Nick Ortner's Blog, page 52

Nick Ortner talks with Dr. Lissa Rankin about EFT Tapping

Most people treat stress like a badge of honor. “I’m stressed out so that means I’m working hard and I’m valuable.” Without knowing it, many of us have that belief on an unconscious level.

We go into stress mode constantly to fit in, to look busy, to feel like what we’re doing and how we feel is important. But research is showing that this constant, chronic stress mode that most people live in…is WAY more dangerous than people have ever realized.

I want to share a video with you today with Dr. Lissa Rankin, M.D., where she shares just how dangerous stress actually is.

She talks about how several years back she was wondering why many of her seemingly “healthy” patients were getting sick. Why clients who were eating right, exercising and even practicing things like meditation, were getting serious illnesses.

If you think you know what really matters when it comes to being healthy, I suggest watching this video, because it just may blow your mind with what it reveals.

What did you enjoy or learn from watching this video? How has it changed your beliefs about your ability to control your health? Share your thoughts below

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Published on December 30, 2014 07:33

Make Yourself Happy by Doing This One Thing…

Have you ever heard the phrase “Money can’t buy you happiness”?

Well, new research is in fact showing that it actually can make you happy… but only if you spend it in a certain way.

I think you’ll find this interesting, as I did. Check out this short Ted talk where Michael Norton describes the research and how it could help make YOU happy during this holiday season, just by doing one important thing:

“Project Light: From Rwanda to Newtown” – See the film for free today

The other day I shared the release of a new film that I’m extremely proud of.

The film, called “Project Light: From Rwanda to Newtown,” features the amazing work that Dr. Lori Leyden and The Tapping Solution Foundation have been doing for years in Rwanda, as well as more recently in Newtown, CT.

Dr. Leyden started filming a documentary about her work in Rwanda a few years back; we got involved in supporting it (and many of you did as well!) and through the twists and turns of life, it turned into a much bigger story than any of us could have imagined.

Now that film is complete and we’re making it available to view for free until December 25th.

You can view it for free here:

http://www.tappingsolutionfoundation.org/ProjectLight/

Until next time…Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

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Published on December 22, 2014 13:36

Love, Peace and Light Meditation

In just six minutes (and even less really…) you can completely shift your state, mind, body and spirit. Here’s a simple way to do that, a free Tapping Meditation for Love, Peace and Light.

Take some time to use it now; even if you’re at work and can’t tap, you can listen to it, gently tap a few points, and make the change. Every day, we face hundreds, if not thousands of choices as to how we’re going to feel, and what we’re going to do.

This is just one of them, a simple one, but one that can be life transforming – because when you choose to let go, to feel peace, to feel joy, and when you do it again and again and again and again…

That’s when everything changes.

Until next time….

Keep Tapping!

Nick

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The cure for the common cold or flu?

Downside of having a cold/the flu/whatever other bug: Sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy-head, fever, all that other really nasty stuff…

Upside… Warm soup, someone taking care of you, an excuse to do nothing, cuddly warm blankets, hopefully an extra hug or two.

A few months back, I caught some nasty bug that swept throughout my family in a matter of days. It wasn’t pretty, you probably know the type. I don’t want it ever again. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemies (I don’t have any worst enemies, but the phrase conveys the point! Lol)

I mean, truly, awful 24 hours, I’ll skip the details for your sake.

But… the warm soup was nice…sitting on the couch watching TV knowing there wasn’t anything else I “should” be doing was nice….asking my wife Brenna for every little thing I needed (foot rubs included, gosh do they help) was nice…

And as I started to feel better, you know that moment when it’s passing and you are SO grateful for ordinary being without the pain and discomfort, I said to Brenna, “I’m actually feeling a lot better. The nausea has gone away and I’m getting some food down, but can you still take care of me a while longer?”

She laughed at my honesty and said, “Of course!” and we actually had a great discussion about how neither of us needed to feel awful to ask the other person for help, or to be nurtured a little bit extra.

It was a wonderful moment of clear communication, and also of acknowledgement of our needs, of what’s stressing us out, of what’s contributing to our physical state.

I’ve had several experiences of working with people who had colds/flus/ and so on; in fact, my first experience working with my sister Jessica was around a sore throat and sinus headache. She thought I was nuts telling her to tap all over her body to help with her symptoms (and part of her thought it was a practical joke as well…I’ve got a little history of that…).

But when we drilled down to what was really going on in her life, the stress she was experiencing, her throat stopped hurting and her sinuses cleared in a matter of minutes! (I detail the whole story and wider implications for it in my book here)

Now, I don’t think tapping magically kills cold viruses. I don’t think tapping can stop a 24 hour stomach bug in its tracks. But I do believe that being aware of the stress in our lives, of our emotional needs, and tapping on them, can keep the immune system strong and healthy and able to fight these bugs off in the first place. The connection has been studied and clearly established: Stress, of virtually any sort, depresses our immune system.

So when we acknowledge what we need, when we have that warm soup or extra hug without being sick, when we tap on our stress, overwhelm, anxiety, whatever is going on, our immune system can stay strong and resilient. And if we do happen to catch that bug, tapping can be extremely helpful on the symptoms, on the nausea, the pain, and so forth.

So take a moment to acknowledge what you might be stressed out about, and take just 5 minutes to clear even a little piece of it. Feel how when you let it go, your immune system strengthens, your body relaxes, you feel at peace.

Well, this email has taken a fair bit of energy to write, so I’m going to go see if I can get a foot rub from Brenna…or at the very least an extra hug…or that incredible chicken soup she makes…

What’s your “favorite” part of being sick?

Can you incorporate those great things in your life WITHOUT getting sick?

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Published on December 01, 2014 20:22

Thanksgiving Gripes…

Oh…you wanted some juicy gossip didn’t you? Did you really think I’d air any gripes out to half a million people… haha! But seriously, I am BEYOND lucky when it comes to my family. I’m well aware of how extraordinary they are, how well we get along, how much fun we have together. Yeah, I’m bragging a little about it, cause they’re just great. Even my in-laws, traditionally a source of strife in our society, are fantastic.

And of course, we have our hiccups, usually around trying to plan where we are going, how much time we’re spending in each place, and so forth, but overall, I am so grateful, especially this Thanksgiving, for all of them.

OK, I don’t mean to gloat too much, because I FULLY understand that many, many people out there aren’t as lucky as I am when it comes to family.

I know family can be such a trigger, such a source for angst, but this Thanksgiving, perhaps start seeing your family as an opportunity to heal something deep within you.

Who haven’t you forgiven?

What resentment are you holding on to?

Who haven’t you opened your heart to? Loved…whether they “deserve” it or not?

What mistake have you made that you haven’t acknowledged? Apologized for? (Even if they made a mistake as well…and they haven’t apologized…you can do it, go first!)

What gripes are you bringing to the table this Thanksgiving? Can you let them go before the turkey hits the table?

Tapping is a simple and powerful way to let go of these events. It can be as easy as thinking of past Thanksgiving, thinking of past events, tension and strife, and tapping through the points to relieve the “charge” behind what happened.

Even if it’s just ONE thing, small or big, one little “gripe” that you let go of before Thanksgiving starts.

Now is your chance.

Heal. Forgive. Understand. Accept. Acknowledge. Let Go…

And of course…when you’ve cleared out some of the pain and heartache, in rushes a new feeling… of GRATITUDE. Feel the gratitude for experiences and lessons learned. For people doing the best they could with the resources they had. For where you are now, all the good in your life, all the good in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Are you looking forward to Thanksgiving or stressed out about it? What can you let go of and heal?

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Published on November 25, 2014 20:18

Tips for a Stress Free Family Gathering

The holiday season is upon us! It’s a time that’s often met with as much dread as joy. For many, getting a big family together doesn’t always reflect the pretty picture we see in all the Thanksgiving and Christmas commercials.

It can feel downright overwhelming. Will my mother-in-law judge my cooking again? Will that annoying uncle make another inappropriate comment? Will I have to deal with the tension between relative A and relative B? What’s meant to be a joyous experience leaves us holding our breath and wishing for the best.

But it turns out we have more power than we think to create a great experience. Here are 5 tips to support you, and a tapping meditation to set you up for a wonderful holiday gathering.

1. Let go of expectations

You know those commercials we see of the ideal family laughing and passing the pumpkin pie? They’re actors! I hate to state the obvious, but we often have these unrealistic expectations, and the idea that things need to be perfect and run smoothly to have a good time.

So I’m here to break the news to you: that annoying uncle… he might never change, and it’s not your job to change him. That cousin who’s always late might be late again. You may drop the apple crumble you spent hours making on the floor (I did that once!).

When we let go of the expectation that things (and people) need to be perfect, we are able to see all there is to celebrate.

2. Heal the buttons

I had one relative who I would always complain about because he had a way of pushing my buttons. Every year he’d make some comment about my weight. Even when he said, “You look like you lost weight,” I’d smile and say, “Thank you,” when internally I was screaming, “Can you please not make my body a topic of conversation?!”

Whether it’s someone commenting on how you look, or asking about your relationship status or job, when you find yourself saying, “They push my buttons” it’s time to leave the buttons at home. Since I struggled with my weight and body confidence, I was walking around with a giant open wound.

The moment anyone would make a comment, even a nice one, it burned and I would blame them. I realized I couldn’t change them; I could only heal my wound. When we take responsibility for the button and heal it, then there is no button to press. No one can make you feel bad without your permission! If you’re expecting a topic of conversation that makes you feel uncomfortable, tap on it beforehand.

You might say, “Even though I get so angry when (insert relative) asks me / comments on (insert topic) I accept myself and choose to feel calm and confident.” Then tap on the points while you give a voice to the movie you’ve created of what might happen, until you can imagine that scenario while feeling calm and confident. The tapping mediation below will help.

3. Choose what you bring

I’m not talking about what type of casserole. When you walk in feeling tense and expecting the worst, that is exactly what you bring into the room. Between the errands and cooking, take a few minutes to check in. What matters most is the energy you bring to the table, not the dish. Consciously choose what you’re bringing, like gratitude, playfulness, compassion, excitement and joy. Doesn’t that sound delicious?!

4. You’re only responsible for your own experience

You can choose what you’re bringing to the table, but you can’t control what others bring. When we go into a family situation feeling like we are responsible for everyone having a good time, our minds begin to search for whatever we believe needs fixing. Then we only see what’s wrong and we let someone else’s mood impact ours. Bring your best energy and forget the rest!

If you’re sensitive to other people’s emotions, it’s important to tap before the gathering. After you tap imagine a protective white bubble around you. You still have the ability to give and receive love, but that bubble repels negative energy. It’s a simple visualization but a powerful one.

5. Remember what it’s all about

It’s not about the perfect table setting or the food; it’s about connection and gratitude. We come together as a family to celebrate all of life’s blessings and to connect with each other. The best way we can do this is by slowing down and allowing ourselves to be present.

We don’t need a single meditation pillow in the middle of a silent room to be present. Be present with the joy, the excitement, and if you come from a big Argentine family like me, the shouting and playful teasing! Take in the moment because there are no guarantees in life. You’ll never get to relive this holiday season again. It’s a moment in time – celebrate the gift!

Tapping Meditation for a Stress Free Family Gathering

http://ts-blog-images.s3.amazonaws.com/Tapping-Meditation-stress-free-family-gathering.mp3

What was your “aha” moment during the tapping meditation? What do you want to remember before you walk into that room full of family to ensure you have a great time?

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Published on November 25, 2014 20:17

23 Signs That You May Have Too Much Stress In Your Life

Stress is taken for granted these days as “part of life,” and while there is such a thing as “healthy” stress, that helps us grow, most of our stress is chronic, damaging and unhealthy. Below are 23 signs that indicate unhealthy levels of stress in your life.

Which apply to you right now?

