What is Tapping? Why is it a good Self-Care tool
Tapping, also referred to as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or psychological acupressure.
Tapping is a technique that combines ancient chinese accupressure and modern psychology. The practice involves gently tapping on specific meridian points on the body while focussing on an issue you would like to address.
What is a meridian?
A meridian Point is a specific spot on the body that corresponds to energy pathways, or ‘meridians’, used in Chinese medicine. These meridians are channels through which your body’s energy, known as qi, flows. If your energy becomes blocked or stagnant along these pathways, it can lead to physical, emotional or mental issues.
When you gently tap on these key meridian points, you stimulate these energy pathways and help release any blockages. This promotes balance and restores the natural flow of energy in the body, reducing stress and other negative emotions.
What exactly does tapping involve?
Tapping essentially involves six steps:
- Identifying the issue – stress/anxiety/pain/fear etc
- Rating the intensity of the issue – on a 1-10 scale, how intense do you feel
- Acknowledging what is bothering you and accepting yourself fully Create a set up statement that acknowledges the issue
- Starting the tapping sequence Start tapping your fingers along the 9 meridian points, which are, side of hand, eyebrow, side of eye, under the eye, under the nose, under the mouth, collarbone, under arm and top of the head
- Rate the final intensity Again rate on a 1-10 scale the intesity of the issue, so you can note any changes
- Repeat as needed Keep tapping on the issue until you feel a shift
The science behind tapping
Research studies have proven that tapping regulates the nervous system and boosts the immune system. This puts the body back into the parasympathetic (relaxation) response. In turn allowing the immune, reproductive, digestive and endocrine systems to function as they should.
A study conducted in 2020 showed that when participants did just one hour of Tapping, their cortisol levels dropped by a whopping 43%.
Research also suggests Tapping can help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and impact brain activity. That’s just the science, now for the benefits…
The benefits of Tapping and why it's a great Self-Care tool
There are so many benefits that tapping can bring, here are just some of them;
- Relieves stress – Research shows tapping lowers cortisol levels, which help you to feel calmer and more grounded
- Releases emotional blocks – Tapping helps uncover and release stuck emotions, improving your mental clarity and emotional resilience
- Improves physical health – By reducing stress, tapping can alleviate symptoms of head aches, chronic pain and fatigue
- Quick and accessible – You can do it anywhere, and it only takes a few minutes
- Supports emotional healing – The combination of affirmations and tapping encourages self-acceptance and compassion
The list of benefits really is impressive, tapping enhances productivity and motivation, improves sleep, mental health, boosts confidence and self-worth, decreases negative self-talk and judgement, increases self-acceptance and energy. Tapping promotes a great sense of peace and ease in daily life.
What can I use tapping for?
- Stress
- Relaxation
- Anxiety
- Positive affirmations
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Sleep issues
- ADHD
- PTSD
- Fears
- Phobias
- Panic attacks
- OCD
- Addictions
- Weight loss and food cravings
- And so much more
Tips for getting started with tapping
- Watch guided videos online. I highly recommend The Tapping Solution, who can be found at;
- Start small by addressing minor stressors before tackling big ones
- Be patient with yourself
- Incorporate tapping into our daily self-care routine, alongside meditation, journaling or affirmations