5 Acupoints to Press When You Can’t Sleep

Are You Staring at the Ceiling Again Tonight?

You’ve been in bed for over an hour but your eyes are wide open. Picking up and putting down your phone, tossing and turning… the thought of being tired tomorrow only makes the anxiety worse. You don’t want to resort to sleeping pills, and you wish there was a more natural way to fall asleep.

Our bodies have acupoints that function like ‘sleep switches,’ activating the parasympathetic nervous system and releasing tension. Gently pressing these points before bed stabilizes the heart rate and signals the brain that ‘it’s time to sleep.’

1. HT7 (Shenmen) — The Sleep Button on Your Wrist

Where is it?

On the inner wrist crease, in the hollow just inside the tendon on the pinky-finger side.

How to press it

1. Find HT7 with the opposite thumb and press it firmly
2. Press for 5 seconds → rest for 3 seconds, repeat 10 times
3. Do both hands (about 1 minute per side)
4. Exhaling slowly while pressing is even more effective

Why does it work? HT7 is the source point (yuan-source) of the Heart meridian. It stabilizes the heart’s qi and calms the mind. It’s especially helpful when you can’t sleep due to anxiety or heart palpitations.

2. GV20 (Baihui) — Tranquility Descending from the Crown

Where is it?

At the very top of the skull, where the line connecting the tips of both ears meets the midline running up from the nose.

How to press it

1. Lightly tap GV20 with your middle finger (30 seconds)
2. Then press firmly with your fingertip for 5 seconds → rest for 3 seconds, 8 times
3. You will feel a hazy relaxation spreading through your whole head

Why does it work? GV20 means ‘the place where all meridians meet.’ It lifts yang energy to clear the mind and calms excessive thinking.

3. SP6 (Sanyinjiao) — The Relaxation Point Where Three Meridians Meet

Where is it?

4 finger-widths above the tip of the inner ankle bone, on the inner edge of the shinbone.

How to press it

1. Use your thumb to find the sore spot along the inner edge of the shinbone
2. Press for 5 seconds → rest for 3 seconds, 10 times on each foot
3. It’s more comfortable to do this lying in bed

Why does it work? This acupoint is where the three yin meridians of the spleen, liver, and kidney intersect. It replenishes yin energy throughout the body and releases tension. It is also widely beneficial for women’s health.

4. KI1 (Yongquan) — The Sleep-Inducing Switch on the Sole

Where is it?

At the front one-third of the sole, in the hollow that forms when you curl your toes.

How to press it

1. Press KI1 firmly with your thumb, repeatedly
2. Press for 5 seconds → rest for 3 seconds, 10 times on each foot
3. You will feel your feet warming up as the heat descends from your upper body

Why does it work? KI1 is the starting point of the Kidney meridian and brings excess heat downward. Cool head, warm feet — the state of ‘cool head and warm feet’ is the ideal condition for sleep.

5. PC6 (Neiguan) — The Calming Point to Press When Your Chest Feels Tight

Where is it?

3 finger-widths up from the inner wrist crease toward the elbow, between two tendons.

How to press it

1. Press firmly between the two tendons with the opposite thumb
2. Press for 5 seconds → rest for 3 seconds, 10 times, both hands
3. Your chest opens up and breathing becomes easier

Why does it work? PC6 is the connecting point (luo-connecting) of the Pericardium meridian. It calms chest tightness and nausea. When you can’t sleep from anxiety or tension, pressing it together with HT7 (Shenmen) creates a synergistic effect.

Quick Overview: 5 Sleep Acupoints

Pre-Sleep Acupressure Routine (10 minutes)

1. Dim the lights and lie down comfortably
2. HT7 (Shenmen) 1 minute each hand → calming the mind
3. PC6 (Neiguan) 1 minute each hand → relaxing the chest
4. GV20 (Baihui) 1 minute → clearing the mind
5. SP6 (Sanyinjiao) 1 minute each foot → full-body relaxation
6. KI1 (Yongquan) 1 minute each foot → releasing heat
7. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing… 😴

Frequently Asked Questions