For single mothers, like me, whose child has been diagnosed with leukemia, whether it be a recent diagnosis, or you are already some time into the saga, the journey can be overwhelming and emotionally exhausting. The healing power of singing bowls can help alleviate the constant stress, worry, and sleepless nights, which can take a toll on both physical and mental well-being. The aloneness and feeling isolated during these times, can be overwhelming. Many of you are up late at night once your sick child has gone to sleep, feeling all sorts of overwhelm because you have time to think, time to worry, time to grieve for your sick child and the life you have been thrown such a curve ball in that it has become unrecognisable from the norm. You most likely are struggling because as a single mum. you also have no support, no one to talk to, to debrief with. Believe me, I know, because I was you. Finding something to help take the edge off your emotions, might be the one thing that helps save your sanity. Singing bowls offer a simple yet powerful way to find moments of peace amidst the chaos. They have been used for centuries as a tool for meditation, healing, and relaxation.
These bowls produce soothing vibrations that help calm the mind, reduce stress, and create a sense of inner balance. Among many things, they can be used for personal grounding, emotional healing, or as a way to introduce moments of tranquility into your home. Singing bowls can be a valuable tool in your self-care routine and can also be used to spread the healing around other people in the home too by being in proximity.
Hoping to help my now adult daughter deal with her overwhelming emotions and anxiety, I bought a singing bowl for her. She is the one who had Leukemia as a child, and as a result, suffers from Developmental PTSD and adult ADD, and she has benefited from using it. I wrote about this in an article on my other website. This current article will explore the benefits, uses and how to use singing bowls to achieve some peace and emotional relief you may be desperately in need of at the moment, now or in the future. Likewise consider then a tool for your sick child, who may be able to find some solace in using them.
The Benefits of Singing Bowls
Deep Relaxation and Stress Reduction – The harmonic tones of singing bowls help to quiet the mind, slow breathing, and promote deep relaxation, which can reduce anxiety and stress levels.
Chakra Balancing and Energy Healing – Each singing bowl is tuned to specific frequencies that correspond to different chakras, helping to remove energetic blockages and restore balance. As a Chakra Balancing Practitioner now, I highly recommend regular check ins and balancing with yourself due to the myriad of emotions that will come up for you at different times. Working on different Chakras as different emotions pop up, can be extremely worthwhile. You can purchase single bowls for this or look into getting a chakra kit.
Improved Meditation and Mindfulness – The sound waves produced by singing bowls enhance meditation by creating a focal point, allowing users to enter a deeper meditative state.
Pain Relief and Physical Healing – Some believe the vibrations from the bowls can help alleviate physical pain and support the body’s natural healing processes.
Improved Sleep Quality – The calming effect of singing bowls can help those who struggle with insomnia or restless sleep. When my daughter was sick, I had many sleepless nights, and used to tense my neck and jaw muscles in my sleep. Which resulted in me waking up with the most horrendous headaches that caused me to vomit continually from the pain until I could drag myself, bucket in my lap whilst driving my car to the doctors to get an injection to stop the vomiting. Hoping and praying I didn’t have to pull over to be sick, or that I would make it in time to pull over so I didn’t vomit in my lap. The pain didn’t subside straight away and once I had stopped vomiting and the pain was alleviated, I would be wiped out for at least 3 days afterwards. I didn’t know anything about the tools for emotional support and healing that may or may not have been available back then to be able to use them. Which is why I am writing about them now as I discovered them. Singing Bowls are one thing I wish I had in my repertoire back then. If I had been able to go to sleep at night with performing some sound healing on myself right beforehand, I feel those nasty headaches may have not occurred.
As a sidenote, I also found Peppermint Essential Oil helped markedly if I was able to get to it in time and place it around my temples, the top of my head, the back of my head and rub all over my neck where the tension had built up. Inhaling or diffusing the oil also helped with the nausea too. I also sometimes placed a drop of Peppermint on the top of my tongue and held it up to the roof of my mouth for 30 seconds too. Once I started using the Peppermint oil, I had less visits to the doctor and was able to manage my headaches at home. I have also found I don’t get those kinds of headaches anymore since finding my special oil. There are other oils, such as Frankincense that may benefit a headache, and Lavender, among a few. If you would like to check out a great kit that contains 12 essentials oils, including those I have just mentioned, and a diffuser and some other products to try, you can access it as a starter kit here. Trust me, you won’t regret it once you find out all the benefits of each of the oils in the kit. Remember I talked about discovering tools for emotional support? There are at least 4 essential oils in this kit that can help support you there too.
Choosing a Singing Bowl: Single Bowls vs. Chakra Kits
You can purchase singing bowls individually or as part of a set designed for chakra healing.
