EFT Tapping
What is EFT Tapping?
We know that a positive attitude can help reduce stress and greatly improve your quality of life, but can tapping certain pressure points? Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT, also known as tapping) is a holistic wellness practice that can help with relaxation and stopping negative thoughts. Incorporating elements of acupressure, energy medicine, and neuro-linguistic programming, EFT works to release blocked energy in the body. It’s thought that the physical action of tapping calms the nervous system by interrupting our fight-or-flight response, and increasing our endorphins. By saying positive affirmations as we do this, we can stimulate our energy channels and ‘neutralise’ emotional blocks.
EFT requires little effort in exchange for immediate benefits. By tapping regularly, you’ll be in a better position to harness your anxious thoughts, stay grounded, and respond calmly and rationally to whatever comes your way.
How To Get Started?
Firstly, get to know the key tapping points:
- Top of the head
- Eyebrow
- Side of the eye
- Under the eye
- Under the nose
- Under the mouth/chin
- Collarbone
- Under the arm
- Side of the hand
Start from the top of your head and work your way down. Tap each point 5-7 times. Put one hand on your belly, and the other on your heart centre. Take a moment to connect with your body, and focus on your breath. Tune-in to any anxious feelings, and notice where in your body you feel that sensation – it might be butterflies in your belly, or tightness in your chest. Rate the intensity of that feeling on a scale of 0 to 10 – 0 being nothing at all, and 10 being the worst it’s ever felt. Now we can set our intention to gently challenge these feelings of anxiety. Work through the points, reading the affirmations aloud. You can treat this routine as a template, and alter the affirmations to suit your needs – do whatever works for you.
EFT Tapping Example
Below is an affirmation template designed by EFT practitioner, Nicola Brand:
Side of hand: Even though I’m holding on to all this anxiety, all this uncertainty and worry, and I feel it in the pit of my stomach and in my chest, I allow and accept these feelings, and I know I’m not alone.
Even though I feel anxious because so many things seem uncertain and out of control right now, I allow and accept these feelings. I honour my body for trying to protect me from danger.
I’m not always going to feel this way, I just feel this way right now. And I set my intention to gently let that go and to begin to relax.
Top of head: All of these anxious thoughts
Eyebrow: I can feel them in my chest
Side of eye: But I choose to gently challenge my belief that there is danger out there
Under eye: I understand it limits me and keeps me stuck
Under nose: I want my life to return to normal
Under mouth: I choose to take back control
Collarbone: Right here, right now, I know I’m safe
Under arm: And I allow my body to relax
Top of head: I acknowledge how hard things have been
Eyebrow: But I choose to take back control right now
Side of eye: I choose to call on my courage
Under eye: I choose to release all my old fears
Under nose: I’m open to trusting myself and trusting in life
Under mouth: Right here, right now, I know I’m safe
Collarbone: I choose to feel grounded and calm
Under arm: Right now this is enough, I’ll figure it out as I go along
Top of head: Once more I honour my body for keeping me safe. But I can take it from here, I’m doing well, and I’m proud of myself.
Gently stop tapping and take a deep breath. Tune in with your body and see where on the scale your feelings are now. Usually, this exercise helps people get an instant sense of relief. So, whether you practise EFT regularly, or keep it in mind for particularly overwhelming moments, tapping can offer a welcome sense of calm.
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