Can reiki help me sleep?

Many people find reiki deeply relaxing, and some say they sleep better on the night of a session and for a few days after. It is a gentle, hands-on or hands-just-above practice, not a medical treatment, and there is no firm proof it changes sleep by itself. If you want to feel calmer and more settled in the evening, it is a pleasant thing to try, and it is worth seeing your GP if poor sleep goes on for weeks.

What happens in a reiki session

1. A short chat. Your practitioner asks what has been going on with your sleep and what you hope for. Tell them about any health conditions too.
2. Getting comfortable. You lie on a treatment couch or sit in a chair, fully clothed. A blanket is usually offered.
3. The reiki itself. The practitioner rests their hands lightly on you, or just above you, in a series of positions, usually for 30 to 60 minutes. The room is quiet and often dim, with soft music.
4. Afterwards. You take a few moments to come round, have a glass of water and talk about how it felt.

What does it feel like?

Most people feel warm, heavy and still. Some notice tingling or gentle heat from the hands, some drift off, and some feel very little but enjoy the rest. Reiki is practised by people who believe in a form of life energy, and science has not confirmed that idea. What many people value is simply an hour of calm, quiet attention, which can be a real help when a busy mind is keeping you awake.

How many sessions might I try?

There is no set number. Many people try three or four sessions, a week or two apart, and see how they feel. Some book now and then when life is hectic. If you notice nothing after a few sessions, that is useful to know, and it is fine to try something else.

Roughly what does it cost?

Private reiki in the UK commonly costs from £35 a session, and often more in big cities. Some practitioners offer a shorter or cheaper first session, and community clinics may charge less. Check the length of the session and the cancellation terms before you book.

Helping your sleep at home too

• Keep regular hours. Going to bed and getting up at similar times helps your body clock.
• Wind down. Dim the lights and put screens away for a while before bed.
• Watch caffeine and alcohol. Both can disturb sleep, even if they seem to help you drop off.
• Keep the bedroom cool, dark and quiet.

Reiki can sit nicely alongside these habits as a way to unwind.

Where it fits alongside NHS care

For ongoing sleep trouble the NHS usually starts with sleep habits and, for long-term insomnia, a talking approach called cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Many people add reiki as a relaxing extra and tell their GP they are doing it. It is not a replacement for medical care, so please don't stop or change any medicine or treatment because of a session.

When to see your GP first

Please see your GP if poor sleep has lasted more than a few weeks, if you snore loudly or wake gasping, if you feel low or anxious most days, if you are very sleepy during the day, or if you are taking medicine that may affect sleep. A good reiki practitioner will tell you if another route is better first, and will never promise that reiki will sort out a health problem.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms that haven't been checked, or you are under medical care, please talk to your GP as well.

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