The year 2020 has been a tumultuous time with the coronavirus pandemic, nation-wide shelter-in-place, and widespread protest about racial inequality. Many of us, as well as our children, are experiencing intense emotions ranging from anxiety and stress to grief, anger, overwhelm, and fear.
Acupressure is a fantastic tool that can provide instant relief for you and your loved ones. You can do acupressure on yourself or on other people who need it. The following acupressure points will help your nervous system settle down and provide emotional support for anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm.
Lesser Mansion — acupressure for chest pain and congestion, palpitations, anxiety, fright, sadness, and fear
HT-8 or Lesser Palace acupressure point
You can find this acupressure point by holding your hand out with the palm facing up and making a fist. The acupressure point is located where your pinky finger touches your palm — as shown in the pictures.
HT-8 or Lesser Palace acupressure point
To activate the acupressure point, use the thumb from your opposite hand and press firmly for 30 to 60 seconds, as frequently as needed. This acupressure point connects with the heart, so as you press on the point and breathe deeply, envision that your agitation, anxiety, and worries flow from your heart down through your arm and leave through the acupressure point or the tip of your pinky finger.
Inner Pass – acupressure for emotional disturbance, insomnia, irritability, and chest pressure
PC-6 or Inner Pass acupressure point
This acupressure point is located on the inside of your forearm between the two big tendons that run from your wrist to your elbow. To find it, place three fingers from your opposite hand just below the wrist. At the edge of where the third finger ends, between the two tendons, is the Inner Pass acupressure point (see the adjacent photo). This will be roughly two inches below the wrist on adults.
As with the last acupressure point, use the thumb from your opposite hand to press firmly for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat as often as needed. This acupressure point relates to the area around your heart and the chest generally. As you breathe slowly while pressing the point, envision any pressure, agitation, and emotional upset dissolving out of your chest.
You can use these acupressure points on your children, parents, and partner, or on yourself. I recommend using both points on both arms, for a total of 2 to 4 minutes of acupressure and steady breathing, to recover emotional calm during periods of anxiety and overwhelm.
