Though a long time tea drinker, the truth did not come to me until just recently, while reading the book, “Double your Brain Power,” by Jean Marie Stine. In this book, Stine does not necessarily show the reader how to grow their IQ, but shows us how we can use our brains more efficiently; thereby becoming smarter. She makes the basic claim, that if we are in essence using a larger percentage of our brain by focusing more of it on the task at hand, we will perform better at what we are doing. Simple logic, that makes a lot of sense.
A lot of what is talked about in this book are things I had thought about before, and recognized, though never really thought too much about, or at least didn’t know how to completely understand it. In the second chapter, “Tapping Your ‘Optimum’ learning State,” Stine explains how psychologist Eric Klinger, Ph.D has done studies that show more than 75 percent of our learning power is drained off in “ticking along in thought – sorting information and generating possibilities.” And if 75 percent of our mind is somewhere else, that leaves only 25 percent of our brains focusing on learning new information, or concentrating on what we may be doing. A shocking bit of information.
So what is given in this chapter, is how we can tip the scales so that more of our energy is focused on one article by reaching our “Optimum learning state.” There are 4 basic levels of brain activity; Conscious awareness/dreams where our brain is the most active, Relaxation and meditation which is where our brain is moving at a slower pace, intense emotion or concentration which is our optimum learning state (OLS), and finally deep dreamless sleep where our brains are the least active.
Normally our brains are at the “conscious awareness and dreams” level. They are moving too fast, and we are not able to concentrate. If we want to really concentrate on one particular text, lecture, or other solitary object, then we have to make a conscious effort to slow ourselves down so that we are able to create the OLS.
The first step with this is Deep Breathing. Stine tells us that this possesses three benefits that help in achieving our OLS. First, deep breathing allows us to intake high levels of oxygen which our brain requires during peak learning levels. Second, it helps us to relax, clear our minds, and release tension. Third, deep breathing helps create a rhythmic cycle that attunes the brain to a relaxation and meditative state. Studies have shown that 5 – 7, 4 second deep breathes will be sufficient. More than 7 could have adverse effects. After this, return to natural breathing.
Now that we are almost there, we can use relaxation to deepen our OLS. For this, Stine says that once our deep breathing is complete, to close our eyes, and breathe naturally through our nose, and listen to our breathing. This will help us concentrate on our breathing, which will help us relax, and begin to concentrate on a solitary figure. After a minute or two of this, we will be ready to begin listening to a lecture, studying, or whatever it is we need to focus on. Stine also offers ways to further deepen our OLS by adding a mantra or affirmation to the relaxation portion of this.
By this point, I am sure you are asking yourself, “How do gourmet tea bags fit into this?” If we look back at the first step towards raising our consciousness, deep breathing, we see that one of the benefits is clearing our minds of tension. When we make a cup of tea, the water is hot, and steaming. The steam helps us to better clear tension. Also, by breathing in the gourmet tea, and herbal teas, the aroma further acts to help us relax; which is the purpose of the deep breathing.
After the deep breathing is over, and we have reached the second step, relaxation, small sips of the hot tea continues to slow ourselves down, as we continue to breath in the steam; however this time at a regular breathing rate. These are the basics behind how tea can be matched with Jean Marie Stine’s method of increasing our focus. Gourme tea, however contains additional benefits that help bring us, and keep us at our OLS.
Gourmet tea bags are best for this, as they can be reused (in addition to the added health benefits). By getting into a practice of reusing our tea bags at the office, and during home study, we increase the frequency of our tea drinking. The tea bag is hanging on your tea stand, always at the tip of your fingers, making it easy to make a second and third cup of tea. Each time you feel your focus dwindling, you can make yourself another cup of tea, and go over the whole process again, returning to your OLS. Also this will allow you to get up for a minute or two, which will help to momentarily clear your head.
Also, many herbal teas contained in gourmet tea bags, such as Lemongrass and Bael Fruit, are known for their stress reducing functions while naturally raising mental alertness. These are of course added health benefits towards raising your focus, while you Double Your Brain Power.
David is a partner of Sabaidi Tea Co., Ltd., a manufacturer and exporter of Handmade Gourmet Tea Bags containing high quality herbal teas. You can read more on the company’s Home page and forum
