There are ways to boost your immune system and fortify yourself starting now in order to prevent becoming ill later. Remember the old adage; “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” well it is still true! Some of these will be new to you while others are well known but frequently not practiced. Here are my tips:

1. To boost your immune system take 1 -2 drops of a citrus oil such as grapefruit, lemon, orange, or tangerine in a glass of water or some honey/blue agave 3-4 times a week. If you are feeling tired or like you may be coming down with something take it daily.

2. Decrease stress because it diminishes your immune system. Take time to calm your mind and relax your body at least daily to break the stress cycle. Click here to learn an energy therapy technique called self-mind clearing to promote relaxation, focus your mind or ease stress-related headaches in just a few minutes!

3. Wash your hands with plain soap (not antibacterial) and water often for 20 seconds. Antibacterial soaps do not clean any better than regular soap and 1 ingredient found in a majority of antibacterial soaps, triclosan, can actually contribute too many illnesses. Read the labels on soaps and cleansers to avoid triclosan which is a pesticide and has been shown to affect male and female hormones as well as the thyroid gland. Recent studies suggest it contributes to diabetes, obesity and heart conditions.

Hand washing is especially important after being out in public areas and handling items others that may be ill have touched such as grocery carts/baskets, tables while eating out, computer keyboards, sharing pens, after meetings or gatherings with many people, etc. If unable to find soap and water use waterless hand cleanser without triclosan.

4. Get moderate exercise cardio or resistance to promote lymphatic flow. This supports your immune system.

5. Avoid placing your hands by your nose and mouth so viruses on the skin don’t enter your body. Viruses enter your body through the nose, throat and respiratory system.

6. If someone in your household is ill disinfect areas where you spend the most time. Diffusing a citrus oil high in limonene such as lemon, grapefruit or bergamot helps prevent the spread of contagious colds/flu. You can also make a spray to wipe down counter tops, toys etc to disinfect the items.

7. Get 7-8 hours of sleep at night. Sleep is when your body repairs and rejuvenates itself.

8. Use your mind to support your immune system. Your thoughts can affect your physical health. Imagine yourself going through the fall and winter seasons staying healthy and vibrant. See yourself engaged in activities you enjoy, eating good foods and sleeping well at night. Tell yourself you have a strong immune system that protects you from colds and other illnesses.

If you are a more literal person you can imagine the white blood cells eating up viruses and harmful bacteria, keeping you healthy. For the more imaginative you could be like a wizard or goddess transforming harmful viruses/bacteria into a cute animal, something beautiful in nature or whatever you care to dream up!

If you would like personalized support in improving your immune system give me a call to discuss your needs and the possibilities.

I love my morning meditation. It helps me to create serenity and tackle daily challenges without getting frantic or terribly upset. The visualizations assist me in creating joy and abundance in my life.

Most mornings I sit in bed for 15 – 20 minutes and clear my mind. I focus on my breath then ground and center myself. After that I stay (or try to stay) in the present moment for several minutes. Then I visualize what I want in my life. It may be something to do with my business, a relationship, my health, money, anything I want to shift in my life.

When I meditate I seem to be able to handle the curve balls life throws at me more easily. I feel grounded, centered and able to determine what is necessary to resolve the issues. Some days it is easy to clear my mind, other days it is very difficult. Some days thought after thought just keeps coming in such as my to-do list, what happened yesterday, determining how to finish the project on time, etc. Does that ever happen to you – you can’t quiet your mind? I picture these thoughts as clouds drifting by on a windy day. Finally I get myself to a more peaceful place with no clouds in the sky. Whether it is only for a few seconds or several minutes I feel calmer and happier.

