexologists prefer to use this point because it helps create
movement that frees the chest and diaphragm, which improves the
breathing process. Patients who have this treatment instinctively take
deeper breaths and almost always report a sensation or relief.
The Forearm
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This
is a classic spot for reflexology and acupuncture. Stress and anxiety
create reverse energy flow in the body, which this spot is supposed to
repair. It helps your energy to move in the right direction while aiding
your mental focus and reducing stress.
The Palm
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The
moment you press on this spot, you’ll feel your stress evaporating. It
is located on one of the most important meridians (an energy channel),
which affects the heart, liver, and pancreas. It is believed that much
of the stress we experience is stored in the liver, so applying pressure
at this point is highly effective. It is also a great spot for treating
headaches, stomachaches, indigestion, and insomnia – all of which could
be symptoms of stress.
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The Calves
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If
you feel stress in the upper part of your body, massaging this spot is
perfect. The area could be quite tender in people who deal with a lot of
stress, and in women in particular.
The Foot
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Pressure
at this point can help ease a stressed mind that keeps rethinking
whatever it is that causes your stress. Some reflexologists believe that
this is the best meridian for treating the pancreas and that its
location at the center of the foot helps patients reduce stress and
provide better attention to their bodies.
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