Acupressure Points to Relieve Stress
As the bank holiday weekend approaches, it's the ideal time to focus on self-care & relaxation. We are using this extra down time to give our overall well-being an extra boost and treating our tired (too long on the computer all day) eyes by utilising our go-to favourite acupressure points.
Acupressure, an ancient practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, underpins many Holistic Silk products that combine this ancient therapy with luxurious materials. In fact, our first product back in 1999 was inspired by a desire to bring instant relief from daily stress by creating a serene moment to boost wellbeing and relaxation through gentle facial acupressure.
Your face contains many acupressure points that can bring instant calm, relaxation, stress relief and help support eye health quickly and easily. And whilst we have three products specifically designed to stimulate these wonderous little places all at once for instant deep relaxation and relief, you can also benefit from them with just your fingertips wherever you are.
Before you start it’s important to remember to only ever use gentle pressure and/or circular motions on facial points. You can use your fingertips, knuckles, or of course our acupressure-based Eye Pillow, Face Pillow or Facial Roller; all of which are easily incorporated into your everyday beauty and relaxation routines.
Here we explore some of the acupressure points that truly are at everyone’s fingertips - no tools needed for these! So if your goal is to relax, restore and rejuvenate over this long weekend then here are our top acupressure point to focus on…
Starting at your temples, you will find the Taeyang in the hollows beside the eyes. Gently massaging these points with tiny circular motions can help reduce stress and promote relaxation as well as offering relief form tension headaches, migraines and eye strain.
Third Eye Point, also referred to as Yintang sits centrally between your eyebrows. This point can calm your mind and silence mind chatter and anxiety almost instantly. Simply apply steady gentle pressure to this area while taking slow, deep breaths to feel the benefit.
The eyebrow area is super important within facial acupressure because it is also where you will find Zanzhu, an ideal point to offer relief from tension, headaches, eye strain and sinus congestion. Thought to help promote concentration and memory you will find this point on your eyebrow ridge, just above the inner corners of your eyes.
Moving along to the outer edge of your eyebrows you will find Sizhukong just in the depression on the outer eyebrow edge. This point will also help to alleviate eye strain, headaches, and sinus congestion but is believed to improve eye health and vision.
The inner corners of your eyes, near the bridge of your nose is where you will find Jingming. This point is where you can really help tired eyes, as gentle stimulation in this area can help relieve eye fatigue.
And if you need a moment of clarity then place four fingers on your temple with your thumbs on the side of your jaw then apply gentle pressure with your fingers.
The Heavenly Pillar which can be found on the back of the neck, in the hollows on either side of the spine. Applying gentle pressure with just your fingertips whilst breathing deeply and steadily offers relief from tension headaches and promotes relaxation.
Whilst facial acupressure is our everyday favourite, we can’t talk about this wonderous therapy without sharing the top three moves that have helped us through many stressful meetings and events.
Hegu or Union Valley can be found on your hand between your thumb and index finger and although nowhere near your face it can help to relieve facial pain. Very good at reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Excellent for stressful situations, because you can stimulate it discreetly either with gentle pressure or with small circular motions to bring some calm whenever needed.
Another great ‘on the go’ point is the Inner Gate which you will find about three finger widths up from the wrist crease on your inner arm. Firm pressure on this point for a couple of minutes will reduce stress; it’s also great to help reduce nausea.
One of our favourite hand acupressure moves is one you may have seen pianists use prior to a performance. But it isn’t just to flex your finger joint! it can ease tensions in your soul too. Just interlock your fingers then flex them inwards, hold, flex them outwards, hold, then turn them over and push forwards.
Whether you're unwinding after a busy week or seeking moments of tranquillity amidst the Easter hustle and bustle, these practices offer a pathway to relaxation and rejuvenation. So why not treat yourself to the gift of relaxation through the wonderous and make this bank holiday weekend truly restorative.
