Brian Jeffrey
With social distancing and stay-at-home orders in place to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, online self-care practices have become a booming avenue for rejuvenation. And I, for one, am not so mad about it. Yes, the internet can sometimes be a source of stress and anxiety especially with fake news swirling, but it can also be a place for deep healing and transformation. And right now, we’re fortunate to have an endless library of workshops, certification trainings, meditations, and courses available at our fingertips, as well as access to practitioners who facilitate private healing sessions virtually.
In fact, in many cases, practitioners have pivoted their business models from IRL offerings to support online self care amid the pandemic. By giving these practices a shot, you’re supporting the practitioners as much as your own self care.
Think you might benefit from some healing (and, really, couldn’t we all?), whether mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual? If so, here’s a list of different modalities you can explore and memberships you can sign up for to support you during these pandemic times and beyond with online self care.
9 online self-care ideas to soothe you while you shelter in place.
1. Sound baths
According to sound healer, Reiki master, and yoga and meditation teacher Susy Markoe Schieffelin of the Copper Vessel, sound frequencies take you to deeper brainwave states associated with rest, healing, and meditation. And attending a virtual sound bath via live stream won’t make the practice any less effective.
“[Sound bath] healing works on an energetic level, so whether or not you are physically together does not make a big difference—the energy transmits.” —Susy Markoe Schieffelin, sound healer
“This type of healing works on an energetic level, so whether or not you are physically together does not make a big difference—the energy transmits,” she says, adding that you may even have a more profound experience doing it at home since you’ll be able to fully let go and relax in the comfort of your home. To make the experience extra special, she recommends lighting a candle, putting on an eye mask, and popping on your headphones.
2. Distance reiki
“Reiki is a natural system of energy healing that uses directed universal life-force energy to achieve healing to support the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies,” says Kelsey Patel, Reiki master and author of Burning Bright.
Similar to sound healing, reiki works to bring the energy body back into balance, and regardless of where you are physically, the healing will make its way to you. “I have been doing virtual sessions for years, and the impact of the healing for my clients is the same as it would be if we were in person,” Patel says.
Related Stories
To take your reiki healing to the next level, DEN Meditation offers virtual reiki level 1 ($195) and 2 ($295) certifications led by Reiki master Jamie Wozny, which teach you how to practice reiki on yourself and others. You’ll receive an attunement during the class that allows you to become a vessel for reiki energy and gives you healing hands. Whether you want it to deepen your healing journey during this time or send reiki through time and space to others, it’s a fantastic tool to have in your back pocket.
For more online self care, DEN Meditation also offers an unlimited membership option for $30 per month that gives you access to all its virtual classes as well as an archive filled with hundreds of past classes.
4. Acupuncture
According to Mona Dan, LAc, herbalist, acupuncturist, and founder of Vie Healing, acupuncture can also be done virtually. Here’s how it works at Vie Healing: Have a virtual consultation with an acupuncturist who provides you with a treatment plan to address your specific issues. The acupuncturist will then mail a kit to you. Once you receive the package, you’ll meet up virtually again, and the practitioner will guide you through your acupuncture session using tiny needles that are held down by a latex-free sticker and will stay on your skin for 48 hours.
“They barely have any sensation but get the job done, because they do stay on for longer than a typical session,” Dan says. “This is as effective as physically going in and being seen by a practitioner, but maybe not as relaxing during the process.” Be sure to only try this form of online self care under the guidance of an accredited professional.
5. Subconscious reprogramming
If you’re experiencing a great deal of fear, stress, anxiety, or have a constant loop of limiting thoughts, a practitioner who specializes in working with the subconscious can help facilitate a shift in your mind-set. “These sessions focus on reprogramming the subconscious mind, where [most] of our behavior, habits, and thoughts exist, to rapidly reduce stress, anxiety, and even physical conditions,” says subconscious specialist and healer Jena Sophia. “In a session, [I] can access your subconscious mind at a distance to see what triggers, traumas, and stresses are perpetuating your current situation.”
Wellness hub the Well’s digital membership ($149 per month) includes access to offerings including health coaching sessions, live daily mindful movement and meditation classes (yoga, strength training, and qigong, for example), lectures, webinars, and support circles. It also includes unlimited access to a library of content.
Without joining the service, you could stll purchase the new anxiety-focused webinar program available on platform called Release ($49), led by Lia Avellino, LCSW. This three-part digital course covers the neuroscience behind anxiety, how to reframe anxiety, cultivating awareness of your nervous system, and spiritual practices for releasing anxiety.
7. Astrology reading
Some may find a session with an astrologer—who can clue you in on what’s coming up for you for the remainder of the year and beyond—especially healing right now. Astrologer Alice Inoue, for example, creates a custom “energy calendar” based on your birthday, birth time, and birthplace. “An energy calendar is a visual and tangible timeline of the planetary cycles that tell the story of how your personal life themes will unfold over the year,” she says. “It highlights the challenges and shows times of opportunity. And it’s helpful to understand where you are at in your life, and where things are headed. It gives one a sense of peace knowing that even when things are tough, there’s a defined end in sight.”
This Los Angeles–based studio is offering all of its meditation classes and workshops live via Zoom (memberships are between $60 and $175 per month). The 45-minute sessions still include interactive elements; teachers ask the group what’s coming up for them and how they want to feel and then guide the meditation class based on their responses. So, you still get to tap into the energy of the group.
There are a variety of classes available for online self care, so you’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy, such as chakra balancing, breathwork, sound healing, mantra meditation, and more. There’s also an app version, if you’re looking for faster meditations.
EFT (which stands for emotional freedom technique) is the natural-healing technique described as psychological acupressure that helps alleviate emotional, mental, and physical issues. The Tapping Solution app makes it easy to get your healing on virtually by guiding you through a variety of tapping meditations that support issues including stress, anxiety, confidence, wealth blocks, releasing fears, and relationships. Coronavirus-focused tapping sessions are currently free and accessible for everyone. To unlock the entire library of tapping meditations, you’ll need to upgrade to the app’s monthly membership ($12 per month).
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.
Written by: WellGood
