TAPPING TO RELEASE YOUR STRESS

WHAT IS STRESS?

"A state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation" World Health Organisation

Stress is a normal part of being a human being, it's a natural response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. The problem is we live in such a fast paced digital world where people feel like they need to be switched on 24/7 so there are many things that can stress us out.

Endless access to world news, social media, busy jobs, the cost of living, parenting juggles, mobile phones, and the general day to day stress of life...it's easy to see how a normal amount of stress can quickly lead into chronic stress.

Stress can be brief, situational, and a positive force motivating performance, but if experienced over an extended period of time it can become chronic stress, which negatively impacts health and well-being.

WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING WHEN WE'RE STRESSED?

Anytime you feel stressed your amygdala (brains fear response that contributes to emotional processing) sends out a distress signal to your hypothalamus, which is like a mini control centre in your brain. Your hypothalamus then starts to send out stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine) which then trigger the ancient fight or flight response. Your nervous system then gets your body gets ready for the perceived threat - muscles tense, heart rate quickens, breathing speeds up, digestive system slows down.

This response was designed to protect your body in an emergency by preparing you to react quickly. But when the stress response keeps firing, day after day, it could put your health at serious risk.

WHAT DAMAGE CAN STRESS DO TO YOUR BODY AND MIND?

Short doses of the stress response are ok as your nervous system has the time to go back to a place of rest and relaxation but when you're body is in a constant state of high alert the long term exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can negatively impact nearly all of your body's process's.

This puts you at higher risk of many health problems, including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Digestive problems

• Headaches

• Muscle tension and pain

• Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

• Sleep problems

• Weight gain

• Problems with memory and focus

HOW DO WE MANAGE STRESS?

Managing your stress levels is an essential way to look after both your mental and physical health but it's important to remember that life doesn't have to be completely free of stress for you to be able to effectively regulate your nervous system. We can't control what life throws at us, but you can control how you react.

Tapping

Tapping is a wonderful way to bring your nervous system back into balance anytime you feel stressed, try this 10 Min tapping sequence above and notice how it makes you feel with no judgement.

Pepare your Nervous System

The start of the day is really important to get your nervous system ready for the day. Set an alarm (something calming like a bird sound) to wake you up 10 mins earlier and do something that calms your mind. That could be a listening to a meditation, doing some tapping, some breathwork or moving your body like a short yoga sequence. If you’re a mum like me then THIS is how you can meditate in the morning.

Regulate your breathing

Take time throughout the day to bring your breath down into your belly. This is the best way to engage your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and relaxation) and THIS is how you do it:

Be mindful of how you use your phone

Mobile phones can be a big cause of stress and anxiety so be really mindful about how you use your phone throughout the day. Reduce the amount of time you spend on social media, stop reading the news, silence your notifications, don't feel like you need to reply to endless Whatsapp messages, never look at your phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night and physically put your phone away when you are doing another task or sat at the dinner table.

Create a sleep ritual

The end of the day is an important time to signal to your brain - it's time to switch off. Get off any screens at least 1 hour before bed and do something that calms your mind like tapping, meditation, hot bath, journalling, calming smells… When you improve your sleep, it's much easier to regulate your emotions (and stress response) the next day.

Regularly do these three things:
Release jaw, soften hands, relax shoulders.

Listen to this meditation to deeply anchor your mind in the present momet, reduce your stress levels and create a bubble of protection around yourself.

TAPPING ON THE FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

The fear of public speaking is something that many people struggle with so if it fills you with anxiety then you are not alone. I used to have a chronic fear of speaking in public until I discovered tapping, which is lucky as I now teach and talk in front of big groups regularly!

Contrary to what your brain might think, you don't need to completely eradicate the fear because it's a normal part of speaking in public BUT you don't want fear to ever hold you back from also feeling calm and grounded when you do.

Tapping is the perfect way to reduce your fear and start to rewire your mind to think differently. The affirmation I AM EXCITED is a great way to actually trick your mind because the feeling of anxiety is physiologically almost the same as the feeling of excitement (racing heart, palms sweaty, butterflies in stomach…).I have used this many times before running workshops to big audiences and it always helps me calm my mind,

Another great way to overcome the fear of public speaking is identify what lies behind your fear. So for me it wasn’t the public speaking itself it was the fear of saying something wrong and the fear of being judged. Once I worked on those limiting beliefs and processed their core route memories - my confidence was transformed.

If you would like to explore your fear of public speaking more deeply then please do get in touch Kim@happyheads.me I would love to help.

I hope you enjoy this one, I know you can do it, let me know how it goes :)

Big Love

Kim x

Happy Heads - Private Sessions

Would you like a private session with Happy Heads? One to to one sessions are the perfect way to nurture your wellbeing and I always tailor the sessions to your own personal needs.

