How to Use Acupressure for Jealousy

People often use jealousy and envy as if they mean the same thing, but they describe two distinct feelings.

Jealousy is the fear of losing something you already have, such as a partner’s affection, a close friendship, or your position at work. Envy, by contrast, is the desire for something someone else has, such as a promotion, a relationship, a body, or a life that seems easier. Jealousy focuses on what you might lose, while envy centers on what you feel is missing.

Both are part of being human, and in small doses, they can offer useful information. A feeling of jealousy may indicate a need for reassurance or a conversation that has been postponed. A moment of envy may reveal what an individual truly desires for themselves. The trouble starts when these feelings take over, leading to checking, questioning, and suspicion that strain a relationship, or to constant comparison and the feeling that nothing is ever enough.

The body often reacts before the mind identifies the feeling: heat rises, the chest tightens, the stomach knots, and the heart races. Thoughts fixate on the same person or situation, disrupting sleep. Insecurity, past betrayal, low self-esteem, and scrolling through others’ social media highlights can intensify these reactions.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is responsible for keeping Qi and emotions flowing smoothly. Its element is Wood, which is associated with green; the old expression ‘green with envy’ fits quite well. When the Liver’s Qi becomes obstructed, it heats up and rises, disturbing the Heart, which contains the Shen. The Gallbladder governs decisiveness and courage, and when it loses stability, a person may feel insecure and suspicious. The Kidney governs fear, including the fear of loss that often underlies a jealous reaction.

The nine points below release constrained Qi, cool rising heat, calm the Heart, and help restore the inner security that loosens comparison’s grip.

What Acupressure Points to Press and Why

1. Press on GB13 above the outer corner of the eye to loosen jealous thoughts. GB13 sits about half a finger-width inside the front hairline, directly above the outer corner of the eye. Press both points at once with your fingertips, or make slow circles, for one to two minutes. GB13 is called “Benshen,” the “Root of the Spirit.”

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, GB13 is the classic acupressure point associated with jealousy. Classical texts link it to jealousy, suspicion, and stubborn thoughts that the mind cannot let go of. It helps ease the hold of repetitive thoughts about another person and encourages a calmer, clearer perspective.

2. Press on GB24 on the rib cage to restore steadiness. GB24 sits directly below the nipple, three rib spaces down, in the gap between the seventh and eighth ribs. Press gently with your fingertips, or make slow circles, for one to two minutes on each side. GB24 is called “Riyue,” the “Sun and Moon.”

GB24 is the Gallbladder’s frontal gathering point, where its Qi converges at the front of the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used to treat frequent sighing and a tight, uneasy feeling along the ribs. It helps strengthen the Gallbladder’s stability and self-confidence, easing the insecurity behind jealousy.

3. Press on HT3 at the inner elbow to cool the Heart. Bend the elbow and find the inner end of the elbow crease. HT3 sits midway between the end of the crease and the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow. Press firmly with the thumb of your other hand for one to two minutes on each arm. HT3 is called “Shaohai,” the “Lesser Sea.”

HT3 is the water point on the Heart channel. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, water is understood to cool fire. When jealousy or envy brings heat to the chest and face, HT3 may help cool the Heart and calm the Shen. It can be especially useful when strong emotions come with a racing heart or difficulty settling down at night.

4. Press on LI11 at the outer elbow to clear heat. Bend the elbow and find the outer end of the elbow crease. LI11 sits midway between the crease and the bony bump on the outer side of the elbow. Press firmly with the thumb of your other hand for one to two minutes on each arm. LI11 is called “Quchi,” the “Pool at the Bend.”

LI11 is one of the most important points in Traditional Chinese Medicine for clearing heat from the body. If a sudden surge of jealousy or envy leaves you flushed, with a hot neck and a short temper, LI11 can help dissipate the heat. Pressed together with HT3, it helps cool both sides of the arm.

5. Press on TE6 on the back of the forearm to release built-up tension. TE6 sits on the back of the forearm, four finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the two forearm bones. Press firmly with the thumb of your other hand for one to two minutes on each arm. TE6 is called “Zhigou,” the “Branch Ditch.”

TE6 belongs to the Shaoyang channels, including the Gallbladder channel, and works closely with the Liver. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used to promote the movement of Qi blocked along the sides of the body and clear the heat that builds up when Qi remains stagnant. It eases tightness in the ribs and helps tension pass through instead of building into an outburst.

6. Press on HT9 at the tip of the little finger to calm a sudden surge. HT9 sits on the little finger, on the side facing the ring finger, just beside the corner of the fingernail. Pinch the area firmly between the thumb and index finger of your other hand for thirty seconds to one minute on each hand. HT9 is called “Shaochong,” the “Lesser Rushing.”

HT9 is the final point on the Heart channel. Traditionally, points at the fingertips are used to quickly clear heat and restore composure. Press HT9 when jealousy or envy arises, or when you feel a strong urge to say or do something.

