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Holistic Health Tips For The Coronavirus Times

Preventative Tips on Staying Healthy

There is so much frenzy going on regarding the cornonavirus. I won’t belabor what is wrong.

So with that said, I felt I wanted to share with you MY tips to keep yourself healthy and boost your immune system. We forget that our bodies are designed to heal themselves. What I want to propose are ways to help strengthen your mind, body, and spirit during this crisis.

First, outside the basics of what is already flooded everywhere on the internet and social media such as good hand washing, minimize social contact, stay home if sick etc, there is more. I will NOT go into all that, but instead I will go into the OTHER stuff that sometimes is not addressed in the mainstream.

Are you ready for some of my home remedy tips?

Before we start, I would like to say, I do NOT do all of these at once. I pause. I listen to my body for what it needs intimately. Over the years in healing myself and my body, I have learned the power of building a relationship with my body and know what various emotional triggers, sensations, pains etc represent to me.

I encourage you to build a relationship with your body as it knows best what it needs. The body carries within it, infinite wisdom for your healing needs.

With that said, I will usually do a combination of these based on what I feel my body needs at that time. In this post I will address:

  • The herbal and vitamin tips
  • Things to increase
  • Eat more …
  • Things to avoid
  • and final thoughts

Here are my general recommendations:

The Herbal and Vitamin Tips

  • Elderberry: Elderberries have been used traditionally, and in some observational and clinical studies, as supportive agents against the common cold and influenza. (NCBI)
  • Turmeric (click here) has long been recognized for its medicinal properties. It aids in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. (NCBI). My favorite way of taking this is: turmeric root shaved 1 tsp (if only have access to spice powder then substitute), dash of cracked pepper in 6-8oz of hot water. Seep for 5min. Drink all. This is a chemical thing. Personally. I have found this combo work as effectively as other anti-inflammatories without the added side effects of liver and/or kidney damage. Click here for other top 10 evidence based benefits.
  • Vitamin D and Vitamin K2: Vitamin D has important roles in addition to its classic effects on calcium and bone homeostasis as well as immunity. I personally take 6000 IU of Vitamin D3 with added K2. Vitamins D and K are both fat-soluble vitamins and play a central role in calcium metabolism. Studies suggest that optimal concentrations of both vitamin D and vitamin K are beneficial for bone and cardiovascular health.  (NCBI)
  • Zinc and vitamin C: Supplementation of vitamin C was found to improve components of the human immune system such as antimicrobial and natural killer cell activities, lymphocyte proliferation, chemotaxis, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (PubMed). Likewise, zinc also plays a role in immune function.
  • Probiotics: A prospective study of probiotic supplementation results in immune stimulation and improvement of upper respiratory infection rate (NCBI). Considering the coronavirus attacks the lungs, this might be something very easily dismissed in its role by the mainstream. We forget that gut health is paramount for overall health.
  • Honey: Honey clasps several medicinal and health effects as a natural food supplement. It has been established as a potential therapeutic antioxidant agent for various biodiverse ailments. Studies show it exhibits strong wound healing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, and antidiabetic effects. It also retains immunomodulatory, estrogenic regulatory, antimutagenic, anticancer, and numerous other vigor effects. Research also shows that honey, as a conventional therapy, might be a novel antioxidant to abate many of the diseases directly or indirectly associated with oxidative stress (PMC). Personally, I choose raw organic unfiltered honey that is local or manuka honey for therapeutic treatment. Manuka honey has shown it kills bacterial pathogens.
  • EZC Pak –  This is a physician directed tapered immune support pack with high concentrations of organic Echinacea, Zinc, and Vitamin C.  EZC Pak (click here) is one of the main things I personally took  (on top of the other recommendations above) in December 2019 with some odd virus that was unlike anything I have ever had after travelling abroad in the fall. It was so odd, I actually researched “international diseases” for travelers aka warnings etc.  Was it COVID19 I had? … I am not 100% sure, but my symptoms matched it perfectly, and I am sure this is also was killed my beloved Ava. 

Things to Increase:

Rest & Sleep:

Have you noticed that when you do not get enough sleep, you are prone to getting sick? Not getting enough sleep can lead to higher levels of a stress hormone. It may also lead to more inflammation in your body.

Most of our body’s ability to repair itself happens when we are at rest. So ensuring we get enough rest is important. Also, increasing the dosage of sleep might be needed as forecast moving through the energies of 2020.

One new study has explained how sleep contributes to the proper functioning of the immune system (Medical News Today).

Meditation

Meditation boosts antibodies. A recent study confirmed that, after being given weekly meditation training for 8 weeks, 48 biotech workers had significantly higher levels of antibodies than the control group.

Meditation stimulates immune system brain-function regions. Mindfulness meditation has shown increases in electrical activity in the prefrontal cortex, the right anterior insula, and right hippocampus, all parts that control positive emotions, awareness, and anxiety. These are also the areas of the brain that act as a command center for your immune system. When stimulated, they make the immune system function more effectively (The Chopra Center)

DON’T KNOW HOW OR STRUGGLE: Practice being present and try some mindful breathing or go into nature and UNPLUG from your devises. Sometimes 5-10 min a day is all the body needs.

Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese complementary alternative mind body medicine therapy that works with the human body’s bioenergy field.

Our bodies are designed and fully equipped to heal themselves, but many of are so use to looking for external solutions, we may have forgotten. Reiki taps into those innate healing abilities. By doing to, it can also promote the body’s natural immune response.

