Relieve Stress between you & those you love...

Here is a quick technique to help you relieve any minor or major stress between you and your Valentine (or anyone whose relationship is special to you--not just your spouse or significant other, but also important friends, colleagues, children, siblings, parents, etc.) 

This 4-6 minute activity is from the Interactions section of SOS: Switch Off Stress.  Let's say that you and this person have some tension between you that you'd like to resolve. The below exercise while help you transform your own emotions so you come to the next interaction with less emotional baggage.

How to Do SOS #53

Transform Negative Emotions

Many emotions we consider “negative” can actually teach us important things about ourselves. This technique shows you how to make negative emotions less overwhelming by  treat them as if they were simply raw energy.  You know from experiencing and observing your own emotions how quickly they can change; often coming and going naturally, like waves on the ocean.  What you can do with this SOS tool is to befriend the full range of your emotions so they can help you learn about yourself and improve your cherished relationships.

I recommend the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) as a way to learn from and release “bad” feelings because it is so simple, fast and portable and simple. EFT will quickly mutate any fear, anger, anxiety, jealousy that's hampering your important relationships. 

There are many schools of thought about how to do EFT; I urge you to adopt the instructions that most appeal to you.  Basically, the EFT process involves tapping lightly on a series of meridian points while making statements to release whatever negativity you’re feeling. To start, you will do a few rounds of statements that serve to first admit and surface, then release all the negativity you’re experiencing. ("I am so angry about what s/he said."  "I'm going to ignore him/her and see how THAT feels!") The second phase of EFT is to complete a few rounds that replace those snarky statements with neutral or more positive declarations. ("I have always admired him/her, and want to do my part to make it right between us again."  "I allow for the possibility that I may have contributed to these bad feelings between us.")

The common points for tapping are: outside edge of hands, top of head, inner eyebrow, side of eye, below eyes, under nose, under mouth, collar bone, under arm.  You will see that there are many variations of EFT; simply choose what makes the most sense for you.

• A fun introduction to EFT points (4 minutes)
• Stress and anxiety (4 minutes)
• Stress and anxiety #2 (5-6 minutes)
• And a special tapping just for Valentine's Day: Love Magnet!

(Note: All emotional release techniques need to be done where you will not be disturbed, nor will you disturb others. Most cultures are uncomfortable with emotional release, so be certain other people won’t try to “rescue” you from your healthy transformation of emotions.)

What SOS #55 Can Do for You

EFT is a self-help combination of acupressure and cognitive behavior therapies. This handy tool has gathered a great deal of attention in the last decade, and is currently undergoing considerable research in many countries around the word.  EFT works in part by sending physical and verbal soothing signals to your brain, which in turn dramatically lowers cortisol—by as much as 25% in one study!

And the good results are mounting. For example, there is a 5-year study at John Hopkins where researchers are using EFT for returning soldiers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At the three-year mark, it reported a staggering 63% reduction in symptoms. EFT has also been used successfully with victims in war zones, natural disasters, violent crimes, and mass shootings. So…just think of what it could do to reduce the discomfort you're feeling between you and your Valentine!

Here are additional EFT videos and websites for you to explore: Try it on Everything; www.TappingSolution.com; www.EFTUniverse.com; Tap for Health blog. 

GOOD LUCK!!!

If you want to help your Valentine(s) enjoy some stress-relief, go here to purchase SOS: Switch Off Stress (only $8.99 for this 258-page-equivalent "evaBook")--or click here if you want to read more about what SOS can do for you and all those you love.

And here's a Free Kindle App so you can read SOS on any PC, MAC, tablet, or smart phone.