Picture yourself in a high stress situation. How do you react to your environment? Do you snap at others for no apparent reason? Are you irritable, grumpy, or withdrawn? You probably notice an increase in aches and pains, headaches, stomach upset, and changes in your sleep pattern. Now, picture that this stress is constant over a period of time....your immune system becomes less effective and you get sick, you can't make decisions well, and you certainly don't react well to any changes that may come your way. It is well known stress over time can result in blood pressure/cardiovascular issues, ulcers or other digestive issues, and illness along with a whole host of other medical issues. Long term stress also affects our cognition, decision making abilities, ability to focus on a task or sit still, and can even speed up the aging process. |
Did you know the same cascade of events happens in animals? Many negative behaviors or health issues in our animals stem from stress. What is worse is often the signs of stress are overlooked a and considered to be "just how they are" or that is "just their quirks". In actuality, those behaviors are probably the result of prolonged stress. Animals are hardwired for survival and the fight or flight response is very strong. As a result of this system, you may also see them fight (bite, kick, scratch), flee (need to survive), freeze (try to be invisible so the stress will go away, dissociate from the stress). Another potential is that the animal resorts to other bad behaviors/fooling around to distract from or diffuse whatever is causing the stress. Animals are also very empathic and pick up on or take on our emotions and stress. They do this without realizing it and as a result, have a difficult time releasing the stress they picked up from us.
Normally, we are exposed to a stressor (person, place, event, or thing that makes us feel out of control) and our body quickly and automatically reacts to help us deal with the stressor. We go into the flight or fight response governed by the sympathetic autonomic nervous system and involves release of cortisol, adrenaline, and glucocorticoids. These all work to help us perform at our best physical (if we choose to flee or fight) and mentally to sharpen our senses, take in more info about our surroundings, and make quick decisions about what is needed for us to survive. During this time period, anything non vital is slowed or shut down (such as animal may void quickly so that they don't have to while fleeing or fighting). Then, when the stressor has been dealt with, we release all those hormones and stabilize the system. When the stress is quickly removed, all goes back to normal within a short time. However, when the stress is repeated or prolonged, it can get stuck which creates energetic blocks, reduces our overall health and then makes us more succeptible to further stressors. Each time the cycle occurs for the same or similar stressor, the severity of the reactions can increase. It is important to note that what causes stress for one individual may not cause stress to someone else - we all react differently.
There are several ways to tell how severe the stress reaction is for your animal. How severely do they react to the trigger or event? Is it just mild, extreme, or fully out of control? Can your animal still think and act for themselves when triggered? Can your animal still respond to your cues/instructions? If you answered no to these, the animal is experience a high level of stress built up over time. Often, the reactions or behaviors get to a point of far exceeding what is a normal or typical reaction to an event. Stress is a two way communication in the body and chronic stress blocks the communication that the worst is over. It is important to notice when these behaviors occur, what is going on at the time, what helps improve. If the behavior is increasing in frequency, duration, or intensity, something in the environment is reinforcing the need for the behavior.
Reiki works on several levels to break the stress cycle. It can balance the autonomic nervous system to stop the sympathetic reaction and allow the parasympathetic calming reaction. It can help balance hormones, flush out the system, remove blocks, and restore normal flow of energy. It can work to decrease, break, or erase the automatic stress reaction, decrease negative emotions/thoughts, and change perceptions/triggers related to an event. Reiki can also work to clear the cellular memory of the stress and optimize the function of all body processes and systems. It is important to note that the stress reactions built up over time and may take multiple Reiki sessions to release.
Some of the most common stressors/triggers for animals are: changes in home environment (could be as simple as moving furniture or new neighbors), a stressful environment (they pick up on our stress and internalize it), noises, lack of stimulation/exercise, being left alone for long periods of time, fluctuating expectations from owner or not understanding what is expected of them, grief (for a person or animal housemate), vet visits, schedule changes, lack of affection, abuse, etc.
