Have you known anyone who uses EFT Tapping to control stress and anxiety?
Do you even know what EFT Tapping is?
Don’t worry, if you don’t. While the technique was introduced in the 90s, it still isn’t widely practiced, although it is catching on more and more.
EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique.
EFT is a technique that involves tapping on specific locations around the body to reduce tension. People who practice this technique say that it helps them focus better, clearing their minds so they can focus on the present moment. They also say it improves their attitude, which in turn helps them overcome obstacles.
Tapping was introduced in the 90s by Gary Craig, who saw it as a combination of mind-body medicine and acupressure techniques.
According to Dr. Axe, “The underlying principle of EFT is that all emotions and thoughts are forms of energy; this energy, whether positive or negative, has very real physical manifestations that affect all functions of the body.”
Now, before you write this off as way too woo-woo for you and click away, you should know that there have been hundreds of studies done on EFT tapping, not to mention the thousands of stories written by people who have recovered from physical and psychological challenges using EFT.
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These stories are consistent with the rigorous scientific research showing that it’s an evidence-based method of treatment.
According to The Tapping Solution, studies at Harvard Medical School have revealed that by stimulating the body’s meridian points you can significantly reduce activity in a part of your brain called the amygdala.
“Think of your amygdala as a personal alarm system. When you experience trauma or fear, the amygdala is triggered and your body is flooded with cortisol, commonly known as the ‘stress hormone.’ This intricate chain reaction – your stress response – significantly influences and sometimes even causes whatever it is that troubles you, whether that’s an illness, injury, or even an external problem such as your finances or a relationship.”
How Does EFT Tapping Work?
By tapping on the different energy meridians, you can unlock emotions and fears and limiting beliefs that are holding you back. Through tapping, you can actually lower the cortisol levels in the brain and reprogram our brain to create new memories.
But how does it work, exactly?
According to Dr. Dawson Church, “Acupoint tapping sends signals directly to the stress centers of the mid-brain, not mediated by the frontal lobes (the thinking part, active in talk therapy).”
Dr. Church explains that because tapping accesses stress on both physical and emotional levels, it “gives you the best of both worlds… like getting a massage during a psychotherapy session.”
The basic technique requires you to focus on the negative emotion you’re feeling, whether that’s fear or anxiety, stress over finances, a bad experience at school, or anything else that’s bothering you.
While maintaining your focus on that negative emotion, you use your fingertips (not your fingernails) to tape five to seven times on each of the body’s nine meridian points. Doing so will access your body’s energy and restore it to a balanced state.
Why Kids Should Learn Tapping
It’s easy to see how impactful this could be for parents and kids alike.
For adults, teachers and parents alike, stress has become toxic and overwhelming.
The same is true for kids, these days, as well.
Most of us can probably think back to some trauma that happened when we were a child or young adult that we may still be scarred from, emotionally.
But wouldn’t it be amazing if we could give our children the ability to overcome that trauma while they’re still young? Wouldn’t it be incredible to give them a simple method for managing stress and anxiety, something that could benefit them their entire lives?
People use this technique for:
- Reducing short-term or chronic stress
- Reducing muscle and joint pain
- Boosting energy levels
- Decreasing tension headaches
- Coping with low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety
- Improving athletic performance, focus and coordination
- Improving sleep quality
By teaching tapping, parents and educators are stressing the importance of social and emotional learning for students.
Take a look at this video to see the impact the EFT Tapping is having within the educational system.
Take a look at these guides from The Tapping Solution to help children and teens cope with anxiety through tapping.
Final Thoughts on EFT Tapping
One of the best parts of EFT Tapping is that it can be done anywhere, at any time, by anyone. It doesn’t require any equipment or supplements. And the benefits are far-reaching. Adults and kids can use EFT Tapping for:
- Reducing short-term or chronic stress
- Reducing muscular tension and joint pain
- Decreasing fatigue and boosting energy levels
- Decreasing tension headaches
- Coping with emotional problems such as low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety
- Improving athletic performance, focus and coordination
- Helping to improve sleep quality
If you’re ready to give tapping a try, or at least learn some more, then click the link below.
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