HOW TO GET STARTED WITH EFT (EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES)

EFT, often referred to as ‘tapping,’ is a simple and effective way to calm the body and release emotional stress.  It works by tapping gently on specific points on the face and upper body while speaking about how we are feeling.

EFT can be used to ease anxiety, frustration, overwhelm, or to reconnect during a stressful moment.  It is safe, easy to learn and can be done anywhere – at home, in the car and even at bedtime.

Ask yourself or the child:

“How are you feeling right now?”

“Where do you feel that in your body?”

Start with one simple feeling like “worried”, “angry”, or “nervous”.

If you or the child are unable to identify the emotion or where it is in the body, you could ask, “Can you think what shape your feeling is?”

“Has it got a colour?”

Use a number scale from 0 to 10 to measure how strong the feeling is or ask how big the shape is.

This measure helps track progress while also giving you a sense of control.

While gently tapping on the side of the hand, say:

“Even though I feel [name the feeling], I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”

E.g.

“Even though I feel angry about what happened at school today, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”

That phrase is a bit of a mouthful and can feel uncomfortable to say; you can simplify it to something like:

“Even though I feel [feeling], I’m ok.”

“Even though I feel [feeling], I’m safe now.”

“Even though there is a [size, colour, shape], I’m doing the best I can”.

Tap gently on each of the points with two or three fingers from either hand, about 5-7 times, while saying the words out loud about how you feel.

Pause, breathe deeply, and check in with the number, the feeling or the shape.

Has it changed?

You can repeat the tapping sequence, adjusting your words to match the shifting feelings.