Can't fall asleep even when lying down? Try the "calmness switch" on your wrist
After a busy day, you finally lie in bed, but your mind won't stop. Your heart is a bit fast, your chest feels tight, and you keep tossing and turning. Don't rush to check your phone. Gently press the Neiguan point before bedtime to relax your body and mind. It only takes a few minutes, no tools or costs required.
This is a gentle method from traditional Chinese health practices, focusing on calming the mind and relaxing the body.
Where is the Neiguan point?
Extend your palm, facing upward. Measure three finger widths from the wrist crease towards the arm. The location is between two tendons. When pressed, it should feel slightly sore and swollen - that's it. There is one on each hand.
Specific Method: Three-Minute Relaxation Technique
- Sit on the edge of the bed or lie down, relax your shoulders, and let your arms hang naturally.
- Use the thumb of the other hand to press the Neiguan point.
- Apply gentle pressure until you feel a sense of soreness and fullness, but not pain.
- Gently massage in circles while breathing: inhale for four seconds, exhale for six seconds.
- Press one hand for one to two minutes, then switch to the other hand.
After pressing both hands, you will feel your chest is a bit looser and your mind calmer.
When is the best time to press?
Half an hour before bedtime, it's best to do it before turning off the lights. You can also press it during the day if you feel tense, have palpitations, or feel unwell on a trip. It's just a simple daily habit for relaxation, which can be done anytime.
Combine it with a small habit
Don't rush to check your phone after pressing. Drink a few sips of warm water, or a small cup of warm chrysanthemum tea or jujube seed tea. Then lie down and take a few slow breaths. Follow your sleep schedule and let your body gradually calm down. This is the most basic principle of yin-yang balance: active during the day and quiet at night.
Summary
Gently pressing the Neiguan point before bedtime is a simple, safe, and cost-free technique to relax your body and mind. Spend three minutes every day, combined with slow breathing, to help relieve emotions, ease mental tension, and make falling asleep easier. You can try it tonight.
Disclaimer: This article shares common relaxation methods and lifestyle habits, and does not constitute medical advice or be used for diagnosing or treating any disease. If you suffer from long-term insomnia, palpitations, chest pain, or other discomforts, please consult a professional doctor promptly.