Jikiden Reiki practitioners, for instance, are trained to sense levels of toxins present in the physical body. Reiki is then used to intensively promote detoxification and a return to the body’s normal homeostasis. When minor sicknesses, such as coughs and colds are being treated, they will typically move through the body much faster than usual.

Yoga

Yoga is a mind and body practice with a 5,000-year history in ancient Indian philosophy. Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. (Medical News Today)

Research published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine suggests that yoga can be helpful way to boost your immune system and decrease inflammation in the body. (Psychology Today)

Massage

There is growing body of research indicates massage therapy can benefit the immune system. Researchers have reported people who undergo massage experience measurable changes in their body’s immune and endocrine response. (Science Daily)

Thai Chi, Exercise, etc

With age, our immune systems become less nimble and not quite as ruthless. The number of T cells drop. The B cells also start to wind down, making fewer antibodies that respond to outside intruders and more errant ones that turn on the body itself.

Small studies have yielded some evidence that exercise seems to re-energize the immune system (Harvard Medical School)

Tai chi might have a strong effect on the immune system because it manages to bring exercise, relaxation, and meditation together in “one behavioral intervention,” the researchers said. They theorized that tai chi enhances T cell activity by quieting the nervous system’s “fight or flight” response, which can, in certain circumstances, interfere with the immune system. (Harvard Medical School)

Shin Rin Yoku

This is a Japanese term otherwise known as “forest bathing”. Current literature supports the comprehensive health benefits of exposure to nature and green environments on human systems on something that has been incorporated as part of the Shinto culture in Japan to decrease undue stress, potential burnout and “technostress.” (NCBI)

Studies have also found that “forest bathing” has “positive physiological effects, such as blood pressure reduction, improvement of autonomic and immune functions, as well as psychological effects of alleviating depression and improving mental health” (NCBI).

congerdesign / Pixabay

Eat more …

  • leafy greens such as spinach and kale,
  • bone broth is the secret ingredient in our mother’s chicken soup with all sorts of yummies for our immune health,
  • seaweed ( I like sneaking it in soups),
  • organic “berries” such as raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries
  • fresh rosemary,
  • holy basil,
  • fresh parsley,
  • ginger root – in teas, soups, dishes,
  • raw garlic has been shown to help fight viruses and bacteria. I eat this generously on the daily whether on toast or in dishes. It is one of my favorite go to foods.

… Things to Avoid …

Stress – Avoid or Minimize

Stress or at least work towards minimizing and taking steps to release stress when necessary. When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. That is why we are more susceptible to infections. Check out Stress, Illness and the Immune System.

WHAT TO DO: You can try CBD to help cope with stress which targets the endocannabinoid system.

Some studies suggest that cannabinoids like THC and CBD are immunosuppressant, which can explain the relief experienced by medical cannabis users with autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation. Other studies have shown that regular cannabis use can increase white blood cell counts in immunodeficiency disorders such as HIV, suggesting an immune-boosting effect.

You can also try taking Ashwagandha if you feel you need added support for your stress which supports adrenal type stress. This is one of my personal go to adaptogenic herbs that have helped me and others I know with underlying causes for stress such as PTSD. You can read here “Why Ashwagandha Root Could Be The Cure For The Western Epidemic of Stress Related Illness”.

Processed Foods: Avoid or Minimize

Research shows that dietary habits influence disease risk. Poor diet quality is implicated in almost every disease and health issue.  Processed foods harm your gut bacteria and promote insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and overall disease risk (NCBI).

WHAT TO DO: Research indicates that diets abundant in plant foods and low in processed products strengthen your health (Healthline). Choose whole grains and things that do NOT come in a box.

Alcohol: Avoid or Minimize

Clinicians have long observed an association between excessive alcohol consumption and adverse immune-related health effects such as susceptibility to pneumonia and more recently to a greater likelihood of acute respiratory stress syndromes (ARDS), sepsis, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and certain cancers; a higher incidence of postoperative complications; and slower and less complete recovery from infection and physical trauma, including poor wound healing (NCBI).

Alcohol can cause dehydration and lower immune system function, which may worsen cold symptoms as well as adversely affect other cold and flu medications. Therefore, reducing alcohol consumption would be a wise move at this moment unless you are a hot toddy type of person.

EXCEPTION: Some suggest the warm beverage’s ingredients of a hot toddy are known to alleviate cold symptoms. Whiskey, specifically, also contains the antioxidant ellagic acid, which studies suggest may help treat viral and bacterial infections (Fatherly)

Processed Sugar: Avoid or Minimize

A high-sugar diet (HSD) induces Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, which severely threaten human health including immune response. (PubMed). Eating or drinking too much processed sugar curbs immune system cells that attack bacteria.

WHAT TO DO: When it comes to viral infections, eat healthier forms of sugars found in fruits, vegetables, and honey (as mentioned above), which are rich in nutrients like vitamins C and E, plus beta-carotene and zinc. Go for a wide variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, including berries, citrus fruits, kiwi, apples, red grapes, kale, onions, spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots (WebMD)

Dairy: Avoid or Minimize

Dairy is a known inflammatory food and gut disruptor that can aggravate health conditions, such as: eczema, asthma, acne, mood disorders, autism, many autoimmune conditions, especially type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and more.

ALTERNATIVES: Healthier options include goat milk, flax seed milk, hemp milk. If you MUST do the dairy thing, I suggest things like yogurt and butter are generally ok, but avoid milk, cheese, ice cream.

