How to do Self-Hypnosis

Many people have their first (or only) exposure to hypnosis through stage hypnotists or Hollywood productions and from this; they understandably form the impression that hypnosis is something bizarre or even dangerous. In these arenas, hypnosis is portrayed as a scary form of mind control where the 'victim' gives up control of their mind and is therefore vulnerable or worse, gullible. If this was correct in any way then I would have no interest in hypnosis at all... the majority of clients who come to me are wanting help to establish more control over their lives in some way... never have I been asked to help someone lose control of themselves!

A few years ago I discovered hypnotherapy as a result of wanting to learn how to do 'self-hypnosis' as a way to help myself overcome stress and improve my sporting performance. I see self-hypnosis as a tool available to everyone for making changes in your life. Most people who want hypnotherapy choose to see a professional hypnotherapist to be 'guided' through the process, however with a little practice, self-hypnosis can be something available to practically everyone... it is just a matter of finding the right technique for the individual. It could even be said that in fact all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis... even when working with a hypnotherapist who is guiding and developing the hypnotic state, you are always in control. It is YOUR hypnosis.

So, self-hypnosis is a skill which can be learned, just like riding a bike. It is a skill which nearly all of us can do naturally and with practice, can become a route to you making very specific, positive and lasting changes to your life. You'll wonder how you lived without it!

If you would like to find out whether self-hypnosis is something which might benefit you, please contact Christy at christy@christyhypnotherapy.com or call 01252 334377.

Christy Hypnotherapy is now pleased to offer a "Teach yourself hypnosis" course consisting of 4 training sessions (over a period of 4 weeks) plus a pre-recorded CD for just £275.

Falling down... do you have a 'Growth Mindset'?

The following blog has been based on the chapter entitled "The Talent Myth Revisited" in the book "Bounce" by Matthew Syed.

Remember the last time you attempted to do something and didn't manage to achieve it, or 'fell down' in the process... How did it make you feel? Did you 'get up' and try again or did you accept that this was something you could not do and had therefore 'failed'?

In 1978 a Professor of Psychology named Carol Dweck conducted some ground breaking experiments with students to show that having a 'growth mindset' (people who believe that ability can be transformed through effort) as opposed to a 'fixed mindset' (the belief that 'talent' is something you are born with and therefore set in genetic stone and pre-destined) can make a dramatic difference in how motivation is sustained through adversity. What Dweck wanted to know was just how corrosive is the belief that innate ability rather than practice is what ultimately determines whether we have it within us to achieve excellence....This would infer that it's not worth spending time and energy seeking to improve if success is only available to people with the right genes?!

What Dweck found was not only dramatic but extraordinary. Even though the two sets of students had exactly the same ability, in the group with the 'growth mindset', more than 80% either maintained or actually improved their performance in tests when faced with a challenge or something difficult. They actually taught themselves new and more sophisticated strategies during the difficult problems. In contrast, those with a fixed mindset very quickly berate their abilities and blame lack of intelligence for failures, saying "I've never been good at things like this" or "I guess I'm not very smart".

So what caused this gaping difference in performance between the students with the fixed and growth mindsets? The answer is their beliefs... those who held the belief that ability can be improved through effort believe that ability is not fixed by innate talent (which you are either born with or you are not). People with a growth mindset therefore believe that although everyone may differ in initial talents, aptitudes, interests and temperaments, everyone can change and grow through dedication, hard work and experience.

One final quick story which illustrates this beautifully... a young girl named Shizuka Arakawa apparently fell down more than 20,000 times on her journey from wannabe schoolgirl to Olympic figure-skating champion. You could ask yourself, "Why would anyone endure all that? Why would she keep striving in the teeth of constant failure? Why not give up and try something else?" The answer is this: it is because she did not interpret falling down as failure. She interpreted falling down not merely as a means of improving, but as evidence that she was improving. Failure was not something that sapped her energy and vitality but something that provided her with an opportunity to learn, adapt and develop.

This may seem odd but it is actually central to the belief system of most top performers. Michael Jordan once said "I've missed more than 9,000 shots, I've lost almost 300 games and 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed". In saying this he is illustrating here that in order to become the greatest basketball player of all time, you have to embrace failure...