7. Press on LR8 at the inner knee to nourish the Liver Blood. Bend the knee and find the inner end of the knee crease, then press into the hollow just in front of the tendons there. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each leg. LR8 is called “Ququan,” the “Spring at the Bend.”

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood anchors the Hun, the part of the spirit responsible for a person’s emotional steadiness and sense of direction. When Liver Blood is diminished, the Hun can become unsteady, leaving a person feeling restless, suspicious, and prone to comparison. LR8 helps nourish Liver Blood and restore this inner anchor.

8. Press on GB38 on the outer lower leg to drain rising heat. GB38 sits on the outer side of the lower leg, about five finger-widths above the tip of the outer ankle bone, just in front of the fibula. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each leg. GB38 is called “Yangfu,” the “Yang Support.”

GB38 is the Gallbladder channel’s fire point. Traditionally, it drains heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, easing bitterness, irritability, and tension along the body’s sides associated with jealousy or envy.

9. Press on KI2 on the inner arch to ease the fear beneath jealousy. KI2 sits on the inner edge of the foot, in the hollow just below the front edge of the bony bump in the middle of the inner arch. Press firmly with your thumb for one to two minutes on each foot. KI2 is called “Rangu,” the “Blazing Valley.”

The Kidney is associated with fear, including the fear of being left out, replaced, or left behind. KI2, the fire point of the Kidney channel, has traditionally been used to counteract heat that rises when the body’s cooling reserves are depleted. It helps ground the body, calm restlessness, and support the Kidney in stabilizing the Heart.

Why These Acupressure Points Work

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotional security depends on Liver Qi flowing smoothly, a Gallbladder steady enough to trust its own judgment, a Heart that remains cool and calm, and a Kidney that keeps fear in balance. Jealousy and envy arise when Liver Qi becomes restricted and overheated, the Gallbladder loses its firmness, and the resulting heat rises to disturb the Heart.

The nine points work together to restore balance:

• The Gallbladder and Shaoyang points (GB13, GB24, TE6, GB38) loosen jealous thoughts, restore steadiness, and drain the heat of constrained Qi.
• The Heart points (HT3, HT9) cool the Heart and calm the Shen, both day to day and in the moment.
• The heat-clearing point (LI11) settles the flushing and short temper of a sudden surge.
• The anchoring points (LR8, KI2) nourish the Liver Blood, ease the fear of loss, and ground the body.

How to Properly Use These Acupressure Points

Acupressure for jealousy and envy is most effective as a daily practice, with a few points to use when the feelings flare up.

• Complete the full routine once daily, holding each point for one to two minutes. If possible, perform it in the evening, when the day’s comparisons are more likely to replay.
• When experiencing a surge of jealousy or envy, apply pressure to HT9 on both little fingers, then press LI11 while taking five slow breaths before responding.
• Apply gentle pressure to the head, chest, and fingertips, and firmer pressure to the arms and legs.
• Practice consistently over several weeks, as patterns of insecurity and comparison require time to change.

These daily habits can help emotions pass through without taking control. Before acting on a feeling, name it to yourself and pause before checking, questioning, or reacting. Ask yourself what jealousy or envy might be pointing to; it often signals a need for reassurance or something you would like for yourself. Rather than letting suspicion grow in silence, talk openly with a partner or friend. Spend less time on social media, where comparison is part of every scroll, and notice which accounts make you feel worse. Get some physical activity each day, as exercise helps release blocked Liver Qi. Also, reduce your intake of alcohol and spicy, fatty foods, which Traditional Chinese Medicine considers to add heat to the Liver.

Find out more about the effect of your phone on your nervous system.

When to Get Professional Help

If jealousy or envy takes up much of your day, keeps you from sleeping, harms your relationships, or comes with anxiety, depression, or persistent obsessive thoughts, you should speak with a mental health professional. Seek help immediately if jealousy leads you to check your partner’s phone, track their location, control who they interact with, or have angry outbursts, as these behaviors can harm both the relationship and the people involved.

If your partner’s jealousy makes you feel unsafe, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

If you’re thinking about harming yourself or someone else, call or text 988 now to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Acupressure offers natural support for managing jealousy and envy, but it complements rather than replaces diagnosis and medical treatment.

For related emotional health concerns, acupressure for resentment, acupressure for anger, and acupressure for self-esteem are companion posts. If jealousy has followed a painful breakup, learn more about acupressure for heartbreak.

Above and Beyond Acupuncture offers acupuncture, cupping, and lifestyle coaching at the North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard location in Scottsdale.

Schedule an appointment online to start your healing journey.

The points above are only as effective as the technique used to apply them. Where to press, how firmly, and for how long all affect the result. For a full breakdown of how to perform acupressure properly at home, read Performing Acupressure in 3 Easy Steps.

About the Publisher

Paul Kerzner, L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified herbalist, as well as the founder of Above and Beyond Acupuncture in Scottsdale. His own journey from chronic patient to practicing acupuncturist shapes his commitment to providing honest, clinically grounded information about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Learn more about Paul and his clinical approach on the About Us page.