It goes without saying, it’s not easy to deal with stress. Just when we think we have everything sorted out, a perfect coping mechanism or way to avoid the stress altogether, it takes a different shape and makes its way into our lives.
While there is no one right way to deal with stress, some are more beneficial than others. One “non-productive” stress mechanism I always find myself turning to is shopping at the thrift store. While this helps to clear my head from time to time, it’s short-lived and eats up a portion of my wallet and closet space along the way. Other methods of stress relief such as acupuncture may be helpful, but are also invasive and expensive.
On the other hand, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and “tapping” is an effective method of managing emotional distress and even physical pain. In times of distress no matter where you are or what your budget is, EFT can help you to feel calm, in control, and clear your mind. All you need to do is say what you think, and stimulate specific acupoints on your body using only the tips of your fingers. So what does science have to say about this humble yet powerful stress management technique? Apparently, quite a bit!
What is EFT?
EFT is a noninvasive form of acupuncture called psychological acupressure in which certain acupuncture points are stimulated through tapping with your fingertips. Tapping is done on 8 unique tapping points found on the upper body and face. As you gently tap these areas, you will repeat a “setup statement” that helps you to verbalize and “vent” about whatever might be stressing you. An example of a setup statement might be: “Even though I didn’t get all my work done today, I deeply and completely accept myself.” As you move to the different tapping points, you can shift your wording to things such as “Even though I have a lot to do, I am taking charge right now” to accept the problem and focus on the change you are making within yourself.
EFT tapping is very simple to do, yet has profound benefits and can help you and your children to manage the way you react to certain emotional triggers and stressors and have more positive and controlled outcomes. You may be wondering how this all works, or you may even be skeptical of this alternative stress management technique. That’s why we are proud to have one of the leading EFT researchers on the planet on our team to help research, develop, and coach our HAPPE tapping techniques.
How Does it Work?
As EFT continues to gain scientific support, it is still considered experimental in nature. However, decades of research have indicated that it is an effective and easy technique that can help to deal with stress and anxiety. Dr. Stapleton’s research has revealed that EFT appears to affect the amygdala (stress center in the brain) and hippocampus (memory center), both of which play a role in the decision process when you decide whether something is a threat. When we stimulate this area, we are overriding trauma that has become encoded by the brain by way of hormone production, brain waves, blood flow within the brain, and gene expression. By stimulating points on the body, it may help us to create new neural pathways that circumnavigate our negative stress reactions.
EFT has been shown to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can negatively impact our immune function and ultimately our physical health. Stimulating these tapping points is also believed to send a signal to the limbic (or emotion) system in the body and reduce its arousal, thus resulting in feelings of calmness or tranquility. It simultaneously decreases activity in the amygdala, which is part of the brain’s arousal pathway.
Significant Studies
Through years of studies, EFT has been found to “rapidly reduce the emotional impact of memories and incidents that trigger emotional distress.” By using setup statements such as “Even though I feel my mother never loved me, I choose to love myself anyway” you can transform the way even childhood trauma affects how you react to emotional distress today.
In one large scale study, 5,000 patients with anxiety either received traditional anxiety treatment (cognitive behavioral therapy) with or without medication, or tapping with no medication. Their levels of anxiety were ranked before and after the treatment. Results found that 90% of the patients who received tapping therapy experienced a reduction in their anxiety symptoms compared to 63% of the CBT participants.
In another clinical trial designed to demonstrate the changes in patients’ mental and physical reactions to stress, physiological tests were conducted before and after treatment of EFT tapping. Posttest, significant declines were found in anxiety (-40%), depression (-35%), posttraumatic stress disorder (-32%), pain (-57%), and cravings (-74%). Perhaps the most exciting finding was that happiness increased by +31%. Significant improvements were also found in resting heart rate (+8%), cortisol (+37%), systolic blood pressure (+6%), and diastolic blood pressure (+8%).
These are just two of the hundreds of clinical trials that have been done on EFT. As research continues to grow, EFT tapping can be used alongside other traditional therapies used to treat anxiety or can easily be implemented into your everyday routine to help clear your head and change your intentions. HAPPE has created easy-to-follow video tutorials that are guided by Ellie. She helps children and adults alike to use this powerful stress management technique to overcome their worries and take control of their emotional well-being at any age. Getting started is absolutely free, all you have to do is sign up!
For more information on how tapping can help you and your children to prioritize their emotional well-being, we encourage you to view some of our free videos or reach out to us! We’re happy to help guide you through the process and find a way you can incorporate it into your everyday routine or add it to your child’s curriculum. We believe that children and adults have the power to deal with stress and thus their experiences of the world and we hope you’ll join us on your own personal journey to emotional well-being.