Acupressure Therapy to Counteract Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal human emotion, a reaction to an anticipated or imagined danger or event. Fear, by contrast, involves a specific event and is a reaction to a perceived danger. We all feel anxious sometimes, from day to day pressures and stress to anticipating when something important is about to occur. Anxiety can motivate us to avoid danger or work hard to achieve a specific goal. But uncontrollable, extreme or frequent anxiety can become harmful. 

Highly anxious people experience excessive worry and tension much of the time and rarely feel calm and relaxed. When anxiety becomes a way of life it contributes to muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, aches and pains, insomnia, poor concentration, irritability and fatigue. Many people who suffer from anxiety seek help for their medical problems, but don't address the underlying emotional imbalance. If you are suffering from anxiety, acupressure therapy can be a terrific first step to help bring your emotions back to balance.

Meditation to Counteract Anxiety

The calming effects of meditation can clear your thoughts and help you cultivate the inner awareness essential for emotional balance. When practiced regularly with self-acupressure, it can counteract anxiety, worry and depression. Deep breathing during meditation heightens your senses and makes you more aware of your feelings. Holding the acupressure point known as CV 17 while you do slow, deep breathing in and out of your nose will regulate the amount of air you assimilate and is an excellent technique for calming anxiety and nervousness.

Acupressure Point:  CV 17, also known as the "Sea of Tranquility".
 
Point Location: On the center of the breastbone, four finger-widths up from in an indentation.

Point Focus: Calms and relaxes the body, releases the chest, regulates cardiovascular functions, nourishes the heart.

Physical Imbalances: Nervousness, difficult breathing, chest tension or congestion, heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, anxiety.

Emotional & Spiritual Aspects: Emotional balancing, relieves depression, grief, sadness, anguish, emotional trauma, balances the emotions and calms the spirit.

Hold CV 17 as you begin the following deep breathing meditation:

Take a few deep breaths, and observe your breathing. Pay attention to the smooth rhythm of your inhalations and exhalations. If extraneous thoughts come into your mind, simply be aware of them, let them go and return your attention to your breath. As you breathe, say to yourself, "Breathing in, I am aware of my thoughts; breathing out, I let them go." If you can stay focused on following your breath for three to five minutes, you are off to a good start. Try working up to 20 minutes.  

Affirmations to Counteract Anxiety

• I let go of my expectations.
• I trust that I will be taken care of.
• I am at peace with myself in the present moment.
• I consciously breathe deeply and let go of any anxiety.
• I am safe and let go of what the future may bring.