With all the uncertainty in the world today, stress levels are high for most of us.  Therefore, finding effective ways to relieve stress is important.  Anxiety doesn’t just go away.  We have to acknowledge it and then proactively look for healthy releases.

Not only do we support colleagues and clients who are stressed, but we need to support ourselves too. We all know the oxygen mask metaphor.

In this two-part blog series, I’ll share stress relievers that you may not know about.  I find them all extremely helpful when I do them.  Perhaps, in writing this, I am holding myself accountable to do more of these activities.  😊

I am not an expert on any of these topics, therefore I’ll be sharing links to different stress relief techniques that I personally find useful.  First, we will explore the Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as tapping.

Emotional Freedom Technique – EFT (Tapping)

I was first introduced to tapping about 15 years ago and I did not get it.  I thought it was a little “woo-woo” and strange.  I rediscovered it about 3 years ago and have experienced the benefits since then.

When I’m wound too tight to meditate, tapping relaxes me.  For me, it works, because of the motion involved and then talking out loud as I ultimately reframe my stressors.  Sometimes it takes two or three 10-minute rounds, but afterwards, my mind and body literally breathe a sigh of relief.

I encourage you to try it multiple times with an open mind using a guided recording.  I love the Tapping Solutions app because they have many recordings for free.  You can find an EFT session (all around 10 minutes) on topics including stress, anger, pain, sadness, weight loss, grief, etc.  They even have some sessions that are extremely specific including:

• Stressed about my children
• Clearing negative energy picked up from others
• Instant boost of forgiveness
• Heal your body: Upper Back
• Instant boost of happiness
• Motivate me to have a productive day
• Release general pain
• Fall asleep faster
• Stress and anxiety about finances
• Getting back on track (weight loss/body confidence)
• And free sessions for teachers, military/veterans, crises support

I’m a fan of Nick and Jessica Ortner’s work (Tapping Solutions). I have no affiliation with them, I’m just a fan.  They shared a research study that says EFT Tapping lowers the stress hormone cortisol by 43%.

Here are three audio/videos that will introduce you to tapping quickly:

1. Short video introduction by Nick Ortner (4 minutes) explanation of EFT. 
2. Video tutorial by Jack Canfield (10 minutes).
3. Guided 10-minute tapping session with Jessica Ortner.

Summary

If this intrigues you, I highly recommend you explore this.  It may take a few times to get into the rhythm.  If you are very stressed, you may need to repeat the 10-minute cycle multiple times.  Keep checking your anxiety on a 0-10 scale until you have relieved your anxiety to a number that feels good to you.

Please share other EFT/Tapping resources and experiences in the comments below. In part 2, we will explore another way to relieve stress called Nighttime Journaling. 

About the Author: Leigh Ann Rodgers, Founder of Better Teams and Forward, is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator with 20 years of experience in the human development field. Leigh Ann is a skilled meeting facilitator, trainer, and coach working across the globe to help leaders cultivate teams that are happy and high-performing.

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