Mental Wellbeing Expert Reveals Simple Technique That Can Instantly Relieve Work Stress
Your computer pings and the notification sends you into an instant state of panic. You need to create a big presentation in the next 24 hours for an upcoming meeting with a big client – it’s a race against time. Suddenly, you find yourself immersed in the world of bar graphs and pie charts and to your disbelief, you’re only on slide two. The sheer volume of information feels utterly overwhelming.
The workplace can often be a source of stress and anxiety- a feeling that we know all too well.
No matter how much we try, we can’t avoid bad days at work. It could be a day of continuous meetings or something as simple as your lunch spilling in your bag on the way in or coffee on your new white dress—yikes! Moments like these can easily sour our mood, amplifying feelings of anxiety, frustration or sadness.
Cathy Lawson, a seasoned mental health and wellbeing expert says, “When the demands of a job feel overwhelming, stress can build up quickly, affecting our productivity. There are some safe and effective ways to help reduce stress and calm our minds, so we feel in control, even when the situation seems pressurising.”
She suggests a simple hack that you can do from the comfort of your desk.
“EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is a practical self-help intervention that can be used discreetly, whether you’re taking a moment in the restroom or sitting at your desk with your eyes closed. Just a few minutes of tapping can help to reduce feelings of anxiety, manage emotions and help employees reset during a particularly intense day,” says Cathy, who is a Mental Health & Wellbeing Coach at Westfield Health.
Commonly known as ‘tapping therapy’, EFT helps you overcome negative thoughts and feelings associated with trauma, fear, anxiety and sometimes even addiction. You simply have to lightly tap on acupressure points on your body while repeating affirming statements.
It’s also all the rage among celebrities. Boy George was seen tapping his emotional distress away during a 2022 episode of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! He’s not alone. Whoopi Goldberg, Madonna and Lilly Allen also swear by it. From pop singers to well-established actors, EFT seems to be the go-to hack for the famous.
Latest data from Westfield Health’s 2024 employee health survey shows that nearly 1 in 2 UK workers (45%) feel that poor mental health has affected their productivity, with several issues impacting it. So, there’s no doubt that we need tested methods to cope with the demands of a fast-paced workday.
What are the benefits of EFT?
In an era where mental health concerns are skyrocketing, using simple techniques to ease your mind is of value to workplaces.
EFT may help regulate your emotions, easing that relentless mental chatter and even lowering the stress hormone cortisol. And the best part? You don’t need any equipment, fancy apps or quiet rooms—just your fingertips and a moment to tap your way to a more relaxed you.
“The beauty of EFT lies in its accessibility and universality – it can build confidence and offer a sense of relief and safety to anyone who is struggling with poor mental wellbeing,” says Cathy who has used it herself to deal with nerves before delivering an important presentation.
“Tapping can be very helpful, but it’s essential to remember that it’s not a replacement for professional mental health support. If you’re dealing with ongoing stress that’s interfering with your day-to-day work, serious trauma, or intense fears, please reach out to your organisation’s workplace wellbeing solutions or a mental health professional.”
How to tap out stress using EFT
Repeat and reassess: Continue tapping for a few minutes and then re-rate your stress level. Repeat until you feel better.
Find a comfortable space: This could be a quiet corner, your desk or even the shower. Take some deep belly breaths, making the out breath longer than the in breath.
Identify the Issue: Try to pinpoint what’s causing the stress—perhaps it’s an upcoming deadline, a difficult project, or even a personal issue.
Rate the Intensity: Rate how intense the feeling is on a scale of 1 to 10. This will allow you to track your progress as you go.
Begin Tapping: Tap on specific points. This includes the top of your head, forehead just above your nose, side of face by your eye, under the eye on your cheek, under your nose, on your chin, on your collar bone, on the side of each finger and side of your palm. Repeat several times in this order.
Repeat positive statements– As you tap, speak positive affirmations that can help feel calmer i.e. I am in control and feel confident.