Reiki as a Tool for Stress Management and Resilience | Science
Let’s face it: Just existing can be stressful. In today’s world of grim headlines, fast-paced lifestyles, and non-stop stimulation, it’s no wonder that anxiety and stress levels are at a record high. Now, more than ever, it’s time to adopt more effective stress management techniques – preferably ones that don’t involve unhealthy coping mechanisms (doom scrolling social media while eating an entire sleeve of Oreos, I’m looking at you).
This is one reason why Reiki continues to grow in popularity. Reiki isn’t just a passing trend amongst New Age, yoga-loving, holistic wellness communities – it’s an incredibly effective, proven way to reduce anxiety and stress.
In today’s post, we’ll dive into the key aspects of working with Reiki for stress and anxiety relief, using science to back us up. Keep reading to learn more!
Reiki Relieves Symptoms of Anxiety and Chronic Stress
During a Reiki session, the energy channeled by the practitioner flows exactly where it’s needed to create calm and peace within the client. Reiki treatments help the body shift from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) mode to parasympathetic (rest and digest) mode. This process triggers the body’s natural relaxation response, leading to a reduction in stress hormones and promoting an immediate and long-lasting sense of tranquility.
Reiki can help reduce the following symptoms related to stress and anxiety:
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- Muscle tension
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- Racing or intrusive thoughts
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- Shallow breathing
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- Fast heart rate
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- Feelings of intense worry or impending doom
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- High blood pressure
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- Insomnia
You can experience relief whether receiving Reiki from a practitioner or giving yourself a treatment – never underestimate the power of a self-session!
Reiki Helps Build Personal Resilience
Reiki is holistic; it treats the physical manifestations of anxiety and chronic stress by addressing their root cause. Sessions can release emotional blockages and tension, leaving calm and inner peace in their place. And as tranquility ripples outward from within, the stresses and anxieties of day-to-day life begin to feel more manageable.
The practice of Reiki is inherently grounded in principles like mindfulness, presence, and awareness. While it would be *awesome* if we could simply apply the principles and watch all the stress and anxiety float away on a cloud of serenity and bliss.…. That’s just not the reality of the world we’re living in.
Stress and anxiety will still be a part of life – But instead of being tsunami waves of destruction that obliterate everything in their path, they’ll be smaller, gentler waves that we can navigate with more ease. Just like going to the gym builds our muscles to endure heavier weights, developing a regular Reiki practice can help us build resilience against stress and anxiety.
Reiki does this by:
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- Allowing for the release of pent-up emotions that contribute to more stress and anxiety;
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- Helping us to become more aware of emotions and sensations in our bodies;
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- Teaching us how to be present in the moment without trying to escape or distract ourselves;
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- Helping us to prioritize our own well-being and self-care.
As with anything, resilience is something we need to build for ourselves. There’s no magic potion that will suddenly make us stronger, and we can’t grow without first experiencing hardship. Challenges are a necessary part of life, helping us grow and become more resilient. With Reiki in your toolkit, you *know* you can weather any storm that comes your way – And that will make you even stronger.
The Science Supporting Reiki for Stress and Anxiety
Maybe you’ve heard stories of people who stopped having panic attacks or cured their tension headaches with Reiki. Maybe you’ve experienced less anxiety and stress in your own life because of Reiki. But what does science have to say about it? Are all those healing, relaxing benefits of Reiki simply due to the placebo effect, or is there something more going on?
It’s no secret that the scientific community and holistic wellness community can occasionally butt heads. But the exciting news is that there is a growing body of evidence that backs Reiki as an effective treatment for stress and anxiety-related health concerns. Here are just a few of our favorite scientific studies:
Study #1 – The Effects of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Patients Attending a Day Oncology and Infusion Services Unit
In this study, 118 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who received at least 1 Reiki treatment reported decreased levels of anxiety and pain, as well as improved relaxation, sleep quality, and overall well-being. Those patients who received a maximum of 4 Reiki sessions saw an incredible reduction in overall pain and anxiety (over 50%!) [Click here to read the study.]
Study #2 – The effect of reiki on pain: A meta-analysis
As one of the first meta-analyses conducted on the topic of Reiki and generalized pain, this study looked at 4 randomized studies involving 212 participants. The author found that Reiki caused a statistically significant decrease in pain scores across the board. [Click here to read the study.]
P.S. – Did you know that chronic pain is one of the physical manifestations of anxiety and depression? Just as your body can influence your mind, your mind can *absolutely* affect your body. This involves complex science that we won’t dive into right now, but you can learn more about it here if you’re interested.
Still wondering if the results of these studies were due to a placebo effect?
The next two studies explore the question by objectively comparing the outcomes of Reiki and sham Reiki treatments.
P.S. – Sham Reiki means a non-Reiki practitioner placed their hands on or near the subject for a length of time like an attuned practitioner would. The subjects aren’t told whether they’re receiving real Reiki or sham Reiki.
Study #3 – Reiki Improves Heart Rate Homeostasis in Laboratory Rats
In this study, three rats were treated with Reiki before and during exposure to stressful loud noises, then the experiment was repeated with sham Reiki. The study found that Reiki, but not sham Reiki, significantly reduced the stress response, a rise in heart rate, produced by the rats’ exposure to loud noise.
To us, this study is especially interesting since it was performed on rats, theoretically removing the placebo aspect. However, more, larger-scale studies like this one will need to be completed to support these findings. [Click here to read the study.]
Study #4 – Reiki Reduces Burnout Among Community Mental Health Clinicians
This study found that Reiki was statistically significantly better than sham Reiki in reducing burnout among mental health clinicians. This may surprise you – But this isn’t the only study of its kind. Countless studies have looked at the effects of Reiki on reducing burnout, and usually find a huge positive effect in the mental health of professionals. [Click here to read this study.]
Final Thoughts
Reiki doesn’t fix or erase everything wrong with being human; Reiki helps us thrive amid the challenges that inevitably occur in this extraordinary predicament of being alive. Living with stress and anxiety can be an incredibly discouraging, isolating, and debilitating experience, but healing is possible. While there are many possible approaches, Reiki offers a gentle, holistic, and evidence-based path to relief for your mental and physical health.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or if you are suffering from stress-related health issues, you may benefit from regular Reiki treatments. To learn more about what Reiki can do for you, check out the offerings we have at Dragonfly Reiki Marketplace and connect with a practitioner that will support you in your Reiki journey.
