Stress and, for many people, exhaustion is a normal part of life. Learning to manage stress through simple acts of self-care can help you feel a sense of calm amidst the chaos.
I’ve talked quite a bit about massage, its numerous benefits, and how to incorporate it into your minimalist beauty routine. For this post, I’m shining a light on how you can take advantage of a specific type of massage that dates back to traditional Chinese medicine: facial acupressure.
A facial pressure point massage can help calm your nerves, release tension, rebalance your energy, relax your mind, and provide much-needed stress relief.
Today, I’m sharing a round-up of facial pressure points that you can activate whenever you need relief from stress and anxiety. It’s my hope that you will quickly discover how simply applying pressure to specific areas on your face can help you find a moment of peace in your day.
5 Facial Pressure Points For Relaxation
Temples
The temples, or the points on the outside of either eyebrow, are probably the best-known acupressure points. These specific points are often activated to relieve headaches, but that’s just one of the many benefits of facial massage targeting the temples.
Every time you practice acupressure at home, be sure to stimulate your temples to boost circulation, particularly to the sides of the face and the eyes. In addition to reducing stress, encouraging blood flow to this area can help diminish puffiness or dark circles under the eyes.
To activate this facial pressure point, use your index and middle fingers to apply gentle pressure to the area. Draw small circles, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, with your fingers. Continue this movement for 2-3 minutes.
To take full advantage of the massage, focus on relaxing your facial muscles and taking slow, deep breaths.
Between Your Eyebrows (Third Eye)
There is also a facial pressure point located at the midpoint between your eyebrows, also called your third eye or Ying Tang. Applying pressure to this area can help calm your mind and relieve stress and anxiety. It can also help reduce eye strain and insomnia.
A facial pressure points massage that includes the point between your eyebrows can also improve skin tone and complexion. Gentle massage encourages blood flow, along with nutrients and oxygen, to revitalize skin cells. It can even help reduce the lines and wrinkles that show up between the eyebrows. Do this regularly and you’ll likely notice that your skin looks healthier and more vibrant.
To locate this pressure point, get into a comfortable position, either standing, sitting, or lying down. Then, place the pad of your thumb or index finger on the area between your eyebrows, above the bridge of your nose.
Activate this pressure point by applying gentle pressure and moving your thumb in small circles. Continue to make circles for 2-3 minutes.
Chin
The next acupressure point can be found at the center of your chin, underneath your lower lip. This is a great point to focus on when you notice that stress is beginning to affect the health and appearance of your skin.
This acupressure point is one of the thirteen “Ghost Points.” It’s considered a great point to focus on when you want to relieve dark thoughts and troubling emotions.
To activate this pressure point, apply gentle pressure with the pad of your index finger. Press down for several seconds, ease up, then repeat for 2-3 minutes.
Under Your Nose
Another facial pressure point is located just under the nose, at the top of the upper lip. This pressure point is known for its ability to reduce stress and relax the mind. This is because applying pressure to this area activates the parasympathetic nervous system.
The acupressure point under your nose can also help restore focus and improve your mental energy. If you’re feeling especially tired or experiencing brain fog, activating this point can help.
Activate this pressure point using the same technique as you did for your chin. Press down for several seconds, ease up, then repeat for 2-3 minutes.
Next To Your Ear
The final facial pressure point is located next to your ear, at the top of your lower jaw. This area is particularly helpful for relieving jaw tension, which is common among people who are under a lot of stress. It also helps promote lymphatic drainage by accessing the lymphatic points on either side of your face.
Activate this pressure point by applying pressure with the pads of your index and middle fingers, then draw small circles. Continue this for 2-3 minutes.
Facial massage that focuses on specific pressure points is a great way to relieve stress and promote relaxation.
I encourage you to add facial massage to your stress relief repertoire. For many people, the relief is almost instantaneous. And that’s just one of the benefits of this holistic technique!
If you’re interested in more facial massage techniques, check out my write-up on buccal face massage. The benefits will blow you away!
For more natural ways to improve your skin and bring out your inner beauty, head over to the blog.
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