Changes, Growth, Healing, Authenticity and the Holidays Ahead as We Close Out 2017

Wow, what a ride this past November. Have you shifted out of your comfort zone yet? Have you made peace with the shadow part of self?

We are still experiencing a tremendous shift in consciousness and what a “shift” storm it has been. There are lots of changes and revelations as we prepare to close out 2017.

Truths continue to be revealed.

Shadows continue to be brought into the light.

My question to you, Do you bless your junk?

As a trauma survivor, it was refreshing to see all that came to light this past month. I felt in some cases my voice was being heard through so many other survivors of abuse. Yup #metoo.

BUT … for me, I choose to focus on the healing and the gifts born out of a horrible experience. Please check out my video on “Today I Bless My Junk #MeToo”.

My hope is to shed light and understanding in order to create a positive shift in perception, healing, reality, dimensions, and higher consciousness.

So much may have been perceived to go wrong lately, but with that said, so much has been gifted to us in the form of awakening, growth, and lessons.

Growth is many times is not always easy and sometimes results in metaphorical death. However, if we shift our perspective just a little and see the world through a different lens, we just might surprise ourselves.

The holidays are here!

The holiday season is a time of giving and thanks for what we’ve been given, and the gift of healing and self care is a great way to show your loved ones you care.

Who doesn’t love the look on someone’s face when they open something special from you?

Try this … lets all do a random act of kindness this holiday season and shift the global consciousness one frequency and vibration at a time.

Are you in?

Stressed?

Be sure to read “Conquer Toxic Holiday Stress”  for tips to guide you through the holidays.

Also, be sure you take care of YOU. That means take a pause when needed or a nap if you feel inclined. The self care mantra has pounded us til we are raw, yet so many of us are still resisting? Why? Are you self punishing? Cut the crap, and start cherishing YOU and taking care of YOU.

Come in for some reiki or vibrational healing with the Tibetan bowls and clear out some toxicity and restore wholenness. OR come in for some spiritual guidance and coaching.

I am not your go to? That is fine too. Just find someone who can assist you on your path. Remember, what you may have considered the norm in the past is no longer the norm.

It is time to shift your vibration and live more authentic and true.

My goal is to help illuminate your soul, guide you on your path, remove toxicity and restore wholeness. I offer a variety of spiritually based holistic health enrichment:

  • Trauma 
  • Dementia 
  • End of Life 
  • Pre-op/Post-Op 
  • Anxiety/PTSD 
  • Stress 
  • Spiritual Healing 
  • Cancer 
  • Pets 
  • Pain 
  • Physical Injuries 
  • Digestive Issues
  • and more …


Looking for a unique gift for a loved one?


We offer gift certificates at any dollar amount. Contact us to purchase your gift certificate today. Gift Certificates can also be mailed directly to your loved one. Inquire for details today!

In the meantime, don’t forget to pause, breathe and take a moment for yourself.
With love and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, and Healer
Providing Spiritually based holistic health enrichment

Today I Bless My Junk #MeToo Part II: Reality and Stats, Tips for Survivors, Tips for Others

This was a video recorded live through Massachusetts Survivors Outreach Facebook Page on Nov 25, 2017 as a follow-up from the first “Today, I Bless My Junk” which can be found on Youtube.

What I share with you is raw, real and pure stemming from my years of healing trauma associated with abuse. These video series were inspired by all the recent events of the media finally choosing to cover many of the abuses women have been faced with and silenced.

This video summary::

  • Update since last video on YouTube and what happened as result
  • The reality of the abuse epidemic
  • Stats
  • My experiences and vulnerabilities posting
  • Tips for survivors on managing triggers, how to bless your junk, and how to let your junk empower you back to you to wholeness.
  • Tips for everyone else to support survivors and not become a bystander abuser

Are a survivor? Empath? A loved one of a survivor? Bystander? Please join us.

Would love YOUR support.

Other Videos in the Video Series

For my other videos in the series of “Today I Bless My Junk #metoo

Question To Ponder

I ask for you to consider one question
Are you part of the solution to systemic abuse or are you part of the problem? The choice is yours and only yours to make.

Please go to my Vlog on Youtube for the following videos.

How Can You Help?

As always, please support my healing journey and my desire to help break the cycle of abuse through healing. There many ways you can do this.

Take action on the things I mention in this video series

  1. Share these videos
  2. Leave supportive comments and let me know what pearl you took away with you
  3. Let me know what you would like to see the next video to be on
  4. Book me for a speaking engagement. I speak on many topics. One of the most common is on healing trauma through holistic and spiritually based practices.
  5. As always, thank you for your support and being a part of my spiritual journey.
  6. Become an ally – Help me become a better speaker, communicator and video producer. Want to volunteer your services to help make that happen? Email me and let’s collaborate.

