the healing reaction: understanding your body's responses to energy work
Healing isn't a quick fix; it's a journey, a gentle unfolding where we nurture our mind, body, and soul. Our intricate nervous system, often carrying the weight of accumulated stress, requires time, safety, slowness and care to unwind and restore balance. Rushing into healing with the same urgency that put us in survival mode won't do.
While clients often feel refreshed after a session, some may initially feel otherwise, experiencing what's commonly known as the healing reaction or "healing crisis." However, this term can be misleading. Instead, let's see it for what it truly is: a sign that shifts are happening within, signaling the body to initiate repair and detoxification. It's not something to fear; it's a natural part of the healing journey. For some people, things may have to get worse before they start getting better.
Here are some reasons why you may feel off-kilter after a session:
Your post-session experience can reflect your pre-session state. Imagine finally putting down a heavy load after a long time—feeling lighter yet exhausted is normal as you naturally need to rest. Plus, your body craves rest as the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in during the session, signaling it's safe to rest and repair.
Once your energy flows better and your body operates at a higher frequency, what hampers your vitality and healing, such as toxins, waste products, and dormant pathogens, gets physically detoxed. This can manifest as flu-like symptoms, rashes, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, or headaches. It's like a long-overdue spring clean—temporary but necessary for overall wellness. Physical soreness may occur as relaxed muscles release lactic acid.
If you're new to energy work, it can feel like an energetic workout, especially if you experienced somatic or emotional releases. Hence, I always recommend my clients consider scheduling sessions on their off days, take it easy afterward, and prioritize rest to let their nervous system recalibrate and integrate.
Experiencing a new sense of calm may heighten awareness of environments or relationships that no longer serve you. When we finally feel safe and present in our body, deeper unresolved emotions may surface for us to process and release later. Therefore, you might find yourself less tolerant of overstimulating environments. Embrace this opportunity for deeper introspection and reassess lifestyle choices and social connections to ensure they align with your long-term well-being and life goals.
The time it takes to feel better varies person-to-person, influenced by the level of care we provide ourselves. Factors like our personal history also play a role; for instance take someone who's been through deep trauma, had a poor diet, or relied on medication for a long time, for instance. Their healing process might take longer as their body works overtime to flush out all the accumulated toxins and stressors. It's like their system's been stuck in fight-or-flight mode for so long that it needs extra time to recalibrate. Remember, your mind and body need time to process unresolved emotions or thoughts. Be kind and be patient with yourself.
A Quick Note on Symptoms
In a society where symptoms are frequently seen as bodily malfunctions rather than signals of our body's attempt to restore balance, we often feel uneasy and afraid of these symptoms. This fear and impatience usually drive us to seek instant solutions like pills, disregarding the deeper issues at play. Genuine healing requires patience and commitment. It involves addressing the root causes and lifestyle changes rather than merely covering up symptoms.
Instead of resisting your body's natural healing process, welcome it. Trust that your body understands what it requires and provides the necessary support – whether through proper nutrition, taking more rest, engaging in meditative practices, slowing down, gentle exercises, adequate sleep, or simply listening to what it's trying to tell you. However, it's crucial to exercise discernment and seek medical help if symptoms persist for over a week or worsen beyond your ability to manage.
Conclusion
Your body is on a special path of healing, striving for improved health. Trust in it, provide it with support and welcome the journey. Keep in mind that holistic healing involves more than just fixing symptoms; it's about rediscovering your body and inner self, aiding in its repair and flourishing.
