Essential Elements Series: Element Five- Thoughts and Emotions- Part 2 of 2

This article is the sixth in a series of posts exploring the Essential Six Elements of Whole Health, the core of our health philosophy and the foundation for our work with our nutritional therapy clients.

This article is in two parts, this is part two, read part one here. Learn more about the Essential Elements and find the rest of the series here.

Part Two

In the first part of this article, we talked about using aromatherapy (essential oils) and EFT, which stands for emotional freedom technique (and is also referred to as meridian tapping, or tapping), that can help to clear dysfunctional emotional patterns and unblock the energy needed to restore health.

First, let’s talk a bit about aromatherapy, which involves using plant-derived essential oils, specifically chosen for their healing properties (which also involves their frequency, or vibration) for emotional wellness.

After smelling an essential oil, the molecules reach the olfactory system via the nose. This affects the limbic system. The limbic system is a primitive part of the brain concerned with basic emotions, mood and memories. The components of the limbic system govern emotional states, behavioral drives and help to store and retrieve memories.

Stimulation of the components of the limbic system by aromatherapy brings about aroma’s ability to affect conscious thought and reaction.

It is the link between the cerebral cortex and the unconscious functions of the brain. The limbic system is especially susceptible to the effects of aroma, and through it, it is possible to influence a person’s attitude, mood and disposition by introducing them to certain scents.

Reactions in both the nervous system and the endocrine (hormonal) system are activated.

The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are stimulated, influencing hormones, stress levels, sexual function, body temperature, digestion, insulin production, appetite, thirst and repulsion.

Stimulation of the hormonal system affects the nervous system, balancing the two halves of the autonomic nervous system, the parasympathetic and the sympathetic.

In this way, essential oils help to balance emotions and physical states brought on by negative thoughts & emotions.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also referred to as “meridian tapping” or “tapping”,  may seem a bit strange at first, especially if you watch someone do it without knowing what they are doing.

However, once you understand that all they are doing is tapping on certain acupressure points, which are located on the different energy meridian points of the body, it starts to make more sense.

EFT is a form of psychological acupressure, based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments for over five thousand years, but without the invasiveness of needles.

Instead, simple tapping with the fingertips is used to input kinetic energy onto specific meridians on the head and chest while you think about your specific problem – whether it is a traumatic event, an addiction, pain, etc. — and voice positive affirmations.

This combination of tapping the energy meridians and voicing positive affirmation works to clear the “short-circuit” – the emotional block — from your body’s energy system, thus restoring your mind and body’s balance, which is essential for optimal health and the healing of physical disease.

Some people are initially wary of these principles that EFT is based on – the electromagnetic energy that flows through the body and regulates our health is only recently becoming recognized in the West.

Others are initially taken aback by (and sometimes amused by) the EFT tapping and affirmation methodology, but I can assure you that it works. The practice of EFT has grown rapidly and is now practiced all over the world.

When we have overcome negative emotion & thought patterns, it’s important to fill your cup back up.

Inspiration, creativity and finding purpose in your life are some of the most powerful tools you can use to build your mind and body.

There are multiple ways to bring inspiration into our lives, and creativity is at our fingertips at every turn. Even something as simple as cooking a meal can awaken a lot of creativity within us.

While finding purpose can seem overwhelming at first, it’s not the same as finding “your purpose” or “your calling”. It’s not about ONE thing.

It’s about finding PURPOSE or USEFULNESS in your every day life. How are you serving? How are you needed and appreciated by others?

For some people, they can see this in their work life or at home, but sometimes it can seem like this part of your life is lacking.

It can be helpful to look outside yourself and your immediate circle and get involved in the community by volunteering and giving of your time, energy and even finances when appropriate.

Doing good for others often does a world of good for you too!

Next we’ll cover the final Essential Element- Element Six: Connections.