A Cork energy therapist has opened up about a simple technique that can alleviate anxiety and stress.
Ger O’Brien is a master EFT therapist, motivational speaker, and life coach with over 15 years of experience. He says grounding, or earthing, is a simple way people can connect directly with the earth.
“Usually walking barefoot on the grass, soil or sand is going to ground you. Many people find it helps them to feel calmer and less stressed and anxious. For me personally, grounding is about slowing down, being present, connecting with nature.
“Take off your shoes and socks, feel your feet on the grass and take a few conscious, deep breaths. It’s a beautiful way to press the pause button on everyday life’s stresses. It’s a way to connect with Mother Earth and it relaxes the body.”
The benefits of earthing have been studied, with some research suggesting that it reduces inflammation, chronic pain, stress, anxiety. “It also improves energy, sleep and healing,” Ger says.
Another part of Ger’s work is EFT, or emotional freedom technique. He’s often called The Tapping Guy online, he explains. “It’s a gentle mind body approach which involves tapping specific acupressure points on the upper body, mainly around the head area, where we focus on our thoughts, emotions, feelings and previous experiences… by acknowledging what you are feeling while tapping, you are focusing on the issues. I can help calm the nervous system and reduce emotional intensity, and create a better sense of balance and wellbeing.”
While Ger says it might sound very simple, he is always amazed by the success of the techniques, and he reports that his clients have found great relief through tapping. “EFT is a simple, practical way to connect with our emotions. A lot of people’s issues are caused by trapped emotions, experiences we haven’t processed and energy blocks. If we don’t heal the wounds from the past, we bleed all over the future.
“Unexpressed emotions become suppressed emotions, which become toxic. We need to recognise our feelings are valid. If we hold onto these trapped negative emotions, they can affect some of the internal organ systems down the line.”
Ger says different emotions are linked to different internal systems. For example, anger is held in the gallbladder, and he has often encountered clients who have held onto a lot of unexpressed anger who have told him they had to get their gallbladder removed.
Anxiety is often held in the spleen or in the stomach. “With anxiety, when we are feeling it, most people get that knot in their stomach. That is the psycho-physiological connection… it’s all connected.”
While Ger is tapping on the acupressure points, he gets his clients to repeat accepting mantras after him, to lessen the emotional charge of the emotions or experiences they are holding onto.
Ger starts off his session by explaining that in order to make a change, people need to choose to change. They also need to recognise that their thoughts create their own reality. “I’m helping people to help themselves. I help them find more calm, courage and confidence so they can navigate through life easier.”
Issues that Ger sees include anxiety, not feeling good enough, stresses at work, family commitments, relationship problems and more. Oftentimes, Ger finds that people put themselves last, which leads to low self worth.
Ger first learned about EFT while he was going through a tough time himself. “I was drawn to EFT through my own struggles with mental health, anxiety and depression. I went through a really tough time a few years ago. I wanted to find ways to help myself, to deal with difficult emotions and understand myself better. That set me on a journey, I travelled around the world, I have done spiritual retreats, and I am constantly investing in myself, so I can pass more knowledge onto my clients.”
Because the techniques helped him so much, he wanted to train in EFT to learn how to help other people. He says his job is very rewarding, and he loves being able to help his clients. “I am very grateful I can help people. It’s opened up a whole new world for me. “
- For more information visit gerobriencork.com.
- Ger is hosting an event, The Power Within to Unlock Your Mind, in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Saturday, November 28th. You can buy tickets here.
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