How are these methods done? They are done by mentally activating the problem state while using a technique to neutralize it, such as tapping or holding acupressure points. They are so simple and effective that many people have a hard time believing that the results are real! However, as they go through their daily lives, they frequently find that the results are real and lasting. It’s reported in 70–80 percent of cases that delimited fears and issues disappear, specific anxiety goes away, and cravings are eliminated.

Here’s an example, including basic steps, of an abbreviated version of the EFT procedure.

* Recall a specific incident when you experienced your problem, such as standing on a 17th floor balcony when you have a fear of heights. Give it a stress rating of 0–10, with 10 being the most stressful.

* Then, write a set-up phrase that pairs the unwanted feeling with a positive affirmation such as, “Even though I have this fear of heights, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

* State it out loud three times while rubbing “sore spots” on your chest, which you can find two or three inches in from the point where your arms attach to your chest.

* After that, tap on a standard subset of eight acupuncture points while picturing the stressful scene and saying a reminder phrase such as “fear of heights.” Tapping can be done with one or two fingers, on either or both sides of your body. The eight points include the inner edge of the eyebrow, the bone on the outside of the eye, the bone under the eye, under the nose, the center of the chin, collarbone points, underarm points (three to four inches below the armpit), and the karate chop point (on the little-finger side of the hand).

* Then, picture the scene again, and re-rate your distress level.

* For subsequent rounds, adjust the set-up and reminder phrases to include “still” and “remaining,” while rubbing sore spots: “Even though I still have this fear of heights, I deeply and completely accept myself.” Use the reminder phrase, “Remaining fear.”

* Do more tapping rounds, re-rating the level of distress each time until it goes down to zero.

Another simple, effective technique is the Tapas Acupressure Technique, which also mentally activates a problem state while holding acupuncture points. TAT videos show a victim of sexual abuse working with Tapas to clear feelings of negativity and dirtiness, allowing her to feel better about life. Another woman, who was raped as a teenager, was able to clear the trauma with lasting results. TAT (child pose) was used with children who were victims of natural disasters in Mexico and Nicaragua, significantly reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

To do TAT, lightly hold three acupuncture points: one-eighth inch above the inside corner of each eye using your thumb and fourth finger, plus one-half inch above the midpoint between the eyebrows using your third finger (TAT pose). The other hand is placed on the lower back of the head. Hold this pose during each of the procedure’s seven steps (one to two minutes), then release. The first four steps include focusing on the problem (a disturbing event, food allergy, etc), focusing on the opposite of the problem (it’s over, I survived), healing the origins of the problem, and healing the places in your mind, body, and life where this has been stuck. The method often releases trauma or stress and even sometimes eliminates allergies. However, no self-help method is a substitute for therapy, so seek professional help for serious problems or if any method is unsettling.

Because the methods are quick, easy to learn and use, and have no known side effects, people in Internet energy psychology groups indicate that they are self-applying the methods for lots of emotional and behavioral problems with children, adults, and even with pets! They use the methods for behavior problems in school, autism, heartbreak, old childhood issues, anger, guilt, anxiety, and more. They also use them for physical problems ranging from weight loss to allergies and for achieving goals such as improved eating or exercise habits. In sports psychology they use the techniques to achieve optimal performance by reducing stress and tension and making performance goals more believable to the athlete.

Whether used for problems or goals, energy psychology methods can take down problematic feelings, thoughts, and behaviors one by one, changing how you feel about yourself and others and how you view and experience life. This leads to positive experiences and joyous feelings, improving your life in simple and profound ways!

** This article is one of 101 great articles that were published in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life. To get complete details on “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life”, visit http://www.selfgrowth.com/greatways.html

Author's Bio
Lynne McKenna Hoss, MA, is Energy Psychology Program Director for Innersource and a former counselor and journalist. She brings the field of energy psychology forward through articles, CE programs, public presentations, and individual instructional sessions on energy psychology methods. Trained in EFT-ADV, EPI Basic & Advanced, Seemorg, REMAP, TAT, Donna Eden’s Energy Medicine, and more, she is a member of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology. For more information on energy psychology and home study programs, plus links to Web sites for practitioners and the EFT and TAT methods above (which both have free downloads that fully teach the methods), visit http://www.EnergyPsychEd.com.