Tone Your Brain with these Ancient Chinese Healing Exercises

You likely know Taoism. Maybe you don’t know that one of China’s great thinkers, Laozi, was its founder. It’s so long ago that no one can document it for certain, but Laozi also developed what he called “brain tonic” exercises. Centuries old, it still works today as a break at your computer screen. Keep reading for the step-by-step process to “tonify” your brain.

First, find the midpoint between your eyebrows. Use your thumbs to perform a rotary massage to the area for 16 circles. Then do the same with your index fingers to each eyebrow.

Second, rub the eyes. Use your first two or three fingers to gently massage the orbital bones for, you guessed it, 16 times.

Next, locate the “corners of your mouth.” Your mouth is open slightly to perform this move. Use the thumbs to apply gentle pressure up and down 16 times.

Then rub the sides of your nose at the nostrils 16 times with your thumbs in a circular motion. After that, rub the sides of your neck with the fleshy part of your palms for 16 circles. Do the same on both sides of your face at the cheeks and jaw.

Next to last, “comb” your hair by spreading the fingers and rubbing the head and scalp with the fingertips. You will want more pressure here than the other brain-tonifying exercises. Your fingertips will find natural “channels” as your comb them through the scalp and hair 16 times.

Finish by covering your ears with the palms. Then place the tips of your thumbs on the index fingers. Flip the index fingers off the thumb platform 16 times to make a “dong, dong” sounds at the base of the skull. Do your best to keep your ears covered with the rest of the palms. When done, press the palms on the ears for your own version of $300 noise-canceling earphones; hold for a few seconds and repeat three to five times.

Part of an occasional Alternative Health Blog series excerpted from “Methods of Traditional Chinese Health Care” by Zeng Qingnan and translated into English by Xie Zhufan. Bob Condor blogs for Insider's Health every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.