Introduction to Reiki for Depression
Can You Really ‘Fight the Funk’ With Energy Healing?
Begin to Understand, Cope, Manage, and Overcome Your Depression Without Additional Medications Using Proven Ancient Techniques of Healing
It is never fun to talk about a subject like depression, but it is always good to at least discuss possible ways to address and manage it. Anyone who has ever experienced depression in any form will know how draining it can be and how it prevents you from simply carrying on with your life.
Depression is a mental state of mind, which puts a person in a constant condition of hopelessness and sadness. You suddenly feel disinterested in almost every activity, including the ones you’ve always been interested in and excited about. Many times, we confuse depression with the usual feeling of being ‘down’ and sad temporarily. Depression has a much deeper impact, and is likely to get worse, without the proper diagnosis, attention, and medication.
Many medical treatments and methods have been developed to combat depression of different types and degrees. Experts in psychology have suggested taking certain pills (called anti-depressants), talking to a therapist regularly, and engaging in activities that take our minds off depressive thoughts, keeping us busy and focused on important things.
Reiki
Another effective remedy to the problem of depression is the age-long activity called Reiki. In the 20th century, Reiki was invented as a healing technique by the brilliant Japanese doctor, Mikao Usui. It is categorized as a form of alternative medicine and an energy healing technique. It is a form of medicine that is used to manage symptoms and improve the general well-being of a person. As a Reiki master, I can attest to its incredible efficacy but, for the purposes of this article, I want to make it more informative and less subjective.
In a Reiki session, the practitioner places her/his hands on the patient’s body, or slightly above the body, in order to bring about healing. The practitioner harnesses their energy field into their hands and transfers this energy to their patient. The belief is that this practice will help stimulate the healing properties of the body, which will in turn help manage the symptoms of the problem at hand.
Depression is one of the conditions that can be managed by Reiki, but the practice also serves as a remedy for many other conditions. They include sleeplessness, pain, anxiety, fatigue, and many more. Here are some of the specific benefits of a Reiki session.
Pain, Stress, and Fatigue Relief
Many studies and trials have shown that Reiki is a quite effective remedy against pain, anxiety, stress, fatigue, and much more. In 2015, patients being treated for cancer were made to receive Reiki sessions in addition to their usual medical care. The purpose of this study was actually to disprove the affects of Reiki. Yet, it was undeniably observed that ‘something’ had reduced levels of anxiety, pain, and general fatigue in the set of patients who underwent the sessions compared to other patients in the same study group who received no Reiki care. Raises an eyebrow now, doesn’t it?
Mood Boosting
While this is slightly related to depression, being in a bad mood is clearly different from being depressed, and it definitely lasts for a shorter period of time. Reiki sessions have proven to help bring people out of foul moods, especially the ones that certainly happen with no traceable explanation. A study in 2011, carried out with participants over a period of 8 weeks, showed significant improvement in the mood of its participants, as they testified to being in significantly better moods with no attributable explanation since the sessions began. Nothing else had changed in their lives. Things that make you go hmmmm, yes?
Other Symptoms and Conditions
When a Reiki session commences, the first and immediate result is relaxation, which goes further to affect other aspects of our lives including reducing symptoms of and helping us manage certain medical conditions. The relaxing response that happens after a Reiki session has been proven to have a positive effect on the following conditions:
Tension
Headache
Nausea
Insomnia
A Reiki Session for Depression
I would like to give a very realistic explanation of the entire process involving this type of Reiki session, especially for those unfamiliar with Reiki and considering it as a potential means to help with their debilitating depression.
Before
An appointment should firstly be made with the Reiki Practitioner. Before your meeting, it is very important to have a brief chat with the practitioner in order to outline the issues you are facing. Relevant information such as how long you have felt this way, how often you feel this way in a day, and what exactly goes through your mind during these periods of feeling this way. Pretend you are at the ‘regular’ doctor—don’t hold back and definitely do not worry about your responses. Be honest. This will help your practitioner in determining what should be focused on during your eventual meeting. You should also inform your practitioner on areas of your body that are sensitive to touch as well as injured areas.
In preparing for your Reiki session, wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably natural fabric, which makes you feel free and relaxed during the session. Remove your shoes, and do away with your jewelry and other accessories like glasses, wristbands, and phones during the session. Be as natural as possible.
During
During your Reiki session, you will be expected to lay flat on a mat or a treatment table, after which you will be covered with a blanket. Playing in the background will be soft relaxing tunes and music, to keep you as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Reiki sessions usually have no talking involved, however, feel free to speak to your practitioner if there is anything you need or if you simply want to share what you are experiencing. (We are VERY eager to hear your thoughts and reactions, but we do not engage in chit chat unless you prefer that.)
The practitioner moves their hands around your body during this period. You may feel a slight touch, or the practitioner may simply have their hands slightly above your body as they move them around. You will definitely know where their hands are.
Sensations such as slight heat and tingling maybe experienced during the session. Some patients have reported seeing certain visualizations like colors and pictures and even having certain memories appear. As you lay on the table, ease yourself into the process and let any color or picture pass without attaching any serious meaning to it. Remain calm and allow your practitioner to complete the process. Report back to your practitioner on how you feel after a few weeks of constant Reiki sessions.
After
Right after a session, the immediate feeling may vary from tiredness/calmness to feeling energetic. Simply take a rest and drink plenty of water before carrying on with the rest of your day.
Last Words
Reiki has served as a proven measure to help in relieving depression. Many studies have shown that patients with depression have experienced great relief after going through Reiki sessions. While it remains important to always have someone to talk to or engage in professional therapy sessions, you have absolutely nothing to lose by signing up for Reiki sessions as well. Be open to the ‘alternative’ side of healing. After all, there must be something to it, right?