{"id":7535,"date":"2025-01-21T10:26:21","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T10:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=7535"},"modified":"2025-12-05T14:46:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T14:46:18","slug":"actors-guide-to-eft-tapping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/lifestyle-wellbeing\/actors-guide-to-eft-tapping\/","title":{"rendered":"EFT Tapping: What It Is and How It Can Help Reduce Performance Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emotional Freedom Technique, the 30-second anxiety-reducing wellness therapy Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande used at the \u2018Wicked\u2019 premiere and how to use it on yourself.<\/span><\/h2>\n

With countless interviews, green carpets, awards ceremonies and the global roaring success of <\/span>Wicked<\/span><\/i>, it\u2019s no wonder Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have been looking for ways to regulate their nervous system. The pair were spotted lightly tapping on each other\u2019s face at the London premiere, using a technique called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While your recent schedule may not be as hectic as theirs, if the idea of New Year resolutions and endless goal lists make you want to crawl back into bed and pull the duvet over your head, EFT might just be the thing for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is EFT Tapping?<\/h3>\n

What if you didn\u2019t have to fully reinvent yourself as the \u2018new year, new me\u2019<\/span> in 2025 and instead simply be the same wonderful you but with a more relaxed and resilient nervous system?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let me introduce you to EFT (also known as tapping): a very simple and effective pattern interrupter and cortisol-reducing technique, akin to other modern therapies such as hypnotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The significant difference with EFT is that you can do it on your own, anywhere and anytime, for as little as a few seconds and already feel its calming and anxiety-reducing effects, making it an ideal tool for performers pre-audition or performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Does EFT Work?<\/h3>\n

EFT is a mix of modern psychology (using statements to rewire the subconscious mind and its belief system) and traditional Chinese medicine using acupressure \u2013 think acupuncture without the needles, on the body\u2019s meridian system. While this may seem technical and complicated, the effectiveness of the technique lies in its simplicity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of our emotions and past experiences are stored in the body and the subconscious mind. As specific points \u2013 that correspond to the end of meridians \u2013 on the face and upper body are stimulated through gentle finger tapping, combined with short statements specific to the issue at hand, the trapped past energy, emotions and beliefs are allowed to flow better, get processed and eventually released, at a conscious level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

EFT helps to connect the mind and body through the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, therefore allowing the body to relax.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why and When to Use EFT?<\/h3>\n

While EFT has had amazing results on people who suffered from <\/span>phobias<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>PTSD<\/span><\/a> or other deeply rooted issues, it\u2019s also equally powerful as a pattern interrupter or a positive programming tool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you find, for instance, that the very action of setting up your space for a self-tape makes you anxious, there could be a strong neuro pathway or association in your brain between auditions and stress. And so, using EFT could be an effective way to rewire your subconscious with the new belief that auditioning is safe for you and that you\u2019ve got this. In turn, this will allow you to feel more relaxed when self-taping as your emotional response to the situation diminishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you imagine your mind as software, positive programming is when you\u2019re already feeling good and decide you\u2019d like to get a software update, so to speak, by implementing a new empowering belief, without necessarily having to first deal with a current issue or pattern. This could be a great way to supercharge an affirmation, or to set an intention for your day in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Do You Perform EFT Tapping on Yourself?<\/h3>\n

The two golden rules of EFT are: it always works and you cannot get it wrong. However, the more specific you are with the statements you make, i.e., the belief or emotional state you want to change, shift or achieve, the better it works.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are nine main tapping points (or end of meridians), see image below. Some people also like to tap both their wrists together as point number 10. Whether you tap on both sides or only use one hand, it doesn\u2019t matter. The same applies for the \u2018Karate Chop\u2019 point, you can use your left or right hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image credit: Samantha Schnitzler<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Be gentle when tapping on the points, light movements with either two or three fingers work perfectly. Don\u2019t worry about being too specific with where the points are, it\u2019s around that general area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drink water before and after your tapping session, as water is a great conductor of electricity and helps energy to circulate better throughout the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to give tapping a go, here are two ways, as a tapping practitioner and performer myself, I find the easiest and most effective:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. As a Pattern Interrupter<\/b><\/h4>\n