Tapping Out Cravings

Happy New Year! It’s time for new beginnings; a time to put all of those old habits behind you and start new. Many of us like to make New Year’s resolutions or set up our goals for the New Year so we have a compass to follow and a roadmap on how we’re going to get there.

But, how many times have you made a new year’s resolution say, to lose 20 pounds and you start off great, but within the first few weeks you find yourself giving into cravings? You’ve done all the right things; gotten rid of all the sugary foods, unhealthy fats, snack foods, etc. You’ve eliminated all the temptations. But soon you find yourself with such strong cravings that you can’t resist and before you know it, you’re eating something and you don’t even know how it got into your mouth! If you’ve struggled with weight, I know you know what I’m talking about.

In last month’s article I talked about the molecules of emotion and how our brains become “hard-wired” to repetitive thinking and habits. This month, I’d like to share with you how you can interrupt those signals to break and stop habits in their tracts.

There is a tapping technique I learned from Donna Eden called “Temporal Tapping” that can help release negative beliefs, thoughts and patterns of behavior. This energy technique helps break old habits, attitudes or emotional responses and helps in establishing new ones.

By simply tapping on the head around the top of the ear you calm the part of the nervous system that fights to maintain your current belief systems and patterns of behavior. The brain is then more receptive to learning new beliefs and instilling new affirmations. It is a very effective tool for changing habits by aligning the will with brain circuitry by calming the “fight or flight” response.

I think you will agree that if you are craving something, especially something you’re addicted to; your body will go into fight or flight to get its fix. It’s strong, powerful, and sometimes, uncontrollable.

How It Works

By simply tapping on the head around the ears you can calm the part of the nervous system that fights to maintain your current belief systems and patterns of behavior by disrupting the impulses being sent to the brain. The brain is then more receptive to learning new beliefs and instilling new habits or choices. (It’s almost like slapping someone up the side of the head – it stops them talking or doing something.)

When you find yourself craving something you have decided that you don’t want to eat or do, focus on how it makes you feel when you think about it. How much do you “have to have or do it”? How much does it stress you out? Now Rate the stress on a scale of Low 0 – High – 10.

Next, we “remove” the stressful thought by tapping on the left temple with all of your fingertips. Start in front of the left ear canal and continue tapping on the scalp, up, over, the top edge and around and behind the ear while stating what you are releasing. Here are some examples: i.e. "I am releasing (whatever the problem is); I am letting it go now." I am releasing these cravings for cookies and how desperately I want to eat them, I am letting these cravings go now." Tap at least 3 sequences stating what you are releasing. You always come back to the starting point in front of the ear for each tapping sequence.

This is the way that the energy flows and going backwards would negate what we are doing; which is to calm down the nervous system. Notice if you are starting to feel more calm and relaxed. If your stress level isn’t decreasing, try focusing more on the stress you are feeling or what emotions are coming up as you think about your problem as you are tapping. With food we are usually trying to stuff something or fill some void with the pleasure eating the food gives us.

After you have tapped at least 3 sequences or more or until your stress level has decreased you are ready to tap in the positive state or condition you wish to experience.

Tap on the right temple again using all of your fingertips and say your affirmation while you tap; repeat this procedure at least three times. State a positive statement or affirmation, in present time as if the condition already exists.

For example, you could say, “I am calm and relaxed". “I choose to eat an apple instead.” “I am much happier when I eat fruits or vegetables when I get cravings.” “They are much more satisfying to me now. “ "Well-being is my natural state." Joy is my natural state." Rate your stress level again and see if it has decreased.

Statements/affirmations can be anything you wish to become true and become your natural state in your life. They can be specific or general. Word them in your own language or lingo and align them with your own values. Ideally, make them short and to the point.

Reinforcement is part of the process. Do this several times a day, or whenever you notice your cravings, habit or “issue” resurfacing. Be creative, have fun with the wording and allow yourself to laugh and enjoy the process.

Here’s one way I use it. When I’m out running errands and I’m getting hungry it is so easy to pull into a fast food restaurant and get a quick meal from the drive through. I tap as I’m driving – Left Side: “I don’t want that stinkin’ fast food!” “I’m letting go of all those cravings, now!” 3X…Right Side: “I am happy to eat my delicious fresh salad with chicken when I get home.” “Eating that makes me feel so much happier and healthier.” “That is what I choose to do!”

I recommend going to YouTube and watch “Donna Eden’s Temporal Tap” for her explanation of how/why this works with a demonstration. Whether you choose to believe it can or can’t ---you are right! The mind is a powerful tool, use it wisely.

Don’t feel you have to do this on your own. Denise Kilonsky is an Energy Healing Practitioner with 18 years experience and is ready to help you achieve your goals for 2017 and is available for private sessions in person, phone or Skype. Please give her a call 318-458-3922 for an appointment and visit her website: www.thepowerofhealing.us to learn more.

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