Do you take mental health challenges seriously enough to seek solutions? Or do you repress your feelings, sweeping issues like depression or anxiety under the rug?
May is Mental Health Month, and that means now is the time to prioritize self-nurturing.
Examining the way you approach mental health is critical to maintaining balance and resilience in your life, as well as cultivating a culture of support for others.
This month, you can empower yourself to overcome challenges by getting familiar with natural, accessible tools for healing and self-acceptance.
Ear seeding takes a holistic approach to mental wellness — one that addresses the physiological factors that may contribute to issues like anxiety and depression.
Here are five ways ear seeds can help manage mental health issues.
1. Stabilize mood and balance emotions.
When your hormones trigger serotonin levels to rise and fall rapidly, you experience what’s known as a mood swing. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is usually to blame for these startling changes.
Ear seeds work to increase the release of endorphins and decrease the release of cortisol, correcting any chemical imbalances that may contribute to instability.
Recommended protocols: Depression, Premenstrual Discomfort, Stress & Anxiety
2. Retrain your nervous system to handle challenges without entering “fight-or-flight mode.”
Your vagus nerve is responsible for slowing down the sympathetic nervous system, which controls how you react to danger and stress. If your sympathetic nervous system is overactive, you might enter into “survival mode” more often than is necessary, leading to chronically high levels of cortisol.
Ear seeds directly stimulate the vagus nerve through the surface of the ear and signals to the sympathetic nervous system that it’s time to chill out.
Recommended protocols: Stress & Anxiety, PTSD
3. Slow down fast-paced, anxious thoughts.
Have you ever had so much running through your mind that you couldn’t hear yourself think?
One of the best ear points for reducing mental clutter is Shen Men, also known as “Spirit Gate.” Seeding this master point stimulates nerve endings that work to restore clarity and confidence.
Even physical symptoms of anxiety can be targeted with ear seeds. The Tranquilizer Point is known for its especially sedative effects.
Recommended protocols: Stress & Anxiety, Focus & Memory
4. Break the cycle of addiction.
Another unique function of Shen Men is its ability to help curb addictive behaviors and substance abuse. It’s even used at rehabilitation centers to support continued treatment! Your ear is home to several other points that can also be used to reduce dependence, suppress cravings and promote detoxification.
Recommended protocols: Addiction, Stop Smoking
5. Improve sleep quality.
Both sleeping too little (insomnia) or too much (hypersomnia) can exacerbate mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Ear seeds can help your body maintain proper sleep hygiene by resetting its sleep-wake cycle and boosting melatonin production. The Pineal Gland point in particular is especially effective in restoring balance to your internal body clock and has protective benefits in the brain.
Recommended protocols: Sleep/Insomnia
Together, let’s embrace a holistic approach to self-care and contribute to a world where mental health is openly discussed and supported.
Order your Ear Acupressure Essentials Set today and get our 23-chart Ring of Cards, including protocols for Depression, Stress & Anxiety, Sleep/Insomnia, Focus & Memory, Addiction, Stop Smoking and more.
