Quick acupressure techniques to ease headaches, reduce stress, relax, and rejuvenate

Try these simple techniques to make your day better in 5 minutes or less.

Headache Relief

Two acupressure points are very valuable for treating headaches:

1. Back of the head–First, find the occipital bone (that hard bony plate smack in the middle of the back of your head). Now move your fingers about an inch-and-a-half below that, and apply pressure to both sides of that area with your thumbs. It may be easier if you lower your head. Keep applying pressure and massage in a circular motion.
2. On the hand–Another effective location is found below the thumb between the first and second metacarpal bones, in the fleshy part below your thumb. Using the thumb of your other hand, apply pressure to this area, massaging in a circular motion. It’s good to apply pressure to both sides, so for best effect use your index finger to massage the other side of your hand. Headaches sometimes show up as “hard” spots in this area. If you find a spot like this (and can stand it), apply pressure directly. Usually once you feel it release, your headache will be gone.

Stress Relief

Two critical points are often used for relieving nausea, emotional upset, and general stress:

1. Underside of wrist (“Pericardium 6″ according to acupressure masters)
2. About an inch-and-a-half above the wrist on the top and underside of the arms (what they call “Triple Burner 5″)–gently grasp these by placing your index finger on the topside point and your thumb on the bottom point.

Massage in gentle circles with light pressure, breathing in deeply for a count of five and exhaling (slowly) for a count of five. Repeat several times.

Relaxation

The “Spirit Gate” (located in the middle of the sternum) is great for reducing anxiety and calming th spirit. Rub this point in a counterclockwise motion while exhaling out pent-up emotions, stress, and agitation.

Rejuvenation

“Stomach 36″ is an acupuncture fave for increasing energy and vitality (also increasing metabolism and improving digestion). These points are located about three inches below the outside of each leg below the kneecap. Massage in a clockwise pattern to bring in more energy (you might want to try one leg at a time, unless you’re way more coordinated than I am and can do clockwise on both at once).

(Thanks to Jeff for the inspiration!)

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Joke websites

OK, we can’t say they’re all funny, appropriate, or clean. Many definitely do not reflect the views of this website’s sponsors. However, we’re all for a lot of jokes in one place, so check out the following if you dare:

http://www.jokes.com/funny/ (Comedy Central’s site, organized by categories like “blonde,” “yo’ mama,” “zombie baby,” “political,” etc….includes the famous Random Joke Generator)

http://www.the-jokes.com/ (includes gag gifts, e-cards, tests, and other joke-related stuff)

http://www.workjoke.com/ (jokes by profession)

http://kids.yahoo.com/jokes (sponsored by Yahoo! Kids, all jokes are geared to young ones, so all are clean)

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