When stress starts showing up more often than we’d like, our local experts suggest that relief can come in the form of acupuncture, reiki and using our voices through laughter, humming and breathing to boost the immune system.

 

Rhonda Giddings, LAc, MAc, LMT, founder of Giddings Acupuncture, in Harrisburg, describes stress as qi stagnation and pressure, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). “The feelings and symptoms people experience when stressed can be described in TCM as wind and heat. A sensation of pressure often develops from qi stagnation,” she says. “In Western cultures, we don’t always describe it as pressure. We might refer to it as tension or a sense of distension or fullness. When qi doesn’t flow, physical or emotional discomfort is felt.”

The discomfort may not be noticeable in the early stages or if the stress is temporary. But it can build from a mild, passing irritation to conditions that affect the digestive, circulatory and urological systems. Building pressure can cause the chest to feel stuffy, blocked and congested; and digestion may be accompanied by burning, bloating, bowel pain or the urge to urinate, in addition to other afflictions.

 

“Ongoing stress, pressure, worry, expectations, fear, anger and apathy are emotions and signs of stress that can make us ill, and will keep us locked in disharmony,” shares Giddings. “There are ways to help yourself, but the first step begins with you and the knowledge that you are not alone. It is valid to take some self-care steps, and that time is now.”

 

 

Rickie Freedman, reiki master teacher and physical therapist, describes reiki as a gentle and deeply relaxing session shared fully clothed. “Reiki helps to balance our energy so that we can handle life’s challenges from a more peaceful, calm and centered place,” she says.

 

“Research suggests that more than 90 percent of doctor visits are underlined by stress. How we deal with stress determines health, longevity and happiness, and stress affects every system of our being,” she notes. “Reiki is a stress management tool that can support healing at the level of the source of the stress—physical, mental, emotional or energetic. Reiki helps us stay more positive and supports our immune systems. Living a reiki lifestyle reminds us to stay conscious of the energy we radiate through words, thoughts, emotions and attitudes, and teaches us mindfulness, compassion, gratitude and integrity.”

 

Tammy and Jack Bray, founders and owners of Joyful ViBRAYtions, are professional play providers offering services that promote health and wellness. “Laughter Yoga, Transformational Drumming, Joy Playshops, Humming for Health and much more provide great health benefits for all of us from the inside out and the outside-in,” shares Tammy. “It all incorporates finding and using our voices, healthy breathing and invaluable self-expression. Use of our voices through laughter, humming and breathing boosts the immune system, increases our ‘feel-good hormones and releases pent-up energy in safe and beneficial ways. As we strengthen our diaphragms and lungs through mindful breathing, which we give attention to even as part of play, we also receive the benefits of grounding and centering ourselves,” she explains.

 

“When we experience stress release through our body movement while drumming and playing with musical instruments for fun, and even allowing our spirit to dance if we’re up for it, we also enhance our self-expression through the fun,” says Tammy. “Moving the body rhythmically releases energy and emotions and frees the mind from self-limiting, stressful thoughts. Play is an integral part of having balance in our lives, and is beneficial to our health and happiness. We call it The Healing Power of Play, and it all adds up to great ways to choose to move out of stress and into more joy in life.”

 

Tammy and Jack Bray, 717-699-4965, [email protected], JoyfulVibraytions.com.

Rhonda Giddings, 717-657-1951, [email protected], GiddingsAcupuncture.com.

Rickie Freedman, 717-599-2299, [email protected], ReikiByRickie.com.