I have a new love that has been energising and relaxing me for the past six weeks: the new self-healing acupressure pranamat.

On days when I wake up without a spring in my step, I lay on it for 20 minutes and my energy levels are restored. When I'm in a frustrated or stressed mood I lay on it for 30 to 40 minutes with my eyes closed, and am surprisingly a lot calmer and level-headed once I get up. And on nights when I have a million and one thoughts racing around my head, instead of going to bed to stare at the ceiling, I lay on the pranamat for 40 minutes. Afterwards it feels like I have had a tranquiliser and am ready for sleep.

I know this probably all sounds too good to be true, but I am sincerely speaking the truth.

How the pranamat works is really quite simple. Its design is based on the principles of acupressure and reflexology, and the pranamat works on the premise that the tiny lotus spikes stimulate active nerve centres and intensify the local blood flow and lymph circulation.

This reflective action triggers the release of endorphins that are effective in blocking pain, producing analgesia and a sense of wellbeing. In particular, oxytocin, the hormone of love, peace and calmness, is released. This hormone is our "happy pill" and is naturally released during sex, breastfeeding and massage. When the level of oxytocin rises the level of stress hormones in the body falls.

I'm a firm believer in using healing modalities that have stood the test of time. After doing a little research I have found that similar acupressure methods, such as the "bed of nails", have successfully been used in many different cultures for thousands of years.

Acupressure practitioners include ancient Roman physicians, ancient Greeks, Russian folk healers and individual advocates such as Hippocrates, Julius Caesar and the philosopher Porfiry Ivanov, who cured practically everything by using skin stimulation techniques.

Health benefits include increasing your energy levels; helping to improve metabolism, and reduce fat and cellulite; reducing muscle tension; and helping with depression, stress and insomnia. It's one of those things that once you've experienced it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

The pranamat (pictured below) is exclusively available in four different colours at www.begenkishop.com.