Are you unable to concentrate on your daily tasks because you constantly worry about the past or future? Do you find it difficult to stay present in the moment and feel yourself being distracted or fidgety? Are stress and anxiety taking over your life?
If you answered in affirmative to these questions then the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) might just be the tool you need to manage it better. Let us first break down what EFT is exactly. This technique is the result of an interesting amalgamation of ancient Chinese medicine and modern-day psychology. And it is quickly gaining popularity for being one of the most potent non-invasive tools to manage your anxiety.
What Is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or “tapping,” is a simple and effective therapy that blends traditional Chinese acupuncture with modern psychology. Instead of using needles like acupuncture, you gently tap on specific points on your body while focusing on a particular emotional challenge—whether it’s anxiety, stress, trauma, or negative thoughts. It’s a hands-on, practical way to help manage difficult emotions and feel more balanced.
This technique is rooted in the idea that you experience negative emotions like stress and anxiety as a result of imbalances in the energies of your physical body. To fix these imbalances, the technique recommends gently tapping precise areas or points in your body. These are also the same areas that are addressed in acupressure or acupuncture therapy only without the needles. These focus areas are usually found along the body’s meridian and are considered to be the beacons of your body’s energy flow.
This technique helps immensely in removing your body’s blockages but you must make sure it’s done by a professional. As they are the experts in identifying the points related to your emotional and physical issues. Here at SoulSensei, you’ll find sessions by some of the best practitioners in the Emotional Freedom Technique field.
How Does EFT Tapping Work?
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) works on both a physical and mental level by addressing the mind-body connection, combining elements of traditional acupuncture principles and modern psychology.
On a physical level, EFT involves tapping on specific meridian points on the body, which are believed to be channels through which energy flows. These points are the same ones used in acupuncture, but instead of needles, EFT uses tapping with fingertips. By tapping on these points, EFT is thought to help release energy blockages that contribute to emotional and physical stress.
- Calming the Nervous System: Tapping sends calming signals to the brain, particularly to the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions like fear. This helps to reduce the body’s stress response (fight-or-flight), lowering cortisol levels and promoting relaxation.
- Body’s Energy Flow: EFT helps restore balance to the body’s energy system, similar to the principles of acupuncture, helping to alleviate physical tension and discomfort that can be linked to emotional issues.
On a mental or emotional level, EFT works by addressing unresolved emotional issues, which can be stored in the body and manifest as anxiety, stress, or other mental health challenges.
- Reprogramming the Brain: By tapping while focusing on a negative emotion or thought, EFT helps to “reprogram” how the brain perceives that issue. The act of acknowledging the problem and combining it with tapping reduces the emotional intensity of the memory or fear, essentially rewiring how the brain responds to that stimulus.
- Mindful Self-Acceptance: Through the use of setup statements, EFT promotes self-acceptance. This can help individuals confront their emotional pain or negative thoughts without judgment, allowing them to process and release their emotions more effectively.
Together, the physical act of tapping and the mental focus on emotional issues help to calm the body and mind, making EFT a holistic approach to stress reduction and emotional healing.
Benefits Of EFT For Anxiety Relief
The main role of the Emotional Freedom Technique in relieving your anxiety symptoms is that it helps slow down the nervous system. It helps you regain the calm that is needed when you’re having an anxiety attack or just an anxious episode. Secondly, it also helps alleviate the emotional eating aspect of anxiety. When you start using this technique, you’ll notice that your anxious hunger cravings should reduce significantly. This technique also helps with depression which is another condition closely related to anxiety. Lastly, if your anxiety is translating into physical pain anywhere in your body, this technique should help with that too. There are many benefits of treating yourself to this highly effective technique for anxiety relief. For more anxiety relief tips, you can explore various sessions on Soul Sensei.
Common Anxiety Symptoms Treated With EFT
Most anxiety symptoms like trouble concentrating, restlessness, heightened heart rate, insomnia, nausea or abdominal discomfort and stress eating can be alleviated significantly with the help of the Emotional Freedom Technique for anxiety.
How To Use EFT: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Recognising the problem
Before you begin this form of treatment, it’s important to identify the exact problem areas you are looking to cure. Be as specific as possible so that it’s easy to recognize the points to be tapped. Start with spotlighting just one issue and then work towards fixing the others. Pick the problem that bothers you the most. If that’s anxiety for you, then prioritise it at the top of your list.
2. Rate the intensity
Once you’ve zeroed down on the problem, rate the intensity of the problem on a scale of 0-10 so that you can measure your progress as the therapy continues.
3. Enter The Right Headspace
Prep yourself for this technique by building your own affirmation that imbibes self-acceptance. It could be something as simple as “I accept myself completely despite my issues”. As you repeat this affirmation, tap gently on the side of your hand.
4. Follow The Sequence
Now tap on the 9 key meridian points along your body in the following order. While you do this, focus on the emotions that show up and how they’re connected to your issue. This is important to release the blocks:
- Centre of your head – to promote calm
- Starting of your brows – for bladder wellness and depression
- Sides of both your eyes – to alleviate anger and frustration
- Below both your eyes – for stomach issues and anxiety
- Below your nose – for overall emotional balance
- Your chin – to gain clarity
- Starting of your collarbone – to alleviate kidney-related ailments and stress
- Below your arms – to relieve guilt or worry
- Top of your head – to round up the cycle of the energy flow
5. Rate the final intensity
Once you’ve completed all of the steps above, compare the intensity of your issue now with the intensity of it before you began. Say, for example, your anxiety was at a 10 before you began, it should’ve come down to at least a 9 or an 8.
Integrating EFT Into Your Daily Routine
EFT tapping is a straight-forward technique, and with little guidance from a professional, you’ll easily be able to pick it up as a daily tool to alleviate your anxiety. Many individuals prefer to start their day with this technique. The more you practice it, the better the results. So, if you can carve out 10 minutes from your daily schedule and practice this method, you’ll notice a significant change in your anxiety and stress levels. Emotional Freedom Therapy for anxiety is an extremely helpful treatment method; however, if you feel like your symptoms are getting worse, we recommend you contact your medical practitioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does EFT work for anxiety?
Yes, many studies and researchers have found EFT to be an extremely positive tool to help with anxiety. It is known to reduce emotional distress and boost your mood. Many users of this technique have reported experiencing better mental health, significant improvement in their anxiety symptoms, reduced stress levels and emotional relief.
How long does it take for EFT tapping to work?
The efficacy of this holistic treatment method differs from person to person. The timing will vary based on how deep the issue is, the nature of the issue and for how long an individual practices this technique. However, most people begin to see results in just a few EFT sessions.
