Blog

Noticing Stress In Your Body

admin

One of the things we can do to help our stress levels is becoming more aware of our stress. Noticing how our body responds when we start to feel stressed.

Stressed body
Stress in your body
  • Do you get a tightness in your neck and shoulders?
  • Do you find yourself clenching your jaw?
  • Maybe your digestion plays up
  • You start getting headaches
  • Or your throat becomes tight

Whatever it is, just observe it. Acknowledge it is there. Then when you have acknowledged it, try accepting it. You could do some tapping for this. For example:

  • Even though I feel my throat becoming tight, I acknowledge and accept that my body is trying to tell me I’m getting stressed
  • Even though my shoulders are getting tense, I know that means I’m starting to get stressed

Once you have acknowledged and accepted your stress showing up in your body, try thanking your body. E.g.

  • Even though I don’t like the feel of my tight neck and shoulder muscles, I’m grateful for my body and it letting me know I’m getting stressed
  • Even though my jaw is so tight it hurts, I’m grateful for the warning that I’m starting to get stressed

Then try to do something to help reduce your stress levels. I believe that we need to address what is causing our stress levels and also do something to counter that stress. So you could do a combination of working to reduce your task list / asking for help and do something to help you feel physically better. Whether that is some more EFT, Meditation, a walk in nature, a massage or long soak in the bath etc that is up to you.

Do whatever works best for you. If you don’t know, then it is time to start finding out… 🙂

Your health and well-being deserve it!

Louise

A Walk On The Mindful Side…

admin

Meditation doesn’t have to be static, sat still on a chair or a cushion. We can be more mindful doing everyday tasks such as the washing up, cooking or brushing our teeth. It’s about being more present in the present moment. This morning on my walk in the forest I decided to be more mindful. I kept the same pace as I usually would but I became more present with my surroundings. Autumn is an ideal time to do this because of the changing colour of the leaves. I love the Autumnal colours so I relished the idea of taking in more of their beauty.

I really listened to the sounds I could hear and just noticed the quality of the sound rather than labelling them (e.g. wind rustling in the trees, leaves crunching, birds singing etc). I took in the colours of the leaves and all the vibrant shades. I noticed the leaves that were still green and those that had started to change colour. I also observed the leaves that had fallen already and the shapes they made on the ground.

Mindful Walking Autumn
A Walk on the Mindful Side

I noticed the sensations in my feet and legs as I took each step. I became aware of my breath and felt it moving in and out of my body. You can notice it at your nostrils, your chest or your abdomen depending on what you find easiest. You can even say to yourself – “breathing in” and “breathing out” to help you focus.

I felt the temperature of the air on my face and hands and felt the wind blowing my hair.  Finally I felt a sense of gratitude for being alive and experiencing the healing power of nature.

Next time you walk anywhere, why not try making it a bit more on the mindful side? It doesn’t have to be in nature – it could just be a walk to the shop or from your bus stop home! Just give it a go and see what happens. 🙂

Louise

 

 

 

Body Awareness

admin

How much body awareness do you have? This might seem like a strange question – of course we are physically in our body at all times.

Body awareness

What I’m referring to, is how much awareness do you have of your body? How much time are you present in your physical body?

It’s all too easy to get caught up in our thoughts and mind. We are often so busy we rush from one task to the next, to the next, to the next…We are rarely present in our physical body.

So how can we slow down and remind ourselves that we have this amazing body?

How about setting a reminder on your phone or computer? Or making it part of your daily routine, e.g. first thing in the morning, at lunchtime or before you go to sleep…

You just need to take a few slow deep breaths. Make your body comfortable, sitting in an upright position. Tune in to your body. Close your eyes if that feels ok. Maybe even ask your body how it feels? Let your focus move through your body, scanning each area in turn. Notice any tension and see if you can breathe gently into that area and soften it. Maybe thank your body for all the wonderful things it does (without you being aware of them). Ask your body what it needs. It could be more movement, water, food, rest etc. Notice what comes up for you and see if you can do what your body needs. Take another few slow deep breaths and when you feel ready, open your eyes again. See if you can keep this body awareness with you for awhile.

I hope that this helps you be a bit more mindful and you find it a helpful way to take a time out and be present in your body.

Louise

Will EFT Work On My X Issue Too?

admin

Another question I frequently get asked by clients is: Will EFT Work On My X Issue Too?

FAQ - Will EFT work on my X issue?

Say a client has come to me for their stress and anxiety at work issue. They will often only think of using EFT on that issue. They won’t think to use this amazing tool on their fear of spiders issue or when they have an argument with their partner, or when they have a headache etc.

So my advice is always the same – just try it! When clients have resolved their original issue they often forget about EFT and don’t think to use it on other things that come up in their life. I always aim to teach my clients that this amazing tool is theirs – it’s at their fingertips.

