The Transformative Power of Reiki and Holistic Healing for Emotional and Mental Well-Being
- fairsimplelife
- Sep 14
- 7 min read
By PJ Valenciano
A Descent Into Darkness
In my early twenties, life came crashing down. What I once thought of as passing sadness grew into something far heavier, a pit that seemed endless. I was eventually diagnosed with major depression, with the possibility of psychosis. The words stung, but more than that, they confirmed what I had been fearing: I was drowning.
Those years were marked by despair, unpredictability, and pain. I carried an unbearable weight inside me, and the ones who loved me most also bore the brunt of my suffering. Yet, looking back, I can see that this painful chapter became a catalyst, a push toward something deeper, a call to heal not just the mind but the body and spirit as well.
Searching for Wholeness
When you are broken open, you seek light in unexpected places. My healing journey took me through many modalities and mentors: psychiatrists who monitored my medications, therapists and counselors who guided me through the labyrinth of my thoughts, yogis who taught me breath and stillness, health coaches who nurtured my body, and lightworkers who held sacred space for my spirit.
Each encounter gave me a piece of the puzzle. Slowly, I realized that true healing was not about fixing one part of myself but about tending to all of me, body, mind, and spirit.
Yet, trauma has its own rhythm. Just when I thought I had overcome one wound, another would resurface. Healing, I discovered, is not linear. It is an unfolding, one that goes beyond therapy sessions, breathing exercises, or energy practices. My journey has been about cultivating a holistic lifestyle of healing, a way of living that integrates mind, body, and spirit into every decision, habit, and relationship. This is a depth of healing beyond what the world sees, beyond quick fixes or surface-level wellness trends.
Enter Reiki: A Surrender to the Unknown
I never set out to become a Reiki practitioner. At first, Reiki felt abstract. Energy flowing through the hands, life force moving through chakras, it was a concept I did not fully grasp. But something within me was ready to surrender, ready to receive healing in ways that words and talk therapy could not reach.
When I finally agreed to a Reiki attunement, I did so with one clear intention: to tend to the emotional and mental wounds that haunted me.
I didn’t expect much. And yet, what unfolded was transformative. Reiki became a central tool, but it is not the entirety of my approach. My practice is rooted in energy, yes, but I also draw from multiple frameworks: psychology, somatic healing, mindfulness, and lifestyle design. I see healing as a comprehensive lifestyle, one where choices in food, movement, rest, work, relationships, and self-reflection all contribute to restoration and balance. Reiki simply amplifies the energetic harmony that supports these choices.
Reiki as a Gentle Doorway to Emotional Healing
Before becoming attuned, I had often received Reiki from trusted practitioners. Each session brought a deep calm, like being wrapped in invisible light. But once I began practicing Reiki on myself, something shifted. I was no longer a passive recipient. I had been given a lantern, and for the first time, I could shine light into the hidden corners of my being.
This is where the neuroscience of trauma connects beautifully with Reiki. Trauma is not just a memory stored in the mind, it is also imprinted in the body. Psychologists such as Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, describe how the nervous system carries the imprint of past pain. The amygdala, our brain’s alarm system, becomes hypervigilant. The hippocampus, responsible for memory, sometimes misfires. The body reacts to present-day situations as if they were life-threatening echoes of the past.
That was my reality. I had developed thought patterns, emotional triggers, and bodily responses that constantly pulled me into survival mode.
Reiki became a gentle way to listen and respond. With each session, I felt my nervous system shift from fight-or-flight into rest-and-repair. The flowing energy helped me release tension I didn’t even realize I was carrying, clenched shoulders, shallow breaths, a racing heart. It was as if my body was whispering: “Thank you for finally listening.”
Healing from Within
Practicing Reiki revealed to me that healing is not about erasing the past; it is about meeting it with compassion. By channeling universal life force through my chakras, I began to soften the edges of my deepest wounds.
From a psychological lens, this makes sense. When the nervous system feels safe, the brain is more open to integration and healing. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself, allows new pathways to form. Reiki, by calming the nervous system, creates the conditions where therapy, reflection, and emotional growth can take root more effectively.
Working with Reiki alongside therapy, mindfulness, and somatic techniques showed me that true transformation is not just about a session or a technique, it is about how we live day-to-day. Healing becomes a lifestyle, a continuous attention to the body, emotions, thoughts, and spirit. It’s subtle, often invisible, and profoundly deep. The world may only see a smile, a calm presence, or a grounded posture, but underneath, there is a living practice of restoration, integration, and alignment that shapes every aspect of my life.
