Making time to relax can provide many health benefits, especially for those with MS. Here is an easy relaxation strategy recommended by Dr. Bates, using mood-lifting acupressure points to help relieve stressors:                               

• The first points are on the top of the head. Find these 3 antidepressant points by feeling for a dip on the curve of your head. Placing your middle finger in the dip, you can find the other two points by placing your index and ring fingers 1 inch in front and 1 inch behind your middle finger. If you have a hard time reaching the top of your own head, it works just as well to have someone else do this for you. Using your fingertips, rub these points in gentle circles for a few minutes to help relieve low mood and improve memory.
• The next point is the 3rd Eye Point. Located directly between your eyebrows, this point is calming and centering. It helps to reduce anxiety and balance emotions. Try closing your eyes while you massage this point in gentle circles with your fingertip.
• “Letting Go” is the name of the points at the peaks of your lungs. According to Chinese medicine, our lungs are the organs that hold grief, and stimulating these points can help us to let go of grief and repressed emotions. You can find these points on either side of your chest, just below your collarbone. Hold or massage these points while you take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to release grief or negative emotions with each breath.
• The last point is a heart point called the “Sea of Tranquility.” It’s located right in the middle of your breastbone. This point quiets agitation and promotes relaxation. Stimulating it by rubbing gently with your fingertips helps with heartache and sadness.

This mini-coping strategy is free, easy and literally at your fingertips. The reality is that most people struggle with coping at some point while dealing with MS. Different coping strategies work for different people. The IMSMP can help you connect with strategies that resonate with you.