Why you need to add acupressure into your self-care routine

Self-care is essential for our overall well-being, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. While it’s great for managing stress, improving sleep, boosting energy, and easing pain, finding the time for a massive routine can feel overwhelming. That’s why I love sharing easy, completely free ways to take care of yourself—practices that truly benefit your body, mind, and spirit. One of my absolute favorite tools for this is acupressure.

If you’re new to it, acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the body. These points connect to our energy channels, or meridians, and stimulating them helps promote natural healing and balance. Think of it as acupuncture’s cozy, accessible cousin—totally similar, but completely needle-free (which is a huge relief if needles freak you out!).

Acupressure is a safe and effective way to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Acupressure is a complementary wellness practice and should not replace professional medical care. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new wellness routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a chronic health condition, or are experiencing severe symptoms.

What are the benefits of acupressure?

Acupressure is also a great way to boost your overall well-being and vitality. It can help to:

How to do acupressure

Acupressure is very easy to do at home. All you need is your fingers and a little bit of knowledge about the pressure points.

1. Locate the point: Find the sweet spot.

Use your thumb or index finger to gently feel the area. The point may feel slightly tender, or has a dull ache when pressed—that’s how you know you’re on it! Sometimes it might not feel much of anything though.

2. Apply steady pressure: 1 to 2 minutes.

Press down with firm but gentle pressure with your finger or thumb. You can hold it without moving, or use tiny, circular motions with your finger. If you are a beginner, start with shorter 30-second intervals. You could always use an acupressure tool.

3. Breathe deeply: Release tension.

Don’t hold your breath! Inhale deeply into your belly and exhale slowly, allowing your shoulders and jaw to drop while you hold the pressure.

5 Acupressure points for self-care

One thing I love about acupressure is how simple it is, and how much it can help with not only physical health, but also our emotional health. These specific acupressure points I have selected are the most commonly used to help with relieving stress, and anxiety. Here are a few acupressure points that are especially beneficial for self-care:

For an overactive mind, anxiety, and frontal headaches:
The Yin Tang Point

Commonly known as the “Third Eye” point, this spot is located directly between your eyebrows, right above the bridge of your nose. Using your index finger or thumb, apply gentle, steady pressure here or massage it in tiny circles. It helps relieve stress, quiets a racing mind before sleep, and eases forehead tension.

For melting away “text neck,” tech strain, and stress:
The Wind Pool Points (GB20)

These points are located at the very base of your skull, in the soft hollows on either side of your thick neck muscles (just behind your ears). Interlace your fingers behind your head and use your thumbs to press upward and inward into the hollows. This is incredibly relieving if you spend your day looking at a screen, suffer from tension headaches, or carry heavy stress in your upper body.

For deep physical relaxation and insomnia:
The Crown Point (Bai Hui / GV20)

Also called the “Hundred Convergences” point, this is located at the very top center of your head. To find it, imagine a line tracing straight up from the tips of both your ears to the apex of your skull. Apply soft, mindful pressure here. It helps pull you out of your head, settles your nervous system, and promotes a deep sense of calm before sleep.

For stress eating, nausea, and emotional grounding:
The Inner Gate Point (PC6)

This point is located on your inner forearm. To find it, turn your palm up and place three fingers across your wrist, starting right at the wrist crease. The point is located just below your third finger, nestled perfectly between the two prominent tendons in the center of your arm. Pressing firmly here helps soothe an upset stomach, reduces anxiety-induced nausea, and brings a sense of emotional balance.

For full-body tension, jaw clenying, and daily stress:
The Union Valley Point (LI4)

This is one of the most famous points in acupressure, located in the deep, fleshy webbing of your hand between your thumb and index finger. Pinch the webbing firmly with your opposite hand, angling the pressure slightly toward the index finger bone. It’s a powerhouse for releasing trapped energy, clearing facial tension (especially if you clench your teeth), and easing general body aches. (⚠️ Pregnancy Warning: If you are pregnant, please skip the Union Valley (LI4) point entirely, as it can stimulate downward energy and uterine contractions.)

How to Effortlessly Blend Acupressure into Your Day

The best part about acupressure is that it requires zero extra time—you don’t need to block out an hour of your day to see the benefits. Instead, the secret is “habit stacking,” which means pairing a point with a ritual you already do.

Here are three simple ways to work it into your daily life:

• During your morning routine: When you’re waiting for your morning coffee or tea to brew, take a minute to press the Union Valley point on your hand. It’s a quick way to release any jaw tension from sleeping and helps you wake up and focus for the day.

• To clear afternoon brain fog: Around 3:00 PM when your energy starts to dip and your neck feels stiff from looking at a screen, take a quick break. Use your thumbs to press the Wind Pool points at the base of your skull for a minute to clear your head and ease that computer strain.

• As part of your bedtime routine: This is my personal favorite. Right before I go to sleep, I like to do some gentle body stretches in bed and then spend a minute or two pressing the Yin Tang (Third Eye) point. It instantly quiets a racing mind and tells your body it is time for deep sleep.

Your Turn to Try It

Acupressure is such a simple, safe, and effective way to practice self-care and improve your overall well-being. Whether you want to reduce stress, get better sleep, boost your energy, or relieve physical pain, the power to heal is literally in your own hands.

To get started, just pick one or two points that match what your body needs today, and apply firm but gentle pressure for a minute or two. You can easily fit this into your day by trying it first thing in the morning, during a quick afternoon break at your desk, or while winding down in bed at night.

Give it a try tonight and see how your body feels! As always, if you have any specific health concerns, chronic conditions, or if you are pregnant, be sure to chat with your doctor before starting.