BL Dhar
We
all have our ways of dealing with stress. Some people escape to a sunny
beach, some prefer a nice glass of wine, and some even do our 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 it. This
is where pressure points become a quick and effective long term
solution. Pressure points are areas in the body that, when applied with
some pressure, can trigger various effects in our minds and body.
The Scalp
|
|
The
Scalp is full of pressure points, many of which 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
|
|
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 an earbud or even a pen, and to take deep, slow breaths during
the massage.
The Chest
|
|
Stress
can make us forget to breath, or take shallow breaths. This point helps
reduce the stress that accumulates in the 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 in calming the nerve system.
|
|
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 go through this treatment instinctively
take deeper breaths and almost always report a sensation or relief.
|
|
A
classic spot for reflexology and acupuncture. Stress and anxiety create
a reverse energy flow in the body, which this spot is supposed to
repair. It helps your energy move in the right direction while aiding in
your mental focus and stress reduction.
|
|
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 experienced 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.
|
| The Calves |
|
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.
|
|
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 their stress
and provide better attention to their bodies.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment