Good mental health Archives ~ Trance for a Change Tel: 0797 054 0389

Life After Covid

Vicky — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 22:13:30 +0000

In the aftermath of Covid-19 life has taken on new and unprecedented dimensions. Everything has changed and yet everything has stayed the same. In the last few months we have witnessed the strength of the human spirit. Individuals have put themselves forwards to help out their elderly and isolated neighbours. We have also witnessed the various new and creative ways in which social media has helped us to feel connected in the midst of our isolation.

New communities have grown up and Thursday night clapping for the NHS brought us closer than ever before to neighbours that we perhaps were previously unaware of. We have been inspired by modern day heroes, like Captain Tom, and been moved by countless other stories of hope and determination.

However, in the midst of all this change, our mental health has certainly been tested. Some us have lost our jobs, others have lost friends and family. We have been robbed of our chance to grieve over those who are gone and missed hugs and cuddles from the important people in our lives. As I write this my own father is in hospital and unable to have visitors. The impact this has is huge, both for those in hospitals and those who are left on the outside, feeling helpless.

It isn’t all kindness and comradeship though. We are growing scared of other people. If we witness somebody coughing or clearing their throat we become agitated, angry even, and try to increase the distance between us and them. Perhaps we are wondering why they have even left their homes to venture out in the world?

The fact is that we are all in this together. Life is changing and we are changing – adapting – to the new conditions all around us. The media tells us that our mental health is suffering more than ever before. It isn’t surprising, because people need people and we don’t perform so well under isolating and restricting conditions. We perform better when we can socialise and when we have a sense of control about our lives and our futures. Uncertainty about our health and the health of our loved ones can also cause stress and anxiety, not to mention the worry about how we are going to pay our bills if we lose our jobs.

These negative emotions seem to be increasing all the time and my concern is that people start to believe that anxiety is a normal state to be in. It isn’t. The only time we should be feeling anxious is if we truly are in danger – and I don’t mean the prolonged danger from a virus, but I mean the heart-stopping running or fighting for your life kind of danger.

When we are feeling anxious it is simply because an overload of stress hormones, such as Cortisol, are being released into our bodies. This prepares us for the “fight or flight” that our caveman brain thinks is about to happen. If we do need to fight or run away we will be much better equipped. If we don’t, then we are just hurting our bodies for no reason. Prolonged anxiety states can compromise the immune system, and also affect digestion and fertility. It simply isn’t good for us to be feeling afraid all the time.

So, the antidote to anxiety is to lighten up, start to notice some of the nicer things about our lives. We need to daydream about good times, good memories, and interesting plans for the future. Remember, we don’t just live in the outside world, we also have another home inside our own heads. It is up to us to furnish that inner landscape with as much good and wonderful stuff as possible.

Here is the plan:

When you wake up in the morning, if you are feeling anxious take some slow deep breaths. Breathe in for the count of 3 and out for the count of 5. This will decrease the oxygen in your body and help any anxious feelings to subside.
Your mind may be racing or turning to negative thoughts. These thoughts are just habits – we get very good at repeating things, and the things we repeat often we get even better at. It is time to start making some new habitual thoughts. You may find this difficult at first, your mind will want to go back to what it knows. Persevere and think about something nice.
When you think of those nice, new things, explore these thoughts with all your senses. Immerse yourself in the reality of them. Are there any sounds, what do the surroundings feel like? Notice the different shades, the temperature, any tastes or smells. We want to make these new positive thoughts as lifelike as possible.
Remember, it is your vivid imagination of the wrong thoughts that create anxiety. To change how you feel you need to start doing the opposite.
Take time for exercise. When we move our bodies we are reducing the Cortisol in our bodies, which will make us feel better.
Laugh. Watch comedy, listen to jokes, enjoy lighthearted banter. Laughter increases some of the good, happy hormones and these will counteract the negative ones.
Meet with friends. It is important to socialise, so even if you have to distance or be in your bubble, ensure that you are not isolated. Even telephone calls or online chats will help you to feel more connected.
Treat yourself to some pampering. Whatever it is, allow yourself some time just for you, where you can relax and feel calm and at peace.

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Anxiety and the Caveman

Vicky — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 07:46:09 +0000

It is not surprising that humans, as a species, suffer from anxiety. For 99% of our time on earth we have been hunter / gatherers, surviving only because we could negatively forecast what would happen if we didn’t manage to eat that day, or what would happen if we were attacked by wild predators. We could also remember quite clearly the bad things that had happened to us in the past – those close encounters and threats in a life that was wild and inhospitable.

Our optimistic, happy-go-lucky neighbour who was camped next to us may not have survived long enough to pass down his DNA into the genepool that created you or me. So, there was an absolutely good reason to be anxious and on red alert. As soon as we sensed a threat, a whole chain reaction would start in our physical bodies. The heart would begin racing, pumping extra oxygen around our bodies, and stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline would be released. Within seconds we were primed to fight or flee, or sometimes just be frozen to the spot in a very acutely aware state.

The problem (if you can call this a problem) is that nowadays we are very rarely exposed to physical danger in the same way, and certainly not as a daily occurrence for most people. We get worried about other things, and the primitive, emotional part of the brain sees threats in all sorts of places – traffic jams, meetings at work, supermarkets, motorways, social encounters. We can work ourselves into a state and not understand what is happening, often thinking something is wrong with us.

The truth is that nothing at all is wrong with people who are experiencing anxiety, it’s just that their brains are set on this super alert mode and, most of the time, it’s not helpful in the modern world.

To find relief from anxiety we need to quieten down that fearful, worried part of ourselves. It can take practice – after all, we’ve had thousands of years of finding this reaction useful. It’s only in modern times that we actually expect life to involve fun and happiness. Even in the more recent past, work and toil were the norms for most people.

Every time that we have a negative thought, whether it is about the past, or about the future, we are encouraging an anxious response in our bodies. One of the most important things to realise is that the mind cannot tell the difference between imagination and reality. This means that if you imagine being absolutely terrible at your next public speaking event, and you imagine that a dozen times, your brain is already primed to deliver that outcome to you. You’ve practiced it and, as we all know, we get better at those things we practice. If our mind is practising disaster and downfall then that’s what our body responds to and focuses on the most.

So today, right now, you have the power in your own mind to start to make changes. These changes may be small, and they may seem unnaturally difficult to start with, but persevere and you will start to notice changes over time.

The first change I recommend is to start putting positive thinking into action. I know it is unrealistic to feel happy and positive all the time, and I’m not suggesting that any of us should be that way, but if you find yourself dwelling on problems that is the time to turn your thoughts around. Instead of thinking about what can go wrong, ask yourself, what will be good today? What is okay? What am I most looking forward to today? What can I do today that I will enjoy? Keep going with these positive types of questions and make this your habit instead of the negative ones.

To help you with your goals of being free from anxiety, I have recorded a hypnotic recording, available from You Tube at the link below.

If you would like further help and would like to see how hypnosis can help you to find your peace of mind and calm place, please get in touch for a no obligation chat.

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What is hypnosis good for?

Vicky — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 12:05:17 +0000

What’s so special about hypnotherapy?

Why do I love hypnotherapy above all other therapies? Well, some therapies make us feel good, that’s for sure. No one can doubt the pleasure of a good massage, for example. Sometimes I’ve floated off the couch feeling pampered and poodled… but, the feelings don’t last that long, do they?

Hypnotherapy is different. It can be very relaxing but it also works on the mind to create lasting change. The change that you want to see in your life – the change that will make all the difference to the quality of your future.

Stage Hypnotism -v- Clinical Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis has been around since ancient times in some form or other, and ancient Egyptians, for example, built dedicated sleep temples for the treatment of people through hypnosis.

We’ve come a long way since those days and also since the Victorian ages. Back in the mists of time people considered hypnosis to involve mystical powers and the hypnotist was revered as a powerful controller of the mind.

So, just to clarify, hypnosis is not:

Mind control
Ridiculous
Dangerous
Weird
New Age
Clucking chicken making
From the devil

There are still many hypnotists who perform comedy stage routines that show people acting silly on stage under the influence of hypnosis. The truth is, hypnosis will not make you do something that you don’t want to do. Whilst these performers draw attention to the field of hypnosis there is no other similarity between stage hypnotism and clinical hypnotherapy.

