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Conquer Toxic Holiday Stress

By: Laura Bonetzky-Joseph, R.M.T., C.M.A.,
© 2010 All Rights Reserved.  A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.

When we think of the holidays we smile with nostalgic visions of celebrations, roasting chestnuts, caroling, crackling fires, happy Cleaver-like families, and everything we asked for under the ‘ol Christmas tree. As much as the holidays bring love, holiday cheer, & family gatherings so do the winter blues, stress, anxiety, and especially the financial pressure to buy gifts, travel or entertain.  For many, the holidays are the hardest time of the year – emotionally, psychologically, financially, spiritually & physically.  With the economy and consumer confidence at its lowest point since the great depression, families are struggling more than ever with finding a healthy balance between work, home & personal needs. Welcome to one of the most stressful periods of the year and this year is bound to be one of the most stressful.  According to a 2006 survey by the American Psychological Association, 44%  of women and 31% of men report increased stress over the holidays.

Stress is different for everyone and what may be stressful for one person may not be stressful for another and stress appears in many different ways.  Stress is a growing epidemic taking a serious toll on our physical health, mental health, and spiritual health with the majority of Americans are living with moderate to high levels of stress according to the APA.  Stress that is not managed can have dire consequences without help and change.

According to a University of California at San Diego study from 1973-2001, deaths from heart disease peak in December and January with it spiking on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.1  Stress is linked to the top six leading causes of death and is another large contributing factor to “Merry Christmas Coronary” and the “Happy New Year Heart Attack”. “Although there can be many causes for a heart attack, stress during the holidays has become more frequently associated with a higher number of heart attack patients,” says Kelly Larkin, MD, emergency department medical director, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital.2

Also the increase of depression and anxiety during the holidays as well. However, despite popular belief, the increase in suicides during the holidays is a myth according to Mayo Clinic.

There is no avoiding stress, but there ways to better manage your stress levels.   Oooooooook?  So how do we conquer this holiday stress?

First, in order to change the effects of your stress, you have to learn to recognize and identify when you’re feeling stressed and become more aware of  the signs, symptoms, and triggers. Your body tells you everything you need to know by sending you signs and signals.  Are you listening to them?

Some of the early signs of stress can include:

  • Unhealthy eating habits
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle tension especially in your shoulders and neck
  • Headaches

Here are some statistics from the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2010 Survey*

  • Overweight Children report to be more likely to have trouble falling asleep (15%),  have headaches (15%), eating too much or too little (32%),  or feel angry and getting into fights (9%) than non-overweight children, which are often symptoms of stress.
  • Money (76%), work (70%) and the economy (65%) remain the most cited sources of stress for Americans during this time of  “Non” Depression.
  • Parents report similar sources of stress citing money (80% ), work (72%), and the economy (72%) as stressors, and 73% also report that family responsibilities.
  • “While the majority of parents don’t think their children are strongly affected by their stress, children report otherwise. Nearly three-quarters (69 percent) of parents say that their stress has only a slight or no impact on their children, yet 91 percent of children report they know their parent is stressed because they observe a multitude of behaviors, such as yelling, arguing and complaining.” *
  • The most common reason for not managing stress well enough is “too busy or not having enough time”.
  • “Two-fifths of adults reported overeating or eating unhealthy foods because of stress in the past month”.
  • One-third skipped a meal due to stress in the past month.
  • More than four in ten report laying awake at night in the past month.
  • “The most common physical symptoms of stress reported were irritability (45%), fatigue (41%) and lack of energy or motivation (38%).”

The next step is to choose a way to deal with your stress. For instance, no matter how dire your situation, find something positive in your life to focus on and find gratitude in that.  You can not change how someone treats you or what situations have been given to you, BUT you can choose how you react to them.  Another way, is avoidance. However, avoiding the event or thing that gives you stress is not always possible especially if that is family. So the better way is changing your thoughts and how you react to people, things or situations.

As you go through the holiday season pay attention to you – not the ego self, but the inner you!

Here are some tips for dealing with holiday stress:

  • You can’t change what you can not control.  So why worry? How is that going to make your situation better?
  • Identify your triggers.  Knowing what triggers your stress, gives you time to prepare and prevent toxic holiday stress from ruining your holidays.
  • Stay positive and try to see the good in every situation.
  • Eat a well balanced diet for your needs
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Avoid toxins such as cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine.
  • Avoid the foods that could be making you sick.
  • You can say NO. Do not over commit yourself and over schedule
  • Seek alternative therapies such as reiki, meditation, acupuncture or massage therapy.
  • Avoid conflict and try to resolve existing conflict the best you can.
  • See every adversity as a chance to grow, excel and be better than before.
  • Find a healthy outlet to reduce stress such as yoga, exercise, tai chi, painting, or hiking.
  • Find balance – Your mind, body, and spirit equally need relaxation and attention.
  • If you have health issues such as heart disease, don’t delay seeking medical attention. The delay in seeking medical attention is cited as one of the reasons for an increase in heart related deaths.

Check out a few upcoming events that can help keep you balanced, increase clarity, reduce stress, and bring more love, peace, and understanding to your life.  Meditation for instance has been clinically proven to reduce stress and is the oldest method for stress reduction around.

