Author: Britta Stalling
The Exhausted Brain
Recently, I discovered the book “The Exhausted Brain” by Dr. Michael Nehls. The title sums up very well what I perceive in many people when their mental energy decreases: Prolonged sitting, not enough exercise, unhealthy diet, information overload, too many challenges, and worrying about the environment, the energy crisis, the climate and one’s own health. Many people don’t take the time to recharge their batteries. For instance, you can do this by being outdoors in nature, relaxing and inspiring events/encounters or other effective measures such as sports, yoga, meditation or Qigong. Due to the continuous digital exposure, stress, overwork and lack of balance, we are neither in harmony with nature nor in harmony with ourselves and others. Our mental energy gets depleted. We feel powerless, are constantly in a state of emergency and don’t make good decisions.
Interestingly, the international “Third Space” health club reports a new trend in 2023: 40% of its new members give mental health as a reason for joining.
Mental Brain Battery
Dr. Michael Nehls investigates in his book why the performance of our brain continues to decline. He also explores the source of our mental energy. He calls this: “Mental brain battery”, which is located in the frontal brain, the so-called hippocampus. According to Dr. Nehls, this battery does not only provide the energy for planning, decision-making and executing new ideas. Its capacity directly relates to self-esteem, stamina, psychological resilience and ability to cope with new challenges.
In our Qigong courses, we find that many people only focus on their own health when they have already developed symptoms or were diagnosed by a doctor. Even in a state of being healthy, many people don’t see the importance of maintaining and increasing their mental strength, emotional and physical vitality. In the meantime, science confirms the very important role of emotional and mental well-being for one’s health and vitality in the long-term.
Recharging Your Battery
When asked what you can do to recharge your mental energy, Nehls answers: “To charge the frontal brain battery, good sleep is enough. To stimulate its growth, we need to activate some hormonal messengers. These are released, for instance, when we are physically or socially active,” he says. In order to be able to form new nerve cells every day, however, it also needs brain building blocks. “These are found in aquatic omega-3 fatty acids.”
In my Qigong training, I was able to experience early on that the gentle, meditative exercises go far beyond the development of physical strength, and the restoration of health and vitality. It is also about expanding our mental energy and strengthening the willpower of our consciousness. From the Zhineng Qigong perspective, an exhausted brain, worries and negative permanent thoughts have two causes: You either have too little Qi (life force) in your mental energy storage, which is located in the center of your brain, or you have acquired negative thought patterns that have become a habit and are permanently up to mischief as energy robbers.
The good news: Through active self-care with relevant exercises, you can recharge your mental battery. By increasing mindfulness and improving self-awareness, you promote a positive self-image, proactive and goal-oriented action. In addition, you can outsmart the energy robbers caused by negative thought habits.
What could be the first small steps to recharge your frontal brain battery?
- Take regular breaks during the day to recharge your batteries, pause and give your body and mind short periods of recovery.
- Ask yourself what active self-care means to you personally: Working less? A walk in nature? Integrate meditations into everyday life? Good conversations? Pursue your hobbies and interests?
- Focus on possible solutions and goals and not on the problems or causes. Like this, you get the priorities in your life back under control and create new space for enjoying life and strength.
- Let us support you join our next Life Changer program. Dive into the essence of vital Qi medicine and sharpen your awareness for increasing your mental strength, your physical fitness and your emotional balance. Learn how to replenish your energy levels independently and keep them at a good level in the long-term.
Find more information about the Life Changer program and register here.
About Hunyuan Qi Therapy, the Qi Medicine based on Zhineng Qigong Science
Hunyuan Qi Therapy addresses maladies at their root to create a balance on a mental, emotional and physical level – so it is very effective for recharging and harmonizing different energies.
Hunyuan Qi Therapy consists of 2 parts. On the one hand, external treatments can be given by the therapist who creates a powerful Qi field and sends positive information. On the other hand, the therapist teaches selected, effective Zhineng Qigong methods and exercises to promote mental strength, physical fitness, emotional balance and activation of one’s own self-healing abilities. You can easily practice these independently in everyday life. Practical exercises provided to Qigong practitioners during Hunyuan Qi therapy follow the movements of nature: opening and absorbing, collecting and letting go, integrating and transforming. When your own ‘battery’ is empty, it’s harder to follow these natural principles. However, if you integrate these exercises into your life, you are inspired to make positive decisions, find new ways of living and strengthen your own stamina in difficult situations. Learn and deepen the basics of Hunyuan Qi therapy in our next Life Changer program.
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