Reiki is a natural way to relieve stress and support health. People begin preparing for cold and flu season as leaves turn and temperatures fall, and one way to stay well is to support immune system function by relieving a leading culprit—stress. The National Institutes of Health reports that chronic stress suppresses the immune system, causing people to be more prone to viral infections such as the flu or common cold.

Reiki is a natural stress-reduction and relaxation technique that enhances the function of the immune system through balancing our life force energy, or qi. A scientific study at the Helfgott Research Institute in Portland, Oregon, demonstrated a measurable effect in the participants’ immune systems based on blood testing. Participants were divided into three groups. One group received reiki, one group just relaxed and the final group had neither. Of the three groups, only the reiki recipients showed positive changes in white blood cell count. Researchers concluded reiki had a positive effect on the immune system.

Andrea Kennedy is a reiki practitioner and instructor and owner of Mainstream Reiki, in Saline. For more information, call 734-664-2255 or visit MainstreamReiki.com.