10 Reiki Tips for Recovering from Post-viral Fatigue

Over the past two years many of us have had Covid and recovered. Some of us have recovered but still suffer from what is commonly known as “long Covid fatigue.” The symptoms of this form of post-viral fatigue may include (but are not limited to) …

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• shortness of breath
• loss of smell
• muscle aches
• “brain fog”
• chest pain or tightness
• difficulty sleeping
• heart palpitations
• dizziness
• pins and needles
• joint pain
• depression and anxiety
• tinnitus, earaches
• feeling sick, diarrhea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
• rashes

We all need to find our own way of dealing with and managing post-viral fatigue and it is always advisable to seek medical advice and attention in cases of severe symptoms and uncertainty. This article is not intended to replace any medical care but rather to provide some tools and Reiki healing support to complement whichever route you choose to follow in dealing with and managing post-viral fatigue in your process of recovery. It is also a guide which you may use to support your clients that are recovering from Covid and post-viral fatigue.

1. Do regular Reiki healing and/or self-healing. This would support your overall health and wellbeing of body, mind and spirit and boost your immune system. Reiki healing will be beneficial in relieving any joint and muscle pain, tightness in the chest, stomach aches and many of the other symptoms listed earlier.
2. Ensure that your Reiki healing, in whatever form, is part of your daily routine. Remember, having a daily routine is supportive of your mood and sense of stability during the post-viral fatigue recovery process.
3. With your hand, draw the Power Symbol in the space in front of you and step into that space. Alternatively, draw the Power Symbol on all the chakras and spend a few minutes channelling Reiki to your chakras. Allow the energy of the Power Symbol to envelop your entire being. The Power Symbol can be used if you need to focus, for grounding, and when you are feeling exhausted and need energy.
4. With your hand, draw the Harmony Symbol in the space in front of you and step into that space. Alternatively, draw the Harmony Symbol on all the chakras and spend a few minutes channelling Reiki to your chakras. Allow the energy of the Harmony Symbol to envelop your entire being. The Harmony Symbol can be used if you feel anxious, emotional, or depressed, for improving your memory and to counteract “brain fog.”
5. Use the Harmony Symbol at any time and as you feel guided for boosting your mood and mental health – being in a healthy state of mind is highly supportive to the post-viral fatigue recovery process.
6. Using the Distant Symbol, do a distant healing session to heal your future self from the post-viral fatigue and symptoms from which you are currently suffering.
7. Use the Power Symbol for purification and boosting your food and drinks to carry Reiki healing to all the cells of your body. You can also add the Distant Symbol over food to increase the nutritional value thereof.
8. Apply the Harmony Symbol to the sides of the head and Solar Plexus to dissolve psychogenic symptoms, such as hurt, tiredness, and stress.
9. Apply the Harmony Symbol to the front and back of head and Solar Plexus to relieve restlessness, anger, and frustration you may experience because of post-viral fatigue.
10. Have Reiki improve your memory by drawing the Power Symbol on top of your head or the Emotional Symbol at the Crown and 3rd Eye chakras.

In addition to this, regular Reiki healing also affords the opportunity to take a break, rest, and pace yourself so that you do not over-exert yourself.

During your recovery process you may find that a traditional Reiki self-healing session may feel long and exhausting. It may feel like “just too much effort.” For this reason, I include a Reiki self-healing option that is less overwhelming. I have found this option particularly beneficial to aid better sleep and supportive of recovery from the symptoms of extreme fatigue. Remember, do short and small Reiki healing sessions more regularly rather than not doing any healing at all due to the feelings of fatigue and overwhelm.

This basic Reiki self-treatment focuses on the 3-major energy centres or the Three Dantians, i.e.:

• The Centre of Life: the belly-area above and below the navel (Sacral Chakra).
• The Centre of Knowledge: the heart area in the centre of the chest (Solar Plexus and Heart Chakras).
• The Centre of Wisdom: the head towards the top of the head (Brow and Crown Chakras).

Apply hands-on Reiki by starting at the Centre of Wisdom and work your way down. Spend about 3 – 5 minutes on each Centre, channelling Reiki energy to that Centre. This is an ideal healing session when getting into bed at night and is highly supportive of a good night’s rest. If you feel that your energy is exceptionally low, start at the Centre of Life and work your way up. This is an energising application of this basic Reiki self-treatment and ideal for getting your day started.

Remember to set a healing intention when you start your self-healing session. Do a self-healing session every day if you can. And always give gratitude when done. And most importantly, be kind to yourself during your recovery – be prepared that some days will be worse than others but know that with Reiki healing you are well-supported and on your road to recovery.

Article by Thea van der Merwe, Ph.D.

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Thea van der Merwe, Ph. D. is a nationally and internationally trained holistic energy, certified and experienced Master Reiki Practitioner, qualified in Usui Reiki, Reijukido, Karuna® Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, Crystal Reiki, and Gendai Reiki. She obtained the title of Shihan (full master/teacher), the highest level in Gendai Reiki Ho. Besides her greatest passion which is Reiki, Thea is also a spiritual shaman, healer, and teacher, offering readings as a way of accessing spiritual guidance. Her journey of personal discovery, growth, and healing started back in 2005 when she was personally in need of healing and searching for something more than what conventional medicine and therapy could provide. Thea is currently nationally and internationally registered with the South African Reiki Masters Association and The Reiki Healing Association respectively – both professional associations for the local and global Reiki communities, working to promote the wide-reaching practice and healing effects of Reiki throughout the world and where the primary philosophy is that together, we can do so much more. You can get into contact with Thea van der Merwe at viterra.co.za, which is her website, and at facebook.com/viterrahealing on Facebook.