With the holidays just around the corner the stress about it all is building up, and especially this year, where there is a lot of extra stress with the organisation of the family and friends visits etc., and the increased financial strain many are facing
The festive season is a time for coming together and celebrating and it is supposed to be a joyful time, but for many people it is also a time of stress, anxiety, exhaustion and overwhelm. Using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or tapping can be an excellent way to help relieve stress so you can embrace the spirit of the season and happily join the festivities.
Once you notice that there is some stress that you wish to relieve, I want you to look at what issue you want to tap on. Be aware of any physical symptoms you may be having in regard to your issue such as tension, pain, butterflies in the stomach, nausea, feeling scared, angry or sad. Notice where it is in your body. You may also be aware of your limiting beliefs or negative thoughts that are getting in the way of your overcoming this issue.
Now, please rate the intensity of your emotions and feelings on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the worst. Remember that in EFT we have to tap on the negative first until the negative issue is down to about 4 or below on the a scale of 1 to 10, before you bring in any positive statements.
It doesn’t matter how many rounds you do on the negative, it will eventually go down. Sometimes you will still feel uncomfortable and that may be because another feeling or aspect has come up while the first one went down. That is time to start tapping on that new negative emotion and bring that down and so forth.
Remember the tapping points?
KC = Side of hand, karate chop point
EB = Eyebrow
SE = Side of the Eye
UE = Under the Eye
UN = Under the Nose
CH = Chin
CB = Collar Bone
UA = Under the Arm
TH = Top of Head
For a more detailed explanation of tapping, watch this video:
Now take three big deep breaths while thinking about that holiday stress.
KC Even though the holidays are coming up and there is a part of me that feels it is exciting and wonderful, there is another part of me that feels dread at the stress and relationship obligations I have to handle, I deeply and completely honor and accept my feelings about it.
Even though I have become stressed in the past, and I feel so stressed out right now, I’m open to doing things differently this year, I’m open to honouring my limitations and to realize that I can’t please all the people all of the time and I choose to completely accept my feelings about this.
Even though the holidays are stressful, and I feel so overwhelmed and anxious when I think about the holiday season, I choose to be open to a more joyful time this year and accept how I feel and who I am.
Acknowledge the stress and the emotions that come with it. If you need more than one round to do this, repeat the phrases or add your own.
EB I’m so stressed out
SE There is so much to do
UE Shopping and cooking
UN Cleaning and entertaining
CH The holidays are more work than fun
CB It’s taking it’s toll on me
UA I feel tired just thinking about it
TH I wish I could close the door on it all
EB This stress
SE I don’t want to deal with it
UE This stress about the holidays
UN This holiday stress
CH All these feelings
CB Too much stress
UA All the responsibility
TH All the expectations
EB I am spending way too much
SE too much money, time and energy
UE I don’t have enough of it
UN I’m exhausted even thinking about it
CP I love the holidays
CB and I hate the holidays
TH All this stress
EB This holiday stress
SE it is costing so much money, time and energy
UE and it feels like I don’t have enough
UN I’m exhausted thinking about it
CP This stress
CB This holiday stress
TH All this holiday stress
EB It’s just too much
SE I feel so overwhelmed
UE all of this anxiety in my body
UN The holiday season is a big trigger for me
CH It is supposed to be all perfect and happy
CB but it is just too much for me
UA I so would love to have a different experience this time
TH but I don’t know where to start
EB There is too much to do
SE There are too many annoying people who are stressing me out
UE and too many stressful thoughts swirling inside my head
UN I really would like to release my angst-ridden
CH and uneasy feelings
CB The holiday season is supposed to be a joyful time
UA with peace and happiness
TH but I don’t feel any of that
EB What is wrong with me?
SE Am I supposed to pretend that everything is okay?
UE I don’t want to pretend anymore
UN It makes me feel even worse
CH I am afraid it will never change
CB I feel powerless to change all these unwanted emotions
UA and get over my stress and anxiety
TH I just want to enjoy myself
EB I want to enjoy the holidays
SE I want to relax and have fun
UE I want to feel ease
UN I want to get into the spirit of the season
CH I want to feel like everything is under control
CB I want to have time for myself
UA What if all this is possible?
