I Tried the EFT Tapping Method to Calm My Anxious Thoughts—and It Ended Up Improving My Sleep is gaining popularity among those looking for alternative ways to manage stress and enhance sleep quality. Here’s a quick overview:
- EFT Tapping: This method involves tapping on specific energy points on the body to help release negative emotions and reduce stress.
- Anxiety Relief: By addressing emotional distress, EFT tapping can help alleviate anxiety, making it easier for the mind to relax and prepare for sleep.
- Sleep Improvement: Regular practice has been associated with better sleep quality, benefiting individuals with insomnia and other sleep-related issues.
Exploring these techniques may not only help calm your mind but also enhance your overall sleep experience.
My name is Ben Trapskin, and I have navigated the challenges of sleep disturbances caused by anxious thoughts. Through my journey in sleep improvement, I’ve discovered how practices like EFT tapping can transform your nights.
Find more about I Tried the EFT Tapping Method to Calm My Anxious Thoughts—and It Ended Up Improving My Sleep:
Understanding EFT Tapping
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a simple yet powerful tool for emotional healing and stress relief. It’s often referred to as “tapping” because it involves tapping on specific points on your body.
Here’s how it works:
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Energy Meridians: EFT is based on the idea that negative emotions and stress can block the body’s energy flow. This concept comes from traditional Chinese medicine, which believes in pathways called meridians. These are like energy highways in your body.
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Acupressure Points: During EFT tapping, you tap on specific points along these meridians. These points are similar to those used in acupuncture but without the needles. By tapping on them, you can help release energy blockages and restore balance.
Key Points in EFT Tapping
The main points you tap on include:
- Top of the Head (TH)
- Eyebrow (EB)
- Side of the Eye (SE)
- Under the Eye (UE)
- Under the Nose (UN)
- Chin (Ch)
- Collarbone (CB)
- Under the Arm (UA)
- Side of Hand (KC)
Each of these points corresponds to different meridians in the body. For example, the side of the hand point is related to the small intestine meridian.
How It Helps
EFT tapping combines principles of psychology and acupressure. By focusing on a negative emotion or stressful thought while tapping, you can reduce its intensity. This practice has shown benefits in reducing anxiety, stress, and even symptoms of PTSD.
While the science is still evolving, many people, including healthcare professionals, have found EFT tapping helpful. It’s a non-invasive way to manage emotions and improve mental well-being.
In the next section, we’ll dig into personal experiences with EFT tapping and how it can lead to improved sleep.
I Tried the EFT Tapping Method to Calm My Anxious Thoughts—and It Ended Up Improving My Sleep
Let me share a personal journey with EFT tapping and how it transformed my sleep. At first, I was skeptical. Could tapping on my face and body really help with my racing thoughts and restless nights?
Personal Experience
Last summer, I was struggling with grief after losing a grandparent. My mind was a whirlwind of anxious thoughts, and sleep felt impossible. I tried everything—meditation, deep breathing, even counting sheep. Nothing worked.
Then, I stumbled upon EFT tapping videos by Gabby Bernstein, a spiritual author and motivational speaker. I followed her guidance, tapping along with her videos every morning and night.
Stress Reduction
The process was simple. I tapped on specific points while repeating phrases that acknowledged my feelings. At first, I felt silly. But soon, I noticed a shift. My stress levels began to drop. Jackie Viramontez, a certified EFT practitioner, explains that tapping communicates with the central nervous system, acting like a stress “off” switch.
Sleep Quality
As my stress reduced, my sleep improved. A study on elderly patients with sleep disorders found that 73.3% reported better sleep quality after using EFT. I experienced similar results. My nights were no longer filled with tossing and turning. Instead, I drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Over time, I didn’t need the videos. I personalized my tapping routine, focusing on my specific emotions and using affirmations like, “I release all tension and anxiety, allowing myself to drift into a peaceful sleep.”
The Impact
EFT tapping not only calmed my anxious thoughts but also improved my overall well-being. It was a game-changer for my sleep quality, proving that simple practices can lead to significant improvements.
In the next section, we’ll explore how you can practice EFT tapping for anxiety and better sleep.
How to Practice EFT Tapping for Anxiety and Better Sleep
Practicing EFT tapping is straightforward and can be done in just a few minutes. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started and improve your sleep quality.
The Tapping Sequence
The EFT tapping process involves a sequence of tapping on specific pressure points on your body. These are known as acupressure points, and they align with the body’s energy meridians. Here’s how you can do it:
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Identify the Issue: Start by identifying the anxiety or stress that is affecting your sleep. Be specific—whether it’s a work deadline or a personal worry.
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Rate the Intensity: On a scale of 0 to 10, rate how intense the feeling is. This helps track your progress.
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Create Your Affirmation: Use a phrase that acknowledges your feelings. For instance, “Even though I feel anxious, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
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Begin Tapping: Follow this tapping sequence, tapping each point 5-7 times while repeating your affirmation:
- Side of the Hand: Also known as the “karate chop” point.
- Eyebrow: Where the eyebrow starts, near the nose.
- Side of the Eye: On the bone at the outside corner of the eye.
- Under the Eye: On the bone under the eye.
- Under the Nose: Between the nose and the upper lip.
- Chin Point: Midway between the bottom of the lower lip and the chin.
- Collarbone: Just below the collarbone.
