fatigue

  • Yesterday was my day to go for a hike in the woods, but I just didn’t have the energy. I was in need of rest, but I knew that I always feel better when I spend some time outside. So I decided to go for a short walk at the arboretum in my neighborhood.

    I was pleased to see a few deer grazing in the meadow. You’ll have to trust me when I say that’s what the shape below in the center is as it was too far away to get a good pic.

    I was strolling about with the intent of finding a sunny bench to read my book. The spot I was thinking of was overrun with dozens of 10 year-olds on some sort of field trip and seemed very unappealing.

    I tried a path I’d never been down before and a hawk popped out of the bushes just a few feet in front of me and swooped up into a nearby tree. Whoa! That made me take notice. I don’t recall ever seeing one so close and at eye level before. It must have been on the ground just off the path.

    Below the tree where it perched was an empty grassy area with a few patches of sunlight. I decided that the universe had chosen an unlikely messenger to suggest that I have a seat here. I decided to lay down in the grass, realizing that earthing (the act of connecting with the ground and absorbing healing energy) was a better aligned with my needs of the day than hiking.

    It’s rare for me to come into contact with the earth without rubber soles in between us. I don’t have a yard and spend most of my outdoor time on sidewalks or rocky terrain, neither of which are amendable to bare feet. It was an extra special treat to breathe fresh air, bask in the sun, and feel supported by the ground.

    On my way back to the car, I saw much evidence of ground hogs and one of the critters itself. At least that’s what I think the furry thing scurrying underground was! Hard to be certain from a distance. I finally did find a bench in the sun as was able to spend some quality time with a novel in the great outdoors.

    I’m so glad I didn’t push myself to do my scheduled activity or abandon my nature therapy altogether. I’m even glad for the bus load of rowdy kids who steered me in a different direction so I was available to be ushered by a hawk to a different form of nature therapy.

    It was a wonderful two hours and a lesson to be willing to adapt my plans to suit my needs and the resources available. And a reminder that many of the best things in life are free if we only pay attention.

    Thank goodness for getting rerouted

    Yesterday was my day to go for a hike in the woods, but I just didn’t…

  • Fatigue is one of the more common ailments that brings clients to me for treatment. Very often people have been through a barrage of testing and are told there is nothing wrong. Gah! This is so frustrating. Just because the medical system can’t find a cause doesn’t mean there isn’t one. I think we can all agree that when someone is so exhausted they can barely function despite getting adequate sleep and nutrition, there is indeed something wrong.

    If we look through a holistic lens, we’re more likely to notice dysfunction or imbalance that exists in the mental, emotional, spiritual, energetic, relational, and lifestyle areas. Correcting any of these conditions can have a profound effect on physical health and overall wellness. Reiki is a very useful tool for doing that.

    First and foremost, it’s a gentle infusion of pure life-force energy which can begin to shift chronic energy depletion.

    Second, it releases stress and tension, which are gigantic drains on our systems. Chronic stress is the equivalent of having a gaping hole in your fuel tank. No matter how often you fill up, gas is just sloshing out all over the place.

    Third, it can help dissipate blockages, allowing for a more healthy flow of energy. Common blockages include unprocessed trauma and suppressed emotions. These form a sort of coagulation of life-force which can impede the flow.

    Fourth, Reiki can help balance hormones, which have a tremendous effect on our energy levels.

    Fifth, it fosters better quality sleep. ‘Nuff said.

    Sixth, it can activate clarity and enable access to intuition, helping us to see where and how our energy is being wasted or siphoned in our daily lives. Very often there are some uncomfortable conversations around boundaries that can help protect our energy levels. Saying yes when we really mean NO! is a tremendous drain of energy. Persistent over-giving when our tanks are empty takes a toll on our bodies. We need to rebel against the BS cultural conditioning that it’s better to give than receive and prioritize our own well-being.

    I could probably keep going, but I imagine you get my point. It addresses the inflow and outflow of energy and supports a healthy balance so that we can thrive rather than merely surviving.

    Perhaps the best thing about using Reiki as a treatment for fatigue is that it can be administered remotely. Yup. You can stay at home if you’re unable or just uninterested in venturing out into the world and receive a session from the comfort of your own space. Just like a automatic deposit to your bank account, there’s nothing that you need to do!

    I’ve found that when somebody has been chronically fatigued, it can take three or four sessions for a shift to be noticed. Then gradual improvements are reported. When the client is able to remove some of the worst energetic vampires and willing to meet with the stored emotions that arise, a more balanced flow becomes the new normal.

    True, it takes some time and consistent application and often some lifestyle upgrades for lasting results to take root. Just as it’s harder to get out of debt without curbing spending, it’s harder to heal fatigue when dysfunctional relationships or circumstances are not addressed. So it goes with holistic healing- we look at all imbalances from the biochemistry to the psycho spiritual factors. There’s only so much I can do for folks who are committed to unhealthy habits. Those who are serious about getting well realize that if they want things to change, they have to make some changes.

    If you’re ready to get started on this journey, I invite you to book a remote Reiki session. You could also come for an in-person session if you’re in the Philly area and need a change of scenery. Once you start feeling better, you might like to learn how to give yourself Reiki. It’s easy to do and no special psychic or mystical powers are necessary.

    Reiki has helped me more than any other technique with chronic pain, autoimmune issues, anxiety, and fatigue. And it can help you too!

    Reiki for Fatigue

    Fatigue is one of the more common ailments that brings clients to me for treatment. Very…