The Vital Axis states: "When yang qi is at its limit and yin qi is abundant, one's eyes are closed. When yin qi is at its limit and yang qi is abundant, one is awake." TCM holds that if yin and yang are in harmony, one's sleep is normal. Sleeping problems are related to the state of protective qi, as well as internal harmony of the body. Under normal circumstances, the body's protective qi flows along the yang meridians in the daytime which enables the organs to function actively and thus remain awake. On the other hand, protective qi flows along the yin meridians at night, and thus the body becomes inactive and needs to sleep. When the internal harmony is disturbed, the stability of spirit is affected and insomnia will then occur.

1. Use the fingertips to press at the center the head crown (Du 20), and knead for 30 times;
2. Use the thumbs to press at the inner sides of the eyebrows (Bl 2), and knead for 30 times;
3. Put the thumbs on the temple area and use the middle knuckles of the index fingers to press on the inner eye corners, then wipe along the upper and lower eyelids to the outer eye corners respectively, 30 times;
4. Rub the hands together to get them warm, then put over the closed eyes for 30 seconds; slightly rub the eyeballs with the palms, 10 times or more;
5. Use the thumbs to press at the two sides of skull base (Gb 20), and knead for 30 times;
6. Cross the hands and put on the abdomen; rub the upper abdomen, first clockwise and then counterclockwise, for 30 times; then rub the lower abdomen, first clockwise and then counterclockwise, for 30 times;
7. Use the thumb to knead at 2-finger-breadth above the midline of wrist (Pc 6), 30 times each side;
8. Use the thumb to knead at the inner side of wrist (Ht 7), 30 times on each side;
9. Use the thumb to knead at 1-finger-breadth below the anterior crest of each tibia (St 36), 30 times.
10. Use the thumb to knead at 3-finger-breadth above the inner malleolus of each ankle (Sp 6), 30 times.
11. Site down, rest the ankle on the thigh, one hand holds the ankle and use the palm edge of another hand to press on the center of the sole (Kl 1), rub quickly until the sole feels warm.

In addition, for individuals with some accompanied signs, they should add the steps below:

Fatigue, dream-disturbed sleep and palpitations 

1. Rub heavily along the sides of the spinal column, especially at the 5th and11th chest vertebra, and 2nd lumbar vertebra, up and down for 30 times.

Dizziness, ear ringing, lumbar soreness and seminal emission 

1. Clench the fists and use the knuckles to forcefully knead the kidney region, 30 times;
2. Use the thumb to knead at the depressions behind the inner ankle malleolus of each ankle (Ki 3), 30 times.

Bloodshot eyes, irritability and constipation 

1. Put the hands on both sides of rib cage, rub along the ribs, back and forth for 30 times;
2. Use the palm edges to press on both sides of the belly button, scrub up and down over the lower abdomen, 30 times;
3. Use fingertips to knead on both sides of upper backbone, about mid-chest level (Bl 18), 30 times;
4. Knead at tai chong (Lr 3, depression between big toe and second toe) on the dorsum of the foot, 30 times each foot;
5. Nip and knead the middle part of the palm web, between the thumb and the index finger (Li 4), 30 times on each hand.

Massage to relieve insomnia