Acupuncture points for sleeping

I have seen many people who are troubled by sleeping problems when they get older, because most people believe that they do not get enough sleep when they are young, and they will have insomnia problems after middle age. In fact, the occurrence of insomnia is not only related to a person’s mental state, but also closely related to what a person thinks every day. So if you want to improve insomnia, can you improve it by pressing acupoints?

1. Massage the pericardium meridian to improve sleep

The pericardium meridian runs along the midline of the front edge of the human arm. It starts in the chest, goes out to the pericardium, goes down the diaphragm, and goes all the way to the middle finger. There is one on each arm.

You can massage the acupoints along the pericardium meridian one by one, with pain as the standard for each acupoint. Press any painful point a few more times. It is best to press it until it doesn't hurt anymore. The pressure does not need to be too heavy, and you should stay for a few seconds longer while pressing. Massage each acupoint for 2 to 3 minutes on average.

If you find it too troublesome to find the acupoints, you can also directly tap the pericardium meridian, that is, tap along the meridians little by little. Tapping the pericardium meridian is very effective in unblocking the qi.

2. Massage the Tanzhong point to improve sleep

The Tanzhong point (between the two breasts) has the effects of calming the mind, opening the chest and relieving stuffiness. When massaging, use the tip of your thumb to press the acupoints with a little force for about five seconds each time, and rest for three seconds. When you are angry, you can stroke downwards about a hundred times to relieve the anger.

3. Tap Baihui and Fengchi to improve sleep

Fengchi point is located at the back of the neck, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper end of the trapezius muscle. Tapping this acupoint can help improve eyesight and refresh the mind. You can tap it anytime you feel tired, nervous or anxious. The force should be enough to feel slight pain.

4. Massage Yongquan acupoint to improve sleep

This point is located in the depression on the front of the foot, one-third of the way between the ends of the webs between the 2nd and 3rd toes and the heel. Use your left and right hands to massage the Yongquan acupoints on both feet 100 times each.

5. Gently massage Baihui acupoint to improve sleep

The location is at the intersection of the midline of the top of the head and the line connecting the two ear tips. Press the Baihui point with the tip of your right thumb, and when a heavy, swollen and numb feeling occurs locally, immediately switch to rotating the point with the belly of your thumb. Repeat this cycle for about 30 seconds. Then use the palm of your hand to press and rotate the point evenly for about 30 seconds, with the Baihui point as the axis.

6. Press the Shenmen acupoint to improve sleep

Wrist: At the ulnar end of the palmar wrist crease, in the radial depression of the ulnar flexor carpi tendon.

Acupoint massage is only an auxiliary means. If you want to sleep well in winter, targeted treatment is needed to achieve satisfactory results.

Tips for better sleep

1. Don't be too hungry or too full, drink some warm milk before going to bed. Although it is not recommended to eat after 8 pm, it is difficult to fall asleep on an empty stomach. Therefore, if you feel hungry before going to bed, you can eat some biscuits and some warm milk to help you fall asleep peacefully. However, eating too much before going to bed is not good, and eating late-night snacks frequently is not conducive to falling asleep.

2. Do not exercise one hour before going to bed. Vigorous exercise will affect sleep. Doing strenuous exercise before going to bed is not conducive to falling asleep. Therefore, it is not recommended to exercise after the evening, especially 1 hour before going to bed. Vigorous exercise can easily excite you and affect your sleep. However, light exercise can promote sleep to a certain extent, such as taking a walk, doing yoga, etc. For people whose physical conditions are suitable for yoga, doing simple yoga before bedtime, accompanied by clear and natural yoga music, is also a good way to help them sleep.

3. Foot soaking: most suitable for the elderly and those with cold hands and feet. Soaking your feet in hot water can help promote body circulation and help you fall asleep. Before going to bed, soak your feet in hot water until they turn red, and rub the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of the foot (the place with the herringbone pattern on the sole of the foot). Rub 100 times each time, three rounds on each side. Suitable for the elderly, people with cold hands and feet, and weak kidney qi. People who work too much during the day and are prone to anxiety and depression can make medicine bags with Panax notoginseng, Phellodendron chinense, Millettia reticulata, and Salvia miltiorrhiza and use them for foot soaking.

Dietary methods to improve sleep

1. Vinegar: When you are tired and have trouble sleeping, take 1 tablespoon of vinegar and put it into warm water and drink it slowly. When drinking, close your eyes and you will fall asleep peacefully in a moment.

2. Walnut: It tastes sweet and warm in nature. Eating walnuts regularly can treat neurasthenia, forgetfulness and insomnia. Red dates: sweet and mild in nature, nourish the stomach and spleen, replenish the middle and benefit the qi.

3. Red dates: For insomniacs, use 30-60g of red dates alone, add a little sugar and boil it into a soup, and take it before going to bed every night. You can also take 20 red dates and 7 green onions, add 3000ml of water, boil until 1000ml, remove the residue and then drink.

4. Lotus seeds: Lotus seeds have the effect of nourishing the heart and calming the mind. People with palpitations, insomnia and weak spleen and stomach can use lotus seeds without the core and 10 grams of water chestnuts, add appropriate amount of glutinous rice to cook porridge, and add a palm-sized lotus leaf, cover the water, and the porridge is delicious. For those who suffer from insomnia and frequent dreams, you can use 30 lotus seeds, add a little salt, boil them in water, and take it before going to bed every night.

5. Raw lily: Add 100 grams of raw lily to 500 ml of water, simmer until it is soft, and take it in two doses. It is a better choice for patients with mild schizophrenia and insomnia with a history of tuberculosis.

6. Schisandra: Crush the Schisandra into powder and sieve it for later use, 10 grams at a time, and then use 100 grams of glutinous rice flour. After fermentation, add the powder and mix well. Steam it in a steamer and eat it while it is hot before going to bed, once a day. It can have a comprehensive dual-regulating effect on patients with nocturnal emission, frequent dreams, palpitations and insomnia.