To My Empathic Friends

empathic
energy
selfcare
meditation
well being

These are stressful, scary times. And, as I am wont to do, this didn’t occur to my empathic self until I suffered the effects a few times. If you HAVE to go out in public, be prepared energetically.


What On Earth Does Empathic Mean?

Empaths, or highly sensitive people, are those who are very attuned to the energies and emotions of the people around them. This often makes them very caring, loving people, but it also makes them vulnerable to the negative energies and emotions of people around them.

Am I An Empath?

Dr. Judith Orloff, assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, wrote an article “Are You An Emotional Empath?” that helps people recognize the traits of an empath, and gives great suggestions for dealing with the effects. I created this list of 10 signs you’re an empath based on her article and my own experience. If three or more of these signs apply to you, you’re very likely empathic.

10 signs you are empathic:
1. You feel/react to the emotions of others
2. When others are happy, you're happy
3. Groups of people make you tired/exhausted
4. You feel drained by negative people
5. You require alone time to recharge
6. Your nerves get frayed by noise, smells, or excessive talk
7. People come to you for advice
8. You feel drawn to heal/help others
9. You overeat to deal with emotional stress
10. You develop strong first impressions of people

Well Great, Now What?

So, what tends to take me a few times to catch on to are the situations that really drain me as empath. I finally realized that going out on essential errands during this COVID-19 crisis is kicking my butt. Just stopping to buy milk & toilet paper made me want to take a nap when I got home.

I live in a fairly sparsely populated neighborhood, so I do get a break when I get home. Empathic people living in towns and cities may not get the opportunity to “socially distance” themselves from the stress and anxiety of those around them. So, while I plan to heed my own advice the next time I need to go out, here are some tips on how you can protect yourself whenever you’re around others who are stressed & anxious:

Empathic Friends
How to protect yourself in public:
1. Take a Deep Cleansing Breath
2. Visualize A Sphere of Loving & Protective Energy Around You
3. Set The Intention: "I Allow only that which is for my highest good to enter"

What Do I Do If I Still Get Bad Vibes On Me?

You can clear yourself of these negative energies and stressors with a little creative visualization. As you’re getting back into your car, or walking in your front door, take a moment and physically brush yourself off. Brush your hands from the top of your body down, and imagine flinging the energies into the earth to be absorbed and cleansed. If you’re really wiped out, consider taking a shower and visualizing the emotions and energies washing down the drain.

I’m Here For You (You Know… Empathic)

If you feel like you’re still being affected by the stress & anxiety around you, you can contact me for some suggestions. We can also schedule a guided meditation or Reiki session to help you center and manage stress.

Be well & stay well… ~Tricia

What is Reiki?

ReikiReiki has been steadily growing in public awareness in recent years. Chances are, you’ve at least heard the term, or seen it and wondered how to pronounce it (Ray-Key). In a nutshell, Reiki is a simple, safe method of natural healing and self-care that anyone can learn to use.

Where Did Reiki Come From?

While some form Reiki or energy healing itself has been practiced for centuries, this particular method of “laying on hands” for stress reduction, relaxation, and promoting healing was discovered by Mikao Usui after a spiritual experience on Mt. Kurama in Japan in 1922. He first practiced this healing method on family and friends, eventually developing into a system that became known as “Usui Reiki Healing Method”. A decade later, Reiki made its way to the West via Hawaii with the help of Mrs. Hawayo Takata.

What Does Reiki Mean?

reiki kanjiThe name Reiki comes from two Japanese Kanji, Rei and Ki. Rei is generally defined as meaning “universal” and representing body, mind and spirit. Ki is life energy, and you’ll find similar concepts throughout the world, such as chi, prana, qi, or ti. It is the non-physical energy that animates all living things. Therefore, Reiki can be generally translated to “universal life force”.

How Does Reiki Work?

Individuals who use Reiki are channeling, or provides a conduit for, this universal life force. Unlike most types of energy healing, Reiki is considered to be an energy that can only be channeled by someone who has been attuned to it. In the simplest sense, an attunement means that adjustments are made on a spiritual consciousness (Rei) level that enable the student to channel Reiki. Once you have received an attunement, it’s as simple as placing your hands on yourself or others with the intention of healing.
Life energy (Ki) flows through the body in energy pathways, through organs, and around us in an energy field (aura). When this energy flow is slowed or blocked, it can cause a decreased functioning in the organs or systems of the body and lead to illness. During a Reiki session, the universal consciousness (Rei) assesses where the energy flow is slowed or blocked, and the energy is directed to where it is needed, breaking up blockages, clearing the energy pathways, and allowing Ki to flow naturally.

How is Reiki Used?

wellness-285590_640Reiki is a powerful, yet gentle healing method. Because its source is that of spiritual or universal consciousness, it is believed that this spiritual consciousness always knows what a person needs and will adjust the healing for each individual person. As a result, it can be complementary to other forms of treatment, including medical and psychological care.
Reiki is offered to patients in hospitals across the country as part of hospital or clinic sponsored programs, or as part of hospice care. This includes the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where it is offered to both inpatient and outpatient oncology patients as part of their whole patient integrative care process. Locally, our own Eastern Maine Medical Center has a volunteer Reiki program that is available to patients in all of their inpatient departments and the outpatient Cancer Care of Maine location.
Studies have shown that Reiki can decrease recovery time from surgery, improve patient attitude, and reduce unwanted medication side effects. A research study in 2000 at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut indicated that Reiki improved sleep, reduced pain, and reduced nausea, as well as reducing anxiety during pregnancy. It has been used to aid in healing everything from colds to cancer.

Who Can Learn Reiki?

meditation-1384758_640Anyone can learn Reiki. You don’t need any particular education level or spiritual belief system to use it. It doesn’t even take years of practice to be able to use it successfully. Once a student receives the attunement, they have Reiki and can use it.
Many massage therapists are introduced to Reiki as part of their massage licensing training, and elect to continue providing Reiki as part of their massage practice. Nurses, healthcare aides, and hospice care volunteers often learn Reiki to help their patients during the course of their regular care. Everyday people can learn to use it to benefit aging parents, family members suffering from illness, or just as part of their regular self-care routine.

Want to Learn More?

I’m offering a special for the month of July! “Try Reiki” – You can try a half an hour Reiki healing session for $20. Just contact me to schedule your appointment or book online at MassageBook and choose “Try Reiki”.
If you would like to learn even more and receive your Reiki attunement, stay tuned for Reiki I and II classes coming soon. You can receive information about when Reiki classes will be held by following Birch Tree Wellness on Facebook or signing up for the monthly newsletter. If you would just like to ask some questions about Reiki, you’re always welcome to contact me.

Reiki Resources:

Just for today, I will not be angry.

Just for today, I will not worry.

Just for today, I will be grateful.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

Introducing Intuitive Bodywork

Intuitive BodyworkWhat is Intuitive Bodywork?

Sometimes maybe you feel a little bit off, and you’re not quite sure if massage is what you need, or Reiki, or something completely different. During an Intuitive Bodywork session, I will combine elements of massage, stretches, aromatherapy, Reiki, and other energy work, depending upon what it feels like you need intuitively.

How Does It Work?

At the beginning of your appointment, we’ll talk a little bit about what trouble you’re having. It can be mind, body, or spirit. Then you’ll hop on the massage table, undressed to your level of comfort, and covered with a sheet and/or blanket. During your session, I’ll start with Reiki at your head and move down your body, using my intuition to determine if you need some energy in a particular area, or maybe your neck needs to stretch, or you need some massage work on your shoulders and back, or foot reflexology. Once the session is finished, I’ll leave the room and give you a few minutes to collect yourself and get off the table. Before you leave, we can talk a bit about what I did, what things I might have picked up intuitively, and how you’re feeling.

What’s Intuitive About It?

I define intuition as that “knowing” or “gut feeling” when you perceive or know something without necessarily having a rational reason for it. Examples might be when your phone rings and you know who is calling without looking at caller ID; or you might have the urge to call someone and you find out they are having a bad day. Intuition can be practiced and developed, used to help guide yourself and others in day to day life.
I’ve spent many years helping people on an intuitive level, with energy work and spiritual guidance, as well as helping people learn to recognize and use their intuition. I feel that mixing intuition in with benefits of massage, reiki and bodywork is a natural progression into helping people heal themselves on a body, mind, and spirit level. If you would like to give Intuitive Bodywork a try, just contact me or schedule an appointment online today!
~Tricia