If you would like to find out more about how hypnotherapy can help you to change your own beliefs and achieve your full potential, please email Christy at christy@christyhypnotherapy.com or call 01252 334377.

Hypnotherapy in the News: 'Hypnotherapy could help kick the food blues this winter'

This report was taken from an article which appeared in the newsletter of the National Hypnotherapy Society. For more information, see: http://www.nationalhypnotherapysociety.org

According to Professor Whorwell, who is professor of medicine and gastroenterology at the University Hospital of South Manchester, Hypnotherapy sessions could help provide a sense of relief to foodies experiencing food and drink intolerance's this winter. Professor Whorwell recently spoke to Lifestyle Magazine, femalefirst.co.uk about the links between food intolerances and mood. 

His comments come following research from Allergy UK that suggests the winter time could be an extremely testing time for those who suffer food intolerance but don't understand their links to their mood.

For example, allergyuk.org says that a 45 per cent of Britons suffer from a food or drink intolerance, and tests by institutions like YorkTest Laboratories have shown that diet can have a direct impact on the way someone is feeling.

These kinds of findings are backed by the fact that serotonin - the 'happy hormone' - is actually produced in the gut and not the brain, suggesting mental well-being is intrinsically linked to what goes into the stomach.

With IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) being one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the UK, experienced by around 10-20 per cent of the population according to the NHS, Professor Whorwell explained that hypnotherapy is one of the best treatments around.

"Of the relaxation therapies available, we find that hypnotherapy can be very helpful when it comes to treating IBS," he said. "The link between mood and gut symptoms is clear and hypnosis not only helps to reduce anxiety but also has a direct effect upon the gut, thereby reducing symptoms".

If you would like to find out more about hypnotherapy could help you with any food related issues, please contact Christy on 01252 334377 or email: Christy@christyhypnotherapy.com

What motivates you?

Have you ever taken the time to think about what motivates you? Sometimes it might be the desire to achieve something (like a reward, prize or praise)and other times it might be that you actually want to avoid something negative (such as fear of failure, or not wanting to come last place in sport). As we come to the end of another year, we might all be thinking about what we think we want to be motivated to achieve next year...

So what IS motivation? Well the dictionary definition is "the reason behind someone's actions or behaviour; desire or willingness to do something".

It seems relatively straightforward to define what it is, however what is more challenging is to define what determines or influences your motivation and why one person can be highly motivated whereas another person is not at all.

In sport, motivation to achieve one's best can make the difference between a good performance and a really great performance. Technical skill is obviously vital (you cannot become an elite athlete just by thinking positively!) however enthusiasm and determination really can make the difference that matters.

One of the most effective ways to build motivation is with goals. If we don't know what we want to achieve in life (or sport) then we will not be able to make a plan of how to achieve it. This is all very well but what happens if you feel your motivation is not going in the same direction as your goals?

There are 7 key principles of working with goals to ensure they motivate you in the right direction: 

1. Say what you want, not what you want to avoid

2. Make goals challenging, but realistic 

3. Make sure you can influence the result directly 

4. Measure your progress - check you are going in the right direction regularly 

5. Check your resources (do you have what you need to achieve your goal? If not, can you get it?) 

6. Count the cost - does the achievement of this goal mean something else does not happen? 

7. Reward yourself when you achieve your goal!

Hypnosis can also assist this process of obtaining motivation through goal setting by being able to "tap into" the emotional, right-brain functions which become more available and receptive in this state. Goals set in a state of hypnosis also tend to be far more personal, useful and motivating for an individual. In addition, hypnosis can aid the process of setting out 'memories of the future' of achieving these goals (also known as 'mental rehearsal') which acts as a powerful motivator by allowing someone to 'see' what it will be like once they have achieved their goals.

If you would like to find out more about hypnosis could help you achieve your goals in life, contact Christy today on 01252 334377 or email: christy@christyhypnotherapy.com

Exclusive Well-Being Retreat at Coworth Park Hotel: 20-22 January 2013

Do you want to optimise your energy levels?
Do you want to feel healthier?
Do you want to overcome physical pain?
Is there something holding you back from achieving your full potential?

Vitology Nutrition is running an exclusive Well-being retreat at Coworth Park Hotel in Ascot. Set in sumptuous surroundings with a fabulous spa and outdoor facilities, Coworth Park is the essence of luxury and offers the quality of service and comfort that truly define Dorchester Collection Hotels.