Most people need a reminder from time to time though. So my advice is to do some tapping on a daily basis so that it becomes a good habit. That way we don’t have to think about it – we automatically start doing it in times of need. EFT becomes their ‘go to’ self help tool.

Here’s some ways I’ve used EFT this week to give you an idea:

  • Daily affirmations (remember to get rid of your “yes buts” first before working with affirmations)
  • Stuck behind a slow moving lorry when running late
  • Feeling stressed when trying to multi task too many things at once
  • Tight and painful shoulders (as a result of previous point!)
  • After hearing some upsetting news from a friend

EFT has helped me so much in so many ways. My aim is to educate and spread the word about this amazing tool so that you can benefit from it too.

So, why not try making EFT a part of your daily self care? That way, you will think of using it for your X issue 🙂

Keep tapping
Email Louise

You Give Me Road Rage…

admin
Road Rage
Traffic jam – road rage or calm acceptance?

Have you ever had road rage? We can all get stressed when stuck in an unexpected traffic jam. But what if you find yourself getting angry and frustrated every time you get behind the wheel? If you have to drive a lot then this can become a big problem. Not only does it make your journey more difficult, it is causing unnecessary stress in your life.

Time to do some tapping…

Acknowledge how the anger/frustration and stress is getting to you when you drive:

  • Even though I get angry/frustrated every time I get behind the wheel…
  • Even though I seem to be getting stressed every time I drive lately…
  • Even though I seem to have road rage on every journey…
  • Even though I get angry and frustrated and shout and swear at other drivers…
  • Even though my stress levels are really high when driving…
  • Even though I seem to be angry and stressed whenever I drive lately…

Notice where you feel the emotions in your body:

  • Even though I have all this tension and knots in my shoulders when I’m driving…
  • Even though my jaw is clenched tight when I’m driving…
  • Even though my heart is beating fast and I feel so angry and frustrated behind the wheel…
  • Even though I feel hot and sweaty when I’m driving…

You will get better results when you are more specific. So it’s a good idea to tap on specific events from the past when you’ve been particularly angry/frustrated or stressed during a journey.  So tap on the time you had road rage when you were late for an important meeting or you missed your child’s performance in the school play.  Work on all the emotions that come up for you in these events, e.g. guilt, shame, embarrassment etc.

When you’ve worked on the most intense specific events, you should be less triggered in the future. So think about what you can do to help the situation on a practical level. Examples could be leaving earlier, going a different route, re-arranging your day so you don’t have to drive in rush hour traffic, car sharing/taking turns with someone. You may need to tap on those things too:

  • Even though I know I should leave earlier but I always seem to be running late…
  • Even though I know I should go a different route, I seem to be on auto-pilot in the mornings…
  • Even though I always seem to have to do all the driving…

Remember to tap any time that you are triggered. You can tap whilst driving, if safe to do so e.g. just tapping the finger points with your hand on the wheel or when you stop at traffic lights.

I hope that this helps your road rage to disappear!

Keep tapping
Louise

Mental Health Awareness Week

admin

MHAW-round-stickerm-png-300x300

This week has been mental health awareness week in the UK. I was very pleased to do a presentation on Monday at the RSPB in Exeter.

I spoke about stress – what it is and how it affects us. I introduced the staff to a short Mindfulness meditation that can even be done at your desk at work. I also demonstrated EFT and how that can be used to help with stress at work and helping you achieve a better work/life balance. Which is something most people can relate to.

There are many tools out there can be very helpful for our mental health. For more info on EFT checkout my website http://freeflowingenergy.com/eft/. There’s also a great deal of helpful info at https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

EFT and Mindfulness are two tools that help keep me on an even keel. I wouldn’t be without them now. Having suffered from stress and anxiety in my previous career as a Software Engineer, I know from first hand experience how horrible it can be. Fortunately I now have the pleasure of teaching these amazing tools to other people.

Here’s to your health & well being!
Louise

 

 

Do I Have To Speak Out Loud?

admin 1 Comment

monkey-987886_1280

Another question I get asked a lot is:

Do I have to speak out loud when tapping?

In a session with a practitioner, we normally repeat the statements out loud when we tap. Many people find it a bit weird speaking out loud when they tap by themselves. The great thing is you don’t have to do it! EFT is a very flexible tool.

Here are some ways you can try to see which suits you best.

  • Tap silently – repeating your statements in your mind only
  • Write down your statements and tap whilst reading them

If you are ok with speaking out loud, you can try these versions:

  • Tap whilst whispering the statements
  • Try shouting out your statements (great if you’re stuck or need to really vent)
  • Sing your tapping statements
  • Use a silly voice – this works especially well if you’re tapping on something someone said – you can exaggerate their voice

Keep tapping (whichever way you decide to do it)
Louise

How Often Should I Tap?

admin

calendar-1135273_1280

This is not an easy question to answer, but one I get asked all the time by my clients.

