EFT is a simple but incredibly effective technique that involves tapping on specific meridian points on the body (the same ones used in acupuncture) while focusing on an emotion, belief, or fear.

Ever walked into a room and immediately felt the energy shift? Maybe the atmosphere was buzzing, light, and exciting—or maybe it felt heavy, tense, or like something just wasn’t right. That’s energy. We all feel it, whether we’re aware of it or not.

Energy is that excitement in your stomach before something amazing happens, the tightness in your chest when fear kicks in, or that instant sense of connection or discomfort around certain people. It’s always moving through and around us, influencing how we feel, think, and show up in the world.

But what happens when it gets stuck?

I learned this the hard way back in 2018 when I hit absolute burnout in my business. I was exhausted, anxious, and completely shut down. The stress built up to the point where my body said, no more. I started experiencing crippling anxiety and panic attacks, and nothing I tried seemed to help.

When we tap, we’re sending a calming signal to the brain, particularly to the amygdala.

Then, my husband came across something called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping, and in total desperation, I gave it a go.

I walked into that first session barely able to string a sentence together, drowning in overwhelm. But after just one round of tapping, something shifted. I walked out giggling, chatting, and feeling lighter than I had in months. That was my first real experience of how powerful energy work can be.

Since then, EFT has become a huge part of my life and my work. I use it with my clients to help them move through stress, self-doubt, grief, imposter syndrome—you name it.

So what exactly is EFT, and why is it so powerful?

EFT is a simple but incredibly effective technique that involves tapping on specific meridian points on the body (the same ones used in acupuncture) while focusing on an emotion, belief, or fear.

When we tap, we’re sending a calming signal to the brain, particularly to the amygdala—the part responsible for the fight-or-flight response. When we’re stressed, anxious, or triggered, the amygdala fires up, flooding the body with stress hormones like cortisol.

Tapping tells the body it’s safe, reduces cortisol, and helps to rewire the way we respond to stress. Essentially, it clears emotional and energetic blocks that keep us stuck in the same old thought patterns and emotional loops.

This also changes the way we feel about those things we dont like to think about, including phobias or shame

When energy flows freely, we feel light, calm, and in alignment.

What Does Energy Have to Do With It?

Now, if you’re into things like chakras, acupuncture, or Chinese medicine, you might already know that energy moves through the body in channels. In traditional Chinese medicine, this is called chi (or qi), and in yoga we talk about chakras—energy centres that influence different aspects of our emotional and physical well-being.

When energy flows freely, we feel light, calm, and in alignment. But when we experience stress, trauma, or even just day-to-day emotional ups and downs, energy can become stuck—leaving us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or like we keep repeating the same emotional cycles.

Ever had a moment where you logically know you’re safe, but your body still reacts with stress or fear? That’s a classic sign of an energetic block—a moment where the nervous system and subconscious mind are still holding onto an old experience, even if it’s no longer relevant. My biggest moments of anxiety would hit when i was relaxed on the sofa

That’s why EFT is so effective. It works on both the physical and energetic level, shifting stuck emotions while also calming the nervous system.

How EFT Can Help You Feel Better

One of the most powerful things about tapping is that it can work on so many different areas of life.

Releasing stress and anxiety – Tapping sends signals to the nervous system that it’s safe to relax, reducing stress hormones and helping you feel calmer almost instantly.
Overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome – If you constantly feel like you’re not good enough, EFT can help reprogram those thoughts and replace them with self-belief.
Letting go of fear and limiting beliefs – Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of being judged, or fear of stepping outside your comfort zone, tapping helps to release those mental roadblocks.
Boosting energy and motivation – Feeling stuck or unmotivated? EFT helps clear emotional weight, making space for more clarity and drive.

Tapping sends signals to the nervous system that it’s safe to relax, reducing stress hormones and helping you feel calmer almost instantly.

Try This Quick EFT Exercise

If you’re new to tapping, try this simple EFT practice the next time you feel stuck, stressed, or overwhelmed:

Identify the feeling – What’s coming up for you? Stress, self-doubt, fear, frustration?
Rate the intensity – On a scale of 1 to 10, how strong is this feeling?
Tap through the points while saying:

“Even though I feel [stressed/anxious/etc.], I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“I feel this energy stuck in my body, but I’m open to releasing it.”
“I choose to feel lighter, calmer, and more in control.”

Take a deep breath and check in – How do you feel now? Repeat as needed until you notice a shift.

Jo Irving- Meditation Teacher, Business Mentor, Holistic Empowerment & Transformation Coach

This whole process takes less than five minutes, but the shift can be huge.

Why EFT is Such a Game-Changer

What I love most about EFT is that it’s quick, easy, and accessible to everyone. You can tap anytime, anywhere, whether you’re in the car, about to go into a meeting, or just feeling overwhelmed at home.

It’s also backed by real science. Research has shown that EFT reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), regulates the nervous system, and even rewires neural pathways

If you’ve been feeling stuck, drained, or weighed down by emotions that don’t seem to shift, EFT is one of the most effective tools to help you clear that weight, shift your energy, and step into a lighter, more aligned version of yourself.

And once you experience it for yourself, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most powerful tools for emotional freedom and personal transformation.

More About The Expert:

Jo Irving is a Holistic Empowerment and Transformation Coach, meditation teacher, and business mentor, helping entrepreneurs, salon professionals, and leaders create aligned success without burnout. With 25+ years as a business owner, she blends science-backed strategies with soulful practices to support personal and professional transformation.

A sought-after speaker and coach, Jo has been featured in top industry publications and collaborates with global brands to redefine leadership, resilience, and success. She is the founder of The Loft, a salon and wellness space in Reigate. Passionate about energy alignment and sustainable growth, Jo helps clients unlock their potential, overcome limitations, and build businesses that truly reflect their values.