Acupressure for Inner Peace and Happiness

By pressing down on certain points on your body, your mood can lift and help you get back to your day. Instead of other indulgences that may provide a momentary spike in mood, try these acupressure points in order to turn a bad day into a good one without spending a dime!

GV20, Governing Vessel 20 and YIntang (Third Eye Point)

Take your pointer and middle fingers and press directly on the crown of your head, and also between your eyebrows simultaneously. According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) by pressing these two points at the same time, you’re helping give your body clarity, inducing a sense of calm, and boost your mood. This can also help to clear your sinuses, providing an overall opening both emotionally and physically. Apply pressure on these points for two to three minutes and feel the positive effects.

GV17, Governing Vessel 17

On the back of your head, this pressure point is above the midpoint of the back hair line, in the depression on the upper border of the external occipital protuberance. Take two fingers and gently apply pressure for three minutes. Known as the “brain’s door,” this is a great way to promote a more relaxed breathing and to quell your anxieties. This can easily be done at your desk at work in the privacy of your own space.

HT7, Heart 7

When this point, found on the wrist, is stimulated, worry and anxiety will slip away. It’s located where your arm meets your hand, on the side toward your pinkie, in the middle of the ulna and the pisiform bones. With firm pressure, press in a downward motion. Hold this for a minute or two to release pressures that you didn't realize were present. It’ll take the edge off a rough day, and give you a more positive outlook.

When combined, three acupuncture points on the wrist can greatly help with stress, anxiety and feeling low. Together, they are called Buddha’s Triangle. They are Heart 7 (HT7), Pericardium 6 (P6) and Lung 9 (LU9).

HT7 helps to calm the mind as well as helping with insomnia and sadness.

P6 also helps to calm the mind but is most useful in its function of helping relieve the nausea and palpitations often found when feeling anxious.

LU9 promotes the function of the lung, in particular the ability to take a deep breath. We can control our nervous system and relieve acute stress with deep breaths, but many people find it hard to do “breath work” in the moment of stress.

LU 1, Lung 1

To find this point, cross your arms in an X across your chest and let your arms fall naturally. Firmly push where your fingers land on your ribcage, on the outer portion of the chest, below the collarbone. Pressing these two points at the same time is called the “Letting Go” point. It helps you open up your chest and breathe more deeply, and will help you to release any anxiety and negative feelings that you are experiencing. As the emotions leave your body, you’ll automatically begin to feel your mood lift. Doing this a few times a day can help to improve your attitude throughout the day as well as give you a moment to stop and breathe.

The next time you feel that you are leaving your happy place, spend a couple of minutes with yourself. Take a couple of deep breaths and use these acupressure points. It’s a painless and free way to relieve stress quickly.

Physical Level

• Revives the breath

• Regulates lungs

• Relieves coughing

• Eases asthma symptoms

• Eases chest pain

Emotional/Mental

• eases and calms grief

• helps to move through the tears of grief

• allows one to take in praise and respect

• Revival of a sense of self worth

Spirit Level

• Revives connection to Self/Spirit

• Brings inspiration

• Restores a sense of higher purpose

• Restores a feeling of beauty in the world

Shen Men, an oval-shaped depression inside the upper ear, is also known as the Spirit Gate. Acupuncture in this area is believed to anchor the spirit and calm the mind, used to help patients deal with insomnia, pain management, hyperactivity, high blood pressure, fear, and panic attacks.

Shenmen and Point Zero are traditionally indicated to calm the mind, commonly used to alleviate anxiety, and have been shown to induce parasympathetic activation. Zero point is considered the geometric center of the ear homunculus, and the center point of all 4 quadrants. For all these reasons, this point is primarily known for its centering, grounding and relaxation effects.

Lao Gong, also known as the "Palace of Toil" is the eighth point of the heart master channel. It is stimulated to ease anxiety and clear inflammation.

This month's acupressure point is the eighth point of the heart master channel named "Lao Gong," or "Palace of Toil." It is located where the tip of your middle finger touches your palm when you make a fist. This is a key point for healing work and qi gong practice, and is stimulated to ease anxiety and clear inflammation.

The following is a very rejuvenating and deep practice using this important point. Close your eyes and gently rub your palms together until a warm or tingling sensation is felt. Place one palm with Lao Gong on your chest over your breast bone. Place the other palm with Lao Gong over your lower abdomen 2-3 inches below your navel. Feel the warmth of your palms spread to your chest and abdomen. Now feel the sense of warmth or awareness connect the chest and abdomen, opening and joining all of the space between them. Breath into this space and enjoy the sense of openness and completeness within your torso for as long as you would like. End by placing both palms over the lower abdomen, focusing for a minute or two on breathing into the lower abdomen. Now open your eyes to a world that has changed, and a time that is unique. Spending the rest of the day with gentleness towards self and others will help preserve this state of peace and renewal.