2. When you feel bloated: The relief point on the arm.
Gas or the feeling of fullness after large meals is not only unpleasant, but can also significantly impact your well-being. This point is located on the forearm, roughly halfway between the elbow and the wrist, on the outside.

Press gently but visibly, remaining calm. Some people feel a slight tingling sensation, others a warm sensation. This is normal. It indicates that the energy flow is being stimulated.

I discovered this point while sitting on the couch after a big family dinner (potato salad, roast beef, red cabbage, the lot) and thought my stomach was about to explode. I remembered an old book my aunt owned on “Healing Hands”—and this very point was described there. Five minutes of massage—and I could breathe deeply again.

I’ve been doing it regularly ever since. Especially after eating in the evening, it helps me fall asleep more easily.

3. When your stomach growls: the calming point in the palm of your hand.
Stomach problems have many causes: stress, irregular eating habits, too much coffee. But whatever the reason for your stomach growls, this point almost always helps a little.

It’s located in the center of your palm, where your thumb and index finger meet when you grasp. Gently press with the thumb of your other hand and inhale deeply.

I often do this when I’m out and about and don’t have tea or a heating pad handy. This small gesture is sometimes enough to make me feel safer and calmer.

It’s amazing how our body reacts when we touch it even briefly. It’s as if it breathes a sigh of relief: “Finally, someone is taking care of me.” 4. When you can’t fall asleep: the resting spot in the palm of your hand.
You know: you’re in bed, the lights are off, but your head keeps buzzing? Thoughts, lists, memories, all at once. Before, I tossed and turned in bed. Now, I press on this spot, and it’s as if someone is silently turning down the volume of my thoughts.

I hold it in the palm of my hand, slightly to the side, under my pinky. I gently massage it in circular motions, sometimes for just a minute. Then I feel the warmth spread through my hand and slowly rise to my shoulders. I imagine my body telling me, “Now you can let go.” Many of my friends have tried it, and almost all of them say they fall asleep faster afterward. One even wrote to me, “Your hand trick worked better than any sheep-counting app.”

The body speaks to us; we just have to listen.
Since using these techniques regularly, I’ve developed a different relationship with my body. In the past, I saw it merely as a tool, something that was supposed to work. Now, I see it as a partner. When I pay attention to it, it gives me something back: calm, balance, energy.

Of course, it doesn’t solve all my problems. But it helps me live more mindfully. When I notice myself feeling tense, I take a moment to rub my hands together, breathe deeply, and press on one of these points. It’s like a small new beginning in the midst of my daily life.

Science and intuition: two sides of the same coin.
I’m often asked, “Is there any evidence that it actually works?” and my answer is yes and no. Studies show that acupressure and light massage have positive effects on the nervous system. But many factors are difficult to measure scientifically because they involve sensations and perceptions. I believe it’s not always necessary to explain everything. If something helps you relax, if it’s harmless and beneficial, why not? In Japan, touching your hands is even considered a form of meditation. And many modern therapists confirm that those who regularly practice self-touch often experience fewer symptoms of stress.

My daily ritual:
Now I practice these manual techniques almost every day, usually in the evening or when I want to wake up slowly in the morning. I call them my “mini 3-minute spa.”

First, I rub my hands together until they’re warm. Then, I press point by point, very calmly, without pressure, without any objective. I simply feel. I breathe. I be.

Continued On Next Page