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How to Tap for Yourself

Sometimes we don't know exactly why we feel bad in the moment, we just know something's wrong.

Finding the Words

To get started with tapping, I like to begin with putting some words to my sense of discomfort without getting into the details – using words like, "ughhh I feel so bad right now" or "I don't want to feel this ughhh feeling".

Notice how intense "bad" or "cruddy" or "ugggh" feels, and where you might feel this in your body. Measure this awareness 0 (low) to 10 (high). Then speak aloud the words you've chosen for at least one full round.

You can adjust the words slightly as you continue to tune-in to how uncomfortable it is to have this feeling, but don't jump away to other ideas just yet. Simply sit with and be open to having your present difficulty:

Tapping and Speaking Aloud

Side of Hand: "Even though I feel so bad right now... I acknowledge that's where I'm at" x3

Top of Head: "I feel so bad right now"
Eyebrow: "So bad right now"
Side of Eye: "Ugh, sooo bad..."
Under Eye: "So bad..."
Under Nose: "Soooo bad..."
Chin: "Ughhh, bad..."
Collar Bone: "Sooo bad..."
Under Arm: "Bad in my body"
Top of Hand (Gamut Spot): "Feeling sooo bad."

You might be thinking, "well, I get so bored saying the same words!". If this is true for you, consider you may not be allowing yourself to have the discomfort. Instead, you might be checking-out or running away from it. Ask yourself, what is your level of willingness to actually have this badness? If you sense that you're afraid of having it or you're worried what will happen if you do, then maybe start with those words instead, like "so afraid of this badness". In EFT, we call this starting with the most present or activated aspect.

EFT is not about tapping away difficult thoughts or feelings, but it is about allowing yourself to have them so that they naturally evolve away.

Tap along with my video: The Constricted Breathing Exercise

Download and print a 1-page Tapping for Self-Care sheet for easy access to tapping

EFT Tapping Points

To begin: Tap on the Side of Hand or gently rub the Sore Spot while speaking aloud: "Even though (name the issue), I deeply and completely accept myself"
To begin: Tap on the Side of Hand or gently rub the Sore Spot while speaking aloud: "Even though (name the issue), I deeply and completely accept myself"
Next, tap on each point the Sequence while stating the issue at hand (e.g. " this ugh feeling in my body" or "he said ___"...)
Next, tap on each point the Sequence while stating the issue at hand (e.g. " this ugh feeling in my body" or "he said ___"...)
Tapping thoroughly means getting all the juice out of an uncomfortable thought or feeling
Tapping thoroughly means getting all the juice out of an uncomfortable thought or feeling

Get In Touch

1-802-365-1285

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-12pm (US Eastern time) and by appointment

jade@emotionalengine.com

Homepage photos: Introduction to EFT tapping, photo by Barbe Chambliss | "Tapping in Botswana" photo by Daydream Design | Additional EFT Tapping Training photos courtesy Lareen Lyons-Velante, Jondi Whitis, Love Day, and Jeffrey Barbee.

About Jade (He/They)

Jade Barbee

Jade Barbee is one of the world's most experienced EFT practitioners and educators. An Accredited, Certified Advanced EFT Practitioner, Mentor and Master Trainer (of Trainers) with EFT International, Jade has over 18 years in private practice.

He specializes in helping people turn around stress-related and chronic issues, improve self-esteem/self-care and meet their personal and professional goals with greater ease.

With over 14 years experience as a trainer, Jade shares with people from many walks of life how to use these simple skills to assist others and themselves. Learn more about Jade and his holistic, experienced approach to EFT here.

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