Google, Headbands and Acupressure

I love Google. If they’d been around when I was a kid I probably never would have left my room…well, kind of like I am now with the kitchen where my computer wardrobe resides. (I do have a laptop I could take anywhere but I like my ergonomic keyboard too much for that,) Today I was off on a mission to find out why I imagine that I feel better when I’m wearing a headband. There is something about the pressure behind my ears that says, “Hey, Lady, be happy! Smile and don’t eat the chocolate brownies.” Too bad they went out of style for anyone but those under sixteen, brides and Red Hat Society ladies who attach floppy flowers to them and pretend they’re hats in hot weather.

Did you know that you can find directions for acupressure you can do with your fingers at the front of your ears to suppressor your appetite? I guess I should start wearing headbands in front of my ears instead of having those silly little plastic pieces end behind them. As warped as I am I wonder what would happen if you only apply acupressure to one ear and not the other, would you only smell with one nostril, taste with only one side of your tongue? If you apply the pressure to your right ear and not your left would you only suppress half of your appetite?

As intriguing as the topic of ear acupressure for weight loss is it doesn’t answer my original question of why pressure behind my ears makes me feel good and I found an explanation. Okay, so here’s the low down. There are six pressure points around the ear—four in back and two in the front and they are all along what is known as the “Triple Warmer Meridians.” My headbands ends at the pressure point that is supposed to help relieve headaches, anxiety, neck tension and tinnitus. Who knew! But I got that from a website that also talks about Shaman Healing and Tibetan Rites….I’m just sayin’ take it with a grain of salt. Oh, crap! Now I want to Google ‘taken with a grain of salt’ and find out when that first came into use. Another day, Jean. Another day you will be bored enough to google salt.

But I realized, today, as I googled way that I come by my new-found interest in acupressure honestly. Growing up my dad had a Foot Reflexology Map and a special tool and every night he proceeded to find the pressure points to relieve whatever problem he believed he was helping with his nightly ritual. In my distant past I also remember buying a special pair of sandals with bumps inside that were supposed to hit your acupressure points. They were the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I ever owned. Oh course, you’re only supposed to wear them for 10-15 minutes, not all day but who reads the directions when you’re twenty-something?

After my Google search all I know for sure is that I’m glad the holistic care center is way across town because I’d be over there getting hot stone treatments, cucumber facials and acupressure massages and I don’t think I can afford to fall down that rabbit hole. I’d probably like it too much and they’d keep selling me treatments until I drained my bank accounts and I was so relaxed and happy that I’d get mistaken for a bowl rainbow Jell-O----layers of happy piled one color on top of the other.

Seriously, though, since my husband died I’ve had a burning desire to go to a spa---I've never been to one---maybe even go to on a weekend Spa retreat but I can’t find single person is who willing to go with me which means I’ll just have to keep wearing headbands around the house and pretend some big Swedish woman just gave me a massage. ©