The sessions consists of breathing techniques, guided meditation, and a full round of Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping). Tapping is a powerful tool at helping you release negative tension held in both your body and mind. It’s the perfect partner to meditation as it helps your brain get to the core route of a problem and takes the emotional / negative charge away from it.

I always provide a full support document after the session and a meditation recording / tapping video for you to use. The sessions are 1hr 30mins and over Zoom.

If you really want to give your mental health a reset and you’re looking for something longer term I have a selection of brilliant programmes for you to choose from:
•Happy Heads Wellbeing Programme
•Happy Heads Burnout Programme
•Nurture Your Inner Child
•Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond
•Happy Heads Grief Support

I always offer a FREE 20 minute consultation call so if you’re interested please get in touch kim@happyheads.me I would love to hear from you xx

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NURTURE YOUR INNER CHILD

INTERVIEW NOW LIVE!

My Interview as part of the Tapping World Summit is now LIVE and you can watch it HERE. It's live and FREE for the next 16hrs but after that you can buy the summit and own it for life.

I had a wonderful conversation with Jessica Ortner about how we can use tapping to Nuture Your Inner Child and we also did some actual tapping that you can do too. Watching it will help you learn:

• How to recognize when your adult reactions of today are actually manifestations of unresolved childhood experiences from the past.

• How to address limiting beliefs like “I’m not enough” with self-compassion and self-acceptance (hint: Tapping can help!)

• Self-care practices and affirmations to nurture your inner child and heal deep-seated emotional wounds.

I hope you enjoy the interview and if you did like it you may want to check out my Nurture Your Inner Child Programme.

Big Love
Kim xx

TAPPING TO STOP RUMINATING OVER THE PAST

Rumination is when your minds get stuck on certain thoughts, usually negative ones. It's like a broken record in your mind that won't stop playing. When we ruminate over the past we keep replaying certain events, worrying about things we said, overthinking our actions and wishing their was a different outcome. This can easily make you feel overwhelmed, anxious and has a detrimental impact on your mental health.

This is because it's a completed wasted energy - we can't change the past! What we can do though is anchor our minds in the present moment and tapping is a great way to do that and stop the rumination.

WORKPLACE BULLYING SUPPORT - 29th November, 8pm UK Time

Have you ever experienced bullying within the workplace? If you have, then you’re not alone. Recent studies show that 47% of UK workers have observed bullying at work and 1 in 10 people have experienced being bullied. It’s something that can deeply impact your mental health, isn’t always obvious to spot and affects thousands of people every day. Unlike bullying at school, which may be more overt, bullying within the workplace can be subtle with passive aggressive communication and gas lighting.

I experienced this myself 7 years ago and it’s not something I’d ever spoken about until recently. It had a huge impact on my mental health and the burnout it created took years to recover from. I've learnt so much over the 7 years I’ve been running Happy Heads and I wish I had these techniques back then because I would have been able to prevent burnout.

I can't control the bullies who you may be being faced with or change the toxic workplace you are in BUT one thing I can do is help you nurture your mental health, reduce anxiety and rebuild your confidence.

This 1 hour ONLINE workshop on 29th November, 8pm UK Time is about helping people find their voice again, validating their experience and reminding anyone that is going through it right now - that you’re not alone.

It includes:

• Insight - into the brain, burnout and the impact of bullying on your mental health.

• Breathing Techniques - to calm and soothe your whole nervous system.

• Guided Meditation - to help you identify your worries and process your emotions.

• EFT (Tapping ) - to help you overcome any anxious, negative thoughts that you might be having, overcome self doubt and rebuild your confidence.

Spaces are limited and only £20. To book on click the button below or get in touch kim@happyheads.me. The Zoom link will be sent to you a week before.

I can’t wait to see you all.

Big Love

Kim xx

REFRESH YOUR ENERGY

Your body is filled with a very complex nervous system that is always trying to regulate itself. Many things can have an impact on your nervous system, depleting your energy and affecting how you feel, often without us consciously realising it (doom scrolling through instagram for example).

One of the first steps to refreshing your energy is to first identify what your ENERGY DRAINERS are. What are the things in life that make you feel depleted, low, sad or exhausted?

The next step is to identify your ENERGY GIVERS. These are the things in life that feed your soul, make your cup feel full, make you happy and give your energy a boost.

Take a moment now to look through the below lists and see what your ENERGY DRAINERS vs ENERGY GIVERS are. You can then start adjust yourself accordingly - doing less of the drainers and more of the givers.

