Have you ever felt overwhelmed by stress or anxious thoughts and wished there was a simple way to hit 'reset'? At KIC, we know that wellness is holistic. It’s not just about how we move our bodies; it’s about how we care for our minds, too. That’s why we are so excited to introduce you to a powerful tool for emotional wellbeing: Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT tapping.
Janey Martino, KIC CEO and mindset coach, is our EFT coach in the KICApp. Her expertise is backed by formal training, including a Certificate in Counselling, Diploma in Hypnotherapy, and Evidence Based EFT certification. If you’re unsure about if EFT can be right for you, Janey has shared her insights below:
What is EFT tapping?
EFT is a stress-relief method that beautifully combines ancient Chinese acupressure with modern psychology. Think of it like emotional acupuncture without the needles. It involves using your fingertips to gently tap on nine key acupressure points on your face and body while simultaneously acknowledging your feelings.
It might sound a little different to what you’re used to, but it’s a gentle and effective way to work towards acceptance and release. By tapping on these meridian points, we can signal safety to our brain and body, allowing us to process emotions rather than suppressing them.
How does it work? The science behind the calm
Understanding the science behind EFT helps us see why it’s such a transformative tool. When we feel stressed or anxious, our brain’s fear centre—the amygdala—goes into overdrive, triggering the 'fight or flight' response.
EFT works by sending calming signals directly to the amygdala while you are actively thinking about your stressor or challenge. This process disrupts the stress response at its source. The tapping activates pressure points along energy meridians, which sends signals through the nervous system to deactivate that fight-or-flight response.
Neuroscience shows us that EFT can actually rewire neural pathways. By pairing a stressful thought with a calm physiological state (achieved through tapping), we create new associations in the brain. Essentially, we are teaching our nervous system that the previously triggering thought or situation is now safe. In fact, studies have found that EFT can reduce cortisol levels significantly, demonstrating a powerful impact on how our bodies handle stress.
The Three Phases of Tapping
To get the most out of this practice, we move through three distinct phases:
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Setup Statements: We begin by acknowledging the challenge while affirming self-acceptance. This usually happens while tapping the side of the hand (the 'karate chop' point). It’s about being honest with how we feel while reminding ourselves that we are okay.
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Reminder Round: We then tap through all nine points while naming the specific emotions, feelings in the body and/or challenges we are facing. This keeps us focused on the issue so we can clear it.
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Reframe Round: Finally, we tap through the points again, but this time we introduce positive alternatives and new perspectives. This is where we shift our mindset and invite in calm and confidence.
A tool for your wellbeing toolkit
We believe that to create lasting behaviour change, we need to work with the subconscious mind where our beliefs and patterns live. EFT is a wonderful way to access this deeper level of healing. Whether you are navigating stress, looking to build confidence, or simply wanting a moment of peace, tapping is a tool you can turn to anytime, anywhere.
Join us in the KICApp to explore guided EFT sessions and discover how this practice can support your journey to becoming the most grounded version of yourself.
