It is always exciting when something that you have written gets accepted for publication. When this happens I know that my voice, and what I have used it to share, is being spread just that little bit wider. 

In this case I was writing about my Reiki Master and Teacher, Chyna Honey's, latest book: "Using Reiki - Practical essays that bring Reiki into daily practice". This, her second book, is perfect for anyone with a Reiki Attunement who already has Reiki energy in their hands and seeks to understand more.

Chyna's first book, "Understanding Reiki: From self-care to energy medicine", is also fabulous for Reiki Attunees but is particularly helpful to those who are new to Reiki or considering learning more. 

I am passionate about getting good, clear information about Reiki out into the world and both these books do just that, fabulously. Over the years so many other things have got mixed up with the practice of Reiki. This has led to much confusion, some disappointment and has surely led many away from the path of Reiki, where, if the information had been clear, they could have reaped the many benefits that Reiki has to offer for the rest of their lives. 

Both of Chyna's books, written in a very accessible style, seek to redress this and I am very happy to add my words as fanfare to their journey into the world. 

It is also wonderful to have something to celebrate in what are still rather troubling times!

2021 Dr Karen Janes ©
 

Friday 19th March is ‘World Sleep Day’. Given that sleeping problems are so common I thought I would write something on the subject.

Sleep, despite being one of the most natural things in the world that you do, sleep can be one of those really tricksy things, prone to being affected by so many different factors. What you eat, what you drink, what is going on in your life, your past experiences, your hormones, pain, your age, medications you may be taking, your environment and of course your physical, emotional and energy health too, all play a part.

A Complex Problem
Sleep is so vital to all our bodily functions, including mentally and emotionally. Sleep deprivation is a well-known device of torturers so it is easy to see how quickly not sleeping well can become a significant problem.

One of the biggest challenges to sorting out sleep is that there are so many different underlying causes. This means that the remedies required are very varied too. Your best friend, of a similar age, may describe sleeping problems that sound identical to yours. They may share a wonderful ‘cure’ that has transformed their sleep with certainty that it will help you too. When you enthusiastically try that same solution, you find that it doesn’t do anything to improve your own nocturnal tossing and turning at all. It can be such a frustrating and disappointing thing!
 

Just a few weeks ago I had thought that a little light had at last begun to appear at the end of the tunnel that was 2020. In a short space of time there has been a big about turn and whilst we still have the light of the vaccine ahead of us it is feeling like we have quite a trek to get through in the meantime. It can be hard to stay positive when life has been throwing challenge after challenge at us so I have put together these sixteen ideas for looking after yourself . I hope you find them useful and I'd love to hear about any other ideas you have. 

With the news of the third lockdown in England I am closing the doors to my physical practice once again but rest assured that I am still here for online sessions and classes and will do all I can to continue to be of service. In the meantime why not choose one or two of these to help you get started in taking better care of you.
 

The home straight of 2020?

As we march through December and into the Christmas home straight, (a time of year that is frequently hectic and stressful even without a pandemic to cope with), we are facing a very peculiar set of circumstances.

This year there will almost certainly be fewer social engagements, something that might be a very welcome thing for some but feel like a big loss for others. Despite the extra pandemic regulations taking some seasonal decisions out of our hands, we may still have to navigate the sometimes difficult negotiations of who we spend Christmas with, perhaps with even more complications than usual. Again, this could be welcome or further add to the stress, depending on your particular situations or how you like to spend this time of year. Whilst our calendars may be feeling less of a strain there will almost certainly be other pressures that we are facing in terms of concerns about health, finances or further isolation or separation from our loved ones.

A Tumultuous Year

It would be rather stating the obvious to say that much of this year has been challenging. When I flew home from my trip to California in the middle of February the rumbles of a pandemic were only just starting. I, like a lot of people I think, thought it would probably all just blow over or turn out to be a minor inconvenience at worst. I don’t think many of us had any idea how this year would progress and the sort of, yes I am going to use that word, ‘unprecedented’ changes we would all face. Nearly ten months on, we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel but we are most certainly not out of the woods yet.
 
So, as we contemplate the remaining few weeks of 2020, a most tumultuous of years, it will be helpful for most of us to take a little time to consider what self-care provisions we could put in place. As humans, how well we look after ourselves tends to be a fluctuating thing. It is common that we do less well with self-care at the times when we most need it. You will likely have some idea of the kinds of stresses you typically face at Christmas time and you may be all too aware of the particular challenges facing you and your family this year. Below I have set out some suggestions for ten things that might help you navigate the holiday season with greater ease. Not all of these will be relevant so perhaps choose one or two that you think would be most beneficial to you.