The answer very much depends on you. Think about the reason for tapping and how quickly you want results.

Personally, I tap every single day. Some days it’s just for 5 minutes. Other days it’s a whole hour if I’m doing a ‘proper’ session. Often, it’s somewhere in between.

  • If you have a long standing or chronic condition then I definitely recommend tapping every day.
  • If you want quick results then again I recommend tapping every day.
  • If you feel stressed every day then I definitely recommend tapping every day!

It is not always easy to find the time. You have to make the time.  Most of us can manage to find 5 minutes in our busy day. So start with that. Just 5 minutes. On days where you have more time then tap for longer. The more you tap, the more you’ll benefit. So get started 🙂

Keep tapping
Louise

 

Happy New Year 2016

admin 2 Comments

Happy New Year 2016.jpg

Wishing you a Happy New Year 2016.

Instead of having New Year Resolutions, which normally get dropped by the second week of January, I like to set myself goals for the year.

You can start out by asking yourself some questions about how your 2015 was, e.g.

  • What were my gifts?
  • What were my successes?
  • What were my challenges?
  • What was my biggest lesson?

Then think about what you want to achieve in 2016. If you have a big goal, e.g. studying for a qualification, then it can really help to break it down into smaller goals. So you might have a goal each term, or for each major piece of coursework.

Then write out your goals for 2016. You can get really creative and use a vision board and fill it with your goals and inspiration to help you along the way. Stand in front of your board every day and visualise how good it will feel to achieve your goals. You can use EFT on any issues you have along the way, e.g. fear of doing a speech, anxiety about a test, feeling overwhelmed etc.

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”

Gail Devers

Wishing you lots of happiness and success in 2016.

Keep tapping
Louise

Merry Christmas 2015

admin

 

Christmas Tree
Merry Christmas 2015

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 2015. I hope that you have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas with your family and friends.

Remember that you can tap if it all gets too much for you. Just find a quiet spot for 5 minutes and tap on anything that is upsetting or overwhelming you.

I recommend daily tapping anyway to keep your energy flowing and to ensure your emotions are balanced.

Love and blessings,
Louise

How to Avoid The Christmas Overindulgence

admin
Drinks
Christmas Drinks

It’s Christmas time. Parties, meals out with friends and colleagues. Visits from family. It can be really hard not to overindulge at Christmas!

Not just with food or sweets but alcohol too. So how do you remain polite and social without overindulging? Impossible right?

It doesn’t have to be. But don’t rely on your willpower because that is bound to be challenged at this time of year!

Instead, you need to do some tapping. Whatever it is that you find hardest to resist, start with that. So, for example, if you find it really hard to resist chocolate at the best of times, let alone Christmas, then tap on that.

chocolate cookies
Christmas Chocolates
  • Even though it’s really hard to resist all these wonderful chocolates, I deeply & completely accept myself anyway
  • Even though I find it impossible to not eat chocolates at Christmas, I choose to be able to just have one
  • Even though it’s so hard to say no to chocolates, when they’re everywhere at Christmas, I choose to be able control how many I eat

Be as specific as possible, so if it’s Roses that really do it for you, then use that. E.g. Even though I can’t just have one Roses from the tin…what if I could?

Then try tapping on what triggers you to eat the chocolates – this could be certain thoughts or emotions or stress. E.g.

  • Even though the deadlines are looming at work and I feel so stressed and keep reaching for the chocolates, I choose to stay calm and eat some fruit instead.
  • Even though I still have loads of Christmas shopping to do and wrapping and cooking and it’s all too much for me so I keep stuffing my face with chocolates, what if I can relax and get it all done?

Please do try to help yourself as much as possible. So bring some healthy snacks to eat at the office instead of succumbing to the chocolates. You could also try moving the chocolate tin to a different part of the office if they’re too tempting by your desk!

The other kind of tapping you can do is being able to say that magic word – NO! Many people struggle to say it and before they know it they’re going to every event happening, when really they’d rather be at home for most of them. So tune in what makes it hard for you to say no & tap on that. E.g.

  • Even though I find it hard to say no to people (or use their name), because I don’t like to let them down and I feel guilty, what if I could respect my needs instead.

I hope that this has given you some ideas to help you stop overindulging this Christmas.

Keep tapping
Louise

 

 

What Pain is Trying to Tell You

admin
Pain
Pain

What is your first reaction when you feel ill or feel pain?

Do you feel frustrated, sad, annoyed, angry or something else?

