By Dami Kim
In today's fast-paced professional environment, maintaining focus and energy during meetings is a common challenge. Incorporating short, effective brain breaks can dramatically enhance engagement and productivity. One technique I'd like to introduce is Brain Tapping. It's a simple yet powerful exercise designed to rejuvenate the mind and alleviate stress.
Originating from Ilchi Lee's Brain Education, this method combines gentle head taps, mindful breathing and focused visualization to clear away mental clutter. The physical act of tapping, combined with deep breathing, can increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain. This physiological effect can enhance cognitive functions, including memory, attention and concentration. Incorporating Brain Tapping as a brain break in meetings and workshops can transform the energy and effectiveness of the session.
Here’s how you can try this exercise:
1. Sit comfortably with your feet flat on the ground and your spine straight. This posture facilitates energy flow to the brain, enhancing the effectiveness of the exercise.
2. Rest your hands on your knees and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.
3. With your fingertips, start tapping the top of your head. Relax your wrists and use a snapping motion. Visualize the tapping penetrating through the skull to stimulate the brain.
4. Focus on releasing tension with each exhale while tapping. You can open your mouth slightly and exhale with a gentle “whoo” sound.
5. Move to the upper back of the head, then to the lower back, and then to the base of the skull, tapping gently but firmly. Tap these areas for a minute or so.
6. Continue tapping along the sides of the head. Don't forget to tap behind your ears. If you feel pain, tap that area for a longer time and try to breathe out more deeply. Tap these areas for about a minute.
7. Then, move to tap the upper front of the brain, the forehead, and down to the temples for another minute. If you have headaches, tap the temple area more.
8. While tapping, visualize heavy, stagnant energy leaving your brain and your brain being filled with fresh oxygen and energy.
9. After completing the tapping sequence, rest your hands again on your knees, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
10. Observe any sensations in your brain or head area, such as tingling or lightness. Feel that your body has become more relaxed and your mind clearer. You may feel your breathing become more comfortable.
11. Rub your both hands and generate heat, sweep down your head and massage your face with your hands.
Dami Kim is Director of Body & Brain wellness, designing wellness experiences for Conventions, Business Conferences and the Workplace. Kim is a Certified Health Coach and Life Coach, and Certified Brain Management Consultant. Visit bodynbrainwellness.com
For a 10-Minute Daily Routine, check out the YouTube video on Brain Tapping.