Live Whole Health #191: Apply pressure

Having a hard time falling asleep? Try acupressure for a soothing effect that will have you sawing logs and dreaming sweet dreams every night.

This 11-minute acupressure routine with acupuncturist Laurieanne Nabinger, RN, LEAMP, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, can be performed before bed to help enhance sleep or during the night if you wake up.

The video walks you through a series of points for sleep improvement. You will also find a handout associated with the video you can keep bedside. Once you have learned the points, having the handout helps you remember the location and the order to repeat the acupressure routine as needed to help support your own healthy sleep patterns.

Resting and recharging are important to Whole Health

Many people experience sleep disruptions, either due to temporary events in our lives or more longstanding issues that interrupt sleep. When operating on reduced sleep, we may be more irritable, less focused, and generally not feel as good.

Many things affect our ability to fall and stay asleep. Our sleep patterns can change as we age and not everybody requires the same amount of sleep. After several nights of poor sleep, some people may begin to worry or feel anxious anticipating another night of struggle. Acupressure, along with your other medical care, may be useful to support your sleep.

More sleep information to help you recharge

To recharge means to re-energize by sleeping, rest and relaxing. To live well and enjoy life, your body needs to have enough of these each day. Sleep, rest and relaxation refresh your body and mind. Both your body and mind need enough sleep to work properly. A good balance between activity and rest improves your health and well-being. Try these hints for encouraging healthy sleep and tips for changing your habits to help you sleep better.