How Ear Massages Can Give You More Energy

Generally our fix for fatigue goes like this: drink coffee, pray to the energy gods, repeat. But if you’re looking to cut down on your caffeine consumption (perhaps you’re starting to feel a little too dependent on the stuff), there is a more holistic way of curing that 3 p.m. slump.

It sounds odd, but it’s a common (and centuries-old) practice in traditional Chinese medicine. So the next time you feel yourself fading after lunch, take your thumb and pointer finger and gently rub the tops of your ears. Work your way down to the lobe slowly and repeat as needed.

Eastern medicine says: It gets energy to flow through your meridians (aka the energy channels running throughout your body). Western medicine says: It stimulates the reflex centers in the brain because the ears are packed with nerve endings. We say: Why not? It just feels really nice.