01 Jun 2023
Tapping is a mix of acupressure and modern psychology and helps us manage stress. The technique has enjoyed popularity these past few years with celebrity endorsements but how does it work, why should we do it, and how do we start?
How does Tapping work?
We are always on alert to things we perceive as dangerous. In hunter-gatherer days this was essential to keep us safe but even in our modern lives we still get triggered by any challenge we feel threatens our safety.
When we feel threated, the Amygdala part of our brain pumps out the stress hormone Cortisol in response to danger.
When we Tap, we send a signal to our brain that tells it we are ok – there is no need to panic. This calms our Amygdala, turns down the Cortisol and helps us manage our feelings.
Why should we do it?
Tapping on the body’s energy lines or Meridians, whilst speaking out our worries tells our brain that the threat is not as dangerous as we think. This helps us re-programme how we see the same ‘event’ in the future.
When we Tap, we come to look at our feelings more deeply. As we Tap Through’ our feelings, they start to lose their power over us.
Situations that used to worry us no longer leave us emotionally stuck. (This is why Tapping is also known as EFT – the Emotional Freedom Technique).
Tapping is now used widely in NHS practice and by therapists worldwide to shift both long term trauma (PTSD) and any day-to-day stresses.
How do we start?
The process of Tapping is like having a conversation with a friend. It is you talking out what is on your mind.
Like anything you do the first time, you will want to follow recipe – or ‘How To’, so here it is.
There are a number of elements (the process I’m outlining is called Clinical EFT – Basic Recipe).
The Tapping Process
- You pick a topic and look at your feelings around it
- Give it a title – name the event to help you bring the scene to mind
- Simplify the topic with a Reminder Phrase that keeps you on track
- Do a quick Check in to rate how you feel on a scale of 0-10 (to help you measure any change after Tapping)
- Start Tapping through the 9 Tapping points
How to Tap
When we tap, we tap on 9 of the body’s energy points. The first point is the Karate Chop Point - the fleshy underside of the right or left hand. Tap with your other hand as if you are drumming – tapping 5-7 times as you speak out your Set Up Statement (see below).
After that continue to tap on 8 other points in turn.
Completing all 9 points in sequence is called ‘a round’. We usually tap for 5 -7+ rounds during each Tapping session.
The Set up Statement
The Set Up Statement sets up the rest of the tapping process and is done on the Karate Chop Point. During this we acknowledge the feelings we have on a topic and confirm that ‘we love and approve of ourselves’ (or use similar words).
There is often natural resistance to saying this, but the process tells our brain that even though we feel these things, we are ok with them and it helps us re-programme against future unpleasant reactions by shutting off the flow of Cortisol.
There is a set ‘pattern’ for what we say, and how to start things off.
Tapping on the 8 other points
We then tap in turn on the 8 other Tapping energy points to unblock our chi (energy flow).
These points are:
- eyebrow point
- side of the eye
- under the eye
- under the nose
- on the chin
- collar bone
- under the arm
- top of the head
Tapping for Stress
So, if you are feeling things are a challenge and are ready to let feelings go, try Tapping.
In the past few months, I’ve been sharing Tapping with prisoners and staff at HMP – a high stress environment in anyone’s thinking!
Staff feedback said my Tapping sessions were ‘clear and calm and confidently explained’. Most noticed that their personal stress levels had dropped considerably in a short time.
Why not join me at my Tapping Workshop at the 2023 Summer NAEO Conference and try it for yourself?
I’ve also included Tapping in my new Exam Stress Course for Students and perfect to help them release any worries around exams.
You’ll find details of both these below.
Love and light,
Geraldine
You’ll find a Module on Tapping in my new Exam Stress Programme – Developing the Exam Mindset – perfect to support your students in next Summer’s exams. Sign up here to get all the details. https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/exammindset2023launch
I shall be delivering an Introduction to Tapping workshop at the 2023 NAEO Conference at The Kia Oval. If you would like to know more, book your place at www.naeo.org
Download your copy of my 2-page Tapping Instructions at https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/naeotapping