With love and appreciation,
Laura

A Day of Giving Thanks as We Go Into The Holiday Season

Yes, I’ve been busy with readings, spiritual guidance, reiki, readings, spiritual guidance, and more reiki. It’s not to boast on how great I am, but it’s an acknowledgement on how far I have come and how thankful I am.

I let go of what was and a life I thought I had. I surrendered to Spirit over a period of 10 years letting the Universe guide me. I spent years learning to nurture the child within and partner with soul. I’m a masterpiece painting in progress.

Yes, I am busy today and tomorrow before taking a break for a super long weekend to be with loved ones. I am grateful and fortunate I am in a position to do so and chose to prioritize loved ones in my life.

I am grateful to all of you. I am grateful for my life. I am grateful for where I am going.

These turkeys have been frequent guests this year. I have watched them grow up from hatchlings to young adults. They have served as a great reminder of where I’m going and to let go of fear. Recently, they gave me a blessing knowing it’s safe to trust and tools to know difference.

Life for me has not always been easy for me and I had my share of dark days. Some of you know my story, but many don’t. That’s ok.

To those who are having a difficult time being grateful or seeing the light, please hold on and have faith.

I see your light. Believe it. May it shine brightly and shatter the looming darkness around you. May your light give you clarity. May your light give you strength.

Thank you all for your love, support, and for being a part of my spiritual journey.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I saw this as I stepped outside for a moment on Thanksgiving Day before people arrived at my home. This was one of three hearts seen that day. The other 2 were seen during the bonfire.

We are never alone. Our loved ones in spirit and our spirit team is always with us.

It’s a new day, a new week. We can make today what we choose it to be. So why not choose to have a great day.

I appreciate you.
Namaste,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual MediumSpeakerHealer

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

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 © 2015-2018 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.

Reflections as We Close Out 2015 – 5 Lessons 2015 Taught Me

The past few days I have been reflecting a lot of what 2015 has meant to me and to those I have served. It has sure proven itself to be one giant roller coaster ride. Wouldn’t you agree? I would love to hear from you what your experiences have been, and what you discovered and learned about yourself

If you read my previous posts, you will see an emerging theme which is about soul. We thought the year 2014 was a grand year for purging and letting go for what no longer serves us, but 2015 was sure a doozy.

Depending on how you choose to see 2015, it was a year of many things:

  • a year of manifestation
  • a climax of purging and letting go.
  • a year for realization of what truly matters
  • a year for rediscovery of self
  • and a year for partnership with soul.

The hardest part for so many I have found this year, is learning to let go of control and trust that your soul has your back. Life for me has not always been easy, and I had my share of dark days. Some of you may know my story, but many do not. That’s ok.

What has helped me through my darkest of days is trusting in the divine … trusting in my soul … trusting my spirit team. I also learned your head and heart will steer you wrong because of ego. However, your gut … your seat of your soul … will never steer you wrong.

I like many of you have been raised in a society that dictates how you should be, dress, act, do. We live in a society that says you are a good person if you do this or that or if you work this job and live in that neighborhood who graduated with this degree then you are a good person. The more I tried to conform to what society dictates to me, the more I became ill and unfulfilled which almost took my life.

However, my guardian angels and spirit team had different plans for me. So over the years, I learned to let go of what was and a perception of a life I thought I had. I slowly surrendered to Spirit over a period of 10+ years letting the Universe guide me. I spent years healing from my traumas learning to nurture the child within and partner with soul. I am like a masterpiece painting that is still in progress.

So back to what this year has taught me …

In order to get from one place to another, you must build a solid foundation. Right now, I feel that I want to keep insuring the foundation I rebuilt this year is strong enough and sturdy after all I went through in my personal life for a grand 2016. However, thanks to the partnership with the divine and my soul, I receive daily confirmations that I am on the right track.

Laura’s favorite vintage store with
lots of Buddha love.

This has been a big year for manifesting. There is the old saying “Be careful what you wish for, because you just might actually get it”.

For some using tools of faith, trust, and positivity, the manifesting yielded many wonderful things and confirmations.

For others who are still stuck in worry, fear, and anxiety, unfortunately, here the manifesting was of more fear, worry, and anxiety. It was almost like you were looking for the gotcha, so the Universe gave it to you.

For me, I have suffered lots of trauma in my personal life and have been in both of those places this year. It is something I have come to terms with over the years, because my soul chose this path for me to learn something that will help my soul ascend.