 With lots of love and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

To schedule a private session, to book a corporate wellness event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

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REFERENCES:

1.  Doctors Warn Against Holiday Heart Attack Spike; December 3, 2009;  Vanderbilt Medical Center 
2.  Take to Heart; Emergency Departments Prepare to See Higher Number of Heart Attacks on Christmas, New Year’s;  Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (December 21, 2009)  
*  Stress In America – 2010 Key Findings ;  2010 © American Psychological Association
Other References And More Information On Holiday Stress:  
How can Meditation Help with Stress? Laura Bonetzky-Joseph;  MedSpa New England; 2009
The “Merry Christmas Coronary” and “Happy New Year Heart Attack” Phenomenon; Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD; © 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.  
Stressful jobs may raise women’s heart attack risk, study finds; By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay Reporter; Nov 15, 2010
10 Tools for Dealing with Holiday Depression and Stress; Psychology Today; Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D.; November 30, 2009 
Reduce stress, depression this holiday season; By Chris J. Minnick / For the Sun-News; Las Cruces Sun-News; 11/24/2010; 
Stress, depression and the holidays: 10 tips for coping; Mayo Clinic Staff; Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Oct. 20, 2009
© 2010-2014 Laura Bonetzky-Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of MedSpa New England.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.
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The Importance of Spirituality in Conquering Unhealthy Stress

Are you feeling overwhelmed and having a lot of difficulty in your life?

Stress creeping in your life?

Feeling like you’re losing purpose?

Stress is different for everyone. What may be stressful for one person may not be stressful for another and stress appears in many different ways.  However, chronic unhealthy stress slowly creeps in our lives and is a growing epidemic becoming toxic to our physical health, mental health, and spiritual health. At all times, in order to maintain a healthy mind, body, and spirit, we must be in a constant equilibrium or balance.

Spirituality, separated from Religiousness, can help manage your unhealthy stress, because spirituality in its core helps give your life meaning and purpose regardless of your religious beliefs.

How do I know if my stress is normal or if it is unhealthy? Normal healthy stress occurs during certain events such as child birthing, exercise, or even in cases like winning the lottery. The natural stress response is the body’s reaction to danger, uncertainty or change through various hormonal reactions. That is the first stage of stress, also called the “fight or flight”.

Although stress is a normal natural survival mechanism, it can quickly become toxic to our mind, body, and spirit if kept in overdrive taxing our system. Ever hear anyone say their nerves are fried? Well unhealthy stress puts your nervous system in overdrive. Research suggests that prolonged toxic stress contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, anxiety, depression, obesity, and addiction.

Statistics according to the American Psychological Association:

  • About 25% of Americans are experiencing high levels of stress
  • About  50% report moderate levels of stress
  • Over 76% of Americans cite money as a significant cause of stress.[1]

Research also suggests that time management may be a significant barrier preventing people from taking the necessary steps to improve their health.[2]  Most Americans have a general awareness and understand the general health impacts of toxic stress. Unfortunately, studies also show there is a disconnect when it comes to impact stress may have on an individual’s own health.

You cannot avoid stress, but there ways to better manage stress levels and spirituality can help.

Steps to manage stress:

First, in order to change the effects of stress, you have to learn to recognize and identify when you’re feeling overly stressed and become more aware of the signs, symptoms, and triggers. Your body tells you everything you need to know by sending you signs and signals.  Are you listening?

Spirituality can help you become reconnected with yourself.  It allows for self discovery, and can assist in helping you build a sense of awareness. Because spirituality focuses on the inner self and our inner world, it encourages a passive shift in our attitude and how we react to certain situations that confront us.

Research suggests that those who believe in God or a higher power or have gone through a spiritual journey experience many benefits to their overall health and wellbeing including a reduction of toxic stress.

Once you identify the stress, next is to choose a way to deal with it. One way is to find something positive in your life no matter how dire your situation may seem. Focus on positives. Find gratitude in the little things in your life that right now may seem mundane.

Another way, is avoidance or removal. However, avoiding your stressors are not always possible especially if the source of your stress is family. So what do we do? We change our thoughts and how we react to people, things or situations.  You cannot change how someone treats you or what situations have been given to you, BUT you can choose how you react to them.

As you go through this process pay attention to you – not the ego self, but the inner you!

There are various practices associated with spirituality that have also been shown to reduce unhealthy stress including:

This was a venue where Laura was asked to provide Tibetan Bowl meditation to a large group
  • Meditation – Meditation is probably the most researched practice showing profound benefits to improving a variety of chronic health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, HBP, and improve immunity. The US Army has studied its effectiveness in using it as a treatment method for soldiers returning from battle who suffer from PTSD.
  • Yoga – Yoga is considered a form of complementary alternative medicine using various poses and breathing techniques. Research has shown yoga to reduce stress related symptoms, enhance mood, and improve overall sense of well-being.
  • Tai Chi – When Communist China took over, Tai Chi was the only martial art not banned. It is now considered a meditation in movement.  With the use of the gentle flow and movements, Tai Chi can have tremendous health benefits including reducing stress.
  • Breathing Exercises –  Mastering the power of the breath with deep breathing techniques is one of the best ways to lower stress and can be done anywhere. This is because how we breathe affects the overall functioning and health of our body.
  • Relaxation – Relaxation Techniques help activate the body’s natural relaxation response to combat stress. Methods include: hypnosis, meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga.
  • Prayer – Prayer has also show to have many of the same benefits as meditation by bringing a sense of calmness that can help buffer stress. Prayer has long been associated with connecting to God.
  • Touch Therapies such as  Reiki and Acupuncture have ancient healing roots that promote healing and reduce stress.
  • Laughter – Laughter has been shown to cause biochemical changes in the body leading to greater healing and changes of perspective.

