Stress Less: Increase Your Calm with EFT Tapping (Meridian Therapy)
How Can the Emotional Freedom Techqnique (EFT Tapping) Help You Manage Stress?
As an EFT Practitioner since 2006, I love to share EFT Tapping with every client who could benefit from it. Whether you're well versed with EFT Tapping or you’re a novice, there’s never been a better time to use this highly effective, brain-body modality!
The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as "tapping," is a mind-body modality that combines the elements of cognitive therapy, psychology and acupressure. I commonly describe it as a somatic tool that calms the central nervous system. The Emotional Freedom Technique involves gently tapping on specific points on the body, called meridian points, while focusing on a particular issue, emotion, or stressful event. As a Clinical EFT Practitioner in Mesa, Arizona, I want to share a little bit about how EFT Tapping helps to lower stress and increase your calm:
1. Activation of Meridian Points / Acupressure Points
EFT Tapping targets key acupressure points along energy pathways in the body, known as meridians, that correspond with different emotions and physical states. In essence, we are working with the body’s nervous system. These meridian points are usually located on the face, hands, and upper body/torso. The gentle tapping on these points helps to clear blockages or disruptions in the body's energy system, which can contribute to stress or negative emotional states.
2. Calming the Nervous System
Tapping on meridian points sends a signal to the part of the brain involved in processing emotions (the amygdala), including fear and stress. This can help reduce the intensity of our "fight-or-flight" response system, and activate the body's parasympathetic nervous system (our “rest and digest” setting), which is responsible for relaxation and calming the body down. As a result, our stress response decreases and our relaxation responses increases. In a nutshell, we’re helping inform our brain and body that we are safe in the present moment.
3. Emotional Desensitization
The Emotional Freedom Technique involves focusing on a specific stressor or emotional issue while tapping. Doing this helps reduce the emotional charge associated with that thought or memory, similar with trauma therapy. As you repeatedly tap while focusing on the stressor/distressing event, you may experience a decrease in the emotional intensity and experience a shift in your response to it. This process is a mind-body approach to desensitization, similar to the idea of "exposure therapy", where gradually and safely confronting a fear or anxiety can clear the emotional reaction to it.
4. Reframing Negative Thoughts
EFT Tapping integrates aspects of cognitive restructuring by encouraging you to reframe negative beliefs or self-talk associated with stress and overwhelm. While tapping, we say statements like, "Even though I feel stressed about this x-y-z, I can accept a part of all of myself," which helps increase distress tolerance and shift our perspective about what’s stressful to us, helping our internal parts know they can handle what’s at bay. By acknowledging and accepting the stress, overwhelm or other without judgment, this can reduce our internal fight-flight response and increase emotional ease and resilience.
5. Balancing the Body's Energy System
EFT Tapping is based on the idea that stress, anxiety, and other emotional difficulties are related to disruptions in the body's energy system (in anatomical terms: the central nervous system). By tapping on the meridian points, this helps to "reset" this energy system and clearing it of the negative emotional charge of stress/distress, thus restoring intneral balance and leading to a reduction in physical and emotional stress.
6. Quick and Accessible Technique
One of my favorite benefits provided by the EFT Tapping is that it can be done anywhere and does not require any special equipment. I teach my clients how to use EFT in one session, and then they are equipped to tap on themselves as needed during stressful situations outside of session, which makes it a practical tool for managing stress on the go and in any environment.
Evidence Supporting EFT for Stress Relief
Research continues to grow worldwide supporting the effectiveness of EFT in reducing stress and healing trauma. Studies have found that the Emotional Freedom Technique can help reduce anxiety, lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone!), and improve emotional well-being. For instance, research shows that tapping may reduce symptoms of PTSD, general anxiety, and stress, as well as improve relaxation and emotional regulation. If you are interested to learn how EFT Tapping can bring more calm to your life and enhance your well-being, please contact me to get started.
Christine Slomski is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Mesa, Arizona. Her practice, Calm Hearts Counseling, specializes in addressing anxiety, trauma, grief, infertility & pregnancy loss, and women’s mental health using a whole-person approach to mental health. Aside from being an EFT Practitioner since 2006, Christine is an enthusiastic Brainspotting Practitioner, EMDR Therapist and Yoga Practitioner.
Hi, I’m Christine Slomski, a licensed counselor, Brainspotting Practitioner, EMDR Therapist, EFT Tapping Practitioner & Reproductive Trauma & Grief Specialist in Mesa, Arizona.
My mission to to help women come home to calm. I believe in your ability to heal and look forward to walking alongside you.
With heart,
Christine
Counseling services for Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale