Tuning into your body's needs at any time is important, but perhaps even more-so while on a healing journey. Regardless of whether it's a physical treatment or a type of energy, somatic, or spiritual work, honoring and caring for your body is a vital part of the healing process.
I began receiving lots of energetic and spiritual work early on in my healing journey but it wasn't until my work with an incredible healer did I really learn how necessary it was and how to care for myself after such work. Prior to that I had always been told to just take it easy and "drink lots of water", which is the quintessential phrase every practitioner or body worker of any kind will tell you after a session- heck I've even had a manicurist tell me to drink lots of water after a 10-minute chair massage. This is different though. Very different.
Everything in the universe is made up of energy and has its own distinct vibrational frequency. These vibrations represent the energetic signature of that being/thing/entity. When we are vibrating in harmony our energy is aligned, but when there are disturbances in the field, physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances occur and often stay that way until the field begins moving back to harmony.
During energetic type work (think Reiki, certain types of meditation, somatic work, etc.) blockages and stagnation or even just the stimulation of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional energy are often loosened, transformed, and even released. Sometimes you feel it happening, while other times leave you wondering if anything happened at all.
Here's the thing, whether you go into a full fit of physical movement and emotion or have as little as a yawn during an energy session, it's all movement or a breakup of this energy which often, but not always, sends the body into a state of recovery and realignment. Sometimes the body even goes into a full blown healing crisis with anything from flu-like symptoms to flare ups of current conditions to mental/emotional rollercoasters. Regardless of how recognizable your reaction is, taking extra care of your body is crucial.
Think about the care someone needs after even just a simple surgery. You're encouraged to get lots of fluids, rest, and nourishment in order for the body to replenish and heal properly. Or, think back to how exhausted and depleted you have felt after an emotional interaction with someone. You usually want rest, nourishment, and to be alone. Well imagine what's happening in your body and spirit when you disrupt, say, two-decades worth of trapped trauma or negative imbalance. Your body is going to want a minute!
I have personally had all types of “reactions” to energy healing whether being done "to me" or doing it on myself: various emotions arise, guttural cries to fits of laughter, profuse sweating to teeth chattering shivers, muscle spasms to full body convulsions, nausea, headaches, the list goes on. Sometimes this is just during the sessions and other times it runs past (or doesn’t even start until after) the session for a few minutes, hours, or even days. As different as each time may be, I am always sure to really tune in to what my body needs.
Here are my top tips for moving through afterwards:
- Nourish yourself with (animal) protein: For a big portion of my healing journey I was strictly whole food-plant based therefor I added a lot more plant protein the day of and following energy work. Now, when I have a powerful meditation or energy work, my body CRAVES animal protein alongside raw, crunchy food (mostly greens) and I give it exactly that.
- Add in extra minerals: When the body is moving energy, your kidneys and endocrine glands may be working over time which means you may become depleted of minerals.
- Ground yourself in nature: Being with nature provides a certain electrical charge which can replenish your body and its systems
- Take salt baths: This helps to not only relax you but to soothe any tension and muscle soreness
- Do gentle body work: Only if this feels right! I like getting a gentle and short foot massage or I will set up full body lymphatic drainage after a more extended time of energy work (week long retreat, for example)
- Give yourself time alone: You don't want to bring in external stimulation right away if you can help it. Be with your own energy in solitude.
- Journal: This might bring new insight on your experience, or it may just feel good to reflect on what sensations or emotions arose or are arising
- Let things move: This may be emotions or bodily eliminations. Whatever it may be, just allow it to happen.
- Drink lots of water :) and avoid alcohol.
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