Once my mind is quiet I begin to visualize what I want in life or my business. For instance if I want better communication with a family member I see the two of us talking to each other and responding respectfully. I visualize where we are, the tone of our voices, the time of day, so I am engaging all of my senses. I imagine feeling compassion and empathy for the person. I see us talking and ending the conversation with smiles and hugs. I also use this technique for physical issues such as painful muscles/joints. The imagery is very different but the premise is the same, imagine what you want and the brain starts to make changes toward manifesting it.   Sometimes I feel a positive change after one meditation other times it may take days or months but a change for the better usually occurs.

Starting your day off calm and centered helps you manage life challenges easier and calmer. Visualizing what you desire can help you make progress towards your goals faster and easier. I would be honored to be your guide on such a journey, click here to contact me or call 510 381-3191.

When this chakra is in balance you are in touch with your emotions, relationships that you chose to be in are positive and supportive. Relationships that you would not voluntarily choose but are required, such as at work, you can express your feelings respectfully and remain neutral rather than getting upset and angry. Your creative juices flow and you embrace pleasure in all forms. You feel good about yourself.

When the sacral chakra is out of balance you may experience feelings of resentment, aggression, shyness, guilt. You may find it difficult to trust others. You may feel stuck in a situation or your life in general.

From the physical viewpoint this chakra governs the reproductive organs, kidneys, colon, immune system, bladder, hips and low back. When out of balance physical symptoms may present as pain in the hips, kidney problems, bladder infection or illness with reproductive organs such as terrible cramps, excessive bleeding, infertility, etc.

A client that came to me because stress at work was causing her physical symptoms of sleep problems, digestive issues and chronic fatigue. As we worked together I saw a pattern that her sacral chakra would be the last to flow and always congested by the next visit.  Talking with her l realized her primary cause of stress was conflict within herself about her career and job. We started focusing on this aspect with aromatherapy and guided imagery and finally she started to resolve this issue.

When I checked in with her a month later she had gained clarity on what direction to take in her career and had taken actions toward her goal. Her symptoms had resolved and she felt confident and happy.

This is just one example of how I can get to the root cause of issues with you when you may not be consciously aware of what is going on. If you’re experiencing issues in your relationships or have physical challenges related to the sacral chakra I invite you to work with me one-on-one to help you resolve it and reclaim your life full of joy and good health.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

An essential oil is composed of hundreds of different chemicals so it can have many different effects on the body. For example peppermint oil has a significant amount of menthol in it so it is good for alleviating muscle pain. Due to its other components it can also curb appetite, alleviate nausea and has antibacterial and antiviral properties! The oils work with the body to maintain balance and homeostasis. Pharmaceutical drugs however are designed to have only one or two actions and often pull the body out of balance. For example if someone is taking Lasix the medication pulls fluid from the body. It also pulls potassium so then many patients must take a potassium supplement to keep the body in homeostasis.

Aromas have a powerful influence on the mind and emotions. When you inhale an oil the scent bypasses your thinking brain and goes straight to the amygdala located about center of your brain. This area stores past experiences and emotions and reacts quickly before your logical brain has time to think. For example have you ever smelled something and instantly a memory pops into your head? If the memory is a pleasant one you feel calm or uplifted, if the memory is something unpleasant you may feel fear or anger. For example whenever I smell cookies I immediately feel good inside because I am flooded with fond memories of my Mom and Grandma baking and eating cookies together. Oils also help release emotional trauma, relax and clear the mind.

I use essential oils every day. They are very complex and do not have any major side effects like medications do. Have you had an experience with essential oils? If so I would love to hear about it, leave a comment below or contact me at 510 381-3191.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

A study at the University of Cincinnati by Dr. William Dember found that inhaling peppermint oil increased mental accuracy by 28%. My daughter also used this oil while studying for exams when she was in college. I prefer to place 1 drop on my tongue then push my tongue against the roof of my mouth. This really wakes me up, clears my sinuses and helps me to focus. My daughter inhaled it from the bottle and placed a drop or two on her wrists or neck. She did not need to use those energy drinks that are so bad for you.

Clarity is a blend of 12 different oils that are stimulating and uplifting to the mind and body. I use this when I want something a little more subtle then the strong menthol effect. It helps me to stay on task and focus. I have even come up with new insights after applying the oil!

