Reiki is a method of improving health by using universal life energy. It can increase the capacity of your body’s vital energy and strengthen the body’s defence abilities. Mikao Usui developed the practice in the early 1900s in Japan. Reiki supports the body’s natural healing abilities. It clears all energy blockages and treats the whole person, including body, emotions, mind, and spirit – creating a sense of peace, relaxation, security, and overall well-being. As stress is primarily related to energy imbalances in our body, Reiki can do a lot for its regulation and control. In this text, we talk about how to use Reiki for stress relief and how it can help you relax.
What stress does to the body
Stress is, on a biochemical level, a natural reaction to a dangerous situation. Our bodies start working in a fight or flight mode, redirecting all energy to muscles while denying it to the digestive system, immune system, and other parts of the body that need it. Nowadays, it’s not common to be in a situation where you should fear for your life, and the most common stress is the one from our everyday lives, but it can be pretty harmful. We need to find a way to deal with it – and Reiki is one of the better options.
The stress we experience slows down our digestive and immune systems and directs all our energy to the muscles, disturbing the natural flow of energy through the body. We can feel the consequences almost instantly. The first symptoms are heaviness in the stomach, nausea, dry mouth, and sweaty palms. It continues with muscle stiffness, insomnia, and chronic pain. Due to the weakened immune system, we might get problems with infections that can last for a long time and are difficult to treat. Eventually, we could face more serious health problems. This is why we must react the moment we feel the first symptoms. A Reiki practice that will allow natural energy flows in the body is what will relieve our body of stress and invite balance.
Reiki for stress relief
As we mentioned, Reiki helps and heals your mental and physical health. Anyone can practice it because it doesn’t need any special equipment. So, it can be a self-treatment, but you can also go and let a professional do the job. Practice Reiki as often as you can – especially when you are stressed but even if you are feeling well. If you’re unfortunately going through a mentally or physically difficult time in life, like addiction recovery, we wholeheartedly recommend practising Reiki. It will keep stress at a minimum and help you manage it. Even if you are a bit sceptical about this – give it a try – you have nothing to lose. Especially when you can combine it with a nurturing yin yoga practice!
Yin Yoga and Reiki
Besides Yin Yoga’s many physical benefits, both Yin Yoga just as Reiki are powerful tools to reduce stress, worry, and anxiety. The combination between Yin Yoga and Reiki complements each other beautifully.
Yin Yoga is practised in specific positions, addressing specific body target areas. We stay in our Yin Yoga poses for a while, so our body adapts to them. So, what better than to use this time with intention? The idea is to stretch and let the energy flow properly throughout the body, so it can heal, bring balance, and also improve your mental and emotional state while intentionally calling in Reiki healing energy. There are certain positions where there are easy ways to add Reiki gestures. This combined technique nurtures your body and soul equally. In our Yin Yoga and Reiki teacher training, we show you how.
Stress: the root of anxiety and depression
Depression and anxiety have become such a common thing nowadays. Everyone lives fast, constantly worrying about their job, money, taxes, and income. Rarely are we letting ourselves breathe for a moment and let go of all the negative energy we’ve collected through the day. Instead, all that negativity builds up in our bodies, making us ill. There comes anxiety and depression. They often go together, anxiety being the first that shows up, and then depression which is even worse. Both of them often come from stress. Even something meaningless that annoyed you today can subconsciously bother you tomorrow and cause you anxiety.
Reiki is an oriental medicine approach that can help reduce everyday stress and hopefully channel your energy to a more you more enthusiastic and optimistic outlook. Make time in a day just for yourself – keep practising Reiki, and with a little patience you’ll see the change. Energy flows where attention goes.
Reiki to invite more balance in your life
Practice Reiki for stress relief allows you to centre yourself, reconnect and balance to build more resilience to everyday stressors. As we mentioned, it’s crucial to visit your doctor if there’s something wrong, and Reiki shouldn’t replace that. Reiki is an effective self-healing tool that can support this process, but it cannot substitute any medication. Practice Reiki by yourself or visit a professional. Give yourself a moment in a busy day to relax and set your healing intention, and you’ll feel the difference.