Through various spiritual practices, you will quickly be able to restore calm, clarity and serenity to your chaotic life and restore the equilibrium in your body.  In the process, your stress will naturally be reduced.

Finally…

… our mental strength and attitudes can be a deciding factor in identifying a stressor and the nature of our response to it. So becoming aware of our own inner thoughts, maintaining a positive attitude, and learning to laugh more can all help keep our mind, body, and spirit healthy.

So when life throws you a curveball, change how you react to the situation, and find the lesson to be learned. Those who practice some form of spirituality also view these types of situations as a karmic test or lesson to be learned for personal spiritual growth.

As someone once told me when I was at a place where I felt cornered with no possible solutions in sight while stress controlled my life, I was reminded “It is always darkest before it becomes dawn”.  The light always triumphs the dark. Always.

Let spirituality and your spiritual path guide you in your life and help you reduce the unhealthy stress you have accumulated before it becomes too late. You will be glad you did. Have a blessed day.

With lots of love and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

 

To schedule a private session, to book an event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

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For More Information:
Facebook:
Twitter:  @HealingWSpirit

References:
 
1.       AmericanPsychological Association; Managing YourStress Through Tough Economic Times; November 2010; http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/economic-stress.aspx
2.       The Mayo Clinic; Spirituality and Stress Relief: July23, 2010; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-relief/SR00035
3.       AmericanPyshcological Association; Stress inAmerica; 2011 http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/index.aspx
4.       Life Positive; Spirituality for Stress Relief; http://www.lifepositive.com/mind/psychology/stress/mental-health.asp
5.       Columbia CenterFor Psychiatry;  Stress; David FischerMD, Medical Director; 2011;  http://www.columbiapsychiatric.com/stress.html
6.       The FreeDictionary by Fairafax; Stress; http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/stress
7.       Harvard HealthPublications; Harvard Medical School; Understandingthe Stress Response; http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2011/March/understanding-the-stress-response
8.       Spirituality and health: What we know,what we need to know; Linda K George; David B Larsons;Harold G Koeing; Michael E McCullough; Journal of Social and ClinicalPsychology; Spring 2000; 19, 1; Psychology Module; http://www.psy.miami.edu/ehblab/Religion%20Papers/spirituality%20and%20health_george_larson_et%20al._JSCP.pdf
9.       Stress Management; Stress Relievers: Top 10 Picks To TameStress; Mayo Clinic; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-relievers/MY01373
10.     Stress Management Health Center; Stress Management; Breathing Exercises for Relaxation;  WedMD; http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-breathing-exercises-for-relaxation
11.     The Mayo Clinic; Stress Management; Relaxation Techniques; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/relaxation-technique/SR00007

©2013-2014 Laura Joseph of Healing With Spirit..  All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call,consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

[1] American Psychological Association; Stress in America; 2011 http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/index.aspx
[2] American Psychological Association; Stress in America; 2011 http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/index.aspx

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What is Reiki?

A study done in 2007 by the National Health Interview Survey indicates that 1.2 million adults and 161,000 children received one or more sessions of energy healing therapy such as Reiki in the previous year. According to the American Hospital Association, in 2007, 15% or over 800 American hospitals offered Reiki as part of hospital services.

What is Reiki? 
Reiki is a Japanese hands-on healing modality that is natural non-invasive and promotes healing. It is primarily used for stress reduction and relaxation, but is all effective in relieving pain, depression, and panic disorders.  Reiki is also assists in promoting the healing of fractures as well as alleviating many other physical and emotional challenges.

This form of healing is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. The practitioner administers the treatments by laying the hands.  If one is frequently sick or under a lot of stress, the chances are one’s life force energy is low.  Now if the life force is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.  Reiki is a very simple and natural method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that anyone can use to improve their quality of life. This safe alternative is effective in helping many known physical and psychological illnesses and always creates a beneficial and positive effect. Reiki does work in conjunction with all other alternative or traditional medical treatments.

Reiki is not taught, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class through a process called and an attunement.  During an attunement a Reiki master allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of life force energy to improve one’s health and enhance the quality of life.  This healing method has been taught to thousands of people from all over the world.

Reiki comes from the Japanese words Rei meaning Higher Power or Wisdom or Soul (depending on interpretation) and Ki meaning Energy.

What does a treatment feel like?

A reiki treatment gives you sense of warm energy surrounding your body as well as flowing through you.  When undergoing a treatment, you are treated as a whole meaning your mind, body, and spirit.  A sense of well-being and peace is felt with many miraculous results.

Is this Religious?

No, even though it is spiritual in nature.  There is no structured faith base or dogma crossing all cultures.  It works not matter what faith you have as it’s natural healing uses universal spiritual laws to promote wellness and peace.  However, this can enhance your own faith and religion.Check out our Calendar or Events page for more information.   Contact us in Hingham, Massachusetts, to learn more about Reiki treatment for stress reduction, spiritual healing, and relaxation.

