“Come on, you’ve got to try it! It’s life-changing!”
I rolled my eyes. My bestie had been telling me this for months, but I was nervous. This “tapping” thing, or EFT, was supposed to help you release all of these pent-up emotions.
But what if I didn’t want to feel those emotions? How do you even know what to say as you tap each point?
It was intimidating, so I shied away.
A Change
A year and a half later, I was still struggling. I was running my own small business, had anxiety problems, and often felt overwhelmed. To take a break, I offered to take my 12-year-old nephew to the library.
In the non-fiction DVD section, I saw a video called “The Tapping Solution: The Revolution Starts Within.” It had real people’s stories, so I picked it up. I’m so glad I did.
Something about the video demystified the topic for me. Away from the pressure of my friend, I began to experiment with it myself. I found my own way to tap and speak to my issues.
The change was explosive. It was as if the stuff I “knew” in my head had a super-highway to my heart and emotional understanding.
Yes I cried. But it didn’t hurt any worse than dealing with the anxiety already did. I had found a new way to ease my struggles – and it was all-natural with no side effects!
The Science of Tapping
This “tapping thing” is not just woo or head-games. There’s real science behind what’s going on.
The process combines the Eastern medicine concept of meridians and pressure points with the Western ideas of psychotherapy. You get a physical, mental, and emotional release through the process.
Research shows that tapping has a positive effect on cortisol levels. This reduces the “fight or flight” response we often feel when we experience stress.
Dr. Feinstein, a clinical psychologist, says that EFT is an “unusually precise, rapid, and direct for shifting the neurological underpinnings of a range of psychological problems.” He notes that “Peer-reviewed research is showing that our instincts have been right. Surprisingly rapid outcomes with a variety of disorders are being documented.”
So, my best friend was right after all. I really did need to try it. But I also needed to make it my own. I don’t tap exactly like she does, but what I do accesses my deepest anxiety and brings it to a calm space that sticks around a really long time.
Why don’t you give it a try? You can find more information about tapping here.