We’ve experienced some triggering times lately. Clients, friends, and family members share their anxieties about the future and how it might affect us. These fears affect how we navigate daily life, causing us to feel distracted, disorganized, unproductive or just plain not like our usual selves. In situations like this, we are reminded to embrace mindfulness, to accept our situation and remain in the present moment.
There is a problem with this wise advice. When we are triggered it’s really, really hard to stay present. Much as we try to calm our busy minds, we keep getting pulled into thoughts that fuel and reinforce our fears.
Science gives us the reasons why it’s so hard to soothe ourselves. When we feel threatened our amygdala, the “fight or flight” center of our brain, gets activated. If the trigger is mild or moderate, our frontal lobes – where we reason through problems and make decisions – can override the amygdala and take action to address or resolve the threat.
If we are massively triggered, though, the amygdala “hijacks” our frontal lobes and blocks our voluntary responses*. When this occurs it takes monumental effort to regain control of our frontal lobes and access those abilities. We cannot settle ourselves enough to accomplish any form of self-soothing, much less remain in the present moment.
Reiki is a powerful, restorative practice. Studies have shown that Reiki activates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing us to slow down and return to a calm state. The best known study** found Reiki to perform better than placebo in helping patients regulate their heart rates and lower blood pressure – both signals of reduced stress.
When we get hijacked, we need help. We need people and approaches that support our minds and spirits, so that we can access our inner resources and care for ourselves. When we choose Reiki, all we need to do is breathe and receive an energy that heals.
*https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/amygdala-hijack#symptoms
**https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2156587217728644