During the last few years, immune health has been a concern for many. Good sleep, a whole-foods diet, plenty of exercise, and supplements are often top recommendations to support the immune system, but one less recognized key to immune health is relaxation and stress-reduction. Unfortunately, in today’s world, many of us are stressed and burnt-out. We have a million obligations in our work and family lives, and the effects of the pandemic have not been kind.

Stress produces a hormone called Cortisol. This hormone, known as the “fight or flight” chemical is essential to our survival. Unfortunately, in today’s world, the release of Cortisol gets triggered a lot – not by bear attacks or escapes from danger, but by over-work, financial struggles, family difficulties and fear-based media.

Cortisol typically has anti-inflammatory actions, but chronic activation can lead to our immune systems becoming resistant, which dampens the immune response. This reduced immunity can lead to illness, disease, and chronic inflammation. To put it simply, when you’re stressed your body can’t as effectively fight off outside threats (like viruses) or inside threats (like autoimmunity or cancers) which means you could end up feeling more sick, more often.

Aside from removing stress completely (and I imaging quitting your job would just create more stress!), the only ‘cure’ for stress is stress-management. When we create an environment that allows us to breathe, take a break, recharge, and do something enjoyable, our bodies begin to reduce Cortisol production. Spending time in nature, doing sports and leisure activities, making time for friends, hobbies and interests, reading a good book, meditation, and self-care activities like Reiki are all great ways to relax!

In recent studies, Reiki was shown to reduce heart rate and high-blood pressure (tell-tale signs of high stress), compared to control and “fake” Reiki groups. Another study found that a 30-minute Reiki treatment produced reduced feelings of anxiety and lower systolic blood pressure. Reiki is also shown to improve sleep, which is essential for Cortisol reduction.

Many clients find that a monthly visit helps them feel more relaxed, peaceful, and recharged. Making self-care a priority not only helps us feel less stressed, but is the key to supporting our immune systems too!