Your body is actually trying to tell you something. It could be telling you to:

  • Look after yourself (when was the last time you did that?)
  • Slow down
  • Exercise more (or less)
  • Eat better
  • Drink less alcohol
  • Say no more often
  • Reduce your stress etc.

So, how do you find out what the message is?

You need to listen.

Listen
Listen

I suggest you set aside some time and firstly tap on any emotions you feel about being ill or in pain. E.g.

  • Even though I feel really frustrated that I’ve got a pain in my guts…
  • Even though this stomach pain is killing me, I can’t let it stop me working…
  • Even though I’m angry my body has this burning stomach pain…

Tap on whatever emotions come up and keep going until you feel ok or you feel ready to listen to what the message is.

Then you can try tapping on being willing to listen and understand what your body needs.  E.g.

  • Thank you body for this message
  • I’m willing to listen to my body
  • I’m open to listening to what my body needs
  • I’m sorry I haven’t been listening
  • Sorry I’ve been too busy to care for my body
  • I love & appreciate my body

I have done this work with clients and they always find it very helpful. Many have ‘light bulb’ moments where they realise what has been going on and how their body is trying to help them.

Do drop me an email, if you’d like some help with this.

Keep tapping
Louise

 

Woods to Tremayne

admin

I’ve been a bit quiet with my blogs lately. For good reason! I got married on 3rd October and I’ve been a bit distracted by it all 🙂 We had a magical wedding day with our ceremony outside overlooking Dartmoor.

Woods Tremayne
Wedding Venue

So I’m now in the process of changing my name everywhere. I am now Louise Tremayne.

I will be back blogging at a more regular interval from now on. Drop me an email if you’d like me to address a particular topic.

Keep tapping
Louise

How Long Is a Bit of String?

admin

Many clients ask how many sessions it will take to resolve their issues. My answer is usually – how long is a bit of string?

String
How long is a bit of string?

Truth is, we never really know until we start doing the work. I’ve had clients present with one issue (e.g. a fear or phobia) and we end up working on something completely different.

I personally don’t believe in searching for the quick fix. IMHO that is like wanting to pop a pill to get rid of the symptoms, but not searching for the underlying root cause. We will always have better resolution when we resolve the root cause rather than just getting rid of the symptoms.

One session of any therapy isn’t going to resolve your issues. However, after one session of EFT you will know the technique enough to be able to do it yourself. Which for me, is the one of the biggest benefits of tapping. You can do it yourself, in the moment you need it. You can tap when you’re feeling anxious or feeling overwhelmed by stress, or wanting to smoke a cigarette/eat a cake etc.

I like to give my clients homework. That way you learn the benefits of regular tapping – working on your issues and helping yourself. I am then able to help you with the trickier aspects of your problem during our sessions. The ones that need coaxing to the surface. I can then point you in the right direction for your next set of homework tapping.

Together we will work out how long that bit of string is 🙂

Keep tapping
Louise

EFT Research

admin

I had the pleasure of attending the 1st EFT Symposium last Saturday. Run by AAMET and Staffordshire University. It was an amazing day where researchers and EFT practitioners shared their knowledge, research and reviews of research done so far.

EFT Symposium
EFT Symposium

There was an incredible presentation by David Feinstein reviewing research, discussing in detail the amygdala and how energy psychology techniques effect deep emotional changes and a detailed roadmap through a PTSD case. I was blown away by the detail and learnt so much.

It felt very exciting to hear about the research and reviews that have taken place. It is encouraging that there is a group of people out there with the skills and knowledge to help EFT and other Energy Psychology techniques gain wider acceptance.

If you would like to learn more about research, here are some great resources:

AAMET website has a research section: http://www.aamet.org/research/eft-reports-clinical-trials-and-studies. Also check out the FAQ.

ACEP – lots of great articles. This one in particular is about a Meta Analysis that showed Energy Psychology techniques have a real effect: http://acepblog.org/2015/06/12/meta-analysis-of-energy-psychology-studies-finds-energy-psychology-has-a-real-effect/

Craig Weiner has written an excellent blog post which reviews the above Meta Analysis study: http://www.efttappingtraining.com/eft-research-paper/efficacy-of-acupoint-stimulation-treatment-of-psychological-distress-meta-analysis/

EFT Universe has a detailed research section: http://www.eftuniverse.com/research-and-studies/eft-research

I think it is wonderful that there is an emerging evidence base. You can point your sceptical friends or colleagues in the right direction if they need to understand the science and evidence behind Energy Psychology techniques.

There is still a long way to go before EFT is a ‘proven effective therapy’ and accepted alongside CBT etc. However, we are moving in the right direction. I will share more as and when it develops. Watch this space 🙂

Keep tapping
Louise

Please do get in touch, if you’d like to experience EFT for yourself. It is a remarkable technique!