Overcoming Problems: How to Change Your Mood in Two Easy Steps
This morning, I woke up feeling less happy. I didn’t feel like doing anything, exercises included! I couldn’t understand what was causing my mood. I just woke up that way. I felt really depressed … even a little depressed. I’m not saying this happens on a regular basis, but I think it happens to all of us at one point or another. We are usually quite optimistic and cheerful, at least willing to start the day, but every now and then we get in the “mood” without really understanding why.
Rather than trying to understand WHY I felt this way, I realized that it was more important to do something about it. When we feel bored, we can analyze all we want, but it rarely makes us feel better. That, at least, has been my own experience. As an advocate for self-empowerment, I take every opportunity to empower myself and knew that I could overcome this feeling of boredom.
My all-time favorite tool for overcoming ANY type of obstacle is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or Tapping as it is sometimes called. It is so simple and easy to use that even a child could do it and I have found the results to be absolutely amazing. Without a word of lie, it has transformed my life. EFT is based on meridians or acupressure points (no needles). So I did the following to overcome my problems:
Step # 1: Acknowledge How You Feel
You may feel like you are reinforcing your negative mood by acknowledging your feelings. But the fact is, you feel how you feel and trying to sweep it under the rug and pretending you don’t feel blah won’t do any good. It is what it is. Simple as that. And no amount of “positive” talk will hide it.
Throughout the following routine, try to really feel the emotion of blah, sadness, or whatever – tune them in. I usually close my eyes and try to get in touch with what I feel. Sometimes I feel tightness or some other physical sensation somewhere in my body, but not always. At other times, I will have an idea of what has caused my feeling, but not always. Just go with what comes up.
Start with a preparatory statement that acknowledges the emotion you are feeling right now:
Even though I feel depressed / blah / in a bad mood (or whatever you’re feeling), I (choose) to love and accept myself anyway.
Repeat this statement three times while striking the karate point with the fingertips of the other hand. The karate cutoff point is the fleshy part on the side of the hand, just below the little finger. Tap lightly and fairly quickly while repeating the setup statement. There are very few things you can do “wrong” in EFT, but if you want more guidelines, I have a demo video on my website.
After the setup statement, tap the following points with your fingertips 5-7 times. You can use the middle and index fingers or all fingers. Never mind. You can also use one or both hands. But that can get a bit tricky if you are not familiar with EFT! While tapping, repeat a short phrase that summarizes your configuration statement, such as “feeling blah “.
Threading points:
(EB) Eyebrow (at the inner end of the eyebrow)
(SE) Side of the eye (between the side of the eye and the temple, near the eye)
(EU) Under the eye (The fleshy part immediately below the eye)
(UN) Under the nose (between the upper lip and the nose)
(CH) Chin (in the crease under the lower lip)
(CB) Clavicle bone (About an inch below the clavicle, below and a little to the left or right of the throat)
(UA) Under the arm (Approximately 3 “below the armpit – the bra line for women!)
(WR) Wrist (where the hand is bent)
(TH) Top of the head (On the crown)
Now take a deep breath.
After this one round, I guarantee you will feel better. It certainly was! If you don’t feel any change, or feel just a little better, try doing the whole routine again, but this time add “yet” to your opening statement and summary sentence.
Even though I’m STILL feeling down / blah / in a bad mood (or whatever you’re feeling), I (choose) love and accept myself anyway.
STILL feeling bored.
S tep # 2: reinforce the best feelings
Once I had completed the first round of EFT, I certainly felt happier and was ready to start the day. However, I like to end my EFT sessions with some positive affirmations using the Tapping Points above.
Touch the dots (EB to TH) repeating positive affirmations such as:
- I have a lot to be thankful for
- This too shall pass
- My life is good
- I am loved and appreciated
Use whatever affirmation seems appropriate to you.
Regardless of what I am tapping on, I often experience the feeling that my summary is no longer true as I progress through the points. This happens when the “negative” emotion is released and is perfectly normal. It is a sign that the cause of your problem is healing. What could be simpler than that!
This routine will even work with a deeper depression, but May require a more persistent approach. I would highly recommend locating a professional EFT practitioner if you suffer from long-term depression or any other acute affliction. But, for the occasional blah, use EFT and get rid of your sadness! It works every time!