Check out our Calendar of Events page or Services Page for more information.  Review what others say in our testimonials

Small selection of what others have said about Laura’s Reiki treatments and or classes:

  • “I have attended, one of Laura’s Reiki meditation and attunment evenings and came away feeling like a new person…”
  • “The Reiki one course was a unique and powerful experience and yet another opportunity to open the portals into the spiritual world. Laura walked us through the important aspects of the origin of Reiki, led each of us through the attunement process and gave us ample opportunity to practice what we had learned. She is a knowledgeable and a patience teacher….”
  • “…She is an awesome teacher and a beautiful soul!!!”
  • “It was an awesome learning experience…”
  • “I left my skeptism at the door because I’m curious if all I’ve known and all that I’ve had is really all that I’ll ever be…After just a couple visits I know I’m more…I’ve learned to cut the string of baggage past…”
  • “Without the help I have received here I do not know where I would be today or who I would be.”

With lots of love and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

 

To schedule a private session, please private message me

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Reiki Can Do No Harm or Can It?

Just as in any profession, there are many wonderful reiki professionals who do amazing work and many individuals receive the many benefits of reiki. However, there are also challenges.  So, before I answer that question, I want to tell you a story.

The Back Story

I was teaching an anatomy and physiology class at a college in Boston. There was a section in one of the chapters talking about links to stress related illnesses and the benefits of meditation as a treatment option. I went on my normal tangents talking about how reiki, acupuncture, and other alternative therapies have benefits as well. I elaborated on each on what benefits, for what purpose and cited types of studies and research done.

I also discussed my professional experiences teaching and practicing meditation and reiki in a medical environment as well as how I teach them and why I teach them a certain way. I also discussed my volunteer work with trauma victims especially, but not limited to, domestic abuse survivors.

During break I had a few students inquire and ask questions about alternative therapies and about reiki in particular. At the time, I assumed their questions were out of curiosity.

A couple days later I received an email from one of my students through one of the websites I have written articles for. She wanted to know if reiki could help her because she was a survivor of child sex abuse and for the last 20 years everything she has tried has not helped her.  She had tried reiki once before about 5 years ago, but she said it felt like “someone put voodoo” on her. She talked about the class and how what I said made sense to her. She wondered if “this reiki thing” could really help her to finally heal and move on with her life.

Why am I telling you this story?

This story is one of many stories of survivors of abuse having a negative experience with reiki. It did not matter if it was an alternative healing night, a referral from a psychiatrist or physician, or a student. The stories began to stack up as to why these individuals never sought reiki again until they met me. It always puzzled me, but also knew there was a reason even it I did not know it at the time.

Laura’s students administering Reiki.
(c)2010-2014 All Rights Reserved.

So now back to the question. Reiki can do no harm or can it?

Reiki itself can do no harm. It is a Japanese energetic touch therapy with roots that go back to Ancient Tibetan Buddhist healing as do many other alternative therapies.  Reiki works with the electrical conduction system of the human body, BUT with the wrong practitioner it may give the appearance it can do harm.  The problem is not with reiki, but with the unqualified reiki person working with someone who has experienced trauma.

In the case of my student, the reiki worked. It was the lack of training or communication by the practitioner that caused the problem that exacerbated the healing crisis she felt making her feel as if “someone put voodoo” on her.

Sadly, over the years, I have seen too many well intentioned reiki practitioners take a 6-8hr workshop and want to profess their expertise in reiki. That is not reiki, but ego talking. If you are teaching this or have been taught that, there is a misconception, and it needs to change.

Working with trauma victims, requires more than just reiki training. You must know the clinical signs and symptoms of trauma and in my opinion, have some sort of clinical or medical training in one or many areas such as trauma, abuse, first aid and cpr, psychology, grief, post traumatic stress, etc.

There is a lot of scientific data research citing the many benefits of reiki as a treatment option especially for diagnoses such as anxiety and depression which tends to plague many victims, and speaking as a survivor of abuse myself, reiki DOES work.

Reiki is also used in medical offices and hospitals all over the country as part of an integrative therapy approach. Boston area hospitals that offer reiki as part of their programs include: Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s. Nurses are also able to get CEUs. So you see reiki itself, has become a viable treatment options for many within the medical community.

A study done in 2007 by the National Health Interview Survey indicates that 1.2 million adults and 161,000children received one or more sessions of energy healing therapy such as Reiki in the previous year. According to the American Hospital Association, in 2007, 15% or over 800 American hospitals offered Reiki as part of hospital services.

Here is the challenge:  I see so many well intentioned reiki teachers and practitioners exacerbating serious medical problems and shedding a negative light on the good reiki can do as viable healing modality by preaching that anyone can do reiki on anyone as reiki can do no harm. Again, it is not the reiki doing harm, but the unqualified reiki practitioner.

How?

With an unqualified* reiki professional, a victim who already experiences fear, mistrust, and guardedness, these symptoms can significantly worsen.

A qualified reiki professional does the proper client intake, knows when the client is ready for actual healing to take place, there is proper communication between practitioner and client, and if healing crisis takes place a qualified practitioner knows what to do and knows where to refer the client if medical intervention or treatment is required.

