What Is Reiki? A Path to Nervous System Regulation & Energetic Balance
By Olive & Co. Wellness
Let’s talk about Reiki.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected from your body, or just plain exhausted—you’re not alone. The world moves fast, our nervous systems are constantly in go-mode, and slowing down can feel almost impossible. That’s where Reiki comes in.
Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a gentle, hands-on (or hands-above) energy healing practice that supports the body’s natural ability to rest, restore, and reset. It’s not about fixing you—it’s about helping your system return to balance.
So… what is Reiki, really?
At its core, Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that channels universal life force energy—the energy that flows through all living things. Think of it like tuning into a soft, subtle frequency that your body already knows how to respond to.
During a Reiki session, the practitioner (me, in this case) becomes a channel for that healing energy. I gently place my hands over or near specific areas of the body, and the energy flows to wherever it’s needed most. You don’t have to doanything. You just lie down, breathe, and receive.
Clients often describe the experience as warm, tingly, floaty, or deeply grounding. Sometimes emotions rise to the surface. Sometimes people fall asleep. Every session is a little different—but the outcome is the same: you feel more like yourself again.
Reiki and the Nervous System
One of the most beautiful (and practical) things about Reiki is how it supports your nervous system.
Most of us are living in a near-constant state of fight, flight, or freeze—even if we don’t realize it. Our bodies are wired to protect us, but over time, chronic stress starts to take a toll. Sleep suffers. Our digestion slows. We feel scattered, anxious, or just numb.
Reiki gently nudges your body out of that stress state and into the parasympathetic nervous system—also known as rest and digest mode. It’s in this state that the body can begin to truly heal:
Heart rate slows
Breath deepens
Muscles soften
Energy begins to flow again
Your body already knows how to heal—it just needs the space and support to do it.
More Than Relaxation: How Reiki Promotes Healing
While relaxation is a big part of the experience, Reiki also works on deeper levels—emotional, energetic, even spiritual. Some of the most common benefits my clients experience after a session include:
A deep sense of calm and emotional relief
Feeling more grounded, clear, and connected
Less anxiety and mental clutter
Gentle release of stuck energy or emotion
Support through grief, change, or transition
A feeling of “coming home” to themselves
It’s subtle work—but powerful.
And what I love most? Reiki always meets you exactly where you are. You don’t have to believe in anything for it to work. You just have to be open to receiving.
Energy Balance, Your Way
In my sessions, I hold space gently and intentionally. Reiki is not about forcing change—it’s about supporting your system back into alignment. Whether you’re navigating stress, emotional blocks, creative burnout, or just want to feel a little more like you again, Reiki can help clear the static and reconnect you to your own energy.
This isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about remembering your wholeness.
Final Thoughts
Reiki isn’t magic—but it’s definitely magical. When we give our nervous system the chance to soften and our energy the chance to flow, things begin to shift—inwardly and outwardly. It’s a return to balance, to softness, to self.
If you’re curious, open-hearted, or just feeling like your system could use a reset… I invite you to try it. You might be surprised what’s waiting on the other side of stillness.
With care,
Abigail | Olive & Co. Wellness