ENERGY DRAINERS

1. Lack of Sleep

2. Too much screen time / being on your phone too much

3. Social media

4. The news

5. Feeling stressed or anxious

6. Overworking or burning out

7. People pleasing

8. Overthinking

9. Dehydration / not drinking enough water

10. Not eating enough / not nourishing your body

11. Eating too much junk food

12. Fear and self doubt

13. Ruminating over the past or overthinking the future

14. Spending too much time around: bullies, people you can’t be yourself  around, really negative people, people who are really judgemental, people who have a big ego, people who gossip a lot, complainers, people who expect  perfection, people who are abusive, people who are fake

15. Unprocessed anger, bitterness, or resentment

16. Not exercising or physically moving your body

17. Family

18. Fixating on your imperfections

19. Focussing on what you don't have

20. Wearing a mask / hiding or suppressing emotions

21. Comparing your life to others

22. Doing a job that you hate

What else drains your energy? Remember that we are all different. Only you will truly know what your ENERGY DRAINERS are. Write out your list and then you can see what things you need to do less of or what changes you may need to make.

ENERGY GIVERS

Energy Givers

1. Meditation

2. Good quality sleep / rest

3. Breathwork  / deep breaths

4. Nourishing food

5. Setting healthy boundaries with toxic people

6. Therapy – talking to people

7. Water / hydration

8. Being out in nature

9. Sunlight

10. Playing with my kids (parent specific)

11. Love and intimacy

12. Meaningful connections

13. Responding to your body’s needs/emotional needs

14. Tapping

15. Positive Affirmations

16. Learning something new

17. Cooking / Reading

18. Art / Being creative

19. Exercise / moving your body

20. Play! Doing something with no particular outcome - just for the fun of it.

21. Hot baths, massages

22. Watching movies that make you laugh

23. Dancing / listening to music that you love

24. Journaling

25. Doing a job you are passionate about

What else gives YOU energy? What feeds your soul and makes you happy? Write out a list and start to do more of the things in life that GIVE you energy.

Tapping is a great way to refresh your energy when you’re feeling a bit depleted because it physically brings your nervous system back into balance AND helps to rewire your brain to think differently. Watch this video now to see how easy it is to do.

For more support on nurturing your wellbeing please get in touch kim@happyheads.me I would love to hear from you xx

5 MINUTE TAPPING MEDITATION

Do you struggle with traditional meditation?

Do you find yourself constantly distracted?

Do you find it hard to sit still and breathe?

Do you often feel stressed and anxious?

If you answered YES to any of the above then you should try tapping. Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping) is a REALLY powerful tool for meditation because the physical tapping and movement help to focus your mind and energy.

Watch this video now to try a 5 minute tapping meditation that will help reduce anxiety, improve your focus and calm your busy mind.

If you would like some 1:1 support to help nurture your wellbeing please get in touch kim@happyheads.me I would love to hear from you.

Big Love

Kim xx

PREVENT BURNOUT

BURNOUT

"A state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion, caused by prolonged and excessive stress" 

Burnout is a very real and very scary thing to experience. I had it myself over 7 years ago now and in the space of 6 months in the toxic work environment I was in, I completely lost my mental health to the point I had severe anxiety which lead into depression. Overcoming burnout and learning how to nurture my mental health and wellbeing was one of the main reasons I retrained as a Tapping Practitioner, Meditation Teacher and started Happy Heads.

Anytime you feel stressed or anxious your amygdala (brains fear response) has been triggered and your nervous system goes into high alert (also known as the fight and flight response). Your body fills with cortisol which is the stress hormone, adrenalin races through your body, your digestive system slows down, heart races, muscles tense and your thinking brain goes off line - your body is primed to fight what it perceives as a threat.

In short doses being triggered in this way is fine as you quickly come back into rest and relaxation but when you are being triggered constantly (which is easily done in a stressful work environment) your body is flooded with too much cortisol, which has a damaging effect on your nervous system. This creates anxiety, which can then lead into severe anxiety and that can easily lead into depression. Ultimately your nervous system becomes completely frazzled and  your brain can't function properly.

Watch the video above to see how you can use tapping to process your burnout and bring some much needed calm to your over worked nervous system. No matter where you are in your burnout journey, I promise you, the way you feel right now WILL NOT be how you feel forever.

TIPS TO PREVENT BURNOUT 

DON’T look at your phone first thing in the morning, you’ll be flooding it with information that it doesn’t need. Instead connect with your breath – your superpower!

MEDITATE every morning to set your brain up for the day. Regularly tuning in and processing your emotions ensures that things don’t become overwhelming and deep breathing engages your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and relaxation).

SET a clear working day for yourself and be really strict with it. Don't look at your emails outside of working hours!

TAKE BREAKS throughout the day to be fully present in the moment with your breath and body. This helps to reduce anxiety and strengthen your neurological pathways.

RELAX your mind before you go to bed. Don’t look at a screen at least an hour before bed and do something relaxing instead (meditating, journaling, hot bath, listen to music, calming smells…) the brain needs to unwind after a busy day.

