Nothing raises our anxiety level quite as much as uncertainty. We are biologically wired to go into fight-or-flight mode when we feel threatened. But, this stress response is intended for short-term use. Either we succeed in fighting or flighting and resume normal activities…or we don’t.
Uncertainty is a battle with an invisible foe. We feel particularly vulnerable because we cannot evaluate our fighting or flighting options. We don’t know how to protect ourselves. Our internal alarm bells keep ringing and we don’t know how to switch them off.
The Gamut Point Technique
When we are swimming in a sea of uncertainty, we need a life raft to cling to. Here’s a simple technique you can use to counteract the stress response.
Begin by taking a few deep breaths, slowly filling your lungs to capacity and gradually releasing all the air.
Locate the gamut point by placing the tip of your index finger on the back of the other hand between the base of the ring and pinky fingers.
Slide your index finger along the back of your hand until you detect the point where the bones of those two finger meet in a “V” shape.
Gently press, rub or tap the gamut point with one or two fingers.
Continue until calm spreads throughout your body.
It doesn’t matter which hand you hold. You can switch hands at anytime. This technique is so subtle that no one knows what you are doing it.
Why it Works
The primo-vascular system (PVS) a thread-like network of vessels that wind through our body. In addition to other healthful substances, primo-vessels carry electrical signals and life-sustaining stem cells. At various points, the primo-vessels widen into bundles called primo-nodes.
Using tracer dyes, computed tomography (CT) scans and dissection, researchers discovered that the PVS follows the routes of the meridians as documented by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) thousands of years ago. The primo-nodes correlate with the acupoints where the needles are inserted during an acupuncture session.
The gamut point is acupoint number 3 on the Triple Warmer (TW) meridian. According to TCM, the TW meridian is associated with the fight-or-flight response. Holding, massaging or stimulating this acupoint silences the alarm bells.
Try the Gamut Point Technique whenever you feel overwhelmed or to relax before bedtime. Leave a comment to let me know about your experience.
If you find tapping on the Gamut point helpful, you may be interested in a 7-minute guided tapping session that "touches" on all the meridians (see what I did there?).
Update on the Book
Work is progressing on my book about self-healing. As you may recall, my book proposal was awarded second runner-up in a Hay House Publishing contest in May. Although the proposal includes some sample text, it is primarily a market analysis covering topics such as the target audience and comparable titles.
In October I completed first draft of the complete manuscript and hired KN Literary Arts to conduct a developmental edit. This high-level structural review inspired meaningful improvements. My editor and I are currently working through line edits. The next step will to engage with the publisher. The book could available in stores and online as early as this summer. I’ll keep you posted.
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