- Under the Arm: About four inches below the armpit.
- Top of the Head: Directly on the crown of your head.
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Repeat and Re-rate: Go through the sequence again, and then re-rate the intensity of your feelings. Keep tapping until the intensity drops significantly.
Using Affirmations
Affirmations are key in EFT tapping. They help reframe negative thoughts and encourage positive emotions. Some examples for better sleep include:
- “I release all tension and anxiety, allowing myself to drift into a peaceful sleep.”
- “I let go of the day’s worries and accept tranquility and serenity.”
- “I am deserving of a restful and rejuvenating sleep, free from any disturbances.”
These affirmations, combined with tapping, can help calm your mind and prepare you for a restful night.
Improve with Other Techniques
You can combine EFT tapping with other relaxation methods for better results. Consider adding deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or aromatherapy to your routine. These practices can improve the calming effects of tapping.
By incorporating these steps into your bedtime routine, you can effectively use EFT tapping to manage anxiety and improve your sleep. In the next section, we’ll explore the broader benefits of EFT tapping beyond just sleep improvement.
Benefits of EFT Tapping
EFT tapping is more than just a tool for better sleep. It offers a range of benefits that can improve your mental and emotional well-being.
Stress Reduction
One of the most immediate benefits of EFT tapping is stress reduction. By tapping on specific acupressure points, you can lower your body’s stress response. Studies show that tapping can quickly reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. When cortisol is high, it can lead to anxiety and sleepless nights.
In a study involving 60 elderly patients with sleep disorders, 73.3% reported improved sleep quality after using EFT. This highlights its effectiveness in reducing stress and promoting restful sleep.
Emotional Balance
EFT tapping helps you achieve emotional balance by addressing negative feelings and promoting positive ones. This technique allows you to process emotions without suppressing them. For example, Jackie Viramontez, a certified EFT practitioner, explains that tapping acts like a stress “off” switch, helping you manage emotions more effectively.
By regularly practicing EFT, you can train your brain to stay calm even when faced with stressors. This leads to a more balanced emotional state, making it easier to handle life’s challenges.
PTSD Treatment
EFT tapping has shown promise in treating PTSD, especially among veterans. A study found that participants receiving EFT sessions experienced significant reductions in psychological stress. More than half no longer met the criteria for PTSD after just one month of coaching.
This success is due to EFT’s ability to address both emotional distress and physical symptoms related to PTSD. While more research is needed, these findings suggest that EFT can be a valuable tool in managing PTSD symptoms.
By incorporating EFT tapping into your daily routine, you can experience these benefits firsthand. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, achieve emotional balance, or manage PTSD symptoms, EFT offers a simple yet effective solution. In the next section, we’ll address common questions about EFT tapping, including how it works and its effectiveness for anxiety and panic attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions about EFT Tapping
What to do when you have anxiety and can’t sleep?
When anxiety keeps you up at night, a few simple strategies can help you find peace. Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This helps regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
Incorporate relaxation techniques into your bedtime routine. Deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, or a warm bath can calm your mind. EFT tapping is also effective. Tap on acupressure points while repeating positive affirmations like, “I release all tension and allow myself to sleep peacefully.”
How does tapping reduce cortisol levels?
EFT tapping works by targeting energy meridians in the body. These are the same pathways used in acupuncture. When you tap on these points, you help balance your body’s energy. This can lower cortisol, the stress hormone.
Positive affirmations play a crucial role here. As you tap, say phrases that acknowledge your feelings and promote self-acceptance. This combination of physical tapping and mental focus helps reduce stress and cortisol levels, leading to a calmer state of mind.
Does tapping help with panic attacks?
Yes, tapping can be a valuable tool for managing panic attacks. It fosters a strong mind-body connection, allowing you to address both the emotional and physical aspects of anxiety.
By tapping on specific points, you engage your body’s calming mechanisms. This reduces the intensity of panic attacks and helps you regain control. Stress reduction is the key benefit here. Regular tapping can train your brain to remain calm under stress, making it easier to manage panic attacks when they occur.
Whether you’re struggling with sleepless nights, high cortisol levels, or panic attacks, EFT tapping offers a simple, effective way to find relief. In the next section, we’ll explore more about how to incorporate this practice into your daily life for lasting benefits.
Conclusion
At Yawnder, we recognize the essential impact of sleep on your overall health and happiness. Our commitment is to offer expert evaluations and recommendations for the best sleep products, ensuring you enjoy the restful nights you deserve.
EFT tapping has proven to be an effective method for soothing anxious thoughts and enhancing sleep quality. As discussed, this technique not only alleviates stress but also fosters emotional equilibrium. It’s a natural approach to addressing the root causes of sleep disruptions.
Incorporating EFT tapping into your daily routine can allow you to experience its benefits directly. Whether you’re facing anxiety, stress, or sleep challenges, tapping provides a holistic and easy-to-practice solution. It perfectly complements the high-quality sleep products we review and recommend at Yawnder.
Our team is dedicated to supporting you on your sleep journey. From expert mattress evaluations to relaxation technique tips, we strive to equip you with everything necessary for a better night’s sleep.
Explore our mattress reviews to discover the ideal sleep products tailored to your needs. Together, let’s unlock the potential of a good night’s rest and embrace a more vibrant, fulfilling life.
