Anxiety
Calm the Shen
In acupuncture, anxiety or stress is caused by an overacting Shen (the Mind). The Shen is usually associated with the Heart & Pericardium channels.
To help calm the Shen, practice meditation, yoga/qigong/taichi, journaling, do things that you enjoy such as go on a walk or run, read, paint, play music, and do acupressure on the points below.
A small amount of anxiety is normal, it’s a way that the body response to stress. However, if the anxiety disrupts your daily activity such as working or sleeping, check in with your acupuncturist or doctor and seek help with a counselor or psychiatrist if necessary.
Conception Vessel 17 - this point levels with the 4th intercostal space, midway between the nipples.
Yin Tang - found midway between the medial ends of the eyebrows.
Heart 7 - this point is in the depression on the lateral side of the tendon found on the pinky side of the wrist crease.
Du 24 - in the midline of the forehead, about 0.5 thumb width above from the hairline.
Acupressure
Press and circle the points above with eyes closed and taking deep breaths, inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth.
Work on each point for at least 30 seconds, repeat if necessary.
Reference: Deadman, Peter. A Manual of Acupuncture
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