… Finally,

What I have provided here is just a guide. There are so many other alternative and complimentary therapies that would be beneficial. I just wrote about what is in my filters of knowledge and expertise backed by research and other credible information.

I would sincerely like to know if what you found here was helpful to you during these crazy frenzied times we are currently in.

I was told my my wise Osteopathic physician father who has been practicing medicine for over 40+ years tell me, prevention is the best medicine.

Prevention includes making life style changes as well because a pill, an herb, a treatment session is still just a band aid in many situations if you do not correct the underlying culprit.

And as I stated earlier, this is a BIG year energetically where we are being called to do the needed inner spiritual work.

Spiritual bypassing will no longer be an acceptable route to take moving forward. If you missed my 2020 energetic forecast earlier this year, you can click here for the full post including tips to help you navigate these energies.

If you are unsure as to what works and doesn’t work for you, book an integrative holistic health appointment with me today.

Thank you for supporting me and my work

With appreciation,

Laura

Spiritual Medium, Healer, Speaker, Writer, Metaphysician, Advocate, Holistic Health Practitioner, Facilitator, Trauma Specialist, Empowerment Specialist and Spiritual Badass.

For more information about classes, click here and our events calendar, click here.

To book a private session, click here.

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Disclaimer

Please note that content on this website is intended for informational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, not is it meant to diagnose or treat a health problem, symptom or disease. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read on this website. Information provided on this website DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and any doctor affiliated with our website.

References

6 Foods That Cause Inflammation; Healthline; Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE on November 12, 2019

10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin; Healthline; Kris Gunnars, BSc; July 13, 2018

A comparative study of the physiological and psychological effects of forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) on working age people with and without depressive tendencies; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Akemi Furuyashiki, Keiji Tabuchi, Kensuke Norikoshi, Toshio Kobayashi, and Sanae Oriyama; June 22, 2019

Adults demonstrate modified immune response after receiving massage, researchers show; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Science Daily; September 9, 2010.

Alcohol and the Immune System; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Dipak Sarkar, Ph.D., D.Phil., M. Katherine Jung, Ph.D., and H. Joe Wang, Ph.D. ; 2015

A high-sugar diet affects cellular and humoral immune responses in Drosophila; PubMed; 2018 Jul 15;368(2):215-224. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.04.032. Epub 2018 May 1.

Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Davidson RJ, Kabat-Zinn J, Schumacher J, Rosenkranz M, Muller D, Santorelli SF, Urbanowski F, Harrington A, Bonus K, Sheridan JF. ; 2003

A nutrition strategy to reduce the burden of diet related disease: access to dietician services must complement population health approaches; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Leonie Segal and Rachelle S. Opie; 2015

Biofield Science and Healing: An Emerging Frontier in Medicine; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Shamini Jain, PhD, John Ives, PhD, Wayne Jonas, MD, Richard Hammerschlag, PhD, David Muehsam, PhD, Cassandra Vieten, PhD, Daniel Vicario, MD, Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP, Rauni Pritten King, RN, MIH, CHTPI, and Erminia Guarneri, MD, FACC; 2015

Can Food Act as Medicine? All You Need to Know; Healthline; Jillian Kubala, MS, RD on August 8, 2019

Cannabinoid-induced apoptosis in immune cells as a pathway to immunosuppression; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Sadiye Amcaoglu Rieder, Ashok Chauhan, Ugra Singh, Mitzi Nagarkatti, and Prakash Nagarkatti; 2010

Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Susan J. Hewlings and Douglas S. Kalman; 2017 Oct 22

Dairy: one of the biggest immune system stressors; Darou Wellness; Dr. Shawna Darou, ND;

Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Evelin Tiralongo, Shirley S. Wee, and Rodney A. Lea ; 2016 Mar 24

Honey as a Potential Natural Antioxidant Medicine: An Insight into Its Molecular Mechanisms of Action; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Sarfraz Ahmed, Siti Amrah Sulaiman, Atif Amin Baig, Muhammad Ibrahim, Sana Liaqat, Saira Fatima, Sadia Jabeen, Nighat Shamim, and Nor Hayati Othman; January 18, 2018

How does yoga work?; Medical News Today; Hannah Nichols; September 25, 2018

How Meditation Helps Your Immune System Do its Job; The Chopra Center;  Deepak Chopra, M.D 1/14/15

How sleep can boost your body’s immune response; Medical News Today; Maria Cohut, Ph.D; February 13, 2019

Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions; PubMed; Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. ; 2006

In Brief: Tai chi gives immune system a boost; Harvard Medical School; Harvard University Publications; 2007

Is a Hot Toddy Really Good for a Cold? Doctors Explain; Fatherly; Lauren Vinopal;  Nov 11 2018

Jikiden Reiki® Services; Healing With Spirit

Modulation of Gut-Specific Mechanisms by Chronic Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Administration in Male Rhesus Macaques Infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus: A Systems Biology Analysis; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Patricia E. Molina, Angela M. Amedee, Nicole J. LeCapitaine, Jovanny Zabaleta, Mahesh Mohan, Peter J. Winsauer, Curtis Vande Stouwe, Robin R. McGoey, Matthew W. Auten, Lynn LaMotte, Lawrance C. Chandra, and Leslie L. Birke; 2014

New Research On How Yoga Boosts Your Immune System; Psychology Today; Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D.; February 22, 2018

Prospective study of probiotic supplementation results in immune stimulation and improvement of upper respiratory infection rate; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Hong Zhang, Chiajung Yeh, Zonglian Jin, Liwei Ding, Bryan Y. Liu, Li Zhang, and H. Kathleen Dannelly; June 2018

Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Margaret M. Hansen, Reo Jones, and Kirsten Tocchini; 2017

Stress, Illness and the Immune System; Simply Psychology; Saul McLeod updated 2010

Therapeutic Manuka Honey: No Longer So Alternative; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Dee A. Carter, Shona E. Blair, Nural N. Cokcetin, Daniel Bouzo, Peter Brooks, Ralf Schothauer, and Elizabeth J. Harry; April 20, 2016

The Synergistic Interplay between Vitamins D and K for Bone and Cardiovascular Health: A Narrative Review; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Adriana J. van Ballegooijen, Stefan Pilz, Andreas Tomaschitz,  Martin R. Grübler, and Nicolas Verheyen; September 12, 2017

Three Lessons 2019 Taught Us, Three Things To Know About Navigating the 2020 Energies, & What It All Means; Healing With Spirit; Laura Joseph; January 3, 2020

Vitamin D and the Immune System; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; Cynthia Aranow, MD, Investigator ; 2012 Aug 1

Why Ashwagandha Root Could Be The Cure For The Western Epidemic of Stress Related Illness; Healing With Spirit; Laura Joseph; November 28, 2018

© 2020 Laura 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 or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

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Can Spiritual Based Therapies Heal Trauma?

I am incredibly honored to been asked to be a guest on Mal Duane’s AMAZING podcast “Awaken Divine Wilderness” recently where we talked about the successful spiritual & integrative processes I’ve learned over 15 years in healing trauma.

There are too many children and women that are subjected to abuse. I’d like to share that conversation with you on how spiritual based practices can heal trauma associated from domestic abuse and rape .

How can we help more of them feel loved and safe?

Listen in

Apple http://apple.co/2lBZ60s
Or on www.MalDuaneCoach.com

Thank you for supporting my journey.

With appreciation,

Laura

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The “Epic Comeback” Interview

I am happy, humble and yet grateful to announce the guest appearance I had on this amazing podcast “The Epic Comeback” with the incredible Nikki Bruno talking about my story healing from trauma and abuse.

On Episode 71:

I share that the best ways to get to the other side of a life-shattering experience are

(1) to get out of your head and into your body;

(2) to “bless your junk” by transforming pain, hurt, and trauma into wholeness;

(3) to understand that the solutions to your challenges are internal, not external; and

(4) to take back your power and illuminate your gifts. Laura learned these lessons while enduring domestic abuse and rape.

https://www.facebook.com/theepiccomebackpodcast/videos/1084097058610707/

You can catch the episodes here:

With appreciation,

Laura

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The 2020 Intense Karmic Start and Four Tips To Move Forward

Well in case you missed my January post, 2020 is a massive year for “change” being a four year in numerology in all areas of our life. It is also a “work” year, a year to cultivate our deep inner spirit, and connect with the ancestors for healing and wisdom.

And boy oh boy, 2020 has not failed to disappoint to hold to that theme. What a karmic shakeup January started off. What a shift show!!!!!

Have you felt this?

2020 Kicks off a karmic boom and waves of change

I am gonna mention something that is taboo – politics. There is a spiritual component.  Hear me out before the eyes start rolling. I see politics as a reflection of what is within us all collectively. We are all feeling this, but we are often too triggered or afraid to voice our truth about it.

Well let’s just start with the energetics of the impeachment trial. Regardless of which side of the fence you believe in, no one can disagree with the debacle being made of our system.

So what is the spiritual component to all this?

With that said about what is happening, truths are still being revealed and triggering disruptions. 

The recent shooting in Hingham, MA and the subsequent racial/classist undertones that ensued afterwards is upleveling the shadows hidden in the darkness. 

Some of these disruptions may include the sudden unexpected transitions of loved ones. I talking about my feelings surrounding the Kobie Bryant crash here. 

As an empath, healer, intuitive, and trauma specialist we will continue to see unresolved trauma surface – personal, generational, karmic, and past life. The ideas around power, control, manipulation will continue to be “seen”.

Moving forward, the idea of Spiritually bypassing your way through life will not help anymore for any one of us. Trading one feel good addiction for another is more harmful than good.

It means we stand in our truth unapologetic. We speak out for those who do not have a voice. We call out and address predatory behavior infiltrating sacred safe spaces and protect those preyed upon by predators. It means we do not stay silent.

It means we change the way we live and address simple things we can do NOW

What is the solution moving forward?

The solution is to FIRST have the courage and take full responsibility for where you are at. Getting real and getting raw with yourself is where you will ultimately find the peace and freedom as well as tap into the natural flow of the Universe with ease. 

Second, spiritually bypassing our issues away is no longer an option and an addictive behavior that leads to a bottomless pit. Click here for more information and tips to guide you. Triggers are a mere flasher trying to redirect you back to the inner being of who you are.

Thirdly, challenge your belief system. Decolonize your mindset. Are your beliefs your own or are they part of the collective consciousness and/or conditioning?

Finally, DO THE INNER WORK.

There is NO way around this, but through. Your inner child will thank you for taking this leap of faith. This is NOT work that can be done by reading a book or watching videos. It requires ongoing support and guidance. I am here to support you. If you are feeling ready to do this work, click here to book a session today.

