Surgery can be a really scary thing for many people. And it’s normal to feel worried and nervous about how the procedure will go and how you’ll do. In fact, anxiety is one of the most common reactions for anyone who is getting ready to go into the operating room for a procedure.
If you have a surgery coming up, it might feel like there is nothing you can do about the nerves. It might feel impossible to not feel stressed and anxious the days, hours, and minutes before you go under.
But what would you say if told you that there was an evidence-based tool that is proven to help reduce pre-surgery anxiety? And what would you say if I told you that it can be done on your own at home, or in the hospital waiting room, and take only a few minutes in total?
I’m talking about Tapping – a simple technique that can do wonders to create more ease as you prepare for and recover from your surgery (you can learn more about Tapping and how it works here).
Research shows that people who practice EFT Tapping prior to surgery experience significant reductions in their anxiety levels, so that they can head into surgery feeling less anxious and more at ease.
A 2017 study published in the Energy Psychology Journal provided some amazing insights into the benefits of Tapping for people undergoing surgery. The researchers wanted to know whether or not EFT Tapping could help people to feel less anxious before a surgery.[1]
The study included 50 women scheduled for obstetric and gynecological surgeries who had moderate to severe levels of anxiety before their surgical procedure.[1]
The women were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The participants in the experimental group did two 10-minute sessions of EFT Tapping – one the day before surgery and the other the day of surgery. The control group received the usual, standard treatment before surgery, but did not received the additional EFT Tapping treatment prior to their procedure.[1]
Anxiety levels were assessed in both groups before the intervention and then reassessed after the intervention, right before surgery. At the start, the two groups had similar levels of anxiety. But while the control group did not have any change in anxiety levels leading up to surgery, the researchers found that the group who did two sessions of EFT Tapping experienced a huge decrease in anxiety scores. Immediately before surgery, their anxiety was much, much lower than it was to start.[1]
The researchers categorized the decrease as “highly significant,” and concluded that Tapping should be considered a simple, cost-effective, evidence-based method to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing surgery.[1]
Reducing anxiety prior to surgery doesn’t just help you feel better and more calm going into the operating room. It’s actually really important to set yourself up for healing after the procedure as well.
Research studies have shown that higher levels of anxiety prior to surgery are associated with poorer postoperative outcomes.[2,3] So the more anxious you are heading into surgery, there’s a higher chance your recovery won’t be as smooth.
That’s why techniques like Tapping that help you to ease your anxiety are SO important. They don’t just help you to feel better day of and calm your nerves, but they also have the potential to prepare you for better outcomes and healing after your surgery as well.
Pretty powerful, right?
And remember – Tapping doesn’t even take a lot of time. This technique is easy, doesn’t have to cost you anything, and can be done in the comfort of your own home or even in the hospital waiting room.
As simple and easy as it is, Tapping just might make all the difference for you as you make your way through your surgery and head towards healing.
Wouldn’t you love to feel calm and balanced heading into the hospital for your procedure? Wouldn’t it be amazing to help your brain and body get out of a state of stress and into a state of healing even before your surgery begins? Wouldn’t it be incredible to know you could lean on a simple technique to set yourself up for the best surgery experience possible?
That can be your reality. And Tapping can help you to make it happen.
Tapping sends calming signals to the brain so that your brain and body can release stress and anxiety and move into a calmer state that will promote healing. To learn more about how Tapping works, what it does in the body, and how to do it, head here.
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to check out The Tapping Solution App. In the app, we have three guided Tapping meditations created specifically for preparing and recovering from surgery:
The next time you have a surgery, try using these meditations in the days leading up to your surgery, and then after as well. My hope is that they can help you to release your anxiety, support your body in slipping a state of healing, and set you up for a smooth, positive surgery experience.
Until next time, this is Nick Ortner.
Keep Tapping!
References
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