Releasing 10 years of Insomnia with EFT

Finding the Core Issue

By Joanne Harvey, MSW, ADV-EFT, CPERP

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According to an annual poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), in 2007, 75 percent of Americans experienced sleeping problems ranging from minor and transient to severe and chronic. That is up from 62 percent in 1999, when the NSF first conducted its poll.  The number of Americans turning to prescription sleep aids for help has gone up even more dramatically; nearly 60 percent over the past 7 years.
 
There are many different sleep aids, but these new sleep aids may not be completely harmless.  There are some reports of amnesia, feeling groggy, depression, rashes, nausea and other side effects.   I have found with a little effort spent identifying the core issue or issues, changing some behaviors before bed, such as not watching TV, spending some time on sleep rituals, and making sure you are comfortable, insomnia can be either greatly reduced or completely eliminated with EFT.

This is an example of a 52 year old man who had experienced severe insomnia for 10 years.  He had tried many of the over the counter sleep aids and eventually went to his doctor seeking help.  After some trial and error with more medications and no lasting results his doctor referred him to me to see if EFT might help.

For confidentially his name has been changed.  All of his EFT sessions were done over the phone.  Honestly, “Dean” was not too excited about learning this new type of release method, but desperation pushed him into the EFT arena.
 
At first Dean could not identify why he might have insomnia, unless it was the stressors of his busy life.  This could be part of his problem but something that is chronic, like insomnia for 10 years, also will have core issues. After some digging we discovered that his insomnia correlated with his father’s death.

After his first session he reported sleeping longer and deeper which helped improve his mood and lessen his stress level.  I also assigned him nightly homework, which he did do.  By the end of the week he was sleeping through the night.  Four months after his EFT sessions he sent an email reporting that he feels healthy and is dealing with the stressors of life because he can now count on a full night’s sleep.
 
Below I’d like to share part of his first EFT tapping session.  He relayed how unprepared he was for his father’s death even though he knew he was not well.  He felt some guilt and grief and for some unconscious reason apparently insomnia was a way that his body displayed these unresolved feelings.

Just as a reminder, I recommend that anyone doing EFT is hydrated.

You will start at the Karate chop point:
KC: Even though I suffer from 10 years of insomnia, I love and accept myself completely.   Even though this insomnia might be related to my dad’s death and I don’t think I can ever sleep because of that, I totally and profoundly want to accept myself anyway.  Even though I think this insomnia will never stop bothering me, I honor my journey and love and accept myself.
CR (crown) I can’t sleep throughout the night, it’s just not OK.
EB (eye brow) I don’t deserve to get a restful night of sleep because I was sleeping when my father was dying.
CE (corner of eye) I don’t think I can forgive myself; not sleeping is the least I can do.
UE (under eye) I can’t sleep through the night, it wouldn’t be right, my Dad died when I was sleeping.
UN (under nose) This insomnia, I’ve been suffering from it for 10 years.  How much longer do I need to suffer?
C (chin) What if I let go of this insomnia, would I be safe to sleep through the night. 
CB (Collar bone) What if I let it go? Could I let it go?  I was sleeping when my Dad died but I had no way to control his life or death, I didn’t cause it, I was sleeping when I got the call, I knew he was dying, we had talked and he knew I loved him, it might be grief, it might be guilt, it might be anger, it might be frustration of him dying too soon, it might be just daily worries, but for whatever reason I am not able to sleep I choose to let that reason go.
UA (under arm) exhaustion and stress caused by insomnia I choose to let it go.
LV (liver) 10 years is a long time to punish myself for my father’s death, I will not forget my father but I am ready to let the responsibility for his death go.
WR (wrist) I choose to be in control of my sleeping patterns, I choose to let go of any responsibility for my father’s death. I love him and he knew it. 
CR Frustration and stress, caused by not sleeping through the night, I choose to let it go.
EB Insomnia, waking up and worrying, I deserve to release it.
CE This feeling that my body isn’t cooperating and adding to my stress, I choose to release it.
UE Each of my body’s cells knows how to reclaim my healthy happy self; I desire a good night sleep.
UN I’m letting go of the day’s worries, I can’t do anything about them now, so I am letting them go.
C I’m letting go of stress, frustration and problems I can’t do anything about tonight.
CB If I am able to cause this insomnia, I am able to stop it, I choose to let go of whatever is bothering me and blocking my sleep, I release it now.
UA I choose to be happy, I am doing the best I can, I am a good person and I love that about myself.
LV  I allow my body to gently and naturally let go of this insomnia and relax into a good uninterrupted night’s sleep. I choose to revive myself by sleeping well. 
CR I am smart, I choose to release any remaining issues I still may be carrying concerning my fathers death and I ask my body to support my sleep at a cellular level.
EB  I ask my body to send comforting energy through my body, I am relaxed, I am calm, I am comfortable, I am safe.
CE I am committed to letting the insomnia go, it doesn’t serve me, I am doing the best I can, one day at a time.
UE  I choose to acknowledge the smart confident man that I am, I am a good person and I love that about myself.
UN  Even if sometimes I neglect the most important person in my life, and that person is me, I honor myself for doing the best I can do any way.
C  Optimal wellbeing and balance is what I want and expect.   I trust my body knows how to let this insomnia go, I trust that I will let any worries go that interrupt my sleep. Any worries, frustration, stress,  I’m letting it all go. I choose a good restful night’s sleep.
CB  I choose to eliminate the old negative memories of what I did or didn’t do in my past, I am 52 years old, the present is all I have, I choose to forgive myself for things I can’t change anyway, I am smarter today than I was yesterday, I choose to be comfortable with who I am today.
UA Well being and calmness is what I choose and I desire a good night’s sleep. I trust my body knows how to relax for my wellbeing. I deserve a good night’s sleep.
WR I am calm, relaxed, and sleeping through the night
CR My cells are requesting what they need to relax into sleep.
EB  Relaxation is flowing through my body clearing my head bringing me overall wellbeing.
CE  I ask my body to send calming comforting energy throughout my system now.
UE  My goal is to allow my body to sleep naturally through the night and to keep positive thoughts.
UN   I choose to let all the worries that I carry in my body go.
C  I am a calm, loving and compassionate man, I’m a good guy.
CB I am smart, inquisitive and funny when I want to be.
UA  I have forgiving energy flowing through my body healing what needs healing.
LV  A full night’s sleep is restored to me, my head is clear, I see a bright future, I am calm and delighted with my results, I feel so good sleeping through the night.
WR I choose to let any remaining worries, stress, guilt or frustration go, I desire to let it all go, I choose to see a brighter happier future, any remaining blocked emotion that wakes me up in the middle of the night, I am letting it go.

