What Is EFT Tapping — and Why It Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Food Freedom Journey

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a loop you couldn’t willpower your way out of?

That was me. I’d read all the books. I’d tried the diets. I’d even sat in support groups hoping something would click. But the same cycle kept playing out: stress, craving, overeating, shame. Rinse and repeat.

Then I discovered EFT Tapping. And everything shifted.

What is EFT Tapping?

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques, but most people just call it "tapping." It’s a simple process where you tap gently on specific acupressure points on the body (mainly the face and upper body) while saying phrases that help you tune into whatever you're feeling.

At first, it might look or sound a little odd. But for many people, it's one of the fastest ways to calm the nervous system, break the loop of stress and shame, and reconnect to their inner calm.

How It Works (In Plain English)

EFT is like acupuncture without needles. When you're stressed or triggered, your brain activates the amygdala — the part responsible for fight or flight. Tapping has been shown to reduce activity in that area, calming your body down within minutes.

You pair this physical tapping with words that acknowledge how you're feeling. And that’s what makes it so powerful: it’s not about bypassing your emotions or pretending everything is fine. It helps you feel safe while you feel what you're feeling — and that safety is what allows healing to begin.

What Can EFT Be Used For?

• Food cravings and emotional eating

• Anxiety and overwhelm

• Past trauma and emotional triggers

• Stress relief and nervous system regulation

• Limiting beliefs and negative self-talk

For many of my clients, it becomes their go-to tool. Whether they’re staring down the fridge late at night or dealing with shame from a setback, tapping gives them a way to pause, breathe, and shift the spiral.

Does It Actually Work?

Yes — and it’s not just anecdotal.

Dr. Peta Stapleton, a clinical psychologist and researcher, has conducted multiple studies showing the effectiveness of EFT tapping. Her research found that tapping:

• Reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels

• Lowers food cravings

• Improves symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression

You can read more about her work here.

The Tapping Solution, another leading resource, also provides evidence-based tools and has helped bring tapping to schools, veterans, and mainstream health.

How I Use EFT in My Coaching

I use tapping scripts and guided EFT practices to help women reconnect to their bodies, stop self-sabotaging patterns, and build real self-trust. Some of my clients had tried everything before — and EFT was the first thing that made them feel truly safe.

Sometimes we use it before a workout to break through resistance. Sometimes it’s after a rough day, when old habits creep in. But always, it’s about helping you come back to yourself.

Want to Try It?

You can follow along with a free beginner script on my Instagram this week. Or join my email list to get a new script every month.

You don’t need more willpower. You just need to shift your energy.

And this might be the tool that helps you do exactly that.