WRITE your 'to do' list the night before and never write more than 3 things you absolutely have to get done - everything else will then be a bonus!

REDUCE your intake of the news and social media. The news is inherently negative and social media makes you compare your life to others.

TAPPING is a powerful tool for overcoming negative thoughts. Use Emotional Freedom Technique every day to make sure you are regularly reframing your negative thoughts.

AFFIRMATIONS are a great way to overcome your limiting beliefs. So if you keep thinking 'I'm not good enough' repeat 'I AM good enough' or if you keep thinking 'I'm not clever' reframe to 'I AM clever'.

Sleep is the foundation of your mental health but it's often easily disrupted when you're experiencing burnout. Listen to this meditation before you go to bed to help calm your busy mind and improve those much needed ZZZZ's.

““I contacted Kim while in chronic burnout desperate for tools to support myself mentally. From the initial chat she listened, put me at ease and reassured she could help. The programme was hugely insightful and expertly led by Kim, by the end she had delivered on all aspects from our first conversation and much more. I can not thank her enough for giving me new found confidence, resilience and excitement for what the future holds!””

— Kristina

HAPPY HEADS BURNOUT PROGRAMME

f you would like more support The Happy Heads Burnout Programme has been specifically designed to help you:

• Overcome burnout, bringing calm and peace to your frazzled mind

• Improve your mental and physical wellbeing

• Release negative energy from your nervous system thats built up in the workplace

• Rebuild your confidence and self belief

• Bring your nervous system back into balance (after being under constant stress)

• Reduce anxiety and stress held in both body and mind

• Bring you back to yourself once again!

• Improve your sleep & Focus

• Empower you will a whole toolbox of calm that you can use at home or in the workplace

I always send out some pre questions first and then from that I tailor the programme to your exact needs. 

Each private session includes breathing techniques, guided meditation, and a full round of Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping). EFT is a powerful tool at helping you release negative tension held in both your body and mind and help you overcome any anxious, negative thoughts that you might be having.

I always offer a FREE 20 minute phone consultation so please get in touch kim@happyheads.me I would love to hear from you xx

TAPPING ON THE ANXIETY OF A FUTURE EVENT

A common anxiety trigger is worrying about a future event, this is also known as anticipatory anxiety. This is because the brain can easily catastrophise and likes to make up all of these worst case scenarios. We often like to think that we're mystic meg and can genuinely predict the future but the good news is - we're not! Reframing your mind to think differently about a future event is a powerful way to reduce anxiety and rebuild your confidence.

If you experience anticipatory anxiety then watch this video to calm your nervous system and boost your self belief.

If you would like some 1:1 sessions with me please get in touch kim@happyheads.me I would love to help xx

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#anxiety #anxietysupport #anxietyrelief #mentalhealth #wellbeing #selfbelief #tapping #eft #efttapping #happyheads #selfbelief #selfcare #selflove #wellnesscoach #wellbeingcoach #emotionalfreedomtechnique #selfconfidence #confidence #happyheads #meditation #meditate #loveyourself

HAPPY HEADS WELLBEING RETREAT

“I have just finished the Happy Heads Retreat and really cannot recommend it highly enough. As someone with a chronic neurological condition I have suffered with worry, self-doubt and anxiety most of my adult life. Kim delivers the sessions in a very calm and gentle manner and she has such a reassuring way about her, which really helped me to believe I could achieve what I wanted to. The retreat left me feeling truly empowered.
If you want to make a change in your life then I urge you to try it for yourself.”

— Vikki

TRANSFORM YOUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL….

The Happy Heads Wellbeing Retreat is officially back and i'm so excited to share it with you! It's been specifically designed to help you transform your mental and physical wellbeing enabling you to kick start 2023 feeling calm, grounded and empowered.

To make it easily manageable the retreat is set across 4 lunch time sessions.

Each Wednesday @12pm there will be a 1.5hr LIVE workshop that will help you delve deeper into what you really want from the year ahead and overcome any self doubt that may be holding you back. Every workshop includes insight into the brain and topic, breathing techniques, guided meditation and Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping).

4th January - Self Love & Set Intentions

11th January - Overcome Negative Beliefs

18th January - Manifest the Life you Want 

25th January - Step into your Power

After the workshops you’ll receive a support email that has all the key insights from what you learnt, a meditation recording for you to use, tapping videos to follow and a weekly (easily doable) practice to help you integrate the tools and techniques into your day. Each one will be recorded so if you miss one you can always catch up.

It’s been designed to completely reset your mind, body & soul. Spaces are limited, to book on click the link below or you can get in touch kim@happyheads.me.

The whole retreat is £110 but special Early Bird Tickets are only £80, don’t miss out! xx