Big life transitions — whether they’re positive, negative, or neutral — can completely disrupt the flow of our emotions, wellbeing, and energy. Let us explore the different types that exist, their (sometimes surprising) effects, and concrete ways — including Reiki chakra balancing therapy — to reset, and feel better again.
What is a Life Transition?
First, what is a life transition? It is any time your normal routine of living is significantly and ongoingly altered. This could be marriage, divorce, birth and parenting, changes in living or job, situations or health, a sudden loss, or major realizations.
Mental, Physical, and Emotional Effects
When your life experiences a large shift — even a positive one — it can have a deeply destabilizing effect on the mind, body, and emotions. As you struggle to adapt to the change, effects can include: confusion, fatigue, irritability, dejection, insomnia, erratic behavior, brain fog, fear and sadness, and in general, feeling like the rug has been yanked out from under you, and it’s extremely difficult to get your footing again.
Feeling Better in Life Transitions
What many people don’t realize is that there are two central methods to feeling better after life transitions: time, and the body. As I explained in my article about grief relief, just as it takes time and body processing to digest a large meal, you literally need to metabolize major changes.
So what helps to do this metabolizing, besides letting time pass? Yes, therapy, journaling, support groups, and friends are pivotal in supporting life changes — but don’t forget the body! Movement like exercise, walking outdoors, and bodywork like massages, acupuncture, and Reiki are wonderful and lesser-used supports.
Reiki Therapy for Life Transition Help
Before we explain why Reiki therapy can help so much during life transitions, let’s answer: What is Reiki? Put simply, it is a Japanese relaxation method that involves gentle hand placements on the body to help energy flow, conducted while fully clothed. Often, the practitioner talks with the client during or after the session to help work through emotional, mental, and energetic blockages.
I have been a Reiki practitioner since 2018, working with hundreds of clients in person, and have been deeply moved to see how this soothing touch has assisted people in working through life transitions over the years. But why does it work?
Reiki can be powerfully effective in helping to work through life transitions because it pairs time, somatic processing, and talk therapy. As I explained in “Is Reiki Real?” at its simplest, the gentle touch of energy work is akin to a trusted friend putting their hand on your shoulder in comfort; it provides the focus, meditative space, physical soothing, and conversation to help the body metabolize stressful changes.
Life Transitions, in Sum
Helping ease the impact of life transitions is one of the many benefits of Reiki, and though it’s not a miracle cure for everything, I highly recommend giving energy work a try as a supplement to traditional talk therapy, healthy exercise and sleep, and friend and family support. If you’ve tried it, how was the experience for you? Do share…
The creator of this site, Lillie Marshall, is a Reiki practitioner who is certified in three different kind of energy work, including Usui and Kundalini Reiki. She began her formal training in 2018, and now runs Healing Touch “L” Reiki in Boston, where she has become one of the top-rated practitioners in Massachusetts, conducting hundreds of sessions with clients. Having been a public school teacher for many years, Lillie is passionate about writing articles to educate people far and wide about the wonderful, natural benefits of Reiki for wellbeing and balance. Find her on social media at @HealingTouchL.