5 Simple Remedies to Counter the Effects of Excess Screen Time Due to Distance Learning
Please meet Jenn Aubert, my dear friend whom I consider an expert in all things health-related. I asked her recently if she had any suggestions for screen fatigue. My daughter has been complaining of headaches and tummy aches since remote learning started a few weeks back. Jenn offered acupressure points taken from her advanced studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine that help alleviate headaches, eye strain, and restlessness.
As children spend more and more time in front of screens due to distance learning, we’re hearing that they are experiencing a variety of issues. Interestingly enough, the complaints sound similar to issues that adults working in an office setting often experience:
- Eye strain
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Neck aches
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Low energy
Traditional Chinese Medicine (in the way of acupressure for our purposes here) can provide some simple, at-home (or at-school) solutions to help relieve some of the common issues that arise from increased screen time, too much sitting, and simply too much stress!
As a trained acupuncturist, I regularly rely on these simple exercises for myself and when my nine-year-old is feeling agitated, fatigued, overly wiggly, or lacking focus. I’ve drawn on these points even more during distance learning in the attempt to counteract the additional screen time.
For each point listed, you can either tap on the point with your finger for several seconds or simply apply pressure to the point with your thumb or finger for several seconds to one minute.
As you’re stimulating the point, make sure that you slow down and breathe while paying attention to what you’re wanting to accomplish by pressing the point. Similarly, ask your child to take slow, deep inhales and exhales while you’re working with them.
Below are powerful acupuncture points that have many benefits. These points are safe to use on yourself and your children. However, please note if you’re pregnant, DO NOT use LI 4 (Hegu) below. We use that point to promote labor!
Acupuncture may seem counterintuitive. I often get asked how a point on someone’s hand can impact their head or how a point on the lower leg can have an overall systemic benefit. The answer lies below the surface.
The energetic highways of the body (meridians) travel in very predictable and well-documented pathways throughout the body. When managing symptoms, the most powerful points are often the ones at the beginning or end of the meridian (which are at the extremities: hands, arms, feet, and legs). Stimulating those points provide surprising relief.
To keep things simple, we’re sharing five potent points that are super effective and easy-to-ease and can add to your personal wellness toolbox. Don’t forget that stimulating these points works no only on children, but grownups, as well. You can definitely use them too! I hope you do!
5 Acupressure Points to Relieve Symptoms Associated with Distance Learning
1. Headaches
Point name: Large Intestine 4 | Hegu | Union Valley
This point is commonly known as a master point for relieving headaches.
It boosts immunity and relieves a variety of problems with the face such as sinus pressure, toothaches, and eye strain.
(DO NOT use if you’re pregnant.)
Location: This point is located on the top of your hand between the thumb and first finger. When you bring your thumb close to you first finger you will get a slight bulge directly down from where thumb and first finger meet. The point is at the top of that bulge.
2. Anxiety/ Agitation
Point name: Kidney 27 | Shu Fu | Shu Mansion
This point opens and relaxes the chest and can help relieve constricted breathing, cough, and chest tightness. It promotes deep breathing, soothes anxiety and agitation, and reduces fatigue.
This point opens and relaxes the chest to help asthma, constricted breathing, cough, and chest tightness.
Location: In a depression below the clavicle, approximately 1-2 inches lateral from the midline.
3. Lack of Energy
Point name: Stomach 36 | Zu San Li | Leg Three Mile
This is considered the most potent acupuncture point in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Stimulating ST 36 treats a long list of ailments, but it also promotes immune function, eliminates fatigue, and boost energy levels. The Chinese name of Zu San Li is translated as Leg Three Miles. This point was used by Chinese soldiers when they were so tired, they couldn’t go on. They would stimulate this point and manage to march on farther!
This point boosts immune functioning, helps build and maintain overall health, helps with stomach and GI issues, and is a generally a powerful tonic point.
Location: On the lateral (outside) portion of the lower leg. You can find the point by first locating the eye of the knee (lateral side) and then go two to three inches down from there. It is approximately one inch off the tibia (shin bone).
4. Restlessness
Point name: Du 20 | Bai Hu | Hundred Convergences
This point is a brilliant way to either boost energy if you’re feeling low or descend energy if you’re feeling wound up. It just seems to know what is needed at the time. This point also helps with headaches, eye pain, irritability, and low energy.
Location: At the crown of the head. You can find this point by drawing an imaginary line from the top point of your ears to the top of your skull.
5. Eye Strain
Point name: Small Intestine 3 | Hou Xi | Back Ravine
Stimulating this points helps with stiff neck, eye redness and strain, headaches, and anxiety.
Location: When a loose fist is made on the pinky side of your fist where the skin puckers out.
As you might have noticed, you can use a single point for several different complaints that might arise or mix and match and see which one works for you.
These points can be used as issues arise, or you can add them to your routine:
- Stimulate KI 27 to kick off the day before settling into distance learning
- Stimulate DU 20 when your child is super scattered or lacking focus
- Stimulate ST 36 toward the midday slump to help boost their energy levels
- Stimulate SI 3 when your child complains that their eyes feel tired
- Stimulate LI 4 if your child complains of headaches
These simple techniques are a great way to teach your children how to care for themselves, as well. It is awesome to see your child use these points to help themselves when particular issues that come up.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenn Aubert, LAc. MSTOM is an author, entrepreneur, and wellness practitioner. Her first book, Women Entrepreneur Revolution: Ready! Set! Launch! (Balboa Press, 2014), explores the mindset, motivation, and behaviors of successful female entrepreneurs and the role models in their lives who have influenced them. Jenn currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and basketball-loving son.
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