In the meantime, we continue to come face to face with our shadows. The more we surrender the stories of the egoic mind and into the flow of our intuitive soulful self continues to rise.

Let’s take shame out of our unrealistic egoic expectations of BE-ing spiritual by sharing our experiences.

Life is a journey & lesson for evolution of soul to BE EXPLORED. That exploration continues into 2020.

THIS … THIS is multi-layered, multi-faceted. Some of this is individual & some of this is collective.

It’s a SH*T SHOW. Yes, it is … if we choose to see it this way or we can choose to see what is happening as an opportunity which brings me to a saying someone ones said to me early on my healing path.

What do you choose?

Finally, this is election year, the Universe is asking us to VOTE with our conscious NOT by party affiliation. Do not let the external world brainwash you, manipulate you, bully you, or intimidate you into swaying from YOUR truth.

Please leave your comments below and let us know how we are doing.

To read and/or watch the videos of the 2020 energetic forecast, visit “Three Lessons 2019 Taught Us, Three Things To Know About Navigating the 2020 Energies, & What It All Means“.

With appreciation,
Laura

Spiritual Medium, Healer, Speaker, Writer, Metaphysician, Advocate, Holistic Health Practitioner, Facilitator, Trauma Specialist, Empowerment Specialist and Spiritual Badass.

For more information about classes, click here and our events calendar, click here.

To book a private session, click here.

SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY E-NEWS

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.

© 2015-2020 Laura 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 or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

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A Pause & Reflection on Death & Tragedy

In the wake of the sudden death of Kobie Bryant, a shooting in Hingham, and loss.

Today I pause.

I sit in quiet reflection of all that transpired during a short period of time while I was away for a quick sacred couples get-a-way this weekend in Maine.

The past 36 hours have been trippy to say the least, and an indicator of the imbalances energetically in general we have on Earth. The Universe sadly does not discriminate which makes what we experienced that more challenging at times.

Indoor portion of our New Moon Ceremony in York, Maine.

On top of the loss of my beloved Ava who passed away on January 8th this year, the Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash killing all on board and the “domestic dispute” resulting in a shooting in my – so called SAFE – home town in Hingham, there is a lot to pull back from, sit, digest, and go within allowing all that is to surface while baring witness to it all. It is a lot to filter in a 24 hour span of time.

First, Life is short …

It is important to remember …

… that when we plan our lives out to have the best house, the best car, the best of everything materially possible, we also do NOT forget to LOVE without motive & LIVE LIFE.

One of many heart rocks I stumbled upon over a short 24 hour period of time while in Maine

Some of the things I hear when working with the terminally ill and dying in preparation for transition into the spirit world:
▪ Will I remember how much I love my wife when I die?
▪ Will it be painful when I die?
▪ Will my family be ok when I die?
▪ Will I go to hell?
▪ Was I a good enough person to go to heaven?
▪ I am afraid
▪ I want my family to know how much I love them.
▪ I am sorry for putting my family through this.
▪ I hurt (name), I do not want to die without them knowing I am sorry & ask for forgiveness.
ETC ETC

Couples New Moon ceremony

No one has ever said …
▪I wish I had a bigger house or better car
▪I want more money.
▪I want to be a workaholic
etc etc

TODAY …
I am grateful for time away with my honey this past weekend for some quiet sacred couples time complete with a new moon ceremony, jacuzzi tubs, large stone fireplaces, laughter, music, nature, food, and more.

TODAY,

New Moon Ceremony on York Beach
  • I am thankful for loved ones who believe in me.
  • I am present to experiencing all life has to offer
  • I know love does NOT have conditions and to allow it to flow freely and effortlessly – I am still working on this
  • I stop comparing myself to ideologies and others as that line of thinking no longer serves me.
  • I continue to work on decolonizing my mindset in order to step fully into my power understanding this is the secret to healing the pandemic of unresolved trauma
  • I will continue to rise up for those in vulnerable communities and situations.
  • I will continue to rise up against oppressors, abusers, rapists, traffickers, racists, etc.
  • I will continue to own my truth confidently even if that means I do it alone.
  • I trust that my soul has my back and all is as it should be
  • I listen to the whispers of the divine within me
  • I tap into the wisdom of the trees, water, earth, air, as well to the ancestors of this land & those before me.
Do you see her? Saw this on a walk in the woods in Maine.

This is just a start – I will keep adding on my own as this makes for very long read if I continue on here. hahahaha.

At the end of the day, I have learned the power in the pause when tragedy hits. It has taken me over 15 years to understand how powerful of a tool this can be to gain perspective and clarity.

SO, TODAY —> WHAT WILL YOU PAUSE AND DO?  

Please share in the comments below.

With appreciation,
Laura

For more information about classes, click here and our events calendar, click here.

To book a private session, click here.

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© 2015-2020 Laura 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 or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

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The Grief Journey After Losing A Pet

Who is a part of the family and our lives.

The other day I stumbled upon THIS image on the ground and wanted to share.

Here is my #cantmakethisshitup moment. 

My story on grief …

DO YOU SEE THE DOG WITH WINGS?

Do you see the dog with wings?

I know many of you have been inquiring how I am doing since Ava’s passing.

I am holding my own. I am aware & paying attention to HOW I am grieving. I am noticing the following:

♡ I still have trust issues when allowing myself to be vulnerable in the presence of others. I recognize my body’s trigger fight/flight/freeze response in the presence of genuine kindness. I am working on this.

♡ I tend to do most of my grieving & processing alone as a result.