Do not fear, this is most certainly NOT a boot camp; our approach is totally holistic, focusing on your overall wellness and relaxation.

Why should you attend?

It’s all about you. It’s a chance for you to spend two days focusing on your needs, whether it be optimising your nutrition, managing stress, correcting posture or improved sleep and energy levels. At the end of your stay, you will depart with a blue print for your future physical and emotional well-being.

Your package includes:

• Two nights accommodation and three days activities and relaxation
• One to one personalised consultations with a Nutritional Therapist, Personal Trainer/Biomechanics Coach and Hypnotherapist/NLP Coach
• Morning `I move freely’ classes
• Pilates and Yoga Classes
• Tailor made nutrition, fitness and emotional programmes to take away
• Interactive 'healthy alternatives' Chef Master Class
• Spa treatment of your choice
• Personalised follow-up programme
• Relaxation time!

Our Executive Chef will design a healthy eating plan to keep you energised and sustained throughout your stay.

Cost: £1,400 per person
Date: 20th to 22nd January 2013

This would make the perfect Christmas present OR a treat for yourself, so book early to avoid disappointment!

In order to ensure that our Retreats remain exclusive, numbers are limited to nine people per retreat, so book early to guarantee your place.

BOOK HERE NOW!

Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Anyone suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may feel at times they are perhaps the only person who experiences this often distressing and embarrassing condition. However it is actually a very common disorder affecting up to 15% of the population. This fact does not of course make it any easier for the sufferer!

Whatever your symptoms of IBS, the good news is that there are many things you can do to help significantly reduce the negative symptoms and help you take back control of your life. I would always advise first consulting your GP to conduct a thorough investigation and diagnosis as some symptoms of IBS can be symptomatic of other gut-related conditions (perhaps requiring medication).

So how can hypnotherapy help?

Stress and anxiety are believed to be significant triggers for the development of IBS and therefore hypnotherapy for IBS mainly involves using relaxation exercises and using visualisations to help calm the internal and emotional responses and also help develop a greater sense of personal control.

What happens during the sessions?

At Christy Hypnotherapy I work with clients to address individual needs, as IBS can affect people in many different ways. IBS is a complex condition which requires a compassionate and confidential approach. Before the hypnotherapy begins every part of the client’s life will be assessed and a personalised treatment plan will then be discussed and put in place. The overall aim is to reduce stress and help the client to change their lives for the better.

To find out how hypnotherapy could help you manage your IBS, contact Christy today on 01252 334377 or email: christy@christyhypnotherapy.com

National Stress Awareness Day - Wednesday 7th November 2012

The International Stress Management Association (ISMA) reports that according to recent research by Insurance Company AXA, stress levels have doubled in 4 years. It would seem to be true that we all live in a much more stressful world, not only with changes in the economy, technology and work, but also in our personal lives. The day to day running of work, family and social lives all piles on  the pressure and on top of this we have to deal with everyday problems and challenges. It's true that people deal with stress in different ways and everyone has their own level of stress which is 'manageable'… in fact some people thrive and are motivated by a certain level of stress in their lives. If this level remains at an optimum, all is well. The problems occur when this level tips over the optimum and becomes unmanageable.

Very often we are not in control of the stress around us and this is more and more evident in the workplace where stress can come as a result of redundancy, relationship conflicts between colleagues and increasing pressure on individuals to do 'more with less'. Infact issues from work are now one of the main causes of stress reported by patients to their GP.

The 14th National Stress Awareness Day, which is held to celebrate helping people to beat stress, will take place on 7 November 2012. This year the theme is "Defining Outcomes for Wellbeing at Work". The ISMA offers lots of advice about how companies can get involved to help their employees, including providing information about effective relaxation treatments and how to run stress awareness workshops. Of course, you don't have to wait around until the day itself, now is the time to start taking action yourself. Hypnotherapy can provide a wonderful way to relax both physically and mentally and can also help you find space in your life to be able to resolve issues which have perhaps tipped your stress levels over the edge.

To find out how hypnotherapy could help reduce stress in your life, contact Christy today on 01252 334377 or email: christy@christyhypnotherapy.com

More information about ISMA National Stress Awareness Day can be found here: http://www.isma.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-day