acupressure for caregiver overwhelm
/You know those days where taking care of others becomes just too much to bear?
Photo by Hian Oliveira on Unsplash
Here's a short practice I shared on Clubhouse* (and with my self-care sanctuary members) this month that will provide you with a little mid-day reset when it all seems overwhelming--physically, mentally and emotionally. Give yourself about 2 minutes for each step, if you have it:
Take a few moments of quiet to arrive in your body, whether you're standing, seated or lying down. Feel the parts of you connecting with the Earth as you notice how your breath feels in this moment, and allow your spine to be long and easeful.
Bring your palms together (in anjali mudra, or prayer), bow your head slightly, and allow the tips of your index and long fingers to rest in the indentation between your eyebrows. Relax the muscles around your jaw and your eyes--maybe even closing your eyes, if you'd like. Allow your long, slow, full breaths to carry you to a place where you feel rested, calm and nurtured--a place where you can trust yourself. Feel this hand posture on this acupressure point helping you collect your thoughts, turning down the volume on your mental chatter so you can find a sense of rejuvenation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this point is on the Governing Vessel, which circulates the body’s protective energy.
Next bring your hand posture to your heart center—bisecting the imaginary line drawn between your underarms—so your thumbs rest right on your sternum. Feel the nourishing, internal yin energy of the TCM Conception Vessel (CV) in point 17 beneath your thumbs, also called the Sea of Tranquility. Inhale slowly evenly and fully into your heart, then allow any emotional tension to be carried off on your exhales … anger, worry, fear, sadness. Allow your heart to feel supported and held.
Now release your hand gesture, bring your fingertips about 3 finger-widths below your belly button, and gradually press in with intention. Check back in with your spine and shoulders to ensure that they’re relaxed (if you’re seated, sit back into your chair). Connect with your physical self as you focus on CV 6 beneath your fingertips, and allow all your internal organs to be bolstered with strength.
Gradually release your fingertips from this point, and allow your hands to rest (maybe palms up on your lap). Feel yourself integrating all the parts of you into one, as you experience the echoes of your fingertips in each spot supporting you mind, soul and body.
You can do this practice, inspired by expert Michael Reed Gach, every day. You can even try imagining your fingertips on these points during those times when you aren’t able to use your hands. And if you’re looking to boost the effect, try using your favorite calming essential oil (diulted appropriately) on your hands before starting the practice. Lavender or frankincense—or a blend of those two—would be lovely.
*Do you use Clubhouse? It’s an audio-only app that allows us to listen in on—and even participate in—conversations with people from around the world. There are rooms devoted to every topic you can think of! My colleagues and friends Colleen Jorgensen (osteopath, pain care educator and movement teacher) and spiritual coach and yoga teacher Tawnia Converse and I host the Wednesday Wellness room at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Each week one of us leads a mindfulness practice, and then we open it up for questions and conversation. Because the app is still in beta testing, it’s currently available only for iPhone, and you need an invitation to participate. Let me know if you would like an invite—we’d love to have you join us!