Single Bowls – These are ideal for beginners or those who wish to focus on general relaxation, meditation, or healing. A single bowl can still be highly effective in promoting wellness. You can choose one that is designed to produce a particular sound frequency that can be used to focus on a specific area where you feel it will be best used.
Chakra Kits – Kits can be purchased in the form of Tibetan Singing Bowls, or as crystal chakra bowls that are used for balancing the Chakras. Both of these are sets of seven bowls, each attuned to a specific chakra, which allow for a more comprehensive energy-balancing practice. These are perfect for those who wish to work deeply with chakra healing.
As Another Sidenote – Chakra Balancing is something I have become a practitioner in due to my daughter’s long term emotional and mental health problems that came from her having Leukemia at such a young age, leading to developmental PTSD and ADD that continued into adulthood. Seeing what happened to her, and having to deal with it all with no support or help, I now try to help other people going through what we did so you can understand what could happen and take steps to help before it is too late. Early attention to my daughter’s plight, would have had a much better outcome for her. To cut a long story short, my daughter was so young when she got sick, her still developing brain suffered damage from the emotional trauma associated with long stays in hospital, unpleasant treatments, having no control over her own body, etc., and the amygdala in her brain was damaged, became enlarged and over-active. It took many years for any kind of diagnosis. We were thrown around to every Government service in mental health you could think of, with no real progress, until we found an amazing psychotherapist who realised what had happened to her, and we finally began the long healing process. The progress my daughter has made is amazing and I’m so proud of both of us for never giving up. She is grown now, and has 4 children, with a 5th on the way at the time of writing this, and while she still isn’t fully recovered yet, she is very close now.
How to Use a Singing Bowl
1. Choosing the Right Setting
To get the most out of your singing bowl practice, create a calm, quiet space. A comfortable, clutter-free environment will enhance your focus and allow you to immerse yourself in the experience. You can also dim the lights, or use essential oils to deepen relaxation. I only recommend the essential oils here which includes a welcome pack and a set of essential oils that will be a invaluable addition to your overall wellness. In particular, I find the Feelings Kit to be highly beneficial in working with emotional distress. In order to have a diffuser included, you can consider purchasing a starter kit, such as this one, which includes 12 essential oils that you will find a most beneficial addition to your household for many reasons, including the opportunity to start reducing the toxic chemicals used daily in homes, which is one of the things I first changed in my own home when my daughter became ill with Leukemia.
2. Playing the Singing Bowl
- Striking the Bowl – Hold the bowl in the palm of your non-dominant hand. Using a padded mallet, usually provided with your purchase, gently strike the rim to produce a resonant tone. You can find an demonstration of how this is done here. This method is ideal for quick relaxation and setting an intention.
- Rimming the Bowl – Place the mallet against the rim of the bowl and move it in a slow, steady circular motion. Maintain even pressure to allow the bowl to “sing.” This technique creates continuous vibrations that deepen meditation and energy healing.
- Listening and Stopping – Pay attention to the resonance and how it affects your body and mind. You can stop playing when the energy shift feels complete or when the vibrations naturally fade.
Cautions When Using Singing Bowls
While I personally love using vibrational sound therapy options, such as singing bowls, there are some cautions to be aware of.
- Medical Conditions – If you have epilepsy, migraines, or any condition sensitive to sound or vibration, consult a healthcare provider before using a singing bowl.
- Pregnancy – Pregnant individuals should use caution, especially when placing bowls near the body, as vibrations may affect the developing baby.
- Not for Excessive Use – Overuse of singing bowls can overstimulate the nervous system. Practice moderation for the best results.
- Handling with Care – Singing bowls, especially crystal ones, are delicate. Store them in a safe place and avoid dropping them.
So, What Now?
I highly recommend purchasing a singing bowl or set of singing bowls as part of your daily self care routine. Yes, I mean you! You need to look after yourself too and take some time out to replenish and de-stress. Singing bowls are a beautiful and powerful tool for relaxation, meditation, and healing. Whether you choose a single bowl for simple mindfulness practices or a full chakra set for deep energy work, incorporating these bowls into your routine can bring harmony and balance to your life. Try experimenting with different tones and techniques to discover what resonates best with you. Once you learn how to use them, you will be on your way to being able to deal with the everyday stressors that are part and parcel of being a single mum and coping with a child who has been diagnosed with Leukemia, whether it is early days for you, or months, or even years into your journey. Singing bowls may not be the only tool you use, because you will probably need others too, but they are a great source of peace and tranquility in a sea of turmoil.
Thank you for reading this article and I wish you all the best in the road to recovery for both you and your child/children.
Warm Wishes
Ange
