EFT: Sending A Calming Signal To The Brain

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Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) was named for the level of freedom it creates in addressing our emotions. It is also known as “tapping,” because we tap on endpoints of the meridian system moving energy throughout our body to reduce anxious or stressful feelings immediately.

When we tap on certain points, we send a calming signal to the amygdala, the part of the brain that is activated at any signal of danger/threat. Perhaps you know someone who is always feeling anxious, or always stressed, worried or on high alert. That person is stuck in a constant loop of being activated. That person may even be you.

When activated — also known as hijacking the brain — the amygdala has the ability to shut down all non-essential body and brain functions without warning, while releasing cortisol and other stress hormones in an attempt to survive. Some examples of non-essential body functions are digestion, metabolism and internal healing. Examples of non-essential brain functions are compassion, creativity and reasoning — all the beautiful qualities that make you you!

Hijacking is super helpful if you are in a life-or-death situation, but more often than not, you are not in a life-or-death situation and yet you are still activated. Tapping allows you to utilize the entirety of your brain so you see the bigger picture, which often brings a shift of perspective.

Ostracized Cavemen

Survival isn’t only physical. If you were a caveman or woman, and kicked out of your tribe, you would not survive. The amygdala is hardwired to track dangers that are relevant to you and your tribe, including how you fit in within your family, your friends, co-workers, school, community and more. If there is a potential of being judged, made fun of, looked down upon, out-shining another, or any other situation that feels uncomfortable within your relationships, they all fall under the danger/threat hijacking of the amygdala.

Once people understand they can be activated for just about any situation out of their comfort zone, then they realize this may be happening a lot! In fact, many people are stuck in a perpetual activation, and often don’t know what life feels like to not be in it. The activation becomes the norm.

There’s good news to be had here. You don’t have to go far to begin sending the calming signal to that part of your brain and begin to regulate your nervous system. All you have to do is tap or hold the points to begin. Once you disable the amygdala’s activation, you are then able to utilize all of your brain. Tapping doesn’t make the bad feelings go away; instead, all of the components of your brain that were previously shut down are now available to you.

Anyone who is struggling emotionally and would like to have a simple way to regulate their nervous system easily and effectively can learn EFT. This includes people living with PTSD, anxiety, stress, phobias, addictions, excess weight, depression or other fears or limiting beliefs.

Reduce Anxious Or Stressful Feelings Immediately

You can use this simple technique when feeling anxious or stressed. You don’t have to understand all the logistics of EFT to receive the benefits. Simply follow along these steps and feel the stress melt away, or follow along on this video.

• Make sure you are in a safe space (no operating vehicles), preferably distraction-free and private.
• Tune into what is bothering you.
• Identify the emotion you are feeling.
• Rate the intensity of the emotion 0-10.
• Tapping on the side of the hand, say “Even though I feel ___ when I think about ___, this is how I feel right now and I accept myself.”  Repeat 3 times.
• Then hold or tap with a gentle amount of pressure on each point for a few seconds, starting at the top head through inside wrist. Repeat the emotion you feel out loud, along with any other words that relate to the issue. Feel free to vent or rant if needed. Remember to focus on breathing. Complete 1-3 rounds.
• Tune into your emotion. How would you rate it now?
• Continue to follow these steps as needed.

When you tap through all the points listed in the image you have completed a round: Side of Hand, Top Head, Inside Eyebrow, Side Eye, Under Eye, Under Nose, Chin, Collar Bone, Under Arm, Inside Wrist.

It makes no difference if you use the left or right hand with tapping, or how many taps per point. Some tappers use both hands, others prefer one hand. Tap firmly enough so you can feel it, but not so hard that it hurts in anyway. If you can’t remember or don’t like all the points, simply tap on any points you like, feel comfortable with, and remember. Play around with it and see what feels best for you.

If you are feeling your numbers aren’t going down and the process doesn’t seem to be working, then you may not be addressing the true issue/emotion. You can continue to tap and breathe, while repeating a simple phrase that speaks to you. Here are a few examples. Feel free to mix and match or make up ones that feel best for you.

“Even though I am feeling ___, right here and now I am safe.”

“Even though I am dealing with ___, I choose to love and accept myself.”

“Even though I’m ___, I give myself permission to feel what I am ready to feel.”

It is also possible there is something bigger under the surface that you may or may not be ready to address alone, and might benefit from working with a certified practitioner. There are times that tapping by yourself is more than sufficient, and there are also times when working with a skilled practitioner is most beneficial, such as addressing limiting beliefs, core issues and trauma.

Proactive tapping by yourself is super helpful:

• when you first get up
• before bed
• when you are feeling stressed or worried about something
• prior to a meeting or work day
• before and after eating to encourage optimal metabolism and digestion
• before and after exercise
• when meditating

Tapping In Public

Yes, you can even tap in public without anyone knowing!

• Mentally address your state, emotions and level of intensity.
• Begin tapping on the finger points by bringing your thumb to the bottom corner of where your fingernail meets the finger.
• Continue tapping through all the fingers (one hand or both).
• If you’d like to add a few more points discretely, tap the side of the hand, followed by the inside wrist point.
• Continue to tap through the circle of your hand until you feel relief.

If tapping isn’t an option, try simply putting pressure on the finger points by pinching the nail where it meets the finger on both sides and move through the fingers.

Lori Lamont is an EFT & Matrix Reimprinting Master Trainer and practitioner.  She teaches therapists and coaches how to use EFT effectively so that their clients can process traumas, shift belief systems and ultimately evolve into their highest potential.  Lori’s mission in life is to raise the frequency of the planet. Visit www.EmpowermentEFT.com.

Find holistic Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioners in the Spirit of Change online Alternative Health Directory.

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