Acupressure mats for stress reduction and relaxation

Woman laying on a Shakti Acupressure Mat on beige carpet

Acupressure for stress relief is simple, quick, and there when you need it the most. Let’s unpack how it works, how to use acupressure points for stress to revitalize yourself, and how you can get some R&R sans spikes.

What causes stress?

Some of us live for stress. Some of us avoid it entirely. Not the type of stress that keeps you up in the middle of the night, but the purer form: biological stress.

Putting in 110%, working out, doing a good job, even being there for someone you care about. They’re all stressors, and they all affect us.

But whether it’s a case of doing too much, or having plenty thrown back at you, it eventually builds up.

It’s easy to resist admitting we're stressed, and to say others have bigger problems. But refusing to acknowledge stress doesn’t make it go away. We care about the things we care about because we’re unique, but your stress response might be showing up in the following ways:

Never resting and causing burnout

Burnout is when you’re physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. It can be part and parcel of a go-go-go mentality, and constantly being on the move. Running after others, attending events, working long hours, or jumping into challenging situations all add up, and it feels like everything can be achieved by pushing through a little more. But you can’t fill from an empty cup, and the one thing you’re not doing is resting.

Eventually, your body starts shutting down, and tiny things start to feel like an effort.

Resting or doing nothing comes with feelings of guilt. But active relaxing doesn’t have to cortisol-spiking.

Lying on a Shakti Mat forces relaxation on you. It has thousands of tiny spikes that apply targeted pressure for a feeling similar to a deep-tissue massage, and stimulating your body’s acupressure points to reduce stress is a simple way to slow down. It only takes 20 minutes, too. Simply lie in peace (after a few deep breaths), empty your mind* and roll off the Mat feeling relaxed, restored, and reset.

*Thousands of spikes make it hard to think about much else

Putting too much pressure on yourself

It’s easy to be your own worst enemy when it comes to stress, particularly if you’re ambitious or have a tendency toward perfectionism.

They’re great qualities to have when it comes to self-improvement and growth, but the risk is unrealistic expectations. Like trying to hit a big goal fast or attempting three days' worth of tasks in one.

Clearing your head is a simple way to restore focus so you can re-prioritize on the most important task, and there are many acupressure points for relieving stress and settling your mind.

Always putting others first

If you’re a caring person, it’s easy to put other people’s needs ahead of yours. At work you’re getting things done to unblock others, and at home you’ve got dinner up before realizing you never ate lunch.

Nothing’s wrong with helping others, but if you make a habit of it, it’s a surefire way to stress yourself out. Even if it’s a quick reset, making a little time for yourself before you give your energy and time to others is key.

You can apply subtle acupressure for stress relief (before it becomes a bigger problem) with an Acupressure Headband. The mini spikes don’t require as much pressure as a Mat to work their magic, and they release the pressure that builds up around (and in) your head.

Signs that you’re struggling with stress

A busy life can hide the signs, so here are some markers that point to too much stress:

You’re not sleeping well: Sleep is one of the first things to go when you encounter stress. If you can’t switch off or fall asleep, try lying on an acupressure mat in the evening to relax and unwind before bed.

You’re getting tension headaches: Tension headaches are typically caused by tight muscles in the shoulders and neck. A Premium Shakti Pillow is perfect for acupressure for tension headaches because it conforms to your neck and upper shoulders to help relax the muscles.

You’re irritable: Feeling frayed and getting snappy are common symptoms of stress, and it doesn’t feel good when you’re easily annoyed. Slow down by lying on an acupressure mat to invite peaceful energy and practice a little patience.

You have decision fatigue: Decision fatigue is when you’ve spent all your mental energy and have no brain power left to make simple decisions. Try rolling a Wonderball between your hands for a mental moment

You feel overwhelmed: Staring at a long list you’d normally have no problem with and feeling a little panic? Break projects into small, manageable actions that are easy to complete

Do acupressure mats relieve stress?

A 2021 study found that acupressure lowered stress and anxiety in nurses working during COVID-19. A similar study on acupressure and burnout found that in just three weeks, acupressure reduced the risk of burnout in nurses. In 2023, researchers discovered that acupressure helps sleep quality in breast cancer patients, making it an excellent option to manage poor sleep and stress.

Another study found that nurses experienced less stress and anxiety with regular acupressure. In 2021, researchers concluded that acupressure is a non-invasive treatment for anxiety and stress, recommending it to healthcare providers.

How a Shakti Acupressure Mat releases stress for blissful relaxation

Help lower stress levels

When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. Its job is to redirect all your energy to essential organs in case you need to fight or run from danger.

A small amount of cortisol is good—it rises when you exercise or undertake a challenge, making you more resilient to stress in the long run—but consistently high cortisol can lead to low moods, anxiety, even hair loss and high blood pressure.

Acupressure activates your relaxation response by inducing the release of feel-good hormones that naturally lower cortisol. Gradually slowing your heart rate and breathing deeper compound the effect and help calm an overactive nervous system.

Relaxes tense muscles

Desk work, manual work, late work: they’re all surefire ways to build muscle tension.

Just 20-30 minutes on spikes (as weird as that sounds) helps stimulate pressure points and release tension, similar to a deep tissue massage. The key is embracing the initial discomfort as the fiery warmth increases circulation and melts muscle aches

Helps circulation

Arteries and blood vessels tighten when they’re stressed. This slows blood flow and prevents oxygen and nutrients from circulating as effectively, which in turn can make you tired, sluggish, and moody.

When you lie on an acupressure mat for stress, the redness comes from a circulation boost. As your body relaxes internally, your circulation improves, and stress levels lower.

How to reduce stress and take care of yourself

Believe it or not: you can’t be your best without managing your stress in a way that releases it. Below are some additional wellness practices to minimize stress and rebalance your body.

Dedicate time to self-care

You can’t live life well without slowing down and recharging from time to time. You won’t deliver high-quality work unless you give your brain downtime. You’ll snap at people because you’re exhausted and running on empty.

Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity if you want to be the best version of yourself. Soak in a bubble bath, see a friend, or find a deeper release with acupressure. 20 minutes is all it takes.

Create a peaceful morning and evening routine

Not every day goes as planned, no matter how hard you try. However, there are ways you can make your mornings and evenings more peaceful to navigate challenging times with calmness.

If you’re a morning person, take advantage of it. Rise and shine for some quiet time to yourself without any distractions. It helps start your day with a calm and productive mindset so you can tackle whatever comes your way. If you’re a night owl, lean into it restoratively. Wind down without falling asleep on the couch and make sure you’re getting enough hours.

Be sure to check out Shakti Shala—your free acupressure mat app—for refreshing meditations and an entire series dedicated to sleep.

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Focus on slowing down

Ask yourself, “do I need to do that right now?”

Whether it’s a walk with your partner, a book, or a moment by yourself—your body and brain will thank you for it. When you slow down, you become a calmer, appreciative, and more productive person.

Do things that bring you joy

When you work hard for the future, you can forget to appreciate the present. How long has it been since you met a friend to catch up? When was the last time you picked up a hobby?

Talk to someone

A problem shared is a problem halved, and offloading stress by saying it out loud can improve your mood. There’s no shame in asking for help, either, whether at work or home.