Stress affects us in various physical, chemical, or emotional forms. The amygdala in our brain plays a crucial role in triggering stress responses by releasing hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. However, chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can harm our health, leading to pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The good news is that there is a simple technique for relaxation to help prevent this from happening. By tapping specific areas from your neck to the top of your skull, you can inhibit the amygdala’s stress hormone secretion and stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation, better sleep, improved digestion, and a happier and healthier life.
The Tapping Technique:
Although this technique may appear simple, its impact on your body and well-being is remarkable. By tapping into some regions of your face and head, you can initiate neurosensory changes that trigger a response in your brain, activating the parasympathetic nervous system throughout your entire system. This tapping technique is easy to perform and can be done using any fingers that are most comfortable for you. Let’s explore the areas to tap into and the benefits associated with each.
- Jaw Area (TMJ):
Begin tapping at the jaw area, which commonly holds a lot of stress due to teeth clenching or grinding. By stimulating this area, you can relieve tension and promote relaxation. - Cheek Area:
Move on to tapping the cheeks, where cranial nerves run through. Often overlooked, this area accumulates tension from activities like chewing and talking. Tapping here can help release hidden tension and promote overall relaxation. - Temple Area:
Tap gently on the temples, alleviating neuralgia headaches and eye-related issues. This area has powerful acupressure points that stimulate nerves and increase blood supply. - Forehead Area:
Tap on the forehead, including the area above the eyebrows and the third eye in the center. These acupressure points positively affect overall relaxation, and you may experience increased blood flow and sinus drainage. - Top of the Skull (Vertex):
Move to the top of the skull, aligning the tapping with your ears. This area has significant acupressure points that stimulate nerves throughout the face and head, promoting relaxation and relieving headaches. - Suboccipital Area:
Lastly, tap underneath the skull, specifically the suboccipital area. This region directly affects the greater and lesser occipital nerve roots, which can alleviate symptoms like headaches, tinnitus, and vertigo.
Incorporating the Technique:
Make it a habit to perform this tapping technique, ideally multiple times daily. Although it may seem simple or amusing, tapping has proven physiological benefits for your body and mind. By stimulating neural chemicals in the brain, inhibiting stress hormones, and subduing the amygdala, you can significantly reduce chronic stress, improve sleep quality, and cultivate a happier and healthier life.
The tapping technique offers a powerful tool for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Tapping specific areas on your face and head can stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, inhibit stress hormone release, and experience profound neurological changes. Incorporate this technique into your daily routine, and you’ll reap the benefits of reduced chronic stress, improved sleep, better digestion, and an overall sense of well-being. Embrace this simple yet effective technique and tap away stress to live a happier and healthier life.
References:
- Mindfulness, Relaxation and Other Stress Relief Techniques
- Vibratory Stress Relief Techniques: A Review of Present Trends and Future Prospects
- Effectiveness of the emotional freedom techniques to reducing stress in diabetic patients
- Effects of Relaxation Techniques on Nursing Students’ Academic Stress and Test Anxiety
- An Overview of Stress Management
- Reduction of COVID-19 Anxiety Levels Through Relaxation Techniques: A Study Carried Out in Northern Spain on a Sample of Young University Students