%20(2).png)
2025 Update: Powerful Stress Relief Pressure Points for Anxiety and Depression
- Dawn Chambers, PT, DPT
- Apr 3, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 5
Feeling anxious, tense, or emotionally drained? Discover how to use five powerful stress relief pressure points that may ease anxiety, improve your mood, and support mental clarity—naturally. Whether you're navigating burnout, overwhelmed by daily stressors, or simply looking for a calming reset, these acupressure points and must-have wellness tools offer a gentle, drug-free approach to finding balance again.
⭐ Editor’s Note: This post was updated for 2025 to reflect the most current research, product reviews, and expert insights.
5 Powerful Stress Relief Pressure Points for Anxiety and Depression (2025)
Women know stress. It's a given that we have to juggle our jobs, families, finances, and more, all while still looking fabulous. And when stress gets out of control, it can lead to other health problems like high blood pressure and depression.[**] Fortunately, there are several ways women can relieve stress in their daily lives, and one is by using stress relief acupressure points.
What Is Acupressure?
Acupressure is a type of massage that uses pressure to stimulate specific points in the body. It's based on traditional Chinese medicine, which believes that these points are linked to other parts of the body. Acupressure has been used for centuries to treat everything from stress and pain to infertility and arthritis.
Health Benefits of Acupressure Points
There is limited scientific knowledge about the usage of acupressure points and pressure points for anxiety relief. However, the studies that do exist are promising. Some of the reported benefits include:
● Reduced stress and anxiety[*]
● Reduced pain[*]
● Improved circulation[*]
● Improved overall emotional well-being[*]
Recommended Tools for Acupressure Practice:
The Aculief Clip applies steady pressure to the LI4 (Hegu) point, linked to headache relief and emotional calm. Wear it on your hand while working, traveling, or during stressful moments. Drug-free and discreet, it’s ideal for on-the-go support.
The Manual Acupressure Pen is a simple tool designed to activate acupressure points across your face, neck, ears, and hands. Use it during quiet moments or alongside your favorite breathing technique to calm tension, improve circulation, and reset your focus.
The UNMERA Acupressure Mat Set uses natural coconut fiber and a full-body layout to gently stimulate calming pressure points along your back, neck, and shoulders. It's perfect for winding down after a long day or supporting your daily grounding routine.
5 Stress Relief Pressure Points: Anxiety Relief Acupressure
Here are five acupressure points for anxiety to incorporate into your daily wellness routine for mental and physical health.[*]
1. Yin Tang
The Yin Tang point is located directly between your eyebrows. Applying pressure to this point is said to help with anxiety, insomnia, and pain relief.
How to use the Yin Tang acupressure point:
Sit or stand comfortably and close your eyes.
Touch the space between your eyebrows with your index finger or thumb.
Take deep breaths and use a circular motion to apply pressure for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Governor Vessel (GV20 or Baihui)
The Governor Vessel point is located on the top of your head, in the center. This pressure point is said to help relieve anxiety symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, and a clenched jaw.
How to use the Governor Vessel point:
Sit or stand comfortably, keeping your spine straight.
Place your finger at the top of your ears and follow an imaginary line up to the center of your scalp. Where those lines meet is the GV20 point.
Gently massage this point with your index finger while taking slow, deep breaths.
3. Great Abyss (LU9 or Taiyuan)
To locate the Great Abyss point, extend your arm and turn your palm up. Look for the wrist crease at the base of your thumb, where you can often feel the pulse of your radial artery. This point helps relieve stress and is commonly used for calming the nervous system.
How to use the Great Abyss point:
Sit or stand in a comfortable position.
Extend your arm and turn your palm up.
Locate the point on the wrist crease, in line with your thumb, next to the radial artery.
Apply gentle pressure and massage the area with your thumb for up to a minute.
4. Shen Men (HT7)
The Shen Men point is located on your inner wrist, on the pinky side of your hand. Acupressure enthusiasts report that the Shen Men impression point can help with pain relief, insomnia, and anxiety disorders.
How to use the Shen Men point:
Sit or stand in a comfortable position.
With your thumb or index finger, locate the Shen Men point on your inner wrist crease on the side closest to your pinky finger.
When you're feeling stressed or before sleeping, gently massage this area for up to a minute to help treat insomnia.
5. Hegu (LI4)
The Hegu point is located in the webbed area between your thumb and index finger on the back of your hand. This point is thought to help with headaches, pain relief, severe menstrual pain, and anxiety disorders.
How to use the Hegu point:
Sit or stand in a comfortable position.
With your hand facing down, find the webbed area between your thumb and index finger.
Apply firm pressure and massage the point for a few minutes. You can alternate hands as needed.
Final Thoughts About Stress Relief Acupressure Points
When stress levels are high, it can be difficult to find relief. However, these pressure points offer stress relief, and each one has a different effect on the body. Practice using these pressure points for anxiety regularly and see how they help to reduce stress and improve your daily life.
If you're looking for more ways to relieve stress and anxiety, consider using a mindfulness journal. This journal can help you practice healthy habits every day and keep track of your progress. Check out the mindfulness journal now!
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your specific condition.
Comments