How to Use the point Ear Shen Men to Relax
Ear Shen Men is known as the “Spirit Gate”—a point used in acupressure ear seeds to calm the mind, ease stress, and restore balance between body and spirit. People use this point when they want to open a doorway to inner peace, quiet racing thoughts, release tension, and reconnect with their natural sense of harmony. Placing an ear seed on Shen Men can feel like carrying a tiny anchor of serenity with you throughout the day—a gentle reminder that healing and calm are always within reach.
Ear Shen Men is one of the most studied points in auriculotherapy because of its close relationship to the vagus nerve. When stimulated with an acupressure ear seed, Shen Men activates branches of the auricular vagus nerve that interface with the parasympathetic nervous system. This gentle stimulation can help regulate the body’s stress response by lowering heart rate, reducing cortisol levels, and shifting the body out of “fight-or-flight” mode into a state of “rest-and-digest.”
People use an ear seed on Shen Men to support nervous system balance, reduce anxiety and tension, improve sleep quality, and promote overall resilience. In essence, this point works like a natural switch that encourages the body to calm down, reset, and restore its own equilibrium.
One way to improve the benefit of using this point is to Meditate with Ear Shen Men.
Roll the acupressure ball around to find a sensitive point.
Close your eyes. Notice your breath.
Strongly stimulate the point by applying pressure to the tender point on your in-breath. Breath with a natural rhythm.
Release the pressure on your out breath. Breathing with a natural rhythm.
Repeat this for 8 in and out breaths.
Keep your eyes closed for a moment, noticing your breath.
Gently open your eyes.
An Ear Seed on Ear Shen Men is a natural tool to shift from stress into calm, to support restful sleep, and to encourage the body’s own healing response.
Ear seeds may be worn for up to 5 days
Ear seeds are held in place with an adhesive disc that can be peeled off like a bandaid
When removing an ear seed, tilt your head to the floor so that the seed cannot fall into the ear canal if it detaches from the adhesive
Placing an ear seed on Shen Men gives gentle, ongoing pressure to a point on the ear that helps regulate the nervous system. You can lightly press the seed several times a day—especially when you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or having trouble sleeping—to activate the calming response. Regular use can support relaxation, improve focus, reduce cravings, ease pain perception, and promote better overall balance in both mind and body.