So, for those stuck in fear or worry mode, I hear you. I can not tell you the days and nights I have spent crying, begging, and pleading for things to change and for help on my faith which dwindled not recognizing the connection between what I was trying to move forward from and my fears actually manifesting over and over.

Laura’s training and certification in
Jikiden Reiki with Arjava Petter

So, we learned another lesson for 2015 which came to a climax of purging and letting go. Many of us, we experienced waves of physical and emotional purges this year. Some were so strong it made us very sick. Resistance to change has proven to be futile for many who chose the path of ego. What I learned was to go with the ebbs and flows of the Universe instead of letting ego rule trying to control things that were not in my capacity to control.

This also means, I learned to listen with the body more, and recognizing that if I was having a bout of exhaustion or emotions, and the medical teams are not able to figure out the cause, then I was experiencing a purge. Some purges did require surgery. But learning the spiritual connection and healing, I was able to minimize recovery time and with no pain medications.
Unfortunately, we are also experiencing a wave of great transitions. For some these transitions were timely for their soul growth. It was just their time to ascend and no other reason.  For some (not all) such as those faced with addictions, my theory is this. I believe especially our youth, were born with such a high frequency and sensitivity that their human self was not able to adjust. It was just too difficult. For others, especially healers forget to self nurture and self care. Martyrdom has proven to lead to a path of dis-ease.
What I have also seen this year in regards to letting go are the links to karmic cords. I have seen this pattern all year, but especially gaining momentum later this year. Many of us have been called to not only heal and let go things in this lifetime, but in previous lifetimes. I have witnessed one person in particular heal at least three lifetimes this year alone and the year is not over yet.
Laura finds her best place to find
peace and meditate is connecting
with nature.
You have to remember all this letting go is about creating a platform for the new. This brings me to the next lesson – a realization of what truly matters.
Does it matter for instance, that you’re driving a 10 year old car and your neighbor is driving a brand new Mercedes? At the end of the day, it does not matter.
I use to drive an Audi, and I even brought a brand new minivan. Today, I could care less. I do not want the computer generated car that could crash like my computer. I do not want the high insurance bill or higher taxes associated with it either. The car is just one analogy, and I am not saying there is not a need to balance out material with the spiritual either.
How would you live your life, if you did work so hard to pay for THINGS that really and truly do not matter at the end of the day?
No better sounds to meditate to
and connect to soul and spirit than
sitting on the quiet beach with the
crashing waves and smells of the ocean
Once we have separated our ego self from our soulful self, we began the next lesson – the rediscovery of self. For some of us, we had some very painful lessons and purges. Some of us lost our families and everything that was material literally. At the time, this may have felt or may still feel quite devastating, but when we can shift our perspective and learn to communicate with our higher self, we can see the world from a whole new perspective. We can not add new experiences if our hands are full with the old.  Sometimes, if we are quite resistant to change, the Universe forces a hand.
Let’s look at cleaning and/or organizing a home. If you are someone like me, you can feel quite overwhelmed easily when there is chaos and disorganization. You may have feelings like you have no idea where to begin and thus leading to procrastination and clutter. For those of us who have experienced this, how would it feel if you had someone else come in and organize and clean for you? You may have moments of resistance to “things”, but focus on the end result and how that would feel. Can you feel the ahhhhhhhhhhh?
A young male buck Laura saw this
fall with a subsequent message
from spirit

If your mind, body, and soul are your home, and the Universe cleaned up for you, then why do we see it as a traumatic experience? This is just a question and there is no wrong answer to this one. It is just food for thought and a shift of perspective is all. As human beings, we develop attachments to people, places and things.

Trauma can be a big road block. I have had my share of trying to personally overcome my blocks as a result of past traumas. There was a moment in my life where I sought help and protections from the very agencies that were designed to help people like me many many years ago where I felt betrayed and left out in the cold.
If I could not trust people, our government, our faith based organizations, our nonprofit agencies to help us, then who do we trust?
When we can learn to detach from some of this “stuff”, it becomes easier to focus on what really matters, which leads me to the next lesson this year – for partnership with soul. When I could trust no one, I then began learning to trust the divine, communicate with the divine more efficiently and effectively, and built a stronger relationship with my soul.
The heart Laura saw on
Thanksgiving Day

So, my spirit team and I designed a communication tool where they let me know through signs and messages through nature to remind me I am on the right path and to keep moving forward.

I have received many signs from hearts to birds to deer and other shapes in the sky. If you scroll through this blog you will see all the writings about my journey this year alone.

