Are you dealing with a trauma and need help fast? Try this.
One of the fastest and most effective ways to calm down from our innate fight-flight-freeze trauma response is to use the soothing Butterfly Hug, developed by Lucina Artigas. This simple body-based technique helps your body feel calm, centered, and grounded. Practice the technique right now by watching the video below and following along. You can also download written instructions in many languages. Whenever you are feeling the effects of a traumatic event, give be sure to give it a try.
How it Works
The soothing Butterfly Hug is simple to do. Cross your hands over your chest, with the heel of one hand resting on your sternum, and your fingertips on opposite-side “sore spots” or neurolymphatic points. Gently tap your fingers on the chest, alternating sides. The motion is easy and gentle like the flapping wings of a butterfly.
Why It Works
The butterfly hug is an energy psychology technique that helps your body balance the left and right sides, and stimulates the NLR point. The technique is also helpful if you feel attacked or disconnected.
If you haven’t given the Butterfly Hug a try yet, do it now. Take notice of how your body feels both before and after you use the technique. This technique is just one of many body-based techniques you can use whenever you feel traumatized, scared, or anxious.
More techniques to use when you are dealing with trauma.
If you found the Butterfly Hug helpful, here are a few more tools you can use next time you feel scared or anxious: Simplified Self-Havening, the Calming Hug, and Calm Breathing.
All the videos and techniques in our "Try This" series were created by ACEP's Humanitarian Committee to help people heal by spreading the word about the powerful effects of energy psychology techniques. We invite you to help by sharing this information!
Need Help from a Professional?
Many people are looking for holistic ways to let go of anger and other upsetting emotions. ACEP is a nonprofit, 501c3 dedicated to the research, education, and sharing of energy psychology. Check out the ACEP practitioner directory to find a certified ACEP therapist in your area or online.
Author: Sarah Murphy, LPC
Sarah Murphy is a licensed professional counselor and coach in private practice. She is on the board of and serves as communications committee chair for ACEP and staff therapist for Unite for HER. She specializes in energy psychology, including EFT, as well as mindfulness and hypnotherapy. Send comments to SarahMurphyLPC@gmail.com.
Video Resources Provided by the ACEP Humanitarian Committee
The mission of the ACEP Humanitarian Committee is to develop and implement humanitarian projects that alleviate emotional distress caused by catastrophic natural and man-made events around the globe. We do this by encouraging and assisting ACEP members in developing humanitarian projects that utilize recognized energy psychology and other modalities that meet ACEP’s standards and guidelines. Learn more here.
Photo by Andra C Taylor Jr on Unsplash
