Reiki for Insomnia?

Have you tried everything and still can’t sleep? Worldwide, 15-33% of adults experience insomnia, with an even higher percentage of older adults (75%) experiencing some degree of insomnia. Insomnia can be a slight, temporary annoyance or a debilitating condition that impairs daily functioning. Reiki may be a helpful tool to help restore normal sleep patterns.

Insomnia can result from a range of different causes, from overeating or drinking before bed, to certain medications and medical conditions (e.g., chronic pain), to depression.

Regardless of the cause, reiki may be beneficial to either address the root cause of the insomnia or help you relax and establish a better sleep pattern. If your insomnia is the result of stress, anxiety, or depression, reiki may help you:

• Relax, put problems in perspective, and find a sense of mental and spiritual balance. This can lead to reduced stress and anxiety, which may help you sleep better.
• Gain control over your condition, which may help improve symptoms.
• Facilitate interpersonal connections, allowing you to feel supported by your reiki practitioner, which may alleviate symptoms of depression and isolation.

A recent study published in Biological Research for Nursing explored the ability of reiki to produce a relaxation response. Participants’ heart rate variability, body temperature, and cortisol levels were measured at various intervals before and after reiki treatment. The study found that although cortisol levels remained the same, reiki had a positive effect on heart rate variability and body temperature, which indicated a statistically significant relaxation response.

In another recent study, 15 volunteers who reported frequent episodes of insomnia were taught to use reiki techniques for self-healing. Researchers found that reiki improved sleep patterns and decreased episodes of insomnia among the participants, and that reiki promotes calmness and stability of the parasympathetic nervous system.