♡ I am busy with my work as well as initiating the creation of JRA of MA (Jikiden Reiki Association of MA)

♡ I sleep with Ava’s ashes next to me every night when at my house. Weird huh?

♡ I wake up every day and sometimes in the middle of the night looking for my girl laying on her usual spot on my bed.

♡ I wake up daily still feel like I gotta take her for her walks, give her reiki, administer her fish oils & CBD oil & the like.

♡ I see my clients in my office looking to see where Ava is.

☆☆☆ These are all brief episodes btw. They do NOT linger nor do they fester.☆☆☆

♡ I leave my office wondering where Ava is so I can take her home & take care of her needs.

♡ I am rebelling going for walks in nature feeling like I am missing my partner. It’s just not the same.

HOWEVER …

♡ My grieving process actually began exactly 3yrs ago when I thought I was going to lose Ava after almost dying from a rabies vaccine. It took 9mo of reiki, diet changes, addition of supplements, increased bathing for her to recover about 80%.

♡ I am grateful for the work I get to do every day, because the weight & way I process grief is so different than before I understood the spiritual world the way I do now.

♡ I am grateful for the self care tools I have learned over the years to give pause, process, cope, be aware, process, allow, process, surrender, trust in the divine flow of things.

♡ Finally, she gives me #signs regularly to let me know she’s near & keeps bringing me back on track.

For that I am grateful.

I am grateful for the outpouring cards, gifts, calls, messages etc.

I am recognizing that I STILL have issues surrounding my ability to receive openly without fear.

I guess another gift my baby girl gave me to work on myself on my “14/5” year and “4” year collectively in numerology.

She’s taught me so much over 14.5 years and continues to teach me.

Ava is part of my soul family. I was lucky to have her 2x in this life.

I was her caretaker in the end.

And in the end many caretakers of loved ones experience not only a loss of a loved one, but a loss of a “job” or routine to care for another.

All I ask is this … for those who know others as caretakers, when they suffer a loss, BE there. Cuz sometimes, there’s a double whammy & some times we don’t have the ability to put into words what we are experiencing.

The ability to hold space for another is such an amazingly great gift.

Thank you all for reading and allowing me to share my grieving process with you all.

With much appreciation,
🙏
Laura

#MyAva #healingwithspirit

© 2015-2020 Laura 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 or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

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Three Lessons 2019 Taught Us, Three Things To Know About Navigating the 2020 Energies, & What It All Means

Happy New Year. This is a time of year where I pause. I unplug. I go within. I listen. I process the lessons of 2019 & the past decade while acknowledging the gifts & blessings received.

I ask the divine within me what 2020 & the next decade asks of me moving forward. I feel into the blessings & the chaos. I allow the wisdom from my ancestors & divine team to be openly received.

One thing I have learned over time is that change is constant in the grand scheme of the Universe and 2019 was a BIG year for change and transformation to prepare us for a powerful punch in 2020. Are you ready?

Laura in Rome, Italy September 2019

In This Post:

  • A Refection
  • What 2019 Taught Us – There are many, but I focus on three,
  • Why spiritual bypassing our way through life will no longer work being an addictive crutch moving forward,
  • 3 Things To Know About the 2020 Energies moving forward,
  • What it All Means 

A Reflection

A Roman burial site; San Gemini, Italy; Sept 2019

I DON’T do resolutions. Do you? Instead, I reflect.

As I sit here reflecting on the past year and decade, I realize that I would not be here without YOU. So, I thank you for supporting me in this journey of mine which transitioned into a business on its own over the years with 2 simple things in mind:

  1. How do I fix the broken me and restore wholeness in my life
  2. and the desire to help others in their path especially those without a voice, abused, neglected or facing end of life.
Vancouver, Canada 2019; Jikiden Reiki Congress

It has taken me 3 weeks to formulate what I was going to say and how – well maybe longer as my prep started in November.

There is SOOOOOO much happening energetically at rapid rates that I found myself challenged with putting together all I know in a format simple enough and easy enough for you to follow, grasp, and possibly align with.

I was chuckling this week with some of my clients on how the Universe does NOT know it is a new year, new decade, and by gosh I gotta have my newsletter and forecast done by January 1st.

I have learned to pause and wait for the alignment of flow to show up. 

Into the ancient forest I went. Lost my mind & found my soul in Canada 2019

This time last year (November 2018 – January 2019), I posted many energy updates including a video stating how the energies then were about to “disrupt”, shift and shake the paradigm.

This was a massive shift from old belief systems and patterning to a new more aligned one. Many of us resisted and others aligned.

The year 2019 was clearly about with all the intertwining lessons and growth in between while learning how to navigate the flow of change.

Click here to check out my post on “What 2018 Taught Us, the Energy Forecast Heading Into 2019, and 6 Tips to Guide You in 2019”. It might help you understand things a bit more moving forward.

So what did 2019 teach us and what is in store for 2020?  Here is my  review and guide.

What 2019 Taught Us

Last year was a THREE year in numerology where we witnessed the past, present, and future colliding – personal stuff, generational, karmic, and past life – all coming to a head.

It’s wakey wakey time. No more being asleep. We can no longer run away or seek out the easier route, because the easier route is to move into the path your soul came here to do and be.

There are many lessons taught in 2019, but I focus on three. The video will go into details, but here is a quick synopsis.

One of the first things we learned in 2019 is that NOT everything can be explained literally, materially, or physically in the egoic dominated material world.