Take a big cleansing breath and take stock of your body.  How are you doing?  Now get very comfortable, read if you feel like, if you don’t just slide on to sleep.

• Focus on the way you want to be, and give thanks.
• You deserve to sleep through the night and to be healthy.
• See yourself happy and relaxed.
• Be grateful for this beautiful life.
• Allow yourself to be stress, worry and frustration free.
• None of the stress, worry or frustration accomplishes anything, so choose to let it go. 
• Choose health and be delighted every day when you wake up from a refreshing good night sleep.

I always recommend keeping a positive vision of what you want.  Keep a note pad at your bedside, if you do wake up and can’t get back to sleep,  write down what is bothering you.  Then take that list and tap, tap, tap until it is gone or call me and we’ll work on it. 

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Author's Bio:

Joanne Harvey has been a natural healer all her adult life. Her passion is fueled not only by alleviating emotional and physical pain and suffering but assisting clients to experience challenges on their own terms. Joanne's clients are impressed with her uncanny awareness, sensitivity and ability to get right to the point.

She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Masters Degree in Social Work and is a Certified Progressive Emotional Freedoms Practitioner.

Joanne currently lives in rural, Northern California with her husband Jim and a menagerie of pets. In addition to her writing, photography and public speaking, she continues to work for a local hospital and provides EFT and Life Coaching services to an international clientele.

For an EFT session with Joanne please go to her website www.eftjoanne.com  Joanne has just published a book titled, "Dying to Live, Embracing the Journey" www.dyingtolivestories.com  

If you would like to discuss your situation and how EFT can help please contact Joanne through her websites. She offers a free 20 minute consultation, over the phone, skype or in person

2 Comments

Renee Moten
Posted July 24, 2012 04:15 AM

Dear Joann,

I've had insomnia since 2000. Two years ago I finally found out that there was an emotional attachment to my insomnia. Once the emotion was discovered and release I had the best sleep. It would only last for a few days and then I was back or worst than I was. I found out that something else is needed to remind the body of what to do. Can you help?

Joanne Harvey MSW Certified Pro-EFT
Posted July 24, 2012 12:10 PM

Renee Moten, often there are layers of emotional blocks that need to be released. Sometimes it takes a little deeper investigation to release those layers, but it is absolutely doable, and once they are released they don't come back. You can contact me through my website www.eftjoanne.com so we can discuss this further.
Blessings, Joanne

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While EFT has produced remarkable clinical results, it must still be considered to be in the experimental stage and thus practitioners and the public must take complete responsibility for their use of it.

In addition, the articles on this site represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the founder of EFT, Gary Craig, nor the owner of this web site, Stefan Gonick.