Tap Into Calm: Why Tapping Works for Weight Loss & Anxiety

If someone told you that gently karate-chopping your own face could help you lose weight and chill the heck out, you’d probably raise an eyebrow, right? Enter tapping—also known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)—a totally legit (and slightly weird-looking) practice that combines acupressure and positive affirmations to calm your nervous system, reduce anxiety, and yep, even help with emotional eating and weight loss. It’s like acupuncture without the needles and without needing to explain your life story to a stranger in yoga pants.

So how does this face-tapping magic work? Basically, when we’re stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, our body gets stuck in fight-or-flight mode—cue the late-night snack attacks and that creeping feeling of doom when your jeans won’t button. Tapping sends calming signals to your brain by stimulating meridian points (fancy word for energy pathways), while you say things like, “Even though I want to eat an entire pizza, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.” It might sound woo-woo, but science backs it—studies show tapping can lower cortisol (your stress hormone) and reduce food cravings.

Want to give it a whirl? Start with just five minutes a day. Sit somewhere cozy, tap on the side of your hand, and repeat a setup phrase like: “Even though I’m stressed and craving chocolate, I choose to feel calm and in control.” Then move through points on your face and collarbone while repeating your truth. You’ll feel ridiculous at first—and then weirdly peaceful. And if you don’t feel better? Well hey, at least your tapping hand got a workout.

For some guidance that doesn’t involve awkwardly poking your forehead in public, check out The Tapping Solution App or explore Jessica Ortner’s podcast, where she dives into the connection between tapping, weight loss, and anxiety.

Lifeswerve is all about igniting what's possible—and sometimes, what's possible starts with a little tap, a deep breath, and the radical belief that you can feel good in your mind and your body.

- Kim