Nancy Polites' Forward Action E-Zine
August 2009 :: Issue 3

In This Issue
Nancy's Note: A Word About Anxiety
Feature Article: Anxiety and its Effects on Us
Nancy's Tapalong™: Releasing Anxiety
Naomi's Nook: Simla Meets "The Dustpan"

NOTE FROM NANCY ::

Dear %$firstname$%,
Hello to August 2009! I hope you are cool wherever you are in the United States. Summer 2009 is a time when we are helping ourselves recover from the recession we have been in, allowing our new President to show his wares, hoping he will keep his promises and supporting him in his efforts. No matter what your politics, this is one time when we are all experiencing, in one form or another, the economic crisis this country - and the world - is going through. Many people I have spoken to in the last several months are feeling worried about their own personal finances. Businesses are downsizing, layoffs are at an all-time high, as are the unemployment rolls. It causes us to feel anxious. Read on, my friend...

back to top

FEATURE ARTICLE :: Anxiety and its Effects on Us

Anxiety... We hear about it from others, you might say you "feel anxious". But how clear are you about exactly what this state of being is? May I simplify? Anxiety is both a psychological and physical state. Here are some symptoms: heart palpitations, body sensations (like stomach butterflies), certain behaviors (like jittery, eye blinking), but mostly it is really uncomfortable right? It is more of a mood condition than say, fear, because it seems to come from nowhere and then it stays around much too long. It also tends to involve future events, which might be negative, and there is excessive, sometimes unconscious, worry. And, lastly, it seems to be uncontrollable and unpredictable. You may experience what is called 'generalized anxiety' — this comes and goes throughout the day, sometimes very early in the morning, sometimes keeping you awake at night.

The very first step toward helping yourself is to be really aware of your feelings. Recognize these feelings sooner than later, if this is at all possible for you to do. One way to do this is to attempt to be less reactive, less impulsive in your actions and check in on yourself first. Ask yourself what you are feeling. You know the symptoms of anxiety better now, so remember to honor them and remind yourself that they aren't bad feelings, just feelings.

The second and final step is knowing what to do to feel better... Yep, you guessed it. Tapping!

Tapping is a fantastic helper for you — and is used most commonly for anxiety. So many of my clients immediately feel relaxed once they start tapping. They might take a nice breath, they might yawn, they report a calming in their stomach... it promises to calm you down and soothe you no matter when you realize anxious feelings are upon you. If you are an experiencer of these feelings — and who isn't at one time or another? — you know what I mean. So I've included a general Nancy'sTapalong™ for anxiety for you to use, below. Tapping regularly, during daytime hours has the effect of instilling an overall calm and relaxing feeling throughout the day. And this is a way to soothe the generalized anxiety I mentioned.

And I can offer you some help with your tapping. Right now I am offering Tapping for Anxiety sessions at a package rate and if you're ready to have some short-term, low-cost support. No serious psychotherapy needed here. Let me teach you or refine your skills and we will:

• boost your tapping skill level up a notch or two
• help you see your way toward more calm in your life, whenever you choose
• discover any blockages or underlying issues that are keeping you stuck
• pave an easy way for you to sail through your days - on water or land!
  

back to top

NANCY'S TAPALONG™ :: Releasing Anxiety

Setup Statement on karate chop place or sore spot:

Even though I have these feelings of anxiety (nervous, dread, scared, worry) I deeply and completely love and accept myself and all my feelings.

Even though these feelings are just so difficult and painful to experience and I don't know what to do about them, I accept that I have these feelings and I accept all of me anyway.

Even though I can't stand having these feelings of anxiety and I wish I would NEVER have to deal with them, I accept that they are here, and appreciate that there may be something I can do to manage them now.

3 Rounds – Tap 5-7 times on each of the 8 places (Inner Eye, Outer Eye, Under Eye, Under Nose, Middle of Chin, Collar Bone, Under Arm, Top Of Head) continually and say the following at each place:

Round 1 (inner eye, outer eye, under eye, etc.)

• All of these feelings are so overwhelming!
• I wish they would all disappear and go away and never return
• I wonder if that is possible... I sure doubt it
• I think I'll always be stuck with anxiety and nervousness
• I'm so used to having all these negative feelings own me
• I don't think I can continue to cope with them very well anymore
• Maybe I can shift my energy by tapping
• I don't know how that could help, but I'm willing to take a chance

Round 2 (back to inner eye, outer eye, under eye, etc.)

• Taking a chance like this can be easy and effortless
• It is easy for me to tap and breathe easier and... maybe let go a  bit
• I allow myself to take a nice deep inhale now (inhale now)
• (Exhale) and I've just exhaled and released some of this anxiety
• It feels good to be able to breathe easily and effortlessly
• I like knowing that I can shift my energy within with ease
• I am grateful that there are possibilities in my life that are calming
• It feels good to know that I am moving my own energy around and that I am taking better responsibility for myself this way

Round 3 (again, inner eye, outer eye, under eye, etc.)

• I am glad that I have a way to manage my unwanted feelings without working hard at it
• It feels so good to be able to release... let go... breathe easier (inhale and exhale slowly now)
• Maybe I can allow myself more space and freedom to settle down
• This isn't too hard to do and I can forget about my anxious feelings for a moment
• I love knowing that I can move closer to freedom and begin to feel better
• I hope I remember to tap this way to release and let go more
• Maybe I am breathing more easily now
• I like knowing that I have this tool and can use it whenever I wish

back to top

NAOMI'S NOOK :: Simi Meets "The Dustpan"

Today Simla was introduced to “The Dustpan!" Although it’s not on my Top 10 list of “objects-that-are-fun-to-play-with," it was fun to watch her formal introduction.  Of course, the introduction came by surprise as Mom was sweeping up pieces of the SECOND ceramic dog bowl that Simla knocked down and broke. Contrary to Simi's belief, “The Broom” and “The Dustpan” don’t actually move on their own. “The Dustpan” turned out to be very entertaining to toss around, skate on, fling and carry. “The Dustpan” (which was taking a break) had been casually leaning up against the cabinet – so when opportunity knocked, she took it!!! Yipee! (Remember the Law of Attraction?!) Being the spitfire she is, Simi, initiated the intro. And it was pure glee from there!

Above is just a snapshot of the fun Simi had. To see her in action, we have posted two videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in8CMTmGaXQ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrDY6IkeLeA. Laugh out loud and giggle, if you want...

back to top

2008-2009 Nancy Polites. All rights reserved.
This email was sent to %$email$%, by Nancy Polites, LCSW, MSW, EFT-Adv
(949) 675-0509
PO Box 3801, 401 Old Dixie Highway, Tequesta, FL 33469