Use EFT Tapping to Ease Overwhelming Emotions, Triggers, and Stress

How many times have you heard “calm down,” “stay positive,” or “don’t overreact” when

you’re upset or overwhelmed? Probably more than you can count. Over time, that kind of message teaches us that emotions are something to push away or hide.

But emotions aren’t the problem. They’re signals—information from your body and mind

telling you something needs attention. When you stop trying to avoid or fix them, and

instead start acknowledging them, they shift.

In my work as a mindfulness coach and stress management educator, I remind people all the time: emotions aren’t the enemy. They’re part of how we understand what’s happening inside and around us. Listening to them—without judgment—helps us respond more clearly and effectively.

Emotions Are Not Good or Bad

There’s a common belief that being “strong” means not feeling too much. That staying

unaffected somehow means you’re doing life right. But the truth is, we all feel. And avoiding emotions doesn’t make them disappear—it just buries them deeper, where they cause more trouble.

Psychologist Dr. Susan David says, “Emotions are data, not directives.” That means emotions give us information, but they don’t have to control us. What we don’t acknowledge tends to show up in other ways—tension, stress, irritability, or burnout.

What Suppressed Emotions Look Like

When you don’t deal with your feelings, your nervous system stays on high alert. You might notice:

• Tight shoulders, jaw, or back

• Digestive problems or poor sleep

• Getting snappy with people or shutting down

• Feeling disconnected from what you need or want

These are common signs that your system is carrying more than it can manage. The good news: you can learn how to work with it.

Tools That Help: Mindfulness and Tapping

Two simple practices that help regulate emotions are mindfulness and EFT tapping

(Emotional Freedom Techniques).

• Mindfulness helps you pause and notice what’s happening in your body and mind, without judgment.

• Tapping involves gently tapping on specific acupressure points while saying things that acknowledge your experience. It helps calm your stress response and brings a sense of relief.

  
  

Here’s an example of what you might say while tapping:

• “Even though I feel anxious, I’m doing the best I can.”

• “Even though this is hard, I choose to meet it with patience.”

This kind of practice helps bring the nervous system down from high alert and creates

space for clearer thinking and problem-solving.

Try This 3-Step Process When Emotions Hit

1. Pause

Stop what you’re doing. Take 2–3 slow breaths and check in.

2. Name What You Feel

Ask yourself, “What am I feeling right now?” Try not to overanalyze—just name it: sad,

angry, overwhelmed, anxious. Naming it brings awareness.

3. Tap + Say Something Grounding

Tap on a few points—like the side of your hand or collarbone—and say something honest

and kind:

• “Even though I’m stressed, I know this feeling will pass.”

• “Even though I don’t have all the answers right now, I trust I’ll figure it out.”

  
  

You can do this for a minute or two. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The goal is to meet the

moment instead of fighting it.

Final Thought

Emotions aren’t too much. They’re not a sign of weakness. They’re signals. And when you

learn how to pay attention to them—instead of pushing them down—you build strength,

not lose it.

If you want support learning how to use tools like EFT tapping and mindfulness to manage stress and emotions, check out the free resources on my site or reach out for a consultation.

Interested in a free tapping session? Contact me to schedule a time.

You don’t need to get rid of your feelings. You just need to work with them.