Mental

#1 – Difficulty concentrating

#2 – Trouble making decisions

#3 – Negative outlook on life

#4 – Anxious or racing thoughts

#5 – Constant worrying

Emotional Symptoms

#6 – General Moodiness

#7 – Irritability or short temper

#8 – Agitation, anger and the inability to relax

#9 – Feeling overwhelmed with life

#10 – Feeling lonely and isolated

#11 – Depression or general unhappiness

Physical Symptoms

#12 – Aches and pains in the body

#13 – Diarrhea or constipation, bowel problems

#14 – Nausea, dizziness, vertigo

#15 – Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, pounding of the heart

#16 – Loss of sex drive

#17 – Frequent colds/flus

Behavioral Symptoms

#18 – Eating more or less

#19 – Sleeping too much or too little

#20 – Isolating yourself from others

#21 – Procrastinating or neglecting life’s responsibilities

#22 – Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax, or in excess

#23 – Nervous habits

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it may be a sign that you need to get your stress levels in check. One great way to get started is with our FREE Tapping for Stress Relief Audio Meditations. Tapping has proven to be extraordinarily effective in mediating the stress response, calming the amygdala and helping the body relax and heal.

If you already are subscribed to our newsletter and receive Tapping Solution emails, you can download them here: http://www.thetappingsolution.com/blog/eft-stress-relief-audios.

And if you’re new to Tapping, get the meditations as well as the first two chapters of my NY Times bestselling book, “The Tapping Solution” here: http:/www.thetappingsolution.com/free_tapping_ebook2.php

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Published on November 11, 2014 13:29

Tapping and the Diagnosis of Cancer

One of the questions I get most often is something to the effect of, “Does tapping cure X?” where you can replace “X” with cancer, fibromyalgia, IBS, and virtually any other disease you can think of. My standard is always this:

Tapping itself doesn’t “cure” anything.

Tapping – this emotional work, letting go, forgiving, stopping self criticism, clearing old traumas – HELPS the body heal. The body knows how to heal itself and when we get out of the way, it often does just that. One of the most challenging parts of any physical “disease” is the emotional component, the stress, the self-criticism, and how they affect the body.

Watch as I tap with Deirdre on the diagnosis of cancer, on self-criticism, courage, and much more. We had some good laughs, and please excuse the “slightly” foul language; it’s used for a purpose as you’ll see!

At about 13 minutes in, it gets pretty intense. Watch closely as just one phrase brings up so much. In just a few minutes, you can see transformation happening right before your eyes.

Even if you’re not dealing with a physical challenge, you’ll find this especially helpful if:

You’re frustrated because you “know” all this stuff but aren’t getting the results you want
You have a habit of criticizing yourself
You’re not giving yourself enough credit for your courage, perseverance and will

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Published on October 29, 2014 09:01

From Overwhelm to Calm – Tapping Meditation

Here’s a free short tapping meditation: “From Overwhelm to Calm”. Use it whenever life feels like a little too much for you, when you’re overwhelmed by a specific topic or issue, or any other times you’re struggling. If you find it helpful, please comment and let me know below, and also let me know other topics you could use tapping meditations on! (and share it with your friends!) – Nick Ortner

http://tapping-solution-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/From-Overwhelm-To-Calm.mp3

If you’re new to tapping here is our short “How to Tap” video that walks you through the Tapping points and gives you a good refresher on Tapping. Enjoy!

Click “Like” below to be notified of new meditations!

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Published on October 28, 2014 10:59

From Doubt to a Seed of Hope – Tapping Meditation

Here’s a free short tapping meditation: “From Doubt to a Seed of Hope”. If you find it helpful, please comment and let me know below, and also let me know other topics you could use tapping meditations on! (and share it with your friends!) – Nick Ortner

http://tapping-solution-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/From-Doubt-to-a-Seed-of-Hope.mp3

If you’re new to tapping here is our short “How to Tap” video that walks you through the Tapping points and gives you a good refresher on Tapping. Enjoy!

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Published on October 28, 2014 10:59