The heart as seen here was one of three given to me on Thanksgiving day as I stepped outside for a moment to walk my dog before people arrived at my home. This heart was at the bottom of my steps to my front door and it was one of three hearts seen that day. The other 2 were seen during the bonfire I attended that evening where we gathered a group for some drumming giving thanks to the town, the people, mother earth, the moon, and spirit.
It was a sure message that we are never alone. Our loved ones in spirit and our spirit team is always with us. It is just a matter of whether or not we are listening.
Some of the turkeys Laura has
had the privilege of  watching and
learning from in 2015
The flock of 5 turkeys and many more, as seen here, have been frequent guests this year too. I have watched them grow up from hatchlings to young adults. They have served as a great reminder of where I’m going and to let go of fear. Even though I KNOW to trust in the divine, my soul, and my spirit team, my ego still likes to throw out temptations to fear and all that I am letting go.
Recently, they gave me a blessing knowing it’s safe to trust and tools to know difference. Nature is such a beautiful aid in our path if we just slow down a moment and learn to reconnect again.
I recently watched one of the juvenile turkeys go round and round and round this mirror outside my home for over 45 minutes.  I chuckled at the behavior as the other four were eating the fallen bird seed from the feeder wondering what the message he was trying to make and then I heard it from Spirit.

 

The jouvenile that captured
Laura’s attention. for 45 min

#messagefromspirit: “Face your shadow self so your true self may emerge.

So many of us are resisting the path of soul. I can relate to the message from the turkey, but I am now further in my path partnering with soul. I can assure you it may seem scary because of what society dictates to us on how to be, but it is so worth it. One day I will share my full story with you in hopes to help someone else along their path.
To those who are having a difficult time being grateful or seeing the light, please hold on and have faith. Trust that your soul has your back if nothing else.
The crystalized light is extraordinary
Hope you see it.
I see your light. Believe it.
May it shine brightly and shatter the looming darkness around you.
May your light give you clarity.

May your light give you strength.
2016 is going to be a magnificent year. It is all about how you choose to perceive your world and where you are currently at in your spiritual development partnering with soul and living a more soulful path.

It is crucial more than ever to develop a partnership with your soul – the ultimate love affair that lasts for an eternity. Your soul is your guide and can help you attune and navigate the ever changing waves of energy.

An important message my spirit team
shared with me and I shared with you

We are all one. We are all being called to unite as one for the betterment of all life.  We can change the world and make it a better place, but it all starts with finding peace within and to stop the raging wars that reside within self.

Thank you all for your love, support, and for being a part of my spiritual journey.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

It’s a new day.  We can make today what we choose it to be. So why not choose to have a great day.

I appreciate you.
Namaste,

Laura  Healing With Spirit,

Healing With Spirit 

Spiritual MediumSpeakerHealer

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

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 © 2015-2018 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.

 

This Holiday Season Give the Gift Of Self-Care and Health

There is so much in store for you I have planned and so much that I am thankful for. I believe in partnering not only with my soul and spirit team, but with you.

Thank you for being a part of my spiritual journey. We are all connected in some way whether in person, blood, or internet.

The past few days I have been reflecting a lot of what 2015 has meant to me and to those I have served. It has sure proven itself to be one giant roller coaster ride. Wouldn’t you agree? I would love to hear from you what your experiences have been, and what you discovered and learned about yourself.

Please check out my latest blog post, Reflections as We Close Out 2015 – 5 Lessons 2015 Taught Me, and as always I would love your feedback.

Regardless of what holiday you celebrate or religious affiliation, the holiday season in itself is a time of giving and thanks for what we’ve been given and to give back. The Gift of Healing is a great way to show your loved ones you care.

Who doesn’t love the look on someone’s face when they open something special from you? But… if we’re honest with ourselves… about half of the stuff we buy won’t be used in any meaningful way.

So this year, instead of buying your loved one a gift from the mall, what about giving them a gift that will change someone else’s life?
Why not give the gift of health, healing, and self-care. 

Here are some Holiday Specials being offered at Healing With Spirit:

Get a FREE $25 Gift Certifcate*

with purchase a gift certificate of $100.00 or more.

Get a FREE Reiki Session*
w/ purchase of 3 Reiki Sessions of equal or lesser value.

Get a FREE Reading*
with the booking of a psychic medium party between now and January 2016.

Contact us to purchase yours today. Gift Certificates can also be mailed directly to your loved one. Inquire for details today!

Have a great day!

 

With light, love, and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual MediumSpeakerHealer

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

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 © 2015-2018 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.
* Restrictions apply. Inquire for details. Offer expires: 12/24/15

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 MediumSpeakerHealer

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

SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY E-NEWS


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.

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 MediumSpeakerHealer

 

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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