Finding Joy in the Holiday Season with Reiki

The holiday season, often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness, can paradoxically also be a period of loneliness and stress for many. Amid the festive lights and celebrations, some individuals find themselves grappling with feelings of isolation, anxiety, and the pressure of holiday expectations. However, the Japanese system of Reiki can help bring peace and happiness to yourself and, by extension, your friends and family.

Understanding the Holiday Blues

They can be, can’t they? Blue! So many expectations and so many desires to have a picture-perfect time together. Social media exacerbates this with our predilection for only posting images that portray the upsides rather than the complementary downsides of life. The images and words of life are all retouched, removing their natural faults and cracks. This time of the year can leave us feeling more isolated than ever especially when factors such as the loss of loved ones, distance from family, financial pressure, and the often unrealistic expectations of holiday perfection exist. We can feel disconnected from the true essence of the joyfulness of the season and, more importantly, from ourselves.

The Reiki Approach to Holiday Stress

The system of Reiki gives us tools to support balance, harmony, and oneness – all arising from self-care, making it a valuable practice during the holidays. By self-care, I’m referring to practices that are initially for yourself. These are the practices that we do for ourselves that create change within and around us. For this reason, I continue my weekly, bi-monthly and monthly practices with students throughout the holiday season – continuing the support and the idea that life doesn’t have to be different, it’s more of the same, and possibly more important than ever. 

Incorporating Reiki into the Holiday Routine

1. Touch: Just placing hands on the body can help manage stress and anxiety levels, soothe the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and evoke a sense of calm. Perfect for yourself first thing in the morning and last thing at night! Being with others and hugging or touching them with thoughtfulness and care, also creates a circle of happy endorphins for everyone.

2. Being Present: During the holidays, practising mindfulness with Gassho meditation or Joshin Kokyu Ho for example can help you stay grounded in the present moment, reducing worries about the past or the future. Link this with the Reiki precepts, especially using For Today Only at the forefront of your thoughts, allowing for a deeper appreciation of the holiday’s small joys, whether it’s the warmth of a lit candle or a delicious meal.

3. Connecting with Others: The Reiki precepts of compassion and kindness can enhance connections with family and friends. Practising these simple guidelines can positively impact your interactions with others, fostering a more harmonious family environment.

4. Gratitude and Acceptance: The system of Reiki teaches gratitude and acceptance, crucial for navigating the holidays. Recognising and appreciating what we have, rather than fixating on what’s missing or what we wish were different, can profoundly shift our experience of the season.

You might think there’s not a lot of time to practise the system of Reiki during your holidays, but maybe you just need to think about it a little differently. Incorporating Reiki practises into your holiday routine doesn’t require extensive sessions. Even short, daily practices can make a significant difference. It can be as simple as starting the day with a few minutes of hands-on healing or focusing on a specific Reiki precept to keep you entered throughout the day.

The system of Reiki offers more than just a reprieve from holiday stress; it provides a way to reconnect with the deeper meanings of peace, joy, and connection. By embracing Reiki’s practices and precepts, you can transform your holiday experience, finding tranquillity amidst the chaos and creating a more nurturing and joyful environment for yourself and your loved ones. 

Come and join me as we end the year with my 7 days of short meditations which you practise in your own time starting on the 25th of December – The 7 Quiets. This series is your guide to embracing stillness, nurturing self-reflection, and preparing for the new year ahead with a heart full of peace and clarity.

And don’t forget I’m always around with my practise groups, ready to keep you on track. See you there!