New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Campus conducted one of the first major studies of the effects of reiki on the autonomic nervous system. The results showed a lowering of heart rate, blood pressure and respiration with the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Stress from our daily lives is one of the most common complaints that I hear from clients. From new clients as they jump into their first reiki session or the seasoned client experiencing their second or twentieth reiki session, relieving stress is a common goal.
The root of suffering can be seen as our desire to hold on to our perceived life - avoiding change! What is the one constant in life? Change! There is nothing in this apparent world that we can hold onto. When we create stress over change or perceived change, we start living in the future. We get stressed over what could happen (our brain feeding us incorrect information) or we create amazing stories about the current situation and the futuristic outcome.
“If I am late I will get fired!”
“My blemish is huge and everyone will notice and embarrass me”
“I am never going to get everything done”
These are all “future talk” where we have created a story in our heads about “will” happen. Will it happen, maybe, but if we are living in the moment - we won’t be stressed about what could happen. When we are living in the present moment, we are also un-attached to a particular outcome. Such an important lesson to be stress free. Living in the moment, taking care of items in the moment and being aware of when our thoughts go to an unknown future.
Sometimes we need help to destress and create calm in our bodies and start to become aware of that future self talk and get back into the moment. Reiki engages the parasympathetic nervous system: to rest, rejuvenate, digest and heal. It brings you back to the moment and the realization of what is now. Having an uninterrupted flow of energy creates an environment within the body that allows for healing and stress relief.
Daily life is full of agitators and experiences that help us heal, grow and flourish. Please contact me if you are interested in Reiki, yoga on and off the mat, or mindfulness exercises.
(please note that I am not trying to negate the severe depression and anxiety that people live with that requires top down therapies such as talk therapy and group work).