Statistics

With statistics such as, one in three women experience abuse in their lifetime, the chances a reiki professional will encounter a client with trauma is great.  Domestic abuse has hit epidemic proportions in this country and is expected to remain steady until the economy improves, laws to protect victims are enforced and resources to organizations that work with victims are improved.

This is not taking into account other traumas from events such as our military servicemen returning from war or Hurricane Sandy or 9/11.

Of the 1.7 million veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, 300,000 (20percent) suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression.[i]   According to the VA, about one-in-five female veterans have post-traumatic stress related to “military sexual trauma”, a catch-all category that includes everything from sexual harassment to rape.[ii]

For 9/11 survivors, “at least 10,000 firefighters, police officers and civilians exposed to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center have been found to have post-traumatic stress disorder.”[iii]

“Statistics say that only 5% of those who survived 9/11 in New York City went on to experience symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But in the case of Hurricane Katrina, 33% later suffered symptoms. This is a very high percentage, even for an extremely traumatizing event.”[iv]

With these numbers and statistics, it is imperative, the manner in which reiki is utilized needs to be given much consideration.

Finally

The reiki practitioner who looks out for their client first, will set ego aside and do the right thing by referring those clients to a professional better qualified to work with those individuals.

If you have ever experienced some form of trauma in your life whether it be abuse, rape, natural disasters, loss, war, or the like, then please understand that not all reiki professionals are the same just like not all doctors or therapists are the same. Seek out a reiki professional with training or professional experience in the related fields you seek and ask questions.

As a reiki professional and a survivor of abuse, I can attest to you the many wonderful benefits reiki has to offer especially in healing issues surrounding abuse.

This article was intended to help educate both well intentioned reiki practitioner as well as educate the general public on why choosing the right reiki professional is critical to your overall health, healing and overall wellbeing.

If you have never experienced reiki before, I suggest you give it a try. I have personally witnessed the many benefits of reiki, which is why I have become so outspoken about this challenge.  Just like anything else, understand not all reiki practitioners are trained alike or practice reiki alike. If you have a reiki story you wish to share related to this topic, I would really like to hear from you.

I sincerely hope the information given served as informative, beneficial, and healing.

ABOUT LAURA
Laura Healing With Spirit is a Registered Certified Medical Assistant, An accredited Shihan (teacher) in Jikiden Reiki, and  Reiki Master Teacher in the Usui Tradition.  She has over 15 cumulative years in the holistic and allopathic health fields and has incorporated energy medicine in her line of work since 2006.

With Laura’s diverse background, Laura has a very unique way of teaching and working with her clients than what is typically seen in mainstream reiki which is why many certified reiki practitioners opt to take her courses to better fulfill their personal or professional healing needs. Laura also has extensive training and experience working with trauma victims and domestic violence over the past 6 years. She has a keen sense of awareness when working with her clients that many chronic illnesses, major life events and past life challenges often appear as potential energetic blocks during reiki treatment sessions.

NPO- Jikiden Reiki Institute Member. 

ICRT Reiki Membership Association – Affiliate Member
We are an Affiliate Member of  ICRT, and follow a code of ethics, and standards of practice.  Its purpose is to maintain a professional image for our members while at the same time preserving the spirit of Reiki and assisting members in creating a thriving Reiki practice. By becoming a member, we’ll be associating with an organization that has the reputation of providing accurate, up-to-date information on the history, practice, and scientific study of Reiki. Affiliate members must abide by the following requirements: Use ICRTclass manuals purchased from www.reikiwebstore.com when teaching Reiki I, II,ART, Master and Karuna Reiki® classes. One manual must be provided to each student. Abide by the RMA Code of Ethics. Abide by the RMA Standards of Practice. Place the RMA logo on member’s web site home page (if member has a website).Affiliate members must be Usui Reiki masters. Reiki training must have taken place with teacher in person. (no Internet, distant, CD, or book only training accepted).    Contact us in Quincy, Massachusetts, to learn more about Reiki treatment for stress reduction, spiritual healing, and relaxation.

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/LauraHealingWithSpirit
_________________________________________________________
©2010-2014 Laura Healing With Spirit. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any   health-related questions or concerns.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

REFERENCES:

[i] RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research, Invisible Wounds of War, 2008
[ii] J. Kitfield, National Journal, 2011
[iii] Anemonia Hartocollis, 10 Years and a Diagnosis Later, 9/11 Demons Haunts Thousands, TheNew York Times, August 8, 2011.
[iv]by SusanneBabbel, Ph.D., MFT, Bridging the mind-body gap, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder After 9/11 and Katrina, Psychology Today; September 12,2011.

* An Unqualified Reiki Practitioner Defined:  A person who may have taken a class(level of training in the class is paramount as there is no set guidelines for training), but may not have the experience or other subsequent training to handle those inflicted with trauma. Anyone without the bare minimum training equivalent to Reiki Level II (not done online) with hands on training and  extensive experience working with people in reiki and/or trauma.

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The Reiki Effect

Reiki is a Japanese complementary alternative mind body medicine therapy that works with the human body’s bioenergy field. It uses vibrational, or subtle energy, administered most commonly by a light touch to assist the body’s ability to heal itself.

