Breaking Down EFT: A Proper Beginner’s Guide (No Fluff, No Woo)

You’ve probably heard people banging on about EFT by now.
You’ve maybe seen a video of someone tapping on their face and thought,
“What the hell are they doing?”

Fair enough.
It looks weird the first time you see it.
But once you understand it — and more importantly, use it — it’s a complete game-changer.

This isn’t about pretending bad stuff doesn’t happen.
It’s about giving your body and brain a way to process emotions properly, so they stop hijacking your life.

Let’s break it down clearly.
What EFT is.
How it works.
How you can start using it today — even if you’ve never tapped a day in your life.

What Is EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)?

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques.
It’s sometimes called tapping because — well — you literally tap on yourself while you talk about what’s going on.

You tap on specific points (the same points used in acupuncture, but no needles here).
You combine it with certain phrases that name the feeling you’re dealing with.

Why?
Because it helps your brain and body finally process stuck emotions and stress responses.

It’s simple.
It’s fast.
And it bloody works.

No woo required.

How Does EFT Actually Work?

When you’re stressed, anxious, scared, angry — your nervous system flips into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.
Your brain thinks there’s a threat, even if the “threat” is just a scary email or a difficult conversation.

Tapping sends a calming signal to the brain.
It tells your amygdala (the fear centre) to stand down.
It re-wires the emotional response linked to whatever you’re thinking or feeling.

In plain English:
You stop feeling like you’re about to be eaten by a bear just because someone unsubscribed from your email list.

It’s emotional regulation — with your own two hands.
Anywhere, anytime.

What Can You Use EFT For?

Honestly?
Pretty much anything emotional.

Here are some examples:

Overwhelm and stress
Anxiety and panic
Fear of failure (or fear of success — that’s real too)
Imposter syndrome
Sadness and grief
Anger and resentment
Procrastination and avoidance
Confidence building
Physical tension linked to emotional stuff

It’s not magic.
It’s emotional hygiene.
The same way you brush your teeth every day — tapping is how you clean up the emotional gunk before it piles up.

A Simple EFT Routine for Absolute Beginners

You don’t need a full hour or a complicated script.
Here’s how you start:

Step 1: Identify what’s bothering you

Pick ONE clear feeling or situation.

Example:

“I’m overwhelmed by everything I need to do.”

Step 2: Rate the intensity

On a scale of 0–10, how strong is the feeling right now?

Example:

“It’s about an 8/10 overwhelmed.”

This helps you track progress.

Step 3: Create your setup statement

While tapping the side of your hand, say:

“Even though I feel overwhelmed by everything I need to do, I deeply and completely accept how I feel.”

Say it 2–3 times while tapping gently.

Step 4: Tap through the main points

Move through these points, tapping about 7 times on each:

Eyebrow: “All this overwhelm.”
Side of eye: “It’s too much.”
Under eye: “I don’t know where to start.”
Under nose: “I feel so stressed.”
Chin: “This heavy feeling.”
Collarbone: “I can’t keep up.”
Under arm: “It’s exhausting.”
Top of head: “All this overwhelm.”

Say whatever feels real as you tap.
Swear if you want. Cry if you need to. Laugh if it feels ridiculous.
It’s all allowed.

Step 5: Check in again

Pause. Breathe.

Re-rate the intensity.
Has it dropped from 8/10?
Maybe it’s now a 5/10, or a 3/10.

If it’s still high, keep tapping.
New thoughts might pop up — tap on those too.

Example:

“Even though I feel guilty for not being able to do it all, I accept how I feel.”

Follow the thread.
Clear it as it comes.

Top Tips for Getting the Best Results with EFT

Be honest. Don’t sugar-coat how you feel. Tapping works best when you tell the messy, ugly truth.
Speak out loud. It’s more powerful than just thinking the words.
Don’t force positive thinking too early. Clear the heavy stuff first. Then build positive beliefs naturally.
Tap daily if you can. Even 5 minutes a day makes a massive difference over time.
Use your own words. Scripts can help but speaking how you actually feel hits deeper.

Real Talk: EFT Isn’t a Magic Wand

You’re still going to have feelings.
You’re still going to have bad days.
You’re still going to deal with real-life crap.

Tapping isn’t about erasing emotions.
It’s about handling them like a boss — instead of being knocked over by every wave.

The more you use it, the more emotional resilience you build.
You start trusting yourself more.
You stop fearing your own feelings.
You start showing up braver, stronger, calmer.

And that’s how you change your business — and your life — from the inside out.