Even worse, how many times does caffeine fuel your day but completely wreck your night? Be honest: If the caffeine Olympics were real, would you bring home the gold? Sleep troubles are the pits. 70% of adults say they don’t get enough sleep at least one night per month, and 11% say their insomnia is chronic.
You don’t have to continue staring at the ceiling all night.
There are ways to usher in an era of quality REM. If you’re awake because you’re uncomfortable, buying the best mattress for lower back pain sufferers is a good start but working with pressure points could also make a difference.
Why Pressure Points?
Acupuncture and acupressure are ancient techniques. They work along with a system the Chinese call your meridian (think of it as a metro map). Different parts of the meridian are associated with various parts of your body, including the heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen.
Acupuncture and acupressure techniques target specific pressure points that are thought to improve the energy flow in your meridian and stimulate the parts of your body that promote sleep. You can have both acupuncture and acupressure done by a professional – but you can also do acupressure on yourself at home when you get into bed.
Top 5 Pressure Points for Sleeping Well
Acupressure for sleep involves targeting certain points associated with quieting the mind. Even better, many of these pressure points will also help with the related issues that could be keeping you awake. Here are five pressure points that will soothe your mind and send you into a fitful sleep.
1. Bubbling Spring (KD1) on the Top Sole of the Foot
When you curl your toes inward, the small depression that appears just under the ball of your foot is called the bubbling spring pressure point.
This pressure point is also called the KD1 point, and it grounds your energy.
To apply acupressure to your KD1, lie flat on your back and bend one leg toward your torso. Grab your foot and feel for the bubbling spring point. Apply firm pressure in a circular motion for several minutes.
2. Spirit Gate (H7) on the Outer Wrist
The spirit gate point is also called your Heart 7, or H7. It’s located at the top of your wrist on the pinky finger side.
To massage your spirit gate, feel for the hollow area just beneath your outer wrist. Apply light pressure for up to three minutes. You can also use up and down or circular motions to massage the pressure point.
3. Wind Mansion (GV16) on the Base of the Skull
Also called the GV16, the wind mansion pressure point is located at the very top of your neck, just beneath your skull bone. In addition to offering insomnia relief, applying pressure to the GV16 could help with headaches or sore eyes.
Sit up and put your thumb in the hollow divot just beneath the base of your skull. Apply firm pressure for one minute and then release. You may repeat the process several times as needed until you get sleepy.
4. Great Surge (LV3) on the Top of the Foot
This pressure point is good for sleep because it’s thought to relieve underlying issues like anxiety, irritation, and anger – all of which could be contributing toward your sleep woes. It’s located at the juncture of the first and second metatarsal bones (just below the space between your big and second toes).
To stimulate this point, place your thumb between your big and second toes, then move it down until you feel a depression where the bones meet. Apply firm pressure for up to two minutes. You may also use circular motions.
5. Inner Gate/Pass (P6) on the Mid-Wrist
Located about an inch under your wrist in the center of your forearm, the inner gate (sometimes called the inner pass) point is a big one when it comes to sleep. It also aids with issues like nausea and stomach pains.
You can easily stimulate this pressure point by facing your palm upward and counting three finger lengths beneath your wrist. Apply firm pressure with your thumb for one full minute and then release.
How the Best Mattress for Lower Back Pain Sufferers Can Help You Sleep
There are lots of reasons to have disturbed sleep. From chest congestion to anxiety to back pain, sometimes your body needs help to calm down. A pressure point mattress can be your new best friend.
While you massage your pressure points before bed, a mattress can calm the sensitive areas on the top of your skin (also sometimes called pressure points). The best mattress for lower back pain sufferers, for instance, will cradle your spine and conform to your hips to keep your back aligned.
The best mattress for back and neck pain will support the area between your shoulder and head all night long. And the best mattress for back and hip pain never lets you sink down.
You can find all of these qualities in a Layla Mattress. Made from top of the line memory foam, our cooling mattress conforms to your curves as it draws heat away from your body. You can even switch it between the soft and firm sides until you find the one that works for you… kind of like Goldilocks. The Layla Mattress is also the best mattress for lower back pain sufferers because it stands the test of time and won’t sag after a couple of months.
Nothing promotes good sleep like a great mattress. When combined with massaging the right pressure points along your meridian, you may notice an immediate difference in the quality of your nightly rest. And you know what that means: when you’re on the best mattress for lower back pain sufferers and insomniacs, you wake up ready to tackle the day like a champ.
For more information about sleeping on a Layla Mattress, reach out today!