Reiki has gained acceptance and popularity over the years and is widely used and accepted as an effective therapeutic treatment in many medical offices and hospitals across the country.

As time goes on, there are more and more medical studies coming out on the efficacy of Reiki as a viable alternative treatment option. It is also used in conjunction with other conventional medicine treatment options.

This graphic summarizes the benefits of Reiki when administered by a qualified Reiki Professional. To learn more about reiki, click here.

With lots of love and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

 

To schedule a private session, please private message me

SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY E-NEWS

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Trust in Your Path

#MessageFromSpirit:

“Stay grounded. Trust in your path. The past is past and you are beginning a new journey. Trust that you are divinely supported and you are ready to take this leap. We have been leaving signs to reassure you that you are on the right path.
 
Believe them to be true and have faith like you’ve never had it before. Don’t question or doubt your direction. A new chapter in your life is is getting ready to emerge.
 
Trust.
 
Allow us to help you find and implement the solutions to close the old. Just be willing to surrender and listen to the guidance given to you from the Universe.
 
You are embarking on a new adventure. Be ready to explore. You are now being guided. Trust on where you are going.”

As always, I would love to hear about your experiences. Please leave your feedback as it helps me help you. Have a blessed day.

Laura  Healing With Spirit, 

Spiritual Medium, Public Speaker, Healer and Teacher
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Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. Laura Joseph, Healing With Spirit. May not be copied or reproduced without expressed written consent

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The Last 30 Days Have Been Quite The Ride

The last 30 days have been quite the ride. Can you relate? There were lots of storms – literal, physical, emotional and spiritual. October was a very powerful month for transformation and setting the course for the future. Some of us had clear skies and smooth sailing. Others of us may have felt they were in the midst of their own hurricane.

The Universe has been pushing us to learn what we came here to do to fulfill our soulful purpose. For those who are struggling and resisting to this change, may have felt the impacts of these storms. However, those who have learned the art of surrender, may have felt a huge quantum shift and a lift off their beings. We have been working really hard for the last several years to get to this point.

It has been a few days since Mercury went direct. It is time to let the games begin.

How has this past retrograde affected you?

What lessons have you learned?

Have you felt a shift since Saturday?

One thing to remember is what happens after a good storm.  We see life returning, the rainbow and the return of the sun. The storm has past. The sun is shining. A lot of amazing things are about to happen. Do you feel it?

Here is a message from spirit from a couple days ago that I feel is still relevant for today.

#MessageFromSpirit: “Stay grounded. Trust in your path. The past is past and you are beginning a new journey. Trust that you are divinely supported and you are ready to take this leap. We have been leaving signs to reassure you that you are on the right path. Believe them to be true and have faith like you’ve never had it before. Don’t question or doubt your direction. A new chapter in your life …is is getting ready to emerge. Trust. Allow us to help you find and implement the solutions to close the old. Just be willing to surrender and listen to the guidance given to you from the Universe. You are embarking on a new adventure. Be ready to explore. You are now being guided. Trust on where you are going.”

Have a blessed day.

Namaste.

– Laura

Healing With Spirit
(Published 10/29/14)

Copyright 2014 Laura Joseph, Healing With Spirit. All Rights Reserved.

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A Message for Brittany Maynard

God bless you ‪‎Brittany Maynard‬. Your courage and strength sparked a healthy debate about the ‪‎right to die‬ with a terminal illness.

You are a bright light which will be seen afar. Your message heard. Your passion and love felt.

Your life’s mission is complete. You have done what you have come here to do on this earthly plane. I feel your soulful mission will continue from the other side where your true purpose will shine bright.

May your courage, strength, faith, & light shine so brightly from the other side to guide and light the path for some many who are lost with the realities of death not what we are feared to believe in situations such as yours.

May your courage, strength, faith, & light shine so brightly from the other side to those who may be misguided about transition and death; to prevent those who may seek to profit from your message; to prevent those who may prey on the weak; to prevent those who may see this as an opportunity to end their life prematurely.

Brittany, may you fly high and soar to new heights for all of us to bear witness. My prayers are with you, your friends, your family, and loved ones. May they continue your message from a place of love. God bless you.

Namaste

– Laura

Healing With Spirit
(First published on November 3, 2014)

Watch her video here:  http://www.myfoxboston.com/clip/10803605/advocate-for-right-to-die-with-dignity-takes-her-own-life

http://www.people.com/people/mobile/article/0,,20868349,00.html

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The 2014 Year of Grand Spiritual Metamorphosis and Transformation in Review

As we are nearing the end of 2014, you may feel a big sigh with a realization we survived the wild roller coaster ride as we learned, balanced, purged, surrendered, allowed, and metamorphosized like never before in preparation for the next chapter of our life to begin in 2015. Energies have been intense this past year between solar flares, cosmic shifts, and global volatility with many of us experiencing a grand spiritual awakening or metamorphosis affecting us on all planes – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
 
As human beings, we tend to be resistant to change. And when we resist the change, we encounter more difficult lessons, and more difficult transitions. This is not to diminish that 2014 was definitely a challenging year with enormous volatility. All you have to do is turn on the television to see all the chaos, loss, political corruption, corporate greed, confusion, and divisions happening across the globe. 