Secondly, when we can step away from “the story” created by the egoic mind, we can understand our triggers are mere clues on the treasure map within us and can empower us beyond our expectations.

Thirdly, spiritually bypassing our way through life is no longer working. We can not afford to spiritual bypass our way through life like an addictive crutch moving forward. Doing the required inner work can no longer be shoved under a carpet and ignored.

In 2019:

  • We cleared out old outdated beliefs and patterns to make way for the new.
  • We connected deeper with our inner spirit aka divine aka soul
  • We were forced to do our inner work to allow for the opportunities to reveal themselves
  • We reconnected with all things divine.
  • We have been returning to the sacred ancient teachings.
  • We stepped away from ego or at least understood where ego’s place should reside.
  • We awakened to the collective
  • We integrated our shadows with our light

Why spiritual bypassing our way through life will no longer work.

In this segment, I will elaborate more on spiritual bypassing because I am aware that many of us either do not know what it is or we have a misconception of what it is.

So, I will address:

  • What is spiritual bypassing?
  • Examples of what spiritual bypassing looks like
  • When do we engage in spiritual bypass?

3 Things To Know About the 2020 Energies moving forward

Our culture is uncomfortable with pain, grief, and other negative feelings, wanting to only discuss or address these things if they are more sanitized pleasant emotions.

This casts shame on grief, anger, and other less pleasant emotions, casting them into the shadows. If we never shine a light down there, these shadows can fester like an unhealed open wound, and the denial mechanisms around them become more and more desperate.

Moving into the 2020 energies, the idea of Spiritually bypassing your way through life will not help anymore for any one of us. Trading one feel good addiction for another is more harmful than good.

We are stewards of this Great Mother and stewards is where we must return our priorities. It is our collective sacred duty.

2020 will create remarkable opportunities for us to move FORWARD with diligence and courage.  Depending upon our actual birthdate, how and when these changes takes place is different for every one of us.

With full commitment and conscious engagement, we can open doors to immense success, happiness, and financial flow in your life in 2020.

Think of 2020 as the year of ACCOMPLISHMENT — making your dreams real. But that’s just part of the story…

So moving forward, consider these three aspects:

  • Space weather including cosmic rays, solar cycles, and earth’s changing poles.
  • 2020 being a FOUR year in numerology
  • Addressing the shadows within – checking in vs checking out. Leading with vs ignoring the spirit within.

What it All Means

It means we stand in our truth unapologetic. We speak out for those who do not have a voice. We call out and address predatory behavior infiltrating sacred safe spaces and protect those preyed upon by predators. It means we do not stay silent.

It means we change the way we live and address simple things we can do NOW.

It means we do the hard inner work that is required of us.

As an empath, healer, intuitive, and trauma specialist we will continue to see unresolved trauma surface – personal, generational, karmic, and past life. The ideas around power, control, manipulation will continue to be “seen”.

We continue to come face to face with our shadows. The more we surrender the stories of the egoic mind and into the flow of our intuitive soulful self continues to rise.

Finally, this is election year, the Universe is asking us to VOTE with our conscious NOT by party affiliation. Do not let the external world brainwash you, manipulate you, bully you, or intimidate you into swaying from YOUR truth.

What does spirit within you say? Go there. Vote from THAT place.

Let’s take shame out of our unrealistic egoic expectations of BE-ing spiritual by sharing our experiences.

Life is a journey & lesson for evolution of soul to BE EXPLORED. That exploration continues into 2020.

THIS … THIS is multi-layered, multi-faceted. Some of this is individual & some of this is collective.

It’s a SH*T SHOW. Yes, it is … if we choose to see it this way or we can choose to see what is happening as an opportunity which brings me to a saying someone ones said to me early on my healing path.

What do you choose?

Again, thank you for BE-ing a part of this GRAND experiment called life with me and supporting my work.

With appreciation,

Laura

Resources:

New Moon Energies Dec 2019, 3 Things We Are Learning & 3 Tips to Navigate Through It All; December 27, 2019; Blog Post & YouTube Video

Nov 2018 Energy Updates – Politics, Trauma, Spiritual Bypassing, and more; November 2, 2018, YouTube Video

What 2018 Taught Us, the Energy Forecast Heading Into 2019, and 6 Tips to Guide You in 2019; December 31, 2018, Blog Post

Mid January 2019 Cosmic Energy Updates and What You Need To Know; January 10, 2019; Blog Post with YouTube Link

What January Taught Us and The February Reveals; February 5, 2019; Blog post

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New Moon Energies Dec 2019, 3 Things We Are Learning & 3 Tips to Navigate Through It All

Today we chat about these new moon energies, what it all means, 3 things we are learning, & 3 tips to navigate through it all into 2020 & the new decade.

New Moon in Capricorn – What does it mean?

New moons are about new beginnings and fresh starts in general

This new moon is setting the stage to prepare us the incoming new year and new decade in #4 year in numerology.

This is BIG

This is about change, letting go, and renewal.

Change is a constant in the grand scheme of the Universe and 2019 was a BIG year for change and transformation to prepare us for a powerful 2020. I will go into this in a separate video.

In this video you will learn:

  • 3 things this new moon is teaching us
  • 3 Tips to navigate these energies
  • Plus, upcoming event updates

Reminders

  1. I do not do astrology and I am NOT an astrologist
  2. I am sensitive to energy
  3. I am a natural born multi-generational psychic medium
  4. I am an amateur cosmology lover as I understand the science and affects of space weather on our very cores.
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The Dark Side of the Holidays From A Trauma Survivor

As a parent, there is no greater heartache than losing a child. What can sometimes be harder is feeling that loss over and over and over again, because your children are still alive, but the emotional torture of knowing they are living with a documented abuser and you are powerless, because the system is beyond broken, is unbearable.

