What is EFT Tapping and How Can It Help Reduce Stress?

A woman celebrates the top of her hiking trail to symobolise stress relief.

Let’s get real: stress is no longer an occasional visitor. It’s moved in, unpacked its bags, and made itself at home. Whether you’re juggling work deadlines, life admin, or the constant chatter of "not enough" in your head, stress is there. 

But what if there was a simple, science-backed way to kick stress to the curb without adding yet another meditation app to your phone?

Enter EFT Tapping, also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques - a powerful, research-backed tool for managing stress and healing emotional roadblocks. This is about taking charge, not just surviving. And EFT Tapping is your ally in this.

So, let’s dive into what EFT is and why it just might be the best-kept secret for helping you find a little more peace in this chaotic world.

What is EFT Tapping?

Think of EFT Tapping as a mashup of psychology and acupuncture —but without the needles, just your fingertips. You tap with your fingertips on specific acupoints on your body while focusing on an emotion or stressor and repeating a templated script out loud

The result? It calms your nervous system, fast. It works because you’re engaging both your mind and your body to release the emotional baggage you’ve been carrying around. 

Sounds simple, right? That’s because it is. And yet, it packs a serious punch when it comes to stress relief

How Does EFT Tapping Actually Work for Stress Relief?

Here’s the truth: stress isn’t just in your head. It lives in your body, and if you don’t address it, it settles in for the long haul. EFT Tapping helps in three key ways:

  • Calming the Brain's Alarm System: Your amygdala is the part of your brain that freaks out when stress hits—pumping out cortisol like a broken fire hydrant. Tapping on specific acupressure points while acknowledging your stress helps turn off that alarm, like hitting the mute button on anxiety.

  • Rewiring Your Stress Responses: We’re creatures of habit, and our brain learns to hit "panic mode" in response to certain triggers. EFT helps to ‘rewire’ those responses, so your brain doesn’t go straight to stress when things get tough.

  • Releasing Emotional Junk: Often, we’re stressed out because of unresolved emotions that have taken up space in our minds and bodies. EFT helps you release that emotional clutter so you can actually breathe again.

The Science Behind EFT Tapping

Let’s talk numbers because this isn’t just woo-woo. Research published by Church et al. in 2012 shows that a single session of EFT Tapping can reduce cortisol levels by up to 24%.

That’s right—24%. Compare that to more traditional stress reduction methods like deep breathing or meditation, and you can see why EFT is getting so much buzz.

Plus, EFT has been proven to improve gene expression—basically helping your immune system work better while dialing down inflammation. So it’s not just about calming your mind; it’s about making your whole system function better.

Why EFT Tapping Should Be Part of Your Stress Toolkit

Still wondering if EFT Tapping is worth trying? Here are some reasons to make it part of your stress-busting toolkit:

  1. It’s Fast: No, seriously. Unlike other techniques that might require months of practice, EFT can deliver results in minutes. You don’t need to retreat to a quiet room or carve out an hour—you can tap away stress even in the middle of a workday meltdown.

  2. Immediate Stress Relief: One round of tapping and most people notice a drop in stress levels. It’s like flipping a switch from chaos to calm.

  3. Long-Term Benefits: EFT isn’t just a quick fix. Over time, regular tapping can help you manage deeper emotional blocks and reduce chronic stress. The more you practice, the more resilient you become.

How to Start Practicing EFT Tapping for Stress Relief

Getting started is easy. Here’s a simple, no-nonsense guide to start tapping your way to a calmer mind:

  1. Identify What’s Bugging You: Pick a specific stressful situation or emotion. Be honest. On a scale from 0 to 10, how intense is it?

  2. Set Up Your Statement: This is where you acknowledge your stress and give yourself some self-compassion. Say something like, “Even though I’m feeling overwhelmed about the project deadline on Friday, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

  3. Tap on the Points: Use your fingers to gently tap these points: top of the head, eyebrows, side of the eyes, under the eyes, under the nose, chin, collarbone, and underarm. As you tap, repeat a portion of your statement to remind you what you’re tapping about. This is called the reminder phrase. Eg. “This overwhelm about this deadline.” See the diagram below for a guide on the points I mentioned. Note: You can tap on one or both sides where there are two points on opposite sides of the body. It doesn’t seem to make much difference.

  4. Evaluate and Repeat: After one round of tapping, reassess how you feel. If the stress is still hanging around, keep tapping until you feel the intensity drop.

EFT Tapping Points digram_centrelabeled

Final Thoughts: Stress Doesn’t Have to Own You

Let’s be real—stress isn’t going anywhere. But with EFT Tapping, it doesn’t have to run the show. This is your life, and you have the power to dial down the chaos.

So why not give EFT a try? Whether you’re dealing with work pressure, relationship drama, or just life in general, EFT Tapping can help you reset and reclaim your calm.


Ready to take control of your stress and start feeling like yourself again? Check out my EFT coaching offer. Together, we’ll create a personalised plan to help you reduce stress, build emotional resilience, and unlock your full potential—whether it’s at work, in relationships, or just in life. Let’s work together to transform your stress into strength. Click here to learn more and book your free discovery session today!

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