Have you ever felt like stress has taken up permanent residence in your body? Like no matter what you do, there’s this constant tension, this weight you’re carrying around? I see this every day in my practice—patients who’ve tried everything to manage their stress, yet it keeps showing up like an unwanted houseguest.
Here’s what I’ve discovered after 20+ years of helping people heal: stress isn’t the enemy. In fact, it’s not even the real problem. The problem is what we do with it—or rather, what we don’t do with it.
The Hidden Truth About Your Emotions
Let me share something that might sound radical at first: You are the creator of every emotion you experience. Not the events in your life. Not other people. You.
I know, I know. Your first thought might be, “But Chris, my boss really does stress me out!” or “My health issues are what’s making me anxious!” And I hear you. It certainly feels that way. But here’s the revolutionary truth that can set you free: if you’re the creator of these emotions, you also have the power to transform them.
This isn’t about denial or positive thinking. It’s about recognizing your incredible capacity to direct your emotional energy—and by extension, your physical health.
The Mountain That Became a Molehill
Let me tell you about “Patricia” (not her real name), a 46 year-old mother of two who came to me with chronic migraines. She’d been to countless specialists, tried every medication. Nothing worked to stop the headaches. She was tired of taking the medicine only to get another headache and another. She wanted to be rid of them.
I started her on a comprehensive treatment plan—key supplements to restore and replenish the depleted glands and tissues contributing to her symptoms, weekly treatments in the clinic, and some simple dietary changes. After a few weeks, she was feeling about 30% better, which honestly wasn’t the progress I’d expected. So we dug deeper. That’s when she mentioned—almost as an afterthought—that she’d been “a little stressed” since her divorce three years earlier.
As we talked more, it became clear that “a little stressed” was the understatement of the century. She was carrying anger, sadness, and fear like a backpack full of rocks. Every day. Every moment. And her body was responding accordingly.
I introduced her to the practice I’m about to share with you. She was skeptical—how could something so simple help when powerful medications hadn’t? But she was desperate enough to try.
Three weeks later, she came back transformed. Not only had her migraines decreased by 80%, but she looked lighter, brighter. “I didn’t realize how much energy I was using just to carry all that stress,” she told me. “Now I feel like I have my life back.”
Transform Stress Into Healing Energy: The Practice
What I taught Patricia—and what I’m about to teach you—is a deceptively simple practice I call “Transform Stress Into Healing Energy.” It’s based on three powerful steps: Name it, Claim it, Change it.
This isn’t just another relaxation technique. It’s a fundamental rewiring of how you relate to your emotions and, by extension, your health.
Name It, Claim It, Change It
Here’s how it works:
1. Name It When you feel an uncomfortable emotion, stop and simply name it. Don’t analyze it. Don’t judge it. Just identify it. “I am feeling angry.” “I am feeling sad.” “I am feeling anxious.” That’s it. Simple recognition.
2. Claim It This is the game-changer. Instead of blaming circumstances or other people, acknowledge yourself as the source. “As the creator of this anger, I recognize my power to transform it.” This isn’t about blame—it’s about reclaiming your power.
3. Change It Now, consciously choose a positive emotion to replace the negative one. “I now choose to feel peace instead.” “I now choose to feel joy instead.” Then—and this is crucial—actually feel that new emotion. Even if it’s just a glimmer at first, focus on it. Nurture it. Let it grow.
Making It Real
The beauty of this practice is its versatility. You start by practicing it during quiet moments at home, using visualization to really get comfortable with the process. Click here for my guided audio track that walks you through the entire practice.
But here’s where the magic happens: once you’ve practiced it a few times in a calm environment, you can use it anywhere, anytime. Stuck in traffic? Name it, Claim it, Change it. Difficult conversation with a family member? Name it, Claim it, Change it. Worried about test results? You know what to do.
Why This Works (It’s Not What You Think)
You might be wondering, “How can simply choosing a different emotion actually change what I’m feeling?” Great question. Here’s the science: every emotion creates a specific chemistry in your body. Anger produces different hormones than joy. Fear creates different neural patterns than love.
When you consciously shift your emotional state, you’re literally changing your body’s chemistry. You’re not pretending to feel different—you’re creating a different physiological reality.
And here’s the beautiful part: your body doesn’t question it. Once you generate that feeling of peace or joy or calm, your body responds as if that’s what was there all along. The stress hormones decrease. The healing responses activate. Your entire system begins to harmonize.
Start Small, Transform Everything
I know what you might be thinking: “This sounds too simple to work for my issues.” That’s exactly what Patricia thought. And hundreds of other patients who are now living with vibrant health instead of chronic stress.
The key is to start small. Don’t try to transform major trauma on day one. Begin with minor irritations. That annoying email. The traffic jam. The small disappointment. Practice with these, and you’ll build your emotional transformation muscles.
Here’s what typically happens:
- Week 1: You’ll feel a bit silly but notice small shifts
- Week 2: You’ll catch yourself using it automatically in daily situations
- Week 3: People will start asking what’s different about you
- Week 4: You’ll wonder how you ever lived without this tool
Your Invitation to Transformation
Stress doesn’t have to be your constant companion. Anxiety doesn’t have to run your life. That heavy feeling you’ve been carrying? It’s not permanent. It’s just energy waiting to be transformed.
You have within you an incredible power—the power to create your emotional reality and, by extension, your physical health. This isn’t new age wishful thinking. This is practical, proven, and profound.
The question isn’t whether this will work for you. The question is: are you ready to stop being a victim of your emotions and start being their conductor?
Your journey to transforming stress into healing energy starts with three simple words: Name it, Claim it, Change it.
Try it right now. What are you feeling in this moment? Name it. Claim it. And then… change it.
Welcome to your transformation.
With deep respect for your healing journey,
Chris Axelrad, M.S.O.M., L.Ac., FABORM Founder and Clinical Director, The Axelrad Clinic
P.S. Remember, this practice is most powerful when you first learn it through guided visualization. Download my free guided track here and give yourself the gift of 15 minutes to learn this life-changing technique. You deserve to feel better, and this is your first step.
Real Success Stories From Our Patients
Since we first opened our doors in 2004, our #1 priority has been to provide the absolute highest level of RESULTS-oriented, compassionate care to our patients.
Hello Chris,
Each day I am starting to slowly feel like my old self. The anxiety, the OCD and emotions are slowly diminishing. I can’t express how thankful I am to you for helping me. I would have never learned so much about myself and what’s happening to me if it wasn’t for you wanting to help feel better. I was in a horrible place for so long and I didn’t know how to change it.
Rose
Hi Chris,
I’ve felt a lot better since the acupuncture! I usually wake up every morning with a migraine & I haven’t since.
Thank you!
Chris,
I got a positive pregnancy test today!! I REALLY appreciate all your guidance and help with this!! I am so excited!!
THANK THANK THANK YOU!
Cassie
Hi Jaime,
I’m doing good. I feel actually a lot better, I didn’t get carmping during ovulation time which I normally do.
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