This DIY Ear Massage Offers Instant Stress-Relief
In the rush of everyday life, a trick that quickly calms the mind and releases tension sounds almost too good to be true. Fortunately, it’s not. There’s a Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired hack designed to help you feel calmer, fast. And you can do it anywhere, at any time.
The best thing? It doesn’t involve smelling salts, an app, or memorising a long routine. All you need to do is pay a little extra attention to an oft-overlooked part of your body: the earlobe.
TikTok is awash with positive reviews of this ear massaging technique for stress-relief. The soothing ritual is based on auriculotherapy, a centuries-old branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine that views the ear as a miniature map to the entire body.
How does it work?
The ear is connected, via nerve endings, to the brain. Massaging the earlobe can help to switch on the body’s “rest and digest” mode, also known as the parasympathetic nervous system. This slows the heart rate, deepens the breath, and releases endorphins that help you feel calmer almost instantly.
How to do it
- Get comfortable. Sit somewhere quiet – if you’re not at home, an empty meeting room or bench outside will also work – and place a hand on your chest. Take a few slow breaths here.
- Warm up your hands by rubbing them together. This helps to make your touch feel more grounding.
- Start at the lobe: Gently pinch your earlobe between your thumb and forefinger, making small, circular movements.
- Work upwards and move along the edge of your ear, pressing and rolling as you go, making sure to keep the pressure light.
- Finish by releasing. Give the lobe a gentle downward tug, then let go. You might feel your jaw and shoulders relax, too.
A technique that takes under a minute, an ear massage can help to ease tension and bring your body and mind back into the present. It’s not a miracle cure, but for something so simple (and discreet), it’s surprisingly effective.