7 Acupressure Points for Stress and Anxiety Relief

Niki Baggs

 In times of heightened stress and anxiety, when the soothing touch of acupuncture might be out of reach, acupressure emerges as a valuable and accessible alternative. By targeting specific acupuncture points, you can stimulate the body's natural mechanisms for stress relief and emotional balance.

Here are seven acupressure points renowned for their efficacy in promoting relaxation and alleviating anxiety :

Regulate Yang energy  Location: Crown of the head, where an imaginary line from the top of each ear meets.

Actions: Lifts depression, and grounds excess energy to ease anxiety. Clears the mind, alleviates headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and neurological conditions

Calm the Mind  Location: Between the eyebrows, in the area known as the third eye.

Actions: Powerfully reducing emotional restlessness and anxiety. Promotes deep relaxation, treats insomnia, relieves headaches, and clears nasal congestion.

Release Tension  Location: Highest point of the shoulder muscle, midpoint between the spine and rotator cuff.

Actions: Descends energy to release stress and tension in the upper body. Alleviates anger, migraines, and high blood pressure. Helpful for those feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Chest Centre  Location: Centre of the chest, midway between the nipples.

Actions: Relieves chest tightness, shortness of breath, and palpitations associated with stress. Regulates qi movement, an essential point for emotional distress.

Quiet the Mind  Location: Inner wrist crease, toward the ulnar side.

Actions: Source point on the heart channel, nourishing the spirit. Quiets the mind, settles worry and anxiety, eases emotional distress, chest tightness, and heart palpitations.

Balancing Energy  Location: Inside of the leg, just above the ankle, four finger widths up behind the tibia.

Actions: Addresses digestive, gynaecological, and urinary issues. Balances energy in the liver and kidney meridians, crucial during stressful times. Not recommended during pregnancy.

Great Surge  Location: On the foot, between the first and second toes, about an inch away from the web.

Actions: Relieves anger, stress, and irritability. Regulates qi and blood flow, particularly beneficial for menstrual and digestive conditions worsened by stress. Detoxifies and cleanses the liver.

How To perform acupressure:

Locate each point by feeling for tenderness or slight dips, applying firm pressure for 30 seconds while taking deep breaths. Enhance the experience with calming essential oils like lavender or clary sage. Acupressure, alongside other wellness tools, can be a powerful ally in managing stress and anxiety. 

These techniques are in addition to medical treatment and please seek guidance from your GP if in receipt of medical care.