How EFT Tapping for Dance Moms Can Save Your Sanity on Competition Day

Let’s be real—dance competitions can feel like emotional marathons disguised as sparkly weekend events. Between early call times, missing rhinestones, and “Is that a hair donut or a cinnamon roll?” moments, stress is inevitable.

So what if you had a simple, fast, and totally free tool to help you feel calm, focused, and less likely to cry over spilled eyelash glue?

Say hello to EFT tapping for dance moms—your new backstage BFF.

What Is EFT Tapping (and Why Should Dance Moms Care)?

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), or "tapping," is like acupressure meets talk therapy. You tap on specific meridian points on your face and upper body while repeating calming phrases. It helps release emotional tension, reduce stress hormones, and refocus your nervous system—basically, a reset button you can use anywhere (yes, even in the parking lot).

I’m a busy dance mom who has found EFT tapping to be incredibly helpful in processing my own emotions. I’m not a professional, but I can tell you from personal experience that EFT has made a big difference for me, and I wanted to share it with other dance moms who might be feeling stressed and overwhelmed during competition season. .

How It Helps on Competition Day

Now, let’s get into the good stuff: how can EFT tapping specifically help dance moms during competition season?

Here are a few ways:

1. Calm Those Pre-Competition Nerves Before the big day, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and panic. You want everything to go perfectly, but the pressure can be overwhelming.

   
   

   Try tapping through your anxiety by saying, "Even though I feel nervous about the competition, I choose to feel calm and confident."

   
   

   This can help shift your nervous energy into a more centered and positive state. You might even tap in the car ride over if you’re feeling especially frazzled. No judgment!

   
   

2. Release the Stress of Managing Schedules Between rehearsals, hotel bookings, and making sure your dancer’s costumes are on point, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos. EFT tapping can help you release that overwhelm.

   
   

   A quick session of tapping while you repeat, "Even though I have a million things to do, I trust that I can handle them with grace," can help you manage that stress more effectively. Less scrambling, more flowing.

   
   

3. Let Go of Competition Day Anxiety On competition day, you're probably running on coffee and sheer willpower. But what about your emotional state? EFT tapping helps to calm down the stress response that builds up when you're watching your dancer perform, especially if they’re feeling nervous.

   
   

   Try tapping on the sides of your face and saying, "Even though I feel anxious watching them, I know they’ve got this." It’s an instant stress reliever, and you might just find yourself feeling more zen while your dancer takes the stage.

   
   

4. Stay in the Moment, Not in the "What Ifs" As a dance mom, it’s easy to get caught up in the "what ifs"—What if they forget their routine? What if they don’t score well? What if they trip? EFT tapping can help ground you in the present moment.

   
   

   Tap and repeat, "Even though I have concerns about what might go wrong, I choose to focus on what’s going right." This small shift can keep you from spiraling into a stress vortex of what-ifs and help you stay calm and present.

   
   

How to Use EFT Tapping Before, During, and After a Competition

1. Before the Competition: Start your day with a 5-minute tapping session. Focus on the things that make you feel anxious, then tap through those feelings. Use this as your mental warm-up.

   
   

2. During the Competition: If you feel the stress building, tap on the sides of your fingers (a discreet spot) and repeat a calming phrase. You might tap on your legs or arms while standing in the back of the room to avoid drawing too much attention. Your dancer will never know, but you’ll feel 100% better!

   
   

3. After the Competition: Once the event is over, and you’re processing the day’s highs and lows, tapping can help you release any lingering tension.

   
   

   Tap on the top of your head and repeat, "Even though the competition is over, I feel proud of how we handled everything." This can help close the chapter on the event and help you feel a sense of peace.

   
   

Quick EFT Tapping Examples for Dance Moms

Let’s try a short tapping exercise together:

1. Karate Chop Point (side of the hand): “Even though I feel overwhelmed by everything today, I choose to feel calm and in control.”

2. Eyebrow Point: “I’m feeling stressed about getting everything done.”

3. Side of the Eye: “I wish I could relax and not worry so much.”

4. Under the Eye: “But right now, I’m choosing to take a deep breath and focus on what I can control.”

5. Under the Nose: “I am calm, capable, and prepared for today.”

6. Chin Point: “I trust that everything will go smoothly.”

7. Collarbone Point: “Even if things don’t go perfectly, I’ll handle it.”

8. Under the Arm: “I am doing my best, and that’s enough.”

Repeat this process as needed before, during, or after the competition, and see how quickly you start to feel a shift in your emotional state.

Why EFT Tapping for Dance Moms Belongs in Your Bag

EFT tapping for dance moms isn’t just a trendy wellness hack—it’s a lifeline during competition chaos.

Whether you’re holding back tears, holding a Starbucks, or holding someone’s costume while sprinting to the next routine, tapping gives you a moment of calm in the middle of the madness.

Add it to your comp day survival toolkit. Your future self (and your dancer) will thank you.