Unfortunately, THIS is exactly what abusers are aiming for – to continue their patterns of abuse by using the system against their victims outspending them at the expense of the children.

This is NOT how a parent SHOWS love for their child. These children are just pawns for their abusers sick game. In the end, the children lose and our broken system that claims to protect victims of abuse, do not. In fact, it may be getting worse in light of a 2014 MA Supreme Court cases granting custody of the children to a documented abuser ignoring the best interest of the child statute. With a pending supreme court case currently being heard. Click here. THIS IS DANGEROUS.

This is not to mention how domestic violence in itself spikes during the holidays which can be a dangerous time for survivors.

My Motherly Grief

This holiday season will be the 13th holiday without my children.

I spent over $300k in legal fees defending myself against my abuser whose admitted ONLY mission was to destroy me AND erase any memory of me or my family in my children’s childhood memories. He won cuz he outspent me.

My children were nothing more than a commodity traded on Wall Street legally trafficked by way of family courts.

How can ANY judge NOT see this as a continuing pattern of an already documented history of abuse.

I had hope one day … one day … my children would be old enough to seek me out. I used to count the days to when my children were adults and they would come back to me. I used to have a motto I would say to myself, “As each day passes, I am one day closer”. Meaning, I was looking forward to the day my children were old enough to no longer be in control of their abusive father. It was a way of giving myself hope.

However, what I am now experiencing as each year passes, the grief gets unfortunately gets heavier. Each holiday I am finding to be more painful as two of my children are now over 18 years old with the ability to reach to me. Yet, they still do not want me in their life based on a forced absence and a brain washing technique called, gaslighting resulting in a phenomena called Stockholm Syndrome. This pains me deeply. They have NO concept of what I had to go through to keep them safe, protect them from harm, and fight for them over an exhausting 11 years straight until a judge prohibited me from fighting for them anymore.

It is sad how much our society

  • condones this type of abuse,
  • routinely sides with abusers,
  • victim shames
  • & we wonder why we have the escalation of gun violence happening in our country.

Our society tripled the damage just with my 3 children alone, never mind the 58,000 American children this happens to EVERY year.

Why do I do what I do?

I feel part of healing trauma is

Laura at Deer Valley Buddhist Retreat Center, San Diego, CA
  • facing this very dark harsh reality,
  • keep talking about it until someone listens,
  • stand in our truth against all odds,
  • when our children are legally trafficked from us, when we heal our energetic core, we also heal theirs on some level too
  • & somehow we make peace with it all.

The BEST revenge against any abuser is to THRIVE against all that was stolen from us.

So for those struggling right now with the loss of your children, know I feel you. I empathize with you. You’re NOT alone. We are in this together.

The BEST action is to support survivors in whatever way necessary. This means:

  • holding space for survivors
  • believing a victim of abuse
  • question the abuser NOT the victim
  • stop shaming survivors
  • assist in funding housing and job creations
  • assist in babysitting
  • volunteer at a shelter
  • donate to the cause – it take A LOT of money
  • become a good litigation family law attorney with a focus on domestic violence law and custody
  • walk the walk
  • model healthy behavior for your children and DO your own inner work so the cycle of generational abuse can finally end.

I see too many survivors STILL aligning with abusers. THIS must end if we are to change the abuse culture we live in today.

My pain is still here, but I choose to channel it into something that will break the cycle of abuse perpetrated against my children

One of my reasons for sharing my story, my healing path, my journey publicly is

Laura on Cape Cod, MA
  • NOT to gain sympathy,
  • but to shed light on an unrecognized epidemic in our society,
  • to bring voice to others lurking in the shadows silenced by abuse,
  • and to know no matter how dire, healing CAN HAPPEN.

Up to 80% of contested custody cases involving abuse award abusers and legally steal our children away from us as punishment for speaking out, saying “no more”, seeking safety, justice or all the above.

We can NOT let the abuser steal our life TOO. If we do, THEY win. The best we can do for our children, is SHOW what healing, recovery, and resiliency look like.

Our ability to THRIVE CAN happen.

Please don’t lose sight of the mission.

How will you use your pain? Loss? Grief?

Thank you for supporting my journey.

With appreciation,
Laura

For more information about classes, click here and our events calendar, click here.

To book a private session, click here.

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© 2015-2019 Laura 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 or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

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12/12 Full Moon Energy & Numerology Update

Today at 12:12 am on 12/12/12 (2019=12), we experienced one shit kicker of a powerful full moon.

This marks not only the last one of this year, but the last one for this decade and it is on a TRIPLE 12/3 of a day at a 24/6 (12:12am) time.

In this video update, I will share with you what is going on:

  • 12 meaning
  • karma
  • translation in numerology 1, 2, 3
  • links to 3 major scientists: Tesla, Pythagoras, and Isaac Newton
  • relations in tarot – The Hanged Man, The Magician, The High Priestess, and The Empress
  • what it all means
  • The take-a-ways for today, this year, and this decade

For more information about the upcoming women’s retreat on January 12th 2020 or to register, click here. The focus will be on the numerology forecast as I mentioned in the video as well as connecting to the ancestors for wisdom and healing.