Managing Stress & Anxiety with Brain Gym

Brain Gym is a series of movements used to improve various cognitive abilities such as concentration, problem-solving, communication and organisation, but it can also be used to alleviate various negative thought patterns that cause stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are two negative effects that many of us need to cope with in our private and professional lives, and are often the result of negative thought patterns that we are unable to break away from. Brain Gym is a fast and effective way to regain balance and to undo negative thoughts that hinder our well-being.

One of the most frequently used, quick-and-simple Brain Gym exercises is the PACE exercise. This exercise can be used to relieve stress before taking an exam or test, or can be used to lessen anxiety in any situation. PACE stands for: Positive, Active, Clear and Energetic. The Positive effect involves doing ‘Hook Ups’ or a series of exercises with your hands, legs and arms. The Active effect involves doing a ‘cross crawl’ which essentially helps the left and right brain hemispheres work in harmony, thereby improving spelling, reading and comprehension. The Clear effect means using ‘brain buttons’ to improve blood flow to the brain and helping to improve concentration and comprehension. The Energetic effect is that your whole body and mind feel energised after doing these movements, and ready to tackle any task. This exercise is very useful before taking an exam, delivering a speech or attending an important meeting

When your brain is functioning optimally, it is simply better able to handle stressful events, whether or not such events are anticipated. Brain Gym holistically enhances your sense of emotional balance, which allows you to process and respond to stress in a calmer, more constructive manner.