T’is the season to be jolly…but what if you’re feeling anything but?
The season of goodwill is generally characterised by merriment and cheer, seen as a time to celebrate with those we hold dear. But for many people Christmas can be a tremendously challenging and stressful time, compounded by the social expectations to be ‘happy’ and live up to the idealised image of the ‘perfect family’ presented to us in films and on TV.
Whilst I am truly blessed to spend Christmas with a loving caring family with whom I share many a fond festive memory, I realise it’s not like that for everyone. I spare a thought for those coping with adversity, bravely battling behind the facade of an outward smile, silently crying on the inside. I’ve been there, and know all too well how the festive season tends to exasperate and highlight our challenges, driving many people over the edge. It’s common knowledge that suicide rates peak at Christmas and New Year as stress levels, emotions and mounting debt reach boiling point. The consumerist pressure to purchase hits us like a ton of bricks, and often leaves a crippling effect upon our bank balance and anxiety levels.
Given this fast-paced, stressful world, it seems that the anxiety epidemic grows larger everyday. It’s the on-edge, queasy feeling that makes your heart race and your palms sweat. And for many people, anxiety is a daily struggle, negatively impacting quality of life and relationships. Many people turn to prescription drugs to manage their anxiety, but that simply isn’t necessary – there are many natural solutions for anxiety anyone can easily utilize.
Researchers with India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) have made a dramatic discovery about the effectiveness of ancient Ayurvedic practices in the treatment of anxiety disorders. They have found Ayurveda to be more effective than one of the most popular conventional treatments, and able to deliver this relief without side-effects.
With age comes wisdom, right? Our collection of experiences grows into the body of knowledge that ultimately creates who we are. If the same can be said for plant life, ginkgo biloba could be the wisest plant around. This particular medicinal plant is the oldest living tree species, perhaps lending its collection of years to its wealth of health benefits and powers.
Ginkgo biloba has been around for ‘hundreds of millions of years’. It has no close living relatives and is referred to as a “living fossil” because its closest relations are long since passed on and immortalized in fossils. Within this time, the ginkgo biloba tree has been used by numerous cultures as a traditional medicine and a source of healing food.
I pulled a card today. (It was the Knight of Cups, in case you're interested, this same card was pulled on 2/2. There is a reading for that day.) I couldn't connect to get anything written for it. I was guided to write this instead.
This is my "reiki story." It changes my life each and every day, always in an unexpected way.
My Reiki journey started while we were searching for honeymoon spots. As soon as we came across the page for Tree Spirit, my (then soon to be) husband and I knew that was the one. Advertised as a “’old island’ style beach cottage”, it boasted no TV, no phone, no clocks. You came there to be there. Perfect! Not to mention it was treated energetically with Reiki, crystals and other ineffable resources. At the time, I had no idea what any of that meant, which is kind of funny to think about now. I did a quick internet search about Reiki, but I only came back with a very, very basic concept of what Reiki is.
