Still Wide Awake? Enter “Brain Tapping”
Are you exhausted but just can’t fall asleep? Maybe you’ve already run through the full list of classics: sipping herbal tea, putting your phone away a couple of hours before bed, steering clear of heavy or skimpy dinners—but none of these have broken the spell of stubborn insomnia. With the time change just around the corner and yet another excuse to mess up your sleep routine, here’s a technique that’s both simple and gaining popularity: brain tapping. This sleep hack has gone viral on social media and, just maybe, it’ll work its magic for you too.
What Exactly Is Brain Tapping?
Brain tapping—sometimes called “Emotional Freedom Technique” or EFT—has become a bit of a TikTok sensation. The goal? To relax your mind and free yourself from negative emotions, anxiety, and the racing thoughts that keep you awake at night. Experts think there’s something to it. According to Dr. Daisy Mae, as quoted by HuffPost UK,
« Brain tapping is a newly recognized technique that combines cognitive behavioral therapy with somatic stimulation using acupuncture pressure points. It applies certain principles from traditional Chinese medicine and kinesiology. »
How Does Brain Tapping Work?
This sleep technique is based on slow, deep breathing combined with gentle finger tapping on specific areas of your face and upper body. At the same time, you repeat calming phrases like “I am relaxed” or “I’m going to fall asleep.” But how can tapping your own head help you drift off?
Dr. Loris-Alexandre Mazelin, psychiatrist and sleep specialist (speaking to French magazine Femme Actuelle), explains:
« Tapping on energy points sends a reassuring signal to the brain. They follow the breath and a calming heartbeat, leading to a slowdown of the central nervous system and brain activity. And because I’m not obsessing over trying to fall asleep, I actually let my brain switch off. »
Research published in 2019 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine highlighted the benefits of Emotional Freedom Technique in reducing stress and anxiety. Science, meet bedtime routine.
How to Practice Brain Tapping
The best part? You don’t need any fancy equipment. All you need is a quiet place and a few simple steps:
- Before you start, pick a specific intention to work with—like easing anxiety.
- Take a series of deep, calm breaths.
- Start gently tapping with your fingers (around ten times) on different parts of your upper body. Begin at the top of your head, then work your way down: tap your forehead, the areas around your eyes, between your eyebrows, your nose, your cheeks, and under your lips.
- Move to the upper body, tapping around the collarbones, chest, arms, and, if you wish, your hands.
- Throughout all of this, keep up those positive mantras—think “I am relaxed” or even “I love myself as I am”—while breathing naturally.
Final Thoughts
As a health journalist for Femme Actuelle since February 2023, I’m passionate about sharing the latest wellbeing research with you, as well as seeking out expert advice on all things health, fitness, and nutrition. Whether brain tapping becomes your go-to sleep fix or simply a fun experiment next time you find yourself counting sheep, it’s worth giving it a shot. Sweet dreams—taps included!
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
