Inspiration

EFT Tapping to Lower Cortisol: Your Complete Guide to Reducing Stress with Tapping

Written by: Nick Ortner

Are you feeling overwhelmed by stress? Do you find yourself constantly on edge, unable to relax? You’re not alone. Chronic stress is a major issue in today’s on-the-go, uncertainty-filled world… and it can wreak havoc on your health and wellbeing through elevated cortisol levels! But what if there was a simple, scientifically-backed technique you could use anytime, anywhere to lower your cortisol and feel more balanced? Enter EFT Tapping to lower cortisol.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how Tapping can be a game-changer for your stress management routine. You’ll learn step-by-step techniques for using EFT Tapping to reduce cortisol and bring your body back into balance.

What is cortisol? Understanding your body’s stress hormone

Before diving into how Tapping can help lower cortisol, let’s break down what cortisol is and why it matters in the first place:

  • Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone,” because your body releases it in response to stress. It’s part of your body’s “fight-or-flight” response, and helps you handle stressful situations.
  • While some cortisol is necessary for normal body functioning, and a temporary increase during stress is a good thing, your body isn’t meant to have high cortisol levels all of the time
  • High cortisol due to chronic stress can lead to various health issues including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, pain, weight gain, and more.

This is where EFT Tapping comes in! Tapping is a powerful tool to help us regulate cortisol levels and manage stress more effectively.

The science behind EFT Tapping to lower cortisol

Tapping, or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), is a mind-body approach that combines elements of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. It involves gently tapping your fingertips on certain acupressure points on your body while reflecting on whatever is causing you distress.

The process of Tapping is known to send calming signals to the amygdala in the brain, letting your brain know it’s safe to relax. It’s a powerful way to turn down the fight-or-flight stress response in the body.

Tapping has been shown in multiple studies to significantly lower cortisol levels. Here are some key findings:

  • A 2012 study by Dr. Dawson Church published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that EFT Tapping reduced cortisol levels by 24% after just one hour-long session.[1]
  • A 2020 study by Dr. Peta Stapleton in Psychological Trauma aimed to replicate those initial findings and showed even more impressive results. They found that cortisol levels dropped by 43% after an hour of EFT Tapping.[2]

These studies demonstrate that Tapping is an efficient and effective treatment for reducing biological markers of stress, like cortisol. 

They show us that using Tapping to reduce cortisol is solidly backed by scientific evidence. To learn more about the science behind Tapping, check out this comprehensive review.

How to use EFT Tapping to lower cortisol

Now, let’s get into the practical steps of using EFT Tapping to reduce cortisol:

  1. Rating Your Stress: Before you start Tapping, take a moment to identify what’s causing you stress. Rate your stress level on a scale of 0-10.
  2. The Setup: Start by tapping on the side of your hand while saying: “Even though I feel stressed about [specific issue], I deeply and completely accept myself.” Repeat this three times, tapping on the side of your hand as you do.
  3. The Sequence: Tap about 5-7 times on each of the following points while focusing on your stress. You can say “reminder phrases” out loud to keep your focus such as “This stress” or “I’m worried about [specific issue].”
    • Eyebrow
    • Side of the eye
    • Under the eye
    • Under the nose
    • Under the mouth
    • Collarbone
    • Under the arm
    • Top of the head
  4. Reassess: Check in with your stress levels again. Has the intensity gone down?
  5. Repeat: Continue tapping through the points as needed, adjusting your wording to reflect any changes in how you feel.

For a deeper dive into the basics of Tapping, check out this comprehensive guide on how to do Tapping.

Tips for maximizing cortisol reduction with EFT Tapping

  1. Consistency is key: Make tapping a daily habit, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The goal is to make Tapping a regular part of your routine to keep cortisol levels consistently managed and safeguard against the effects of chronic stress.
  2. Tap at different times of day: Tap first thing in the morning, before stressful meetings of events, during your lunch break for a reset, or in the evening to unwind or prepare for sleep.
  3. Use Tapping preventatively: Don’t wait until you’re extremely stressed to start Tapping. Regular tapping can help keep cortisol levels balanced before things escalate.
  4. Be specific: Focus on particular stressors and use language specific to your unique situation for more effective results.
  5. Combine with other techniques: Use Tapping alongside other stress-reduction methods that work well for you, such as deep breathing, meditation, or physical activity.

Start Tapping to reduce cortisol now!

EFT Tapping offers a simple, effective way to lower cortisol and manage stress. By incorporating this technique into your daily life, you can better regulate your stress response and cultivate greater calm and balance in body and mind.

Ready to experience the cortisol-lowering benefits of Tapping for yourself? Start with just a few minutes a day and see how it impacts your stress levels. Your body (and mind) will thank you!

For guided support that you can carry with you wherever you go, check out The Tapping Solution App. With hundreds of guided meditations as short as two minutes long, there’s a meditation to suit every need. 

Stressed about your kids? Check. Worried about an upcoming event? We’ve got you. Feeling the pressure of work taking a toll? There’s something to help with that, too. 

Download the app today and start lowering your cortisol, releasing stress, and regaining a sense of calm, peace, and ease in your daily life. 

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Have you tried EFT Tapping to lower cortisol? Share your experiences in the comments below!

Until next time… Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

References

  1. Church D, Yount G, Brooks AJ. The effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: a randomized controlled trial. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2012;200(10):891-896.
  2. Stapleton P, Crighton G, Sabot D, O’Neill HM. Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Psychol Trauma. 2020;12(8):869-877.


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