Emotional Freedom Technique: Say Goodbye to Negative Emotions and Hello to Great Health

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Disease comes in a great many forms. Luckily, in this day and age we have scientists pinpointing specific causes of these diseases and coming up with complicated, expensive drugs and therapies that we hope will destroy the disease before it destroys us.

Oh, wait. That model is totally wrong. Although this is generally the method used to treat disease, is this something that we should accept?

According to the CDC, 85 percent of disease is affected by emotion. This one fact alone tells us that we should put a huge focus on maintaining a happy, balanced lifestyle. Think about it. We all already know that stress, anger, resentment, and depression all lead to disease, so why not have tools to battle negative emotions as a preventive measure against all disease.

Although there are many different ways to deal with stress and other negative emotions, one technique that is gaining popularity is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). EFT, a method of energy psychology that was applied in the 1990s, can help reduce stress and other negative emotions that are often the underlying cause of disease.

EFT can be utilized to control many emotional issues including stress, addictions, eating disorders, anxiety, back pain, depression and ADD among others. A study found in the Journal of Clinical Psychology describes the application of EFT to successfully treat phobias of small animals.

Now that you’re a little more convinced of the legitimacy, how does it work?

Emotional Freedom Technique uses the tapping of specific points on the body to release negative emotions -- just as acupuncture uses specific points to heal different areas of the body.

Stimulating specific points on your body by tapping and simultaneously thinking and repeating positive affirmations, a shift of your brain’s biochemistry can be successfully obtained. Some of these points are found on the face, torso, fingers and hands.

Here’s an example of how EFT works:

For a fear of public speaking, you would focus deeply on this fear and really feel it. Once you have that, you will choose and repeat a positive affirmation as well as a point for tapping.

The affirmations generally take the form of “Even though I have a fear of ______, I deeply love and accept myself.” For example, "Even though I have a fear of public speaking, I deeply and completely accept myself."

By concentrating on your issue while repeating the affirmation phrase and tapping, the negative emotion or anxiety around your specific issue should decrease. It is recommended to practice about ten times a day to really resolve your issue. If a consistent practice does not seem to help, there are various tips and tricks to help.

Although you may practice EFT by yourself, some people find it more helpful to go to someone who is an experienced EFT therapist or trainer. Some find it more helpful even to practice EFT with a buddy, as this will help you become more accountable of your thoughts, actions and practice.

This article serves just as an overview. To get a more in-depth description of EFT, visit the Dr. Mercola site or the EFT Universe Site.

I also found this informational video very useful.

Releasing negative emotions isn't always easy, and remember that EFT is just one way to do so. Best of luck in your practice and your efforts to live a more positive life!

Sources:

Mercola. (n.d.). EFT | Dr. Mercola's Emotional Freedom Technique . Mercola.com. Retrieved August 31, 2011, from
http://eft.mercola.com

Scott, J. (2008). Emotional freedom technique: Janice Scottexplains energy psychology integration in the workplace setting . Counseling at work, 9. Retrieved September 1, 2011, from http://www.bacpworkplace.org.uk/journal_pdf/acw_winter09_d.pdf

The Root Cause of Cancer Almost Universally Ignored by Doctors ... (n.d.). The Nutrition and Food Web Archive-hosted by Hurricane Electric (he.net). Retrieved September 1, 2011, from
http://www.nafwa.org/general-nutrition/alternative-nutrition/30374-the-root-cause-of-cancer-almost-universally-ignored-by-doctors.html

Wells, S., Polglase, K., Andrews, H., Carrington, P., & Baker, H. (2003). Evaluation of a Meridian-Based Intervention, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), for Reducing Specific Phobias of Small Animals . Journal of Clinical Psychology, 59(9). Retrieved September 1, 2011, from http://www.omnismanus.nl/e-books%20en%20artikelen/Wellsphobiaresearch.pdf

Reviewed September 5, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg R.N.
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.