How Does EFT Help with Anxiety?
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a type of therapy that combines elements of cognitive therapy and acupressure to help individuals manage and overcome emotional issues, including anxiety.
There are many different styles of EFT. I started with tapping in 2020 using the Tapping Solution app and following influencers like Gala Darling and Gabby Bernstein.
Tapping helped me to find calm during the uncertain times at the start of the pandemic. Even though I practiced yoga regularly - I completed a 200 hr YTT and taught a weekly class - and had been trained in vipassana meditation, I was still waking up with anxiety.
What changed everything for me — my nervous system really — was tapping with a certified EFT practitioner 1:1.
Within 30 minutes we had pinpointed a moment when I was a child about 4 years old when I didn’t know how to ask for my needs and I had an accident… That moment got stuck in me emotionally and I carried it with me for almost 30 years…
Anytime I was in a situation where I needed to ask for something, I felt my heart rate go up and my shoulders contract… But once I remembered the moment from an already calm state, I was able to tap and physically let it go.
Are you looking for emotional relief?
Here are some ways EFT can help:
Regulation of the nervous system: EFT can help regulate the nervous system, which is often dysregulated in individuals with anxiety. The technique involves tapping on specific acupressure points that are associated with relaxation and calming, helping to reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety.
Reducing negative emotions: EFT can help reduce the intensity of negative emotions that contribute to anxiety, such as fear, worry, and self-doubt. By tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on the negative emotion, individuals can reduce the intensity of the emotion and begin to feel more calm and centered.
Addressing underlying beliefs: Individuals with anxiety often have negative beliefs about themselves, others, and the world around them that contribute to their anxiety. EFT can help identify and address these beliefs, replacing them with more positive and empowering ones.
Encouraging self-compassion: EFT can help individuals practice self-compassion, which can be particularly helpful for those with anxiety. The technique can help individuals be more accepting of their feelings and emotions, reducing the shame and self-criticism that can contribute to anxiety.
Overall, EFT can be a useful tool in the treatment of anxiety by reducing the symptoms associated with the condition, improving emotional regulation, and addressing underlying beliefs.
If you’re feeling curious if EFT is right for you, let’s chat! Join me for a 15 min call: https://calendly.com/yogawithsparks/curiositycall
Want to learn more about EFT? Read Peta Stapleton's The Science Behind EFT
