A surprising number of people across the globe suffer from some type of anxiety, and if you’re one of them, chances are you are willing to do or try anything to feel better.
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There are a wide range of ways to treat your anxiety disorder, including traditional methods like medications and therapy. However, an increasing number of people are looking for an alternative form of treatment, and “tapping” is one such thing that has proven effective for a number of people. Want to know more? Keep reading.
What Is Tapping?
Tapping, classified as one of the Emotional Freedom Techniques, is touted as a way to bring you immediate relief from a myriad of anxiety symptoms. According to the experts at Thriving Now, this includes upsetting memories, unhealthy thoughts and anxiety symptoms in general.
How Does It Work?
Tapping is an easy method to quell anxiety and can be done anywhere and anytime you need it. It’s a great choice for people of all ages and involves engaging your comfort points. As a species, humans rely on touch to feel good, which is why experts regard tapping as such a viable way to treat anxiety. By following the method’s steps, you can really achieve a peace that is hard to find amidst anxiety. Ask your doctor for a referral to help you find a reputable therapist to teach you the practice of tapping.
Tapping, Step By Step
According to Thriving Now, there are four basic steps to tapping. You’ll start by tuning in to your body and mind. This will require settling down and blocking out what’s going on around you. While you can practice tapping virtually anywhere, it may take some practice to use the technique when you are in crowded or noisy places.
Once you’re tuned in, you’ll evaluate how you’re feeling. This can be to in your thoughts or aloud. Both ways work and the one you choose will likely depend on where you’re at. The third step to tapping is choosing how you want to feel. Then, you’ll tap on comfort points. Your therapist will help you figure out which ones work best for you.
What Are The Comfort Points?
There are several comfort points that work for tapping. You may find that only one or two work for you or you might like to mix and match locations depending on how you feel. According to Progressive EFT, tapping points include the eyebrow, side of the eye, under the eye, under the nose, your chin, your collarbone, your underarm, the liver, your wrists and the crown of your head.
Most experts highly recommend taking a class in tapping, which will give you all the tools you need to perform the technique successfully.
The success rate of tapping is encouraging. It works because it teaches you to refocus your thoughts and energies on something positive and comforting, distracting you from the things that are causing your anxiety.
Experts report that tapping targets your amygdala and hippocampus, both of which are structures in your brain that are involved in assessing danger and threat. While you are engaged in tapping, you are lowering your cortisol levels, and that reduces stressful feelings and symptoms of anxiety.
Tapping is a uniformly effective method of quelling anxiety. It might not be right for everyone, but it is, across the board, a good option to explore. Talk to your doctor and mental health professional to determine if tapping is right for you.