The year 2014 also marked a year for storms – literal, physical, emotional and spiritual.

Did you experience any emotional meltdowns or storms? Have you been questioning your role in this world, in society or with your family? As human beings, we experience similar stormy weather such as rip tides, floods, hurricanes and devastation. However, it is during those times just like in nature, that we are clearing out the old, the sick, and the energies that are clogging up our abilities for the new to emerge into our life. This typically leads to a grand spiritual awakening.
 
For those who experienced some stormy weather, did you focus on the storm or did you focus on what comes afterwards? We must remember that the cycles in our life are no different than the cycles of nature. When we experience stormy weather things seemed unclear, cloudy, and at times destructive. It is during those times, we sometimes are unable to see the Sun behind the clouds or the rainbow in the sky or the new sprouts of plants preparing to emerge from the soil.

Remember …

• After every great storm, the Sun returns to shine.
• After every great storm comes the rainbow.
• After every big storm and rough surf comes fertile soil.
• With every big storm comes nature’s pruning of unnecessary branches and debris.
• After every big storm comes green grasses.
• After every big storm comes beautiful big flowers.
• After every big storm comes the birds, the animals, and the emergence of life awakens.

I remember growing up as a child and driving around with my dad during a hurricane seeing the streets littered with debris. He taught me that a hurricane is nothing more than Mother Nature’s way of cleaning house and purging what is no longer needed.

So you might wonder with all this stormy weather, does this spiritual transformation discriminate?

It does not matter if you are a yogi, priest, or someone who masters and meditates daily, the shifts, awakenings, and transformations happen to everyone. Just like a hurricane does not choose a city to hit based on population, race, education, cleanliness, or wealth, what we have been experiencing this year, equally does not discriminate. Many of us have experienced the feeling of losing control in all aspects of our lives at some point. What we learned in the process was learning to let go and surrender our fears and control to the Universe, because in the end, we are never in control.
 
The Universe has been pushing us to learn what we came here to do to fulfill our soulful purpose. For those who are struggling and resisting to this change, may have felt the impacts of these storms. However, those who have learned the art of surrender, may have felt a huge quantum shift and a lift off their beings. We have been working really hard for the last several years to get to this point.
 
You may feel as if you are still in the midst of chaos. The Universe is asking you to remember that with chaos, comes new direction and new life. It is critical for you to stay focused on where you are going and not on the chaos.

 Many lessons have been learned over the year.

Many themes seemed to have emerged such as: the art of surrender, personal responsibility, accepting what is, forgiveness, and learning to let go what you cannot control. We have been learning to no longer hold onto anything that no longer serves us for our highest and best. We cannot add new things to our plate if it is filled with yesterday’s junk. Those who have succeeded in learning these lessons, may have felt a huge shift and weight lifted. A sense of freedom may have also followed like a rubber band snap. When we follow our divine path, we honor ourselves.
 
The secondary lessons we learned as a result of the primary lessons mentioned above, are trust and faith. We learned to have more faith when it was challenged, and trust in the divine to assist us, guide us, and lift us up. We also learned we are more resilient that we believed. As a result, we learned to trust ourselves more. When we let go and surrender to the Universe, we open new doors, new chapters and invite into our lives miracles and abundance.
 
The 2014 stormy weather is passing if it has not already past for you.
 
Mother Earth is listening.
 
The Universe is listening.
 
Are you?
 
Did you go with the flow of change this year or did you resist?
 
The sun is shining.
 
Do you see it?
 
A lot of amazing things are about to happen.
 
Do you feel it?
 
This is a time to choose faith and trust in the divine and conquer your fears once and for all. The Universe believes in you. Let’s complete this metamorphosis cycle like champions and begin 2015 together with a brand new exciting chapter. Above all, let’s enjoy this journey called life.

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Copyright 2014 Laura Joseph, Healing With Spirit. All Rights Reserved.
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Do Profits Trump Safety in the HPV Vaccine Debate?

By: Laura Bonetzky-Joseph, (republished. First published in 2012 on Hubpage.com)

The article below published titled, “Can Our Politicians Place Our Children At Risk For Profits?”, created some controversy as to whether or not to vaccinate your children against the HPV vaccine. Since that has been published, and since our poll has started, there has more evidence to suggest it is not only a dangerous vaccine, but a deadly one. Yet the US government has increased the recommendation of mandating the vaccination of our children.

According to Dr. Mercola, a leading holistic health physician, “At the end of 2013, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil had generated nearly 30,000 adverse reaction reports to the US government, including 140 deaths.” That is 132 MORE deaths since the CDC report in 2010. In 2010, there were 16 deaths. Since then, the average death rate is 44 deaths a year.

If I would not vaccinate my daughters of this vaccine, why would I subject your children too? Knowing this statistic alone and knowing what you know now versus the bill of goods your politicians and pharmaceutical companies sold you, would you still allow your daughter or son to get this vaccine?

In our practice we have seen many people that come to us AFTER they get the HPV vaccine with horrific stories of the countless adverse side effects. What is troubling, are the pediatricians and family care clinics that are failing to link the chronic health issues to the vaccine and in some cases completely disregarding this. As a holistic health care professional, I find this trend disturbing.

