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Holistic Healing During Covid-19

Focused on total health and wellness, holistic healing targets the body as a full entity, concentrating on the mind and spirit. Photo by Rishikesh Yogpeeth on Unsplash

By Brianna Nargison, Howard Universiy News Service

Washington, D.C.— As covid-19 continues to spread across the country, for many, reality has transitioned drastically, heightening feelings of sadness, anxiety and loneliness. 

The World Health Organization estimates that 65 – 80 percent of the population use holistic naturopathic medicine as a primary form of health care. Research has also shown that 74 percent of the American population desires a natural approach to health care.

Focused on total health and wellness, holistic healing targets the body as a full entity, concentrating on the mind and spirit.

“Alternative and holistic methods really try to search down to the root cause of the pain, so really why the headache? Let’s treat the cause of the headache that way you don’t have to go take an ibuprofen or a tylenol because this will cover that if we treat the organ or the issue in the body,” said Lisa Hillary Johnson, a master yoga teacher, meditation teacher and licensed massage therapist.

Identifying as a both a chakra and crystal healer and an intuitive healer, Johnson believes that healing requires more than a medical diagnosis and prescribed treatment. She believes holistic healing methods are essential in healing the human as a whole and managing the root of many physical and mental health issues, especially during a pandemic.

Healing tips for those with anxiety or depression

Dealing with anxiety and depression herself, Johnson suggests that those who may be struggling a lot more to remain calm during the pandemic start practicing meditation.

“I’m a Yogi soI’m always going to go back to meditation. You have to deal with your stuff. A Lot of this is dealing with it. It gets heavy throughout the day and we have to sit with it and we have to process it and sometimes avoiding it doesn’t always work,” said Johnson.

According to Johnson, other things you can do to stay productive include writing, drawing, However, if that isn’t you finding something you enjoy doing, that takes you away from “the cellphone and the T.V” can be extremely helpful.

To help make holistic healing more accessible during the pandemic, Johnson hosts Chakra & Crystal healing sessions, meditation groups and via Instagram Live (@lisahillaryj) in lieu of social distancing practices.

“While we have this down time we should be looking for ways to learn more about ourselves and to vibrate higher, meaning to sit with yourself, to understand, to break old patterns, behaviors, ridding ourselves of addiction and realing understand what it is we have been through in life,” said Johnson.

After examining mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga the Center for Disease Control has conducted research that has shown “Mindfulness-based practices can improve workers’ health and reduce employers’ costs by ameliorating the negative effect of stress on workers’ health.”

Healing tips for those in quarantine

For everyone dealing with usual feelings , Johnson suggests people practice a consistent routine of:

  1. Exercise
  2. Mediation
  3. Eating healthy 
  4. Drinking a lot of water
  5. Getting sunshine
  6. Taking vitamins specific for your body
  7. If you are mentally ill stay on your prescribed medications and ensure they are the correct dosage for this time