REIKI: A Stress Buster By Susan S. Kane. M. Ed


gov reports that stress not only affects our minds but can affect our physical bodies on a cellular level and long term stress can lead to serious health conditions. The emotions of anxiousness, fearfulness, worry, irritableness, edginess, and/ or distractibility are some ways stress affects our mind. Our sympathetic nervous system is activated when we experience stress and in an emergency situation this is very positive. This fight or flight response has kept humankind alive through the centuries as dangers presented themselves. However, it can be problematic to have this innate encoding on guard all the time, every day, taxing our physical body. Web MD reports that 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress and that 75%-90% of all doctor visits are stress-related. Some common physical symptoms of stress include headaches; high blood pres- sure; constipation or diarrhea; back ache; sleep problems; depres- sion; fatigue and /or stomach problems.


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What can be done to cope with the stresses of living? Solutions of meditation, eating well, regular exercise, enjoyable leisure time activities, building positive personal and professional relationships, developing a sense of optimism, setting realistic goals for yourself and learning not to worry about what you can’t control are all worthwhile endeavors. The benefits of incorporating these behaviors suggested from the www.hhs.gov site pay off as you start feeling better.


In addition to those ideas, I have another suggestion for you.


There is another tool to keep the negative effects of stress at bay. Have you considered Reiki Therapy as part of your own wellness plan? Web MD states, “Some health professionals believe it (Reiki) may be useful in helping reduce stress and anxiety.” It goes on to say, “Reiki is used to decrease pain, ease muscle tension, speed healing and improve sleep.”


Never heard of Reiki before? Maybe you have heard of Reiki


but your understanding is a bit fuzzy? Let me explain Reiki to you. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is gentle energy used to heal, harmo- nize and balance the body, mind and spirit, activating the body’s own self-healing. Reiki relaxes the body and mind in the same way


20 Essential Living Maine ~ March/April 2015


pring is approaching and April is National Stress Awareness Month! Simply defined, stress is the result of our reactions to the events in our life, welcome or unwelcome. Healthfinder.


as meditation. A Reiki session may be done in person or a session may be received remotely. If done in person, the session lasts about an hour. It may be a shorter time frame if done remotely. Reiki can be done hands on the fully clothed client or hands near the fully clothed client; however belts, watches and shoes are usually removed. The client lies on a massage table and soft music may be playing in the background. (Sometimes a massage chair may be used instead of a table.)


During a Reiki session, the Reiki practitioner starts at the head then moves their hands down along the client’s body.


Reiki


hand positions focus on seven major chakra locations. Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning energy center. These energy centers are near glands and organs in the body. The Reiki recipient often feels warmth from the practitioner’s hands. The breath slows down. Peace and relaxation take over.


Reiki puts your parasympathetic


nervous system in control. The Veterans Administration website states: “People who receive Reiki often have positive experiences,” and “Most recipients of Reiki report a peaceful sense of relaxation and some have reported reduction in pain, anxiety, fear and anger.” I have had clients even go to sleep while receiving their session! After receiving a Reiki session, one feels restored, energized and empowered. Concerns and stresses that seemed daunting before your session, now feel manageable. When we are in balance, we can think clearly and solutions to challenges appear. You feel renewed and ready to tackle your life again. Doesn’t that sound wonderfully inviting?


If you decide to employ Reiki energy as a wellness tool for


yourself, there are two options. You may decide to find a Reiki prac- titioner and schedule appointments at regular intervals, as you do for other preventive wellness measures, such as seeing a chiroprac- tor, getting a massage, and regular dental check-ups, to mention a few. Regular Reiki sessions will work in your favor to keep any long term effects of stress away. Your second option is to learn Reiki for yourself. In a Reiki 1 class, in addition to learning the history and the principles, you learn how to access Reiki energy and the hand positions for self-care. With Reiki energy available at your finger- tips, daily Reiki is now a possibility, and is actually recommended. Reiki isn’t just for adults, either, as there are classes for children also. You will find your pets and plants like Reiki, too!


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