EFT tapping for stress relief

If you feel stressed, tired, overwhelmed, or painful, try tapping.
Known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), tapping is similar to acupuncture, where tapping certain points on the face and upper body lightly can help relieve tension and stress.

Unlike acupuncture, you use your fingertips instead of needles. EFT is the perfect self-help tool as you can do it yourself, anywhere. The practice is a combination of modern psychology and a form of psychological acupressure based on the same energy meridians that were used in traditional acupuncture for over 5,000 years to treat physical and emotional ailments.

Using Emotional Freedom technique to reduce stress.

This method is simple and can be learned within a few hours. It has shown its validity especially in dissolving stress-related diseases. Or stress itself. One has to distinguish between good stress and bad stress. or, as the science says EU-stress and bad stress. Eu-stress is the type of stress that enhances the performance of the body or mind. Bad stress does a lot of harm to all parts of the human body and mind. For this reason, a simple method like EFT is a godsend.

EFT makes use of various energy points found on the head, on the hands, and on the upper part of the body and these energy spots are activated by tapping with one, or both hands.

The Tapping Sequence

First you tap on the edge of one hand whilst confirming that “although I am suffering from this …… (give the stress a name), I love and accept myself completely “. Repeat these words three times while tapping the outside edge of your other hand.

You don’t have to repeat the entire sentence to tap on the different points. You just tap repeating the name of your stress. Start your round of tapping at the top of your head. Just tap smoothly. Then you tap just above your eyebrows, next point is at the edge of your eyes, then under your eyes. Tap under your nose, then under your lower lip. Then on your chest the points under the chest bones and finally you tap under your arms. Tap all these points for a few seconds each time.

Then repeat the whole procedure for two more times before returning to your hand. You then tap the point between your little finger and the ring finger (called the gamut). Repeat the abbreviated sentence you used to tap the other points.

Gamut Point Sequence

The sequence of tapping this gamut point is: eyes open looking straight forward, then with eyes closed. Then without moving your head, look down to your right, then to your left, circle your eyes first clockwise and then counter clockwise. Next you sing or hum five notes of a song, count backwards from five to one and sing another five notes of a song.

When done, you repeat the cycle on the various points, just saying the name of your stress.

Evaluate

Before you begin to tap, give your stress a value between 10 and 1. Ten being the maximum and 1 the minimum of sufferance. After you have finished the whole cycle, ask yourself, how you are feeling. Again, rate your stress value from 10 to 1.
Keep tapping until your stress has completely gone or is reduced to as little as 1 or 2 on the scale from 10 to 1.

It does not take long to do the whole cycle, but the invested time pays off in more calmness and joy. You will have freed yourself from your daily stress and this is priceless.

Why you should try tapping?

By simply and effectively tapping, you can relieve pain and negative emotions. We all have energy that flows through our bodies through meridians. If the energy isn’t flowing properly, our body won’t work as well. Tapping on these meridian points releases energy blockages and enables us to get through stress at our best.

Tapping

This therapy uses tapping techniques to stimulate the energy in the body. The tapping itself is done with the fingertips. It is believed that there are many meridian points on the fingertips themselves. Therefore, when you use them while tapping, you can target multiple meridian points at the same time.

The number of fingers you use depends on the type of EFT you are doing (some conventional types require you to use specific fingers). However, it is generally recommended to use more fingers when pressing larger areas and less when pressing smaller, more sensitive areas.

The tap should be strong but not hard enough to hurt you. You can use one or both hands as long as you cover all of the meridian points. Some EFT practitioners recommend using both hands, but with a slight alternation of strokes. It is believed to work in the same way as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR).

Typically, you’ll be asked to tap each point between five and seven times – ideally for the time it takes to take a full breath.

In most cases, the order of the points you tap isn’t strictly necessary as long as you get to each point. Most practitioners advise you to go top down just because it helps you remember each point.

What are the tapping points?

The tapping points in EFT are in the upper part of the body. Check with a professional to make sure you get the right points. The locations are as follows:
• Top of the head
• Eyebrows
• side of the eye
• under the eyes
• under the nose
• chin
• collarbone
• under the arm
• the side of the hand

When you tap these points, keep the following in mind:

Be precise

The language you use during EFT is important. It is the combination of language and increased kinetic energy that makes the technique of emotional freedom effective. The more specific you can be with your language, the better.

Stay focused

Sometimes performing EFT triggers difficult thoughts and feelings. You may feel the urge to step back or move away from it, but it is crucial that you are in tune and focus. If this is too difficult for you, contact an EFT practitioner.

Make a note of changes

After each round of tapping, return to your thoughts and write down your thoughts and feelings. Has anything changed?

Drink enough

It is believed that the technique of emotional freedom utilises electrical energy. Since water conducts electricity, it is considered helpful to be well hydrated. Drinking enough water is generally good for your health anyway. Therefore, take the recommended amount of water every day.

Is it safe?

The technique of emotional freedom has no known negative side effects and is considered very safe. However, there are certain situations that a qualified EFT therapist is better equipped for, such as:
• Situations where emotions are heightened
• When the problem is not improving
• to know the points to avoid during pregnancy