Common signs of stress in all animals:
-hide/flee from stressor
-trembling/shaking
Change in breathing
Cling to you/ unable to function independently
Difficulty following a command/learning
Changes in appetite
Hypersexual behaviors
Digestive issues
Freezing/trying to be invisible
Increased tendency to fool around/get in trouble to distract from situation
Destructive behaviors (chewing, biting, scratching, breaking things)
Pacing
Picking at self/hot spots/itchy skin
changes in sleep patterns
agression/anxiety
excessively submissive behavor
poor learning abilities
increased allergic reactions
voiding inappropriately of excess diahrea or constipation
excess and repeated yawning or tooth grinding
separation anxiety
increasing or escalating triggers or negative behaviors
sudden behavioral or personality changes (normally calm/quiet but now vocalizing more/acting up)
new or worsening pain
It is important to note that many of these signs can also signify medical issues. It is important to always have your animal check out by a vet if you suspect any illness or disease. Remember, built up stress and energy blocks can lead to disease and illness. Once they are diagnosed, follow veterinary recommendations first and foremost and then you can supplement with Reiki to work on releasing the underlying cause of the illness. Reiki in conjunction with medical care can help your animal get back to feeling their best more quickly.
Normally, we are exposed to a stressor (person, place, event, or thing that makes us feel out of control) and our body quickly and automatically reacts to help us deal with the stressor. We go into the flight or fight response governed by the sympathetic autonomic nervous system and involves release of cortisol, adrenaline, and glucocorticoids. These all work to help us perform at our best physical (if we choose to flee or fight) and mentally to sharpen our senses, take in more info about our surroundings, and make quick decisions about what is needed for us to survive. During this time period, anything non vital is slowed or shut down (such as animal may void quickly so that they don't have to while fleeing or fighting). Then, when the stressor has been dealt with, we release all those hormones and stabilize the system. When the stress is quickly removed, all goes back to normal within a short time. However, when the stress is repeated or prolonged, it can get stuck which creates energetic blocks, reduces our overall health and then makes us more succeptible to further stressors. Each time the cycle occurs for the same or similar stressor, the severity of the reactions can increase. It is important to note that what causes stress for one individual may not cause stress to someone else - we all react differently.
There are several ways to tell how severe the stress reaction is for your animal. How severely do they react to the trigger or event? Is it just mild, extreme, or fully out of control? Can your animal still think and act for themselves when triggered? Can your animal still respond to your cues/instructions? If you answered no to these, the animal is experience a high level of stress built up over time. Often, the reactions or behaviors get to a point of far exceeding what is a normal or typical reaction to an event. Stress is a two way communication in the body and chronic stress blocks the communication that the worst is over. It is important to notice when these behaviors occur, what is going on at the time, what helps improve. If the behavior is increasing in frequency, duration, or intensity, something in the environment is reinforcing the need for the behavior.
Reiki works on several levels to break the stress cycle. It can balance the autonomic nervous system to stop the sympathetic reaction and allow the parasympathetic calming reaction. It can help balance hormones, flush out the system, remove blocks, and restore normal flow of energy. It can work to decrease, break, or erase the automatic stress reaction, decrease negative emotions/thoughts, and change perceptions/triggers related to an event. Reiki can also work to clear the cellular memory of the stress and optimize the function of all body processes and systems. It is important to note that the stress reactions built up over time and may take multiple Reiki sessions to release.
Some of the most common stressors/triggers for animals are: changes in home environment (could be as simple as moving furniture or new neighbors), a stressful environment (they pick up on our stress and internalize it), noises, lack of stimulation/exercise, being left alone for long periods of time, fluctuating expectations from owner or not understanding what is expected of them, grief (for a person or animal housemate), vet visits, schedule changes, lack of affection, abuse, etc.
Common signs of stress in all animals:
-hide/flee from stressor
-trembling/shaking
Change in breathing
Cling to you/ unable to function independently
Difficulty following a command/learning
Changes in appetite
Hypersexual behaviors
Digestive issues
Freezing/trying to be invisible
Increased tendency to fool around/get in trouble to distract from situation
Destructive behaviors (chewing, biting, scratching, breaking things)
Pacing
Picking at self/hot spots/itchy skin
changes in sleep patterns
agression/anxiety
excessively submissive behavor
poor learning abilities
increased allergic reactions
voiding inappropriately of excess diahrea or constipation
excess and repeated yawning or tooth grinding
separation anxiety
increasing or escalating triggers or negative behaviors
sudden behavioral or personality changes (normally calm/quiet but now vocalizing more/acting up)
new or worsening pain
It is important to note that many of these signs can also signify medical issues. It is important to always have your animal check out by a vet if you suspect any illness or disease. Remember, built up stress and energy blocks can lead to disease and illness. Once they are diagnosed, follow veterinary recommendations first and foremost and then you can supplement with Reiki to work on releasing the underlying cause of the illness. Reiki in conjunction with medical care can help your animal get back to feeling their best more quickly.