While I have been focusing my writing on my other blog, Luminous Blue, about the healing journey I’ve been on through my daughter’s illness and transition from cancer, I am delighted to welcome back guest blogger Marcela De Vivo.  Today she writes about the benefits of alternative methods for healing mind, body and spirit, including Reiki, aromatherapy, yoga, meditation and nutrition.

Alternative Methods of Healing That Help You Physically and Mentally

While traditional medicine does have its place in terms of health care, real healing often takes place outside of a doctor’s office. Whether you have a physical ailment or a mental block, or a combination of both, prescription drugs, people in white coats, and a dizzying array of tests often don’t provide the healing you seek.

Healing, within and without, requires more than modern medicine can provide. Often people recover from a major illness, but suffer psychologically after the trauma of the experience. Whole body healing requires time, good health care, and occasionally, alternative methods of healing.

The methods suggested below have demonstrated some healing benefit, regardless of the physical or mental complaint. If you find that your doctor’s care, while good, is incomplete, consider trying some of the alternative options to support your current healing practices.

Reiki. Reiki is often lumped in with other forms of body work like massage therapy. However, Reiki involves very little physical touching, if any at all, and you remained fully clothed throughout the session. It induces deep relaxation through the help of a Reiki practitioner, who will help channel life force healing energy to aid in your healing by holding their hands over specific positions over the body, and treats the whole body, mind, and spirit. If you have a particular area of weakness, the Reiki practitioner may spend more time channeling Universal Reiki Energy into that area. Reiki has seen some success with treating Post-Traumatic Stress syndrome in soldiers.

Reiki Session

Aromatherapy. Linked with increased feelings of relaxation and well-being, essential oils aromatherapy is an easy and inexpensive way to immediately improve your mood. Certain oils like chamomile and lavender are associated with stress relief, going so far as to slow down brain waves. Grapefruit is considered an uplifting scent, and can help improve anxiety and depression. Peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus are antiviral and antibacterial, so using these essential oils can bolster your immune system in warding off illness while you’re in the process of healing.

Essential Oils used in aromatherapy

Yoga and Meditation. While these two are separate practices, they are so inexorably linked (yoga is sometimes considered a moving meditation) that they should both be practiced for best results. Depending on the type of yoga you choose, you can improve heart health, muscle strength, while gaining clarity of mind, improved focus, and reduced levels of stress. Healing requires a lot of mental energy—yoga and meditation helps you learn to channel that energy, while also giving you a much-needed mental break. Meditation is proven to reduce stress and can be used to help your body heal itself.

In a heart-centered meditation

Nutrition. What you eat during the healing process can have a major effect on the outcome. To ensure that your body has all the necessary nutrients in the best possible form, focus on whole, minimally processed or cooked foods. Getting plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants helps boost your immune system and provides your body with the building blocks it needs to improve. Plus, what you eat can affect your mood and energy levels. Too much sugar and refined carbs and you may suffer from mood swings and energy crashes, neither of which is good for you mental well-being.

These are just a few of the alternative methods of healing that can help support your current practices, or fill in the gaps that modern medicine leaves. If you’re looking for a holistic healing experience, consider adding alternative healing options to what you’re already doing.

Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer from Los Angeles and longtime Reiki and yoga enthusiast. As a mother of three children, one of whom suffers from Cerebral Palsy, she knows how alternative therapies can help with healing your body as well as your mind. You can follow more of her journey on PrayforNathan.org.

{ Email Lucia Maya to schedule a Reiki Healing Session with essential oils }