Press your “Hegu” (takes 60 seconds)

These are 4 of my favorite health tips I’ve been ever since medical school. If you are having trouble viewing this email, [click here.]( [Dr. Steven Gundry | Founder, Gundry MD] Ever feel stressed, {NAME}? These days, it's hard not to! Whether it's juggling personal problems, getting stuck in traffic, or hearing negative stories in the news… Life can get pretty overwhelming sometimes. And feeling stressed out isn’t just a “mental thing”… Because MRI scans show that even a small amount of stress can have a huge impact on your physical health.1 In fact, a recent study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine showed worrying can actually make you age faster...2 And researchers now link stress to virtually ALL of the world’s leading health problems.3 Not to mention, stress hormones like cortisol can be very taxing on your body, and lead to issues like:4, 5 - Fatigue - Trouble paying attention - Poor digestion (including constipation and bloating) - Sore muscles and joints - And flu-like symptoms So it’s extremely important to keep stress under control. Personally? Whenever I get stressed out, there are a few easy tricks I use to quickly clear my mind. I’ve been using them since medical school... And it just dawned on me — I’ve never shared them with you before! So the next time you sense that anxious, jittery feeling bubbling up… Here’s what I want you to do:  1. Do a “Mind Dump” Sometimes, our brains can feel so full of thoughts that it’s hard to focus. When this happens, I recommend doing a 5-minute “mind dump.” Simply sit down with a pen and paper, and jot down anything that comes to mind — whether it’s something you have to do, something that’s stressing you out, or something you can’t stop thinking about. Afterwards, go through and address each thought one by one. I think you’ll be amazed at how much “clearer” you’ll feel afterwards. Oh, and don’t worry if your “brain dump” is a little messy. It’s supposed to be!  2. Press Your “Hegu” Your hegu is a stress-relief pressure point between your thumb and index finger. And according to ancient Chinese acupuncture, gently massaging it can help lower your cortisol levels. Here’s how you do it: - Gently press the web of skin connecting your index finger to your thumb.  - In a circular motion, gently massage this area for a minute.  - Do this again on your other hand. I like to do this when my shoulders and neck feel a little sore, too. Because research shows pressing your hegu can also relieve sore muscles.6  3. Chew Gum Chewing gum stimulates your sense of touch, taste, and smell — which gives your brain something else to focus on other than your nerves. And one study found that people who chewed gum twice a day showed a huge reduction in stress and anxiety.7 Just keep it sugar-free, of course!  4. Look at Fractals Fractals are repeating patterns found in nature. Think leaves, snowflakes, flowers, seashells, or this succulent…  Not only are these fractal patterns really interesting to look at — whether they’re in your garden, at the park, or on your computer… They’re also shown to help reduce stress by up to 60%!8 Of course, there are plenty of other ways to clear your mind when you’re feeling burnt out. So it’s important to figure out what works best for you. Sometimes, it can be as simple as doing something you enjoy. (For me, walking the dogs usually does the trick — especially when I combine it with any of the 4 tips above.) So whatever it is that makes you happy, be sure to do it as much as possible. I think you’ll find yourself feeling (and looking) more vibrant as a result. Steven Gundry, MD [Steven Gundry, MD] P.S. If you have any tips on how to unwind... I’d love to hear them! Heck, I may even end up sharing your advice in a future newsletter. So please, don’t hesitate to reply to this email with your best relaxation tips! :)  Sources 1. Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017;16:1057–1072. Published 2017 Jul 21. doi:10.17179/excli2017-480 2. Graham JE, Christian LM, Kiecolt-Glaser JK. Stress, age, and immune function: toward a lifespan approach. J Behav Med. 2006;29(4):389–400. doi:10.1007/s10865-006-9057-4 3. Salleh MR. Life event, stress and illness. Malays J Med Sci. 2008;15(4):9–18. 4. Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017;16:1057–1072. Published 2017 Jul 21. doi:10.17179/excli2017-480 5. Schneiderman N, Ironson G, Siegel SD. Stress and health: psychological, behavioral, and biological determinants. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2005;1:607–628. doi:10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144141 6. Randomized clinical trial of acupuncture for myofascial pain of the jaw muscles. 7. Sasaki-Otomaru A. Effect of Regular Gum Chewing on Levels of Anxiety, Mood, and Fatigue in Healthy Young Adults. Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health. 2011;7(1):133-139. doi:10.2174/1745017901107010133 8. Taylor RP. Reduction of Physiological Stress Using Fractal Art and Architecture. Leonardo. 2006;39(3):245-251. doi:10.1162/leon.2006.39.3.245   This email was sent to {EMAIL} by newsletter@gundrymd.com [Edit Profile]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [VIP Discounts]( | [Join Text Club]( 145 S. 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