Wellness Wednesday emails are designed to provide you with simple tools, information, and resources to encourage positive and healthy lifestyle choices. As a proud recipient of The Healthy Arizona Worksite Award, The Be Kind People Project is committed to the health and wellness of their employees, friends, and family.
A New Skill
It’s important to take time for personal reflection to assess your well-being. Here are some solutions to help keep you centered, whether it’s during times of crisis or just your day-to-day.
- Stay properly hydrated
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Increase physical activity
Another technique to help manage stress and anxiety is called Emotional Freedom Technique, or tapping, for short. There are two different types of tapping: Tapping for Self-Care and Practitioner-Assisted EFT. Today, we’ll be focusing on Tapping for Self-Care (EFT)
What Is Tapping?
The EFT method involves gently tapping on certain areas of the body, known as meridian points, in a sequence to restore balance and help relieve stress. These meridian points are the same points used in acupuncture, but with gentle finger tapping instead of needles.
Tapping can help relieve symptoms that relate to a certain negative experience or emotion. More research is needed, but tapping has been used to help treat individuals with PTSD and anxiety.
Technique of Tapping
EFT tapping can be divided into 5 steps and can be used when individuals are feeling stressed or anxious. It can also be used as a precaution before an event that may cause stress or anxiety. Here are the steps to EFT Tapping:
- Identify the issue: Think about the issue you want to be resolved, choosing one issue to focus on at a time.
- Test the initial intensity: Rank the intensity of the issue on a scale of 0-10. This allows you to assess the effectiveness of tapping at the end of each sequence.
- The setup: Before starting the round of tapping, you should decide on a reminder or phrase to repeat when starting the sequence. For example: “Even though I have (issue), I deeply and completely accept myself.”
- The sequence: During this step, follow the sequence here. When tapping, use two or more fingertips and repeat approximately five times on each point.
- Test the intensity: Rank the intensity again. Repeat the sequence until the intensity reaches 0 or reaches a plateau.
As mentioned previously, more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of other disorders and illnesses. If you decide to pursue Tapping, consult with your doctor to reduce the likelihood of injury or worsening symptoms.
This edition of Wellness Wednesday used articles from Healthline and Medical News Today as sources. Both sources are reputable sources and with medical experts reviewing articles prior to being published. Both also have a “Sources” section at the very end of the articles where you can find reputable sources like evidence-based research studies.
Take Time For Yourself
In these times, it’s important to remember to take time for yourself and check-in with how you’re feeling mentally and physically.
Click here for an in-depth list of mental health resources to get the proper care you need.
Don’t forget to Be a Friend and check-in with those around you that may be struggling. (Loved ones, friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc.)
We’re all in this together.
Published June 3rd, 2020
By Krysta Flores, School Wellness Programs & Events Coordinator
Questions? Comments? Want to contribute to the Wellness Wednesday Bulletin?
Send your ideas to Krysta Flores at krysta@bkpp.org.
