Self-Massage to Eliminate Mental Fatigue
Prolonged work, sudden mental stress, chronic anxiety, or brain use after hunger or overeating can cause mental fatigue, often manifesting as dizziness, head fullness, headache, insomnia, and memory decline. Upon noticing these symptoms, first eliminate the causes of fatigue, then perform self-massage for health maintenance. The method is as follows:
Adopt a comfortable posture, fully relax the body, breathe naturally, and focus attention on the lower abdomen or on the sensation of the massage.
1. Acupoint Pressing: Use fingertips or the dorsal side of the index finger to press and rub the following acupoints for half a minute to one minute each.
Shenting: On the midline of the head, half inch above the anterior hairline.
Shangxing: Half inch above Shenting on the midline of the head.
Baihui: At the center of the crown, where the line connecting the two ear tips intersects the anterior-posterior midline.
Taiyang: In the depression about one inch lateral to the outer corner of the eye, between the eyebrow and the outer corner.
Fengchi: In the depression behind the occipital bone, posterior to the mastoid process.
Hegu: At the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone, between the thumb and index finger when extended.
Shenmen: On the ulnar side of the wrist crease, slightly above the depression.
2. Self-Massage:
(1) Rub both palms together until warm, then move from the forehead down along the nose sides to the cheek, then back up to the forehead, performing up-and-down facial rubbing 36 times.
(2) Rub both ears 36 times with both hands.
(3) Use both hands to comb hair from front to back 36 times.
(4) Spread fingers naturally, move from front to back, first lightly tapping the scalp rapidly with fingertips, gradually increasing pressure. Finally, pat the scalp 36 times with fingers.
(5) Cover both ears with both palms, place fingers on the occipital bone, press the index finger over the middle finger, quickly slide the index finger down to strike the occipital bone behind the ears—this is called “Ting Tian Gu” (Beating the Heavenly Drum).
(6) Interlock fingers behind the head and perform neck extension movements 36 times.
(7) Gently stroke the head with both palms, combing hair from front to back, slightly deepen and slow breathing, repeat several times, then return to normal breathing. This resembles the final stage of qigong practice, hence known as “Palming the Head and Concluding Practice.”
These techniques not only attract attention but also improve blood circulation in the head and face, resulting in rosy complexion, clearer mind, and enhanced memory.