I began to notice changes. Instead of being swept away by emotional storms, I found I could pause, breathe, and respond. Instead of spiraling into hopelessness, I could recognize when old trauma was being triggered and choose compassion for myself. Slowly, the fog of depression began to lift, making space for clarity and even joy.
The Psychology and Neuroscience of Trauma
To understand why Reiki can be powerful in trauma recovery, it helps to explore what trauma does in the brain and body:
The Amygdala becomes hyperactive, constantly scanning for danger. This explains why small triggers can cause overwhelming fear or panic.
The Prefrontal Cortex , responsible for rational thought and decision-making, can go offline during stress, leaving us reactive instead of reflective.
The Hippocampus, which organizes memories, sometimes fails to distinguish between past and present, which is why trauma survivors may relive experiences as if they are happening again.
The Nervous System gets stuck in fight, flight, or freeze. Muscles tighten, digestion slows, sleep becomes restless.
Traditional therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and somatic approaches are incredibly effective at addressing these patterns. Reiki does not replace them, but it complements them.
Reiki’s gentle energy flow can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” state, counteracting chronic stress. This calm state makes it easier for trauma survivors to process emotions, integrate therapy, and create new neural pathways.
In simple terms: therapy helps us understand and reframe the story of our trauma, while Reiki helps our body feel safe enough to believe that new story.
A Practice of Awareness, Depth, and Compassion
One of the most profound gifts Reiki has given me is awareness. As I place my hands over my heart or crown, I notice shifts not only in energy but in thought and emotion. It is as though Reiki creates a dialogue between my conscious and subconscious mind.
Through this practice, I have learned to:
Recognize patterns: Noticing when I’m slipping into old survival modes.
Release tension: Allowing the body to let go of what it has held for too long.
Embrace compassion: Meeting even the most painful emotions with gentleness.
Cultivate resilience: Strengthening my ability to face challenges with clarity and grace.
And yet, Reiki is only one part of my approach. My healing is holistic and lifestyle-based, integrating practices that affect every facet of my life: mindful movement, conscious nutrition, reflective journaling, intentional rest, and energy alignment. The depth of this approach is often invisible to others, but it shapes how I show up in every moment, calm, grounded, and compassionate.
Sharing the Gift
As my practice deepened, I felt called to share Reiki with others. I began offering sessions to those who, like me, carried emotional scars and longed for peace. The most beautiful part of this journey has been witnessing how Reiki touches people differently. For some, it brings immediate calm; for others, it unlocks emotions they didn’t realize they were holding. Always, it brings a sense of being seen, not by me, but by their own soul.
In offering Reiki, I am reminded of something powerful: healing is not solitary. When we heal ourselves, we create ripples that touch everyone around us. My own healing has allowed me to show up more fully for loved ones, to break patterns of hurt, and to model resilience for others walking a similar path.
Practical Guidance for Exploring Reiki
For those curious about Reiki as part of their healing journey, here are some ways to begin:
1. Find a trusted practitioner: Look for someone experienced and aligned with your values. Personal referrals or Reiki associations can help.
2. Start with self-Reiki: Even placing your hands over your heart and breathing deeply can be powerful. Formal attunement is not required to begin connecting with your own energy. But if you wish to dive deeper, an attunement would be the best.
3. Use Reiki alongside therapy: Reiki works best as a complement to medical and psychological care, not a replacement.
4. Notice with curiosity: Pay attention to subtle shifts, relaxation, emotions rising, clarity. Healing is often gentle and gradual.
5. Practice consistently: Like meditation, Reiki deepens with regularity. Even a few minutes a day can make a meaningful difference.
A Journey Toward Wholeness
Reiki and holistic healing have taught me that transformation is not about perfection or erasing pain, it is about integration. It is about honoring the body’s wisdom, the mind’s resilience, and the spirit’s capacity to shine even after darkness.
Today, I continue to practice Reiki not only for myself but for others navigating their own storms. It feels like coming full circle, transforming my wounds into bridges of connection.
Healing is never linear. But with awareness, consistent practice, and a holistic approach that honors the mind, body, and spirit, it is always possible. The world may see calm or grace, but the depth of this journey, a lifestyle of conscious healing, is profound and truly transformative.
For further exploration, I recommend this resource on Reiki Rays, where practitioners and seekers share stories of transformation and insights into Reiki’s role in emotional and mental well-being.
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