What is EFT? (Emotional Freedom Technique)
EFT or Tapping is a powerful stress relief technique that combines principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology.
EFT involves tapping on meridian points to regulate the nervous system and boost the immune system by putting the body back into the parasympathetic (relaxation) nervous system response. This allows the immune system, digestive system, reproductive system and endocrine system to function as they should. Reducing stress also reduces cortisol levels in the body. Amongst an array of other benefits, this reduction aids your body's ability to fight inflammation and boosts the immune system.
There is a growing pool of scientific research proving that Tapping produces real, lasting breakthroughs. One landmark study by Dr. Dawson Church published in 2012 in the prestigious Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that EFT Tapping lowered cortisol significantly more than traditional talk therapy or resting.
Tapping can be used on a daily basis to reduce the stress and anxiety that is interfering with wellbeing. Popular uses include Tapping to help fall asleep at night, to assist in overcoming paralysing fears, and to aid in coping with stressors in family and work situations.
"Rule number one is, don't swear the small. Rule number two is, it's all small stuff." ~ Robert Eliot
How Tapping Works?
AMYGDALA
The basic Tapping technique requires you to focus on a negative emotion at hand. This can be a fear, a worry or an unresolved problem. While maintaining your mental focus on this issue, you use your fingertips to tap 5-7 times on specific meridian points of the body.
This sends a calming signal to the brain, letting your brain know it's safe to relax. It works through a part of your brain called the amygdala, which is responsible for triggering the stress response in our bodies. Also known as the fight-or-flight response, it is the body's natural reaction to a perceived threat. The amygdala's response is effective when faced with real-life danger but damaging when you want to feel calm and confident.
MERIDIANS
Meridians are a complex system of energy pathways that flow throughout the body, delivering essential energy or ‘chi’ to each organ. Meridians also provide energy to the major systems including the nervous system, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, immune, skeletal, muscular and digestive. At times, small blockages or imbalances of energy can occur, which if left untreated can result in an array of unwanted symptoms. By stimulating certain points along the meridians we can encourage the optimal flow of chi, clearing out any blockages and rebalancing your system. Tapping gives you the opportunity to bring your life back into balance and reduce stress around your relationships, finances, weight, pain, worries and fears. For most people, EFT is particularly useful for daily stress and anxiety.
Basic Tapping Sequences
At Ease Wellness, we love sharing simple and effective stress relief techniques with all of our audiences - in one-on-one sessions, online webinars and live workshops.
Below are three of our easiest and most popular EFT-style techniques for you to try for yourself.
"TENSION IS A HABIT. RELAXING IS A HABIT. BAD HABITS CAN BE BROKEN, GOOD HABITS FORMED" ~ WILLIAM JAMES
If you want to learn more about EFT techniques, schedule a Kinesiology and Coaching session with Katherine Anderson.