I was recently at a prayer session with an elder and she brought my attention to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique ) or Tapping.
EFT is a psychological acupressure technique that’s widely recognized and credited for,
– Reducing negative emotions or memories.
– Eliminating pain.
– Minimize food cravings.
– Attaining goals.
Honestly, before last Thursday, I’d never so much as heard the term EFT, except in payroll deposits and bill paying paying instances. Oh yeah, my interest was definitely peaked. So I got to researching.
Nick Ortner, author of The Tapping Solution says, it’s a revolutionary system for stress-free living. Sounds like something that’s got my name written all over it. Here’s what one of his book reviewers had to say’ ”
Here’s what one of his book reviewers had to say’ ” I found this info very thought provoking. Its cool that tapping is something you can easily try and determine if it works for you. I did a lot of tapping the week before getting an MRI, which is a very stressful thing for me. It definitely helped reduce my level of panic about being in the closed-in machine. I’m finding it useful in general for dealing with stress/anxiety. I read this as a library book but its one that I’m planning to purchase since I think its likely I’ll use it as reference in a lot of difference situations.” What’s good is that it doesn’t cost a thing to try it.
The technique is fairly simply. There are 8 meridian points on the head and upper chest, where you will tap. Tapping the meridians help to release pent up stress, fear, anger, and doubt. So let’s take a look at how this works.
1. Identify a negative emotion that’s causing you to feel stress. Determine its intensity by assigning a level of 0-10 (wiki.com); Zero being non-existent and 10 most severe.
2. Determine and clarify your set up phrase and tap the Karate chop point (see diagram) with your fingers and say, “even though I have this issue (whatever the issue is, for example, Though I am having writer’s block, I deeply and completely love myself and will overcome it“. Repeat the phrase while tapping the karate chop point for about 7 times, You can stop counting when you get the hang of it.
3. Then create a reminder phrase(reminder of the set up phrase) to say out loud while tapping on the remaining meridian points (ex. writer’s block), then continue on tapping the top of the head (all the while saying the reminder phrase, writer’s block). And think about the reminder phrase while you tap. Do so for about 7 times, but again, counting is not necessary once you get the hang of it.
4. Tap inside the eyebrow (keep breathing).
5. Tap side of the eye
6. Tap under the eye (don’t forget to keep saying your reminder phrase).
7. Tap under the nose.
8. Tap under the chin.
9. Tap the collar bone
10. Tap under the arm ( by the bra strap or approximately 3 inches down from the pits). Other places you can tap include
11. The inside of the wrists
12. The liver.
13. Back to the Karate chop point.
14. The side tip of each finger, starting with the thumb.
15. The Karate Chop point.
Images: lkcoacking.com
And there you have it. I’ve included two meridian points diagram. I’ve been having enormous progress dewing with my stressors and I’m super excited to try this technique. I’ll be doing a follow up with results. If you try it, be sure to leave us a comment letting us know how it worked or is working for you.
Sources for more information:
http://www.proeftcenter.com
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-the-Emotional-Freedom-Technique-(EFT)
http://www.breakfreefast.com/tapping/

Dixie Lincoln- Nichols is a biological science educator, health and wellbeing consultant and Qigong instructor. Her work has been featured in media outlets like, Oprah Mag, SELF, Yahoo and more. She is the founder of Inside Outer Beauty Market, a multi-cultutal retailer curating and creating products to support the body inside and out. Visit the site at www.iobeautymarket.com