Whether or not we live a conscious or unconscious life, it’s difficult not to be impacted by the negative effect of COVID-19. The constant mix of strong emotions and internal turbulence that many individuals are feeling has a significant emotional, mental and physiological influence on our physical and social well-being. Not wanting to get stuck in a never-ending cycle of negative, fear-based feelings of uncertainty, anger, worry, frustration, loss, powerlessness and doubt, many of us have begun searching for a better balance and methodologies, techniques and technologies that will allow us to meet our fears with joy, happiness, hopefulness, freedom, empowerment and contentment, which are all based on love.

“The mind holds onto stress and negative thoughts because it doesn't know how to process and release extremes and unfamiliar emotions. We voluntarily or involuntarily suppress and repress emotions in our subconscious, creating a spiral effect, causing the body to react with physical symptoms such as depression, sleep deprivation, inflammation, pain, autoimmune disease or even addictions of all sorts, which can lead to suicidal thoughts,” advises Michele Durham, founder and owner of the Access Holistic Healing & Hypnosis, in Bonita Springs.

At Durham’s holistic center, a team of certified practitioners and licensed therapists, nurse, and doctor helps individuals to bounce back and achieve a healthy balance via ancient wisdom, holistic medicine and therapeutic modern technology. “Many people are opening up and awakening mentally, physically and spiritually to the shift from the medicine cabinet to natural healing pathways that can be used to facilitate and manage extreme to normal human emotions that have not been dealt with before and were intensified by the COVID-19 stress or simply new to a person,” says the military veteran, who synergizes a holistic approach of natural health and Western medicine to heal the mind, body and spirit.

In March 2020, The Lancet medical journal published a review of 3,1666 research papers, "The Psychological Impact of Quarantine and How to Reduce It," which reported evidence of COVID-19’s related post-traumatic stress symptoms of confusion and anger. Stressors include long quarantines, fear of infection, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies and information, financial loss and stigma. In July 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control confirmed that COVID-19 stress can cause feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, frustration; changes in appetite, energy, desires and interests; difficulty concentrating and making decisions; difficulty sleeping or nightmares; physical reactions such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems and skin rashes; worsening of chronic health problems; worsening of mental health conditions; and increased use of tobacco, alcohol and other substances.

The center offers Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT) developed by Dolores Cannon, 7-path Self-Hypnosis, 5-path Hypnosis, Neurolinguistics Programming (NLP), Braintap, Access Bars, Light therapy, IV Therapy, ZYTO Bioscan, sound and color therapy, guided meditations, private and small group yoga, intuitive massage and Chinese cupping, intravenous vitamin infusions and injections, halotherapy and infrared sauna therapy, as well as Nature’s Sunshine Supplements. “It’s possible to regain balance with a complete holistic healing and experience that transform the mind and nurture the body naturally,” advises Durham.