TH Maybe I can set my intent to make it possible
EB I don’t want to suffer like this anymore
SE I choose to appreciate knowing
UE that I am in the process of resolving this issue
UN One step at the time
CH One tap at the time
CB Even though I still feel uncomfortable with what they will think,
UA or what they will say
TH whether they will like or accept me
EB I choose to connect with my heart first
SE I choose to accept me first
UE and listen to my inner guidance and intuition
UN I choose to be more relaxed about all of this
CH to take all of this easy
CB to not rush into things but savour them more
UA When I make a plan I want my dominant intent to be
TH finding that which brings me joy as I imagine it
EB I will allow my desire for joy
SE I will allow my desire for feeling good to be my only guiding light
UE I will take my Wise Self with me everywhere I go
UN When I take my Wise Self to the party it’s going to be a good party
CH When I take my Wise Self the food that I eat will be received perfectly by my body
CB Every word that comes out of my mouth will be beneficial to everyone
UA everyone that hears them with their ears or senses them with their vibration
TH I know that when I am thinking about these things I am actually planning a future event
EB When I am worrying, I am planning
SE When I am appreciating, I am planning
UE So what am I going to plan for this holiday season?
UN When I bring myself in the flow with my Highest Wisest Self, ideas come easily
CH They are implemented easily and it is fun while I am in the process
CB I am going to start telling myself the story of my desire
UA and then add to it all the details of the positive aspects that I can find
TH all the ones that match those desires and ask myself:
EB Wouldn’t it be nice if only good things would come to me?
SE I am going to do my best to keep myself in balance
UE because I know that one of the first things that causes misalignment
UN is asking or demanding too much of myself in terms of time and effort
CH I know I cannot burn the candle at both ends
CB it makes me physically tired and then I expect myself to have a cheerful attitude
UA so now I am going to be very very happy first
TH and then I will do everything else I have time for, after that!
EB I wonder if it’s possible to do less
SE I wonder if I can do things differently this year?
UE I wonder if I can take care of myself better this year?
UN I’m completely open to not overdoing it
CH I wonder if it’s possible if I can just do my best
CB And that’s good enough
UA What if I could take care of my needs this year?
TH What if I could remember what the holidays are really about?
EB What if I could do things the best I can?
SE What if I could have firm boundaries about how much is too much?
UE I’m open to not letting others’ expectations affect me
UN I’m open to not letting others get to me
CH I’m open to getting my needs met
CB I’m open to having strong boundaries
UA I’m open to taking care of my needs during the holidays
TH I’m open to staying calm and to be able to enjoy all the festivities
EB I’m giving myself permission to remember what the holidays are about
SE I’m giving myself permission to not stress
UE And to take things in my stride
UN I’m choosing to feel good wherever I go
CH I’m choosing to feel relaxed and happy wherever I am
CB Even though I may feel alone, I know that God loves me unconditionally
UA And that I am never alone
TH I’m choosing to have safe boundaries
EB I’m open to being grateful for these holidays
SE I’m grateful to be me, feeling relaxed and at peace and to having a happy time.
UE I choose to have a joyful holiday experience
UN I choose to relax and have fun
CH I choose to believe everything will get done
CB I choose to let go of the need for perfection
UA I choose to make time to nurture myself
TH I choose to find things to appreciate
EB I choose to allow myself to bask in the spirit of the season
SE I choose to have peace and believe all is well
UE I’m giving myself permission to relax now
UN And to take things with ease and joy
CH I’m ready to take care of my needs during the holidays
CB I’m staying calm to enjoy all the festivities
UA I’m ready to feel good wherever I go
TH I’m feeling relaxed and happy wherever I am
Now take a few deep breaths, feel into the feeling of relax and joy and actually just relax.
We all wish you a wonderful holiday and that all your wishes may come true.
It is a time to enjoy and to remember that the company of your loved ones is the most important thing during these days.
Enjoy and let us know how you were doing during these festivities.
We would love to know how you are getting on with this tapping, so please share your experiences, thoughts and feelings with our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawncady.mindsetcoach/