Acupressure Mats: Get on Board

I have a new tip.

A tip that has transformed my neck pain. A tip that has given me energy. A tip that feels really good. Really good.

It’s simple, nothing expensive. Quick. To the point. Anyone can do it.

You might already know the tip if you follow along on Snapchat or Insta. Lately it’s been so efficient for me to immediately share products I like immediately with you guys via these Apps. I am a human guinea pig. I try things all the time for you guys. There are so many things I never share because they suck. If I choose to share anything know that I like it, I use it, I believe it. If I don’t, I don’t share it. Easy.

Anyway, the tip- let’s get to it: AN ACUPRESSURE MAT.

It’s kind of like a little bed of nails?

Michael introduced me to the product.

Michael has this problem. He orders too much off Amazon.

It’s absurd actually. He orders too many books, weird contraptions ( do we really need a crockpot & hot chocolate maker? ) & random vitamins ( without asking me…& we have to send half of them back because they’re GMO or bullshit ). So this is one time his Amazon problem came in handy: the bed of nails arrived.

I am one of those people who knows what I like & don’t like. And I can tell you the second I laid down on the acupressure mat, it was true love. Mind/body connection right away. My body loved it, my mind loved it. Sold.

Let me back up.

What exactly is an acupressure mat? Well, so glad you asked because I have research everything & anything you need to know.

An acupressure mat stimulates the body to release endorphin hormones which have a soothing effect on the mind & body. The mat improves muscles to recover from workouts, and improves sleep instantly. They’re portable & light.

They’re INSANE for neck/back pain treatment. Not only that, the mat can help reduce pain in shoulders and hips VERY quickly. Also the mat is known to help deal with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

Some benefits of acupressure: help the body repair itself and heal itself from stress, back pain, sciatica pain, fatigue, muscle soreness, & insomnia. According to many sources, “the power of acupressure has long been a best kept secret among those who believe in alternative medicine due to its immediate effect of reducing back pain. The mat is very lightweight and portable and can be taken with you anywhere.”

Oh, you should know when I say neck pain, the mat also comes with a little pillow for your neck. I am psycho & love it so much…I actually slept on it a few nights in a row. This is craziness. I don’t know if I recommend sleeping on it. Really 10 to 30 minutes is all you need. MANY sources say “a daily use of 20 minutes of acupressure mats will regulate blood circulation & oxygen level in your body.”

…But I will say, the nights I slept on it, I felt GREAT in the AM. Again, I’m intense & weird.

Since using the mat ( for about a month & half ) I’ve noticed: better sleep, less stress, less neck pain/muscle tension ( << from a car accident when I was 18 ).

I like to use it before I go to bed. I take a book & read on it while my neck hangs over the pillow & my back is flat on the mat. The whole thing is very therapeutic & relaxing.

Another tip from my friend, Erica: she has HORRIFIC back pain ( she’s a blogger & co-founder of our company, blog-doo so she’s on the computer A LOT. Erica if you’re reading this: TAKE A BREAK FROM THE COMPUTER MAN ). Anyway, she’s found that sitting on the mat while she’s at the computer has taken so much stress of her back! If you’re in an office, bring your mat to work. It’s so portable. Just add it to your chair & work. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Let’s go deeper though, here are some VERY specific benefits for you:

Benefits of Using Acupressure Mats:

relieve stress from body
relaxes mind & body
increases blood circulation
oxygenates the body i.e. improve oxygen level in body
gives relief with headaches
heals back pain including lower back aches on daily using
reduces anxiety & related problems
reduces depression levels by stimulating endorphins to make you feel good
reduces neck pain
removes sleeping disorders & also helpful for insomnia
relieves muscle tension & shoulder tension
relieves heartburn & inflammation
heals leg/foot pain
reduces Sciatica pain
gives relief in sinus congestion & nasal problems
beneficial in diabetes
reduces constipation & indigestion problems
re-energizes your body & Improves efficiency
heals fatigue problems

UMMMM ARE YOU SOLD OR WHAT?

Let’s talk about usage:

Good news: anyone & everyone can use them! So buy them for your friend who’s prone to horrific allergies, your dad who gets aggressive heartburn, or your BF who’s anxiety is off the charts.

You can use them anywhere. I like to use them in my room on the carpet by the bed. It’s recommended to use the mat in the morning when you wake up but I like to use them before bed BECAUSE I feel like they help with sleep ( some people say they wake them up ). I use mine everyday. Also, I’ve brought mine while traveling too.

Huge note: you should do deep breathing while laying on the mat too. Sometimes the MAT gives slight pain in beginning seconds but after that they start relieving any pain & stress. If you feel more pain with bare skin while using the acupressure mat, you can wear a thin tee-shirt.

…but I go topless. HA.

Lastly, drink a LOT of water after you’re on the mat.

I like hot peppermint tea post-mat too.

BUT Wait…

OK OK BUT I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING: “But Lauryn, does it hurt?”

Well. I eat garlic cloves & don’t think they taste bad but a lot of people do?

So…does it hurt to me? No, not at all. Reviews online mostly say it feels good. I’m not sensitive. I like THE MOST DEEP, DEEP TISSUE massage ever when I go to the spa SO maybe I’m not the person to ask?

Personally I think it feels amazing. Like orgasmic. Endorphins are going. I love it. Like I said, I sleep on the pillow. If anyone thinks it hurts, weigh in.

To be clear, I’m not a brand snob here- it doesn’t really matter. Michael picked up this one but any of them work.

Oh & please excuse Pixy & Boone. They were being very, VERY bad during this shoot. In fact, Boone insisted on putting his black, wet nose in the camera lens like 100 times so I figured his display needed to be shared on TSC. Weirdly enough, they step on the mat a lot. Don’t think I’m crazy but I take the pillow & put it gently against their fur. They seem to LOVE it. They must love it because its stimulating blood flow…which makes endorphins go crazy.

Ok, I’m certifiable.

We are in Aspen & off to dinner at Cache Cache for some spaghetti & dry red wine. If you have any Aspen recommendations, please let us know!

Talk soon, lauryn

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