There are many other potential oils that can also help. When I work with clients I determine the best oil(s) for their body and give them detailed instructions on ways to use, methods of application and any precautions. If you are interested I would love to talk with you.

Several small studies have found rosemary to enhance cognition and uplift your mood. I recommend trying it! Other oils that are helpful are:

• Cardamom
• Basil
• Peppermint
• Black pepper
• Lemon

All of these oils can be diluted 1 part carrier oil to one part essential oil and apply 2-3 drops to the back of the neck, temples, or mastoid bones (behind the ear) several times a day. They can be directly inhaled from the bottle 2 – 6 times a day or place a few drops on a cotton ball and pin to the person’s clothing around the collar area. Questions? Contact me for more information.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

The first or root chakra relates to vitality, the life force, being grounded, forward movement and stability. It also relates to the hips, legs and feet of the physical body. The clients that come to me for guidance with emotional issues include stress, depression, lack of motivation, “feeling stuck” or fear of making a desired change. The vast majority of these clients experience physical fatigue and sleep issues. Many of them tell me they feel scattered or disconnected from their body in some way. All of these are symptoms of a congested root chakra!

When I was experiencing chronic pain and started taking healing touch classes my root chakra, along with several others, were congested. I experienced fatigue and had to take a nap after work in order to function the rest of the evening. I sometimes said no to going out with friends because I was too tired. My chi or life force was not flowing well and this affected by energy level.

I was becoming increasingly frustrated at work and did not feel grounded. What do I mean by grounded? When you are grounded you feel connected to the earth, your own physical body and can focus on the present moment. I felt disconnected from Mother Earth because I was not getting outside regularly for a hike in the woods or a walk on the beach. I was having difficulty focusing at work. For example I would leave a patient’s room to get a needed supply and when I got to the supply cart forgot what I needed! My mind was wandering and thinking about what I should do next instead of what I needed now. This caused me to be less efficient and was just plain annoying.

The healing touch program taught me grounding techniques which I use on a daily basis to help keep me grounded and my energy high. In step 3 of my 5 step system I teach my clients grounding techniques and other techniques to keep the energy center open. This allows you to tap into your life force and receive vitality and healing from Mother Earth.   Opening this chakra will help you feel energized, connected and focused. Contact me to learn more!

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

Di-Gize contains 8 different oils that support your digestive system. The oils are tarragon, ginger, peppermint, juniper, fennel, lemongrass, anise and patchouli. This combination helps to promote digestion, prevent fermentation, alleviate nausea, relaxes stomach and intestinal tract muscles and helps decrease inflammation.

My husband is Italian and when the family comes together there is more than enough great food. First appetizers with cheese, cold cuts, focaccia bread and drinks. Next is antipasti than the pasta followed by the meat, potatoes and vegetables. The wine flows around the table during dinner. Finally the dessertS, yes more than one! We have a great time but frequently when I get home my abdomen is bloated and I must unbuckle my pants in order to sit comfortably. Other times I feel nauseated from overeating. That is when I use Di-Gize to relieve my occasional digestive problems. I put a couple drops in my hand and rub it over my abdomen in a clockwise motion. If I am feeling nauseated or have heartburn I rub it over my stomach and upper abdomen. I feel better within minutes!

Another example of the power of this oil was when a family member developed diarrhea out of the blue. The couple almost didn’t come to have dinner with us because he had been experiencing it for 1 ½ days. When they arrived I rubbed the oil all over his abdomen and the diarrhea did not recur. He was amazed.

Aromatherapy is great for relieving the occasional symptoms I’ve discussed. It is also good at supporting every system in your body and is part of step 2- Relief without Medications – in my 5 step process to heal pain. If you’re experiencing frequent digestive issues my 5 step process can help heal your whole person – mind, body and spirit. Contact me for a free consultation

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 35+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.