What is also disturbing is when families are reporting the side effects to the FDA, many times what has been reported to me are these complaints being ignored.

Even after Erin Brockovich attempted to go after the pharmaceutical giant Merck and later the investigative report by Katie Couric citing two mothers whose daughters’ health suddenly deteriorated after the Gardasil shots, both Erin Brockvich and Katie Couric have suffered a backlash for their efforts to expose the dangerousness of these vaccines that are, in my opinion, deliberately withheld from you for profits. The safety of these vaccines are questionable when the bottom line is profit for the individuals pushing the vaccination.

The medically documented risks to this vaccine include death and serious nervous system disorders. These have been medically documented in Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, European Journal of Neurology, and Journal of Investigative Medicine.

Are you still not convinced? The HPV virus is a sexually transmitted disease. There are an estimated 14,000,000 new cases of HPV in the United States every year with an approximate 79,000,000 infected every year.

Let’s look at the claims of the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine.

  • The makers of the HPV vaccine claim to prevent cervical cancer and want you to believe it will prevent you from dying from cervical cancer. If that is true, then why do the majority of the HPV infections don’t NOT lead to cancer and the majority of the cases clear up on their own like the common cold would?
  • The makers of the HPV vaccine direct their propaganda as a public health threat pushing and lobbying for government mandates of vaccination of your young children. The 2014 US population according to US News is at 317,000,000. The lifetime risk of developing cervical cancer is less than 0.7 percent in 2014 according to the National Cancer Institute. Cervical cancer is a PREVENTABLE cancer for 99.9% of the American population.
  • The makers of the HPV vaccine want you to believe this will prevent HPV infections that they promote as a leading cause of cervical cancers. However, cervical cancer has one of the HIGHEST cure rates of all cancers. The best way to eliminate or reduce the risk of getting the HPV virus is via abstinence or condom use. Regular pap smears have proven to be the BEST protection against cervical cancer despite the HPV vaccine with a reduction of cancer by a rate of 70%. Lastly, since the introduction of the HPV vaccine, the reduction in HPV virus and cervical cancers has shown no significant reductions. As a matter of fact, the death rate associated to the vaccine has increased. So how can this vaccine be a good thing for our children?
  • The makers of the HPV vaccines want you to believe you are protected from getting HPV once you are vaccinated. However, that is untrue. The HPV vaccine only protects against certain strains of HPV. None of which is proven to cause cancer if regular pap smears and screening is done. This is not to mention that the effectiveness of the vaccine to protect you for a lifetime is HIGHLY questionable.

So what is the solution?

  1. Get involved. The pharmaceutical industry is deliberately marketing the vaccines to the consumer leaving the physicians and clinicians ill-equipped and scrambling to find the same data as you considering all the other recent changes in the health care setting since the Obama Care took effect. So do your research before you vaccinate.
  2. VOTE. Listening to your politicians on tv, radio, or in a debate is not good enough. The grass roots is where it is at. Go to your politicians and find out their stance on mandating unproven vaccines with questionable safety. Find out if they received an political campaign funds from anyone in the pharmaceutical industry. This is about the future of your children. It is time the American people take a stance, but it takes getting involved.
  3. Know your rights under the law. You CAN say no despite peer pressure and political pressures.
  4. Sign up to the National Vaccine Information Center’s free online Advocacy Portal at www.NVICAdvocacy.org and gain access to politicians and other issues that may affect your rights regarding legislations or mandates of vaccines.
  5. Have you been harmed by the HPV vaccine? I have encouraged each and every one of my clients to speak out. Create blogs telling the public their stories and the harmful effects they live with day to day. Get your story out to the media. Tell your friends and family. Speak at schools. Bottom line, if you do not want someone else harmed by this vaccine, you need to help advocate for the change. Your voice does matter.
  6. Finally, take our poll on this page about the HPV vaccine. Your voice does matter.

I will leaving you with this final question. Would you vaccinate your child KNOWING there is a risk of dying or paralysis considering there is NO guarantee of the effectiveness of this vaccine to prevent HPV or prevent cervical cancer for that matter? PERIOD!

Resources:

HPV Vaccine Linked to Nervous System Disorder and Autoimmunity: Dr. Mercola, October 21, 2014.

National Vaccine Information Center’s free online Advocacy Portal; www.NVICAdvocacy.org

Journal of Investigative Medicine March 18, 2014

MedAlerts. Gardasil Vaccine (HPV4) adverse event reports through Dec. 13, 2014. VAERS Database on MedAlert

Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports January-March 2014 vol. 2 no. 1 HPV Vaccine Linked to Nervous System Disorder and Autoimmunity: Dr. Mercola, October 21, 2014.

National Vaccine Information Center’s free online Advocacy Portal; www.NVICAdvocacy.org

Journal of Investigative Medicine March 18, 2014

MedAlerts. Gardasil Vaccine (HPV4) adverse event reports through Dec. 13, 2014. VAERS Database on MedAlert

The 2014 U.S. and World Populations; By Robert Schlesinger; December 31, 2013; USNews

Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports January-March 2014 vol. 2 no. 1

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© 2011-2013 Laura Bonetzky-Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit , Massachusetts Survivors Outreach, any of the places that employ Laura, places where she volunteers, or their affiliates. Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.