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Have you ever found yourself touching your ears without realizing it? The remarkable sensory organ can help you understand your surroundings through sound and tune into joy through music. However, this body part may also offer more benefits than you think.
The next time you need to calm down before a meeting or a stressful event, try tugging your earlobe, according to Bustle. The technique, which is a type of acupressure, is currently making waves on TikTok with creators like @shebreath talking about its benefits including relaxation in a video.
However, the practice, which has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is more than a viral trick. The outer part of the ear contains a dense network of nerve endings, which makes even a light, mindful touch able to send a calming signal to the brain, Erica Schwartzberg, LMSW, a psychotherapist, tells Bustle. “The external ear includes a branch of the vagus nerve that transmits sensory information back to the brain,” she adds. In fact, simply touching or stretching your ear can calm your nervous system.
The Benefits of Pulling Your Earlobe
This mighty method is a powerful way to support your well-being. Pulling your ear can slow your heart rate, lower stress hormones like cortisol, and help you feel more relaxed, according to Gayane Aramyan, LMFT, a Los Angeles-based therapist. The technique can be used whenever you need a quick reset or to feel calm, and can be done before bed, during a stressful commute, or anytime you’re feeling anxious.
There are more reasons to try this calming hack. “On a relational and somatic level, the act of touch itself is powerful,” Schwartzberg says. “That’s why a simple practice like this can feel grounding: it reminds the body that it is safe enough to soften, notice, and reconnect,” she adds.
How to Try Ear Pulling
If you’re looking to try this technique, there are a few easy ways to do it. Gently hold the lower part of your earlobe and either pull or massage it for 30-60 seconds, Aramyan recommends. While it’s okay to use firm pressure, it should feel pain-free. “This should feel pretty gentle and nourishing right away,” Aramyan says. “You can then repeat on the other ear.”
Enjoy More Perks of Ear Massage
Your ear may also be the gateway to feel-good neurotransmitters, The Times of India reports. A gentle pull and rub of the earlobes can also stimulate the nerve endings that cause the release of endorphins, which can make a positive impact through relieving pain. Another reason to massage your ears? Ear massage also helps boost the circulation of blood.
Massaging or pulling the ears is a convenient tool that you can use at any time and any place. So the next time you’re feeling stressed, resist the urge to get on your phone and remember you can relax through this gentle technique. The simple act is proof that calm is always available within the palm of your hands.
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