The term “reiki” refers to universal life force energy. The practice of Reiki involves helping to create a state of energetic balance, which releases stress, relieves pain and promotes faster healing. This is done by offering an extra measure of life force energy to the person in need. It can be given silently, with noticeable results.

Reiki therapy sets the stage for deep relaxation, restored balance of mind-body-spirit, an enhanced sense of well-being and improved ability to concentrate. During a Reiki session, most recipients enter a state of relaxed awareness called, “alpha.” In this state, the mind is clear and receptive to information from the higher or subconscious mind. In the alpha state, people are able to make connections and realizations that may be missed in a conscious state of mind. This clears ‘mind clutter’ and creates opportunity for ‘aha’ moments, deep relaxation, self- healing and stress release.

Reiki is also a powerful way to address specific mental, emotional and physical imbalances like pain, stress, injury and illness. As part of an ongoing program, Reiki relieves symptoms associated with PTSD, side effects of radiation therapy or chemotherapy and ADHD. A single Reiki session restores a sense of calm as the recipient is lulled into an alpha or theta state of consciousness.
A Reiki therapy program offers tremendous benefits to America’s more than 44 million ‘informal’ or ‘family’ caregiv- ers who provide unpaid care for family and friends in need.

The most common informal caregiver is an adult child caring for an aging parent. In other scenarios, caregivers may support an elderly or sick spouse, aging grandparents, severely disabled children or siblings, grandchildren whose parents are unable to provide care, disabled friends or neighbors. In the U.S., informal caregivers provide 80% of long term care. Most are middle-aged women and many work full time jobs. They struggle with deep-seated feelings of guilt, anger, loneliness, depression and exhaustion. Shared illnesses throughout this population include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, high levels of stress hormones and a compromised immune system. They spend lots of time taking care of others, yet tend to neglect themselves and, compared to non-caregivers, they are less likely prepare healthy meals or get sufficient sleep and exercise.

Reiki supports caregivers by presenting an opportunity to slow down and focus on self-care. Sessions last 30-60 minutes and clears the mind. Clients emerge feeling rested, energized and with an overall sense of wellbeing. In following weeks, they tend to take better care of themselves and pay closer attention to their own mental, emotional and physical needs. Below are some specific benefits Reiki may bring to address issues specific to caregivers.

Overcome feelings of overwhelm. A scheduled Reiki therapy session is about one hour long. That’s an entire hour during which you release all demands placed upon you in everyday life and relax into a state of receiving pure love, light and positive energy. You will emerge from a single session feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Program yourself for a healthier lifestyle. Reiki can be performed with a specific intent in mind. With the Reiki practitioner, determine some specific changes you would like to see in your life. During the session you will remove energy blockages that prevent you from choosing healthy behaviors. It’s like a form of self-hypnosis, gently planting seeds that subtly modify your daily life choices, nudging you into alignment with your true desires for yourself.

To learn more about Reiki, search the term on the Internet or visit the site for the International Association of Reiki Professionals at www.iarp.org.