Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Take the Bite out of Overeating
by Yehudit Lynn Yosef, MSW, A.C.C.
Sarah is a bright, energetic, modest, dedicated kindergarten teacher in her mid fifties.
For eleven of the past twelve years she and her family were living in a war zone.
Rockets could strike at any time, like lightening.
Sarah wrote seeking guidance for a healthy way to deal with a 33 lb. weight gain over the last year.
One year ago she moved to a quiet country town.
Since moving she had been far less physically active.
She had tried to adjust her diet with no success.
Over eating is a common symptom of people trying to “swallow” their emotional pain. Overeating as a result of stress or anxiety is a common problem. Our bodies and minds are always working. Trauma or negative events from the past can be stored in memory and as energy blocks in our bodies.
When negatively emotionally charged event is neutralized, energy is freed to flow and allowed to move forward. Dieting can help to lose weight, but too often, core emotional issues can get triggered and cause anxiety, which triggers over eating. This can happen after the goal weight is achieved, and create an endless diet merry go round. People with the best intentions and will power realize that they cannot control their eating.
Solution
Different things work for different people. Many people are finding that EFT can provide relief from the core anxieties that fuel overeating, often in only a fraction of the time needed with traditional treatment!
About the Technique
-
It’s easy and gentle.
-
Tapping on one’s own acupuncture points can refresh the body’s energetic flow.
-
While tapping one can choose to speak or think the exact issue or item needing change.
-
We are communicating directly with our body and our cells.
Overview of the Technique
-
The person is asked to rate their level of intensity regarding the frustration (in this case) on a scale of 1-10, with a score of 10 being the highest.
-
Words to describe the issue or problem are spoken or thought along with the tapping. An example of a “set up” phrase (what can be said while tapping) would be, "Even though I feel overwhelmed with frustration I deeply and completely accept myself". This tapping while speaking the problem formula is repeated until the intensity is reported to have dropped.
-
The phrase "remaining frustration" can be substituted here, as needed to collapse this (or any) issue completely.
-
Repeat the same procedure (tapping and speaking or thinking the presenting issue) for the anxiety and fear from living with a long term insecurity or danger. The set up statement here could be, "Even though I have this constant fear of impending danger, I deeply and completely accept myself." Repeat until the intensity is collapsed.
-
Any thoughts or sensations which become noticeable would then, too, be tapped out.
-
Continued tapping morning and evening is recommended until no longer needed.
-
Energy released from one place sometimes switches to another spot in the body. Any new location can then, too, be tapped out.
More detailed instructions about the technique can be found Emofree. Visit the website for archived articles to get more ideas for how to successfully apply EFT to various situations.
References:
- Swingle, P.G.., Pulos, L., and Swingle, M.K. (2004) "Neurophysiological indicators of EFT treatment of post-traumatic stress." Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine, 15, l, 75-86.
- Swingle, P.G. (2003, Summer) "Potentiating Neurotherpay: Techniques for Stimulating the EEG". Paper presented at California Biofeedback Society.
- Wells, S, Polglase, K., Andrews, H. B., Carrington, P., and Baker, A. 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), 943-966.
- Feinstein, D. (2008). "Energy Psychology in Disaster Relief. Traumatology. 14(1), 124-137." http://www.innersource.net/energy_psych/articles/ep_energy-trauma-treatment.htm
About the Author: Yehudit Lynn Yosef, M.S.W., A.C.C. is a Certified Business and Personal Coach for women. She specializes in empowering women using a mind/body/spiritual focus and utilizing EFT. She can be reached at 1(866)377-6646 or her website. Look for her book: Puri, Touchton and Yosef, et.al. (2008). Women and the pursuit of happiness: Create your path with positive psychology. Publisher: Xlibris.
05/10/2008
Back
