Tapping for Depression: Unlocking the Benefits of EFT

Tapping for depression really works. Let’s learn all about how Tapping can help depression, and the research behind this powerful healing tool.

Depression is a very common mood disorder that can be incredibly impactful on a person’s life.

It can affect how you feel, think, and manage daily activities, with ripple effects into all areas of life like working, parenting, sleeping, eating, and more.[1] It is a very difficult condition to experience, and also to manage.

Talk therapy and prescription medications are the two most well-used treatment options for depression. And while these are very helpful tools for many people, they can also have their drawbacks. They can be costly, time-consuming, and hard to access. Plus, antidepressant medications can come with unwanted side effects.

For that reason, many people are looking for natural remedies for depression that can provide safe, easy, and low-cost relief. Today, I want to talk about one of those natural ways to deal with depression that has been proven to be incredibly effective: Tapping!

Tapping for depression is a powerful way to help people with depression get back to feeling like themselves. Let’s learn a little bit more about depression, how Tapping can help, and the research behind this game-changing tool for depression relief.

Please note: As always, if you are experiencing any physical or mental health concerns, consult with a doctor, therapist, or other qualified health practitioners. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Firstly, let’s talk about depression. Depression can look different for different people, and there are various types – it’s not a one-size-fits-all disorder.

But generally speaking, the signs and symptoms of depression can often include:

Persistent sadness, anxiousness, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Irritability
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Decreased energy and fatigue
Restlessness
Difficulty concentrating
Interrupted sleep
Appetite and weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide
Unexplained aches and pains [1]

As a mood disorder, depression involves strong emotions and emotional experiences. Some of the major risk factors for developing depression include stress, major life changes, trauma, physical ailments, and more.[1]

Tapping for Depression: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Man sitting at desk with eyes closed practicing EFT Tapping for depression

As a condition with a strong emotional component, depression is an excellent target for Tapping – a technique designed to help us acknowledge and let go of negative emotions and unresolved problems, send calming signals to our brain, and bring our lives back into balance.

Tapping, also often known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is a healing tool based on the combined principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology.

The Tapping technique asks you to focus on a negative emotion or experience, while you use your fingers to tap on nine specific meridian points on the body (traditional Chinese medicine acupressure points). When you physically tap on these points, it sends calming signals to the brain letting it know it’s safe to relax.

When we think about the issue at hand and simultaneously tap on the EFT Tapping points, it helps our mind understand that we are safe, and that all is well. It helps calm the brain and body so that we can release the stress, anger, sadness, overwhelm, or other root cause of our distress.

Tapping and depression – how it works

When it comes to depression, Tapping can be of benefit from all different angles. For example, it can be used to:

Address difficult experiences or traumas from the past, helping you to let go of unresolved emotions.
Release strong emotions like hopelessness, discontent, grief, or anxiety.
Boost energy, focus, productivity, and motivation.
Increase your confidence, self-compassion, sense of self-worth, and more.

All of these benefits can support a person with depression to feel better, and the Tapping technique can be tailored to the individual for maximum support.

For those with depression, Tapping can be a major game-changer.

I’ve seen it time and time again in real life. I have watched people struggling with low mood and depression to find their sense of self again – regaining their energy, mood, productivity, and zest for life.

And the great thing is that it can be done from the comfort of your own home. It’s free, completely safe, and easy to learn.

But you don’t just have to take my word for it. There’s also a robust body of scientific research to support the use of Tapping for depression, anxiety, and many other mental and physical concerns as well.

Research Says Tapping for Depression Really Works

Woman in front of blossoming tree with eyes closed tapping on the side of the hand using EFT

Many different studies have been conducted on a wide variety of groups of people with depression – from college students to postmenopausal women to healthcare workers. They have found over and over again that Tapping makes a big difference and is an effective way to help with depression.

In 2016, researchers performed a type of study called a systematic review and meta-analysis on EFT for depression. This means that they rounded up all of the high-quality studies they could find published on the topic in a given time period, and then assessed the results to better understand what the studies could tell us about the usefulness of using EFT Tapping to relieve depression.

In the end, they included data from 20 studies in their review.[2] And what they found next was incredible! Their conclusion was that EFT Tapping was highly effective in reducing symptoms of depression in a variety of populations and settings. In fact, they noted an average reduction in depression symptoms of 41% across all of the studies. 41%! Can you believe that?[2]

And here’s what is even more impressive…

The authors found that Tapping was at least as effective, if not more effective, than the standard treatments for depression like antidepressant medication and talk therapy.[2]

So not only does Tapping work for depression, but it seems to work really, really well – rivaling the standard, conventional treatments.

The research studies looking at Tapping for depression continue to show promise to this day as more and more are published. A study from 2021 in postmenopausal women, for example, found that EFT Tapping helped cut depression scores by almost half.[3]

Another study from 2019 looked at changes in psychological and physiological measures in participants before and after an EFT Tapping workshop to better understand the effects of Tapping for anxiety and depression, along with other factors like pain, blood pressure, and more. They found depression scores decreased by over 30% after just a 4-day training in Tapping![4]

How to Tap for Depression Relief

Person standing on hillside looking out over mountains with sun setting in the distance

Today, we learned about the research behind one of the many powerful uses of Tapping: depression relief!

In sum, Tapping is an excellent healing modality that can help you to release strong emotions and reclaim your energy, your sense of self, and your joy in the process.

The great news is that this is a tool you can learn all on your own, at home, on your own time, without any big investment. It is a tool that allows you to take back control, empower yourself to create positive change in your life, and get back to feeling more like yourself.

Try The Tapping Solution App for Depression Relief

Why wait to see if this transformative tool can make a difference for you? Head to The Tapping Solution App now. In the app, you’ll find an extensive library of meditations guiding you through Tapping for depression and anxiety, along with a whole host of other topics.

Try out our 5-Day Depression Support Series with Dr. Damon Silas to get started. In this simple, yet profound, 5-day journey of EFT Tapping, you’ll learn how to:

Lift the Fog of Depression
Clear Fatigue and Irritability
Release Stuck Emotions in Your Body
Find Focus and Motivation
Tap into Hope

Other Tapping Meditations in the app that can also help out with depression support include:

In addition to the meditations in The Tapping Solution App, we also have several more powerful resources. For example, our 4-Part Masterclass on Depression with psychologist Steve Wells.

You might also want to check out Jessica’s Adventures in Happiness podcast. She’s interviewed some awesome experts on depression, like Dr. Kelly Brogan and Marianne Williamson.

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

Have you used Tapping to help reduce or eliminate your depression? Comment below!

References

“Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health. Updated Feburary 2018. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
Nelms JA, Castel L. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Nonrandomized Trials of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for the Treatment of Depression. Explore (NY). 2016;12(6):416-426. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2016.08.001
Mehdipour A, Abedi P, Ansari S, Dastoorpoor M. The effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on depression of postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial [published online ahead of print, 2021 May 19]. J Complement Integr Med. 2021;10.1515/jcim-2020-0245. doi:10.1515/jcim-2020-0245
Bach D, Groesbeck G, Stapleton P, Sims R, Blickheuser K, Church D. Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2019;24:2515690X18823691. doi:10.1177/2515690X18823691