All of us experience a negative mindset once in a while. "My work is boring....my kids are in trouble....my partner is not listening.... I do not have enough money to go on vacation" etc. It is easy to fall in to a negative mood and see the glass half-empty. While we are complaining, we are not only overlooking the positive aspects of our life but we are encouraging our body's stress response which can lead to disease and shortened life expectancy.
Life gives us gifts every day, but if you are not looking for them, and do not recognize them as gifts, you are actually missing out. I have found that for me personally, the little gifts rarely have anything to do with money or success. The gifts are more subtle, like talking with my mother over the phone… or watching a romantic movie…even walking bare foot on my grass feels heavenly.
If you find that you have a hard time seeing the gifts in your own life or perhaps the stress in your life has led to a loss of vitality or ill health, this tapping technique (Emotional Freedom Technique) may be just the ticket to get you back on track.
In round one of the tapping sequence you will start by addressing the genuine mood you feel right now. While tapping on the areas of your body identified below, recite a statement aloud that matches your mood. Feel free to use the examples we have provided. Round one addresses your negative thoughts, feelings and emotions about your situation. Round two changes them to a positive, what you want to see happen in your current situation.
Body Area #1: Karate chop point (side of your hand just below your pinkie finger)
Statement: "Even though I feel down right now, I choose to focus on positive emotions."
Body Area #2: Top of the head at the crown
Statement: "I am always afraid of what might happen."
Body Area #3: Inner Corner of Eyebrow
Statement: "What if I cannot let go of my fear?"
Body Area #4: Outer Side Corner of Eye
Statement: "What if something very bad happens to me?"
Body Area #5: Under Nose/Above Upper Lip
Statement: "I feel anxious every day."
Body Area #6: Mid Chin
Statement: "I feel unsafe and afraid no matter what."
Body Area #7 Collarbone
Statement: "I feel overwhelmed all the time."
Body Area #8 Under Arm
Statement: "It is hard to trust anyone."
Round 2:
Body Area #1: Karate chop point (side of your hand just below your pinkie finger)
Statement: "I have decided to notice and be aware of what I appreciate"
Body Area #2: Top of the head at the crown
Statement: "I am ready to change my focus right now"
Body Area #3: Inner Corner of Eyebrow
Statement: "I appreciate how much I feel grateful for my life"
Body Area #4: Outer Side Corner of Eye
Statement: "I choose to notice the many blessings in my life"
Body Area #5: Under Nose/Above Upper Lip
Statement: "I appreciate who I am and the miracles in my life"
Body Area #6: Mid Chin
Statement: "I have so much abundance right now, and I look forward to more"
Body Area #7 Collarbone
Statement: "I appreciate all the abundance flowing into my life"
Body Area #8 Under Arm
Statement: "I appreciate who I am and how I feel"
In addition to the above tapping sequence. Write a Gratitude List every day. Perhaps take a moment at bedtime to review your day and make note of the positive events or people. Honestly, on hard days sometimes the only positive I can find is the fact that I have feet to walk on or that the sun shined. You can also do a Gratitude Walk" which is the act of reciting your gratitude list out loud while you are walking outside in nature, swinging your arms, breathing deeply and thanking the Universe for all the blessings in your life.
Dr. Grace Soltynski is a board certified Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) in California. She specializes in functional medicine and has successfully supported and treated patients with health problems such as cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, menopausal symptoms, hormonal imbalance, including polycystic ovary disease, and numerous orthopedic conditions.