As a clinical hypnotherapist I personally enjoy watching stage hypnotists do their stuff. They are clever entertainers and specialise in such areas as rapid induction – getting people into an altered state fast.

In the therapy room this type of induction is not needed. We go about things in a slow and relaxing way most of the time. Clinical hypnotherapists understand that when the body relaxes the mind can also relax. This inducement of calm flows like a wave of comfort and serenity, guiding the client into a Theta brainwave state that is perfect for the relaxed focus that is needed during a hypnotherapy session.

What is an Altered Brainwave State?

We all have brainwaves – these are the electrical pulses generated in the brain from the neurons (nerve cells) located there. These electrical pulses aren’t powerful enough to turn on a light bulb or burn a piece of toast, but they are strong enough to stimulate our thoughts and reactions to the world around us. These neurons communicate with each other so that we can react to our environment.

We naturally flow into different brainwave states all the time. When we sleep at night we are in an altered brainwave state – the Delta brainwave cycle is associated with deep sleep, for example. If we are meeting friends for coffee and chatting about our day we are likely to be in a Beta brainwave cycle. Often different cycles operate at the same time, so that we dip in and out of daydreaming states. Hypnosis works by encouraging a specific brainwave state that allows positive and useful suggestions to be incorporated into a person’s belief system.

Suggestions Do Work!

We are influenced by suggestions all the time. That’s why there are adverts everywhere we look, from traditional media platforms such as television, football stadiums, bus stops, all the way through to YouTube channels, Facebook, Google etc. Wherever we put our attention, we can be sure somebody somewhere is putting an advert for their product into our awareness. So, are all these companies throwing money away? No, of course not. They know that exposure to something over a period of time normalises it and makes it more likely that we will buy what they are selling. They know that even if we think we are immune to advertising or paying no conscious attention, it can still affect us.

The great thing about hypnotherapy is that you get to choose how you want to be influenced. Do you need more confidence, or the motivation to lose weight or stop smoking? No problem, hypnotherapy can help with all of those things. But, there is so much more that hypnotherapy is useful for.

Hypnotherapy for Anxiety

That’s right! Hypnotherapy is a great way to help people deal with anxiety. Not only does it calm a person down and get them thinking from the intellectual part of the brain that doesn’t “do anxiety”, it can change reactions and thinking patterns, building strong habits that encourage positive thinking and a sense of calm control. If anxiety has been destroying your life, if the pills don’t work and CBT failed you, then hypnotherapy may give you the results that you are desperate for.

Hypnotherapy for Success

All our limiting beliefs are stored in our subconscious minds. If you’ve ever had a moment where you’ve not felt good enough, when you stopped believing in yourself, if you think other people are better than you, more talented, more beautiful, more deserving… then you need to take control of your own mind with hypnotherapy. Ever met those damned “lucky” people whose lives seem to be perfect? Thoughts create everything, including the perfect life.

It’s a No-Brainer!

We don’t need to be defined by our past, we can build better futures for ourselves, simply by harnessing the power of our thoughts. We can shape our beliefs in ways that make us stronger, more resilient, happier, more positive and optimistic. When we feel positive and optimistic then good things start happening to us.

When we embrace this new way of thinking the world around us begins to change. When we change ourselves, everything else changes. It quite simply has to, because the world “out there” is only a reflection of what we are thinking “in here”. Reality is only as real as your thoughts about your situation. Life is nothing more than subjective experiences and the hardware of our brain colours our personal stories with meaning. It’s time to make those meanings better than before.

And we can do it! We have neuroplasticity! This means that our brains can change. In fact, they change all the time. And when you make changes in your perceptions and beliefs then it’s like designing a new shape from a tub of Play-Doh. We can reinvent ourselves and become just who we want to be.

Modern brain research shows how hypnotherapy can help to calm the mind and activate different areas of the brain, promoting change. Many studies show our amazing capabilities. Our brains are that clever we can even build muscle by thought alone!

What are you waiting for?

There is no time like the present. If you feel you would like to give hypnotherapy a go, get in touch and use the power of your own mind to become who you want to be.

Remember, we aren’t tins of spaghetti, our ingredients aren’t stamped to a label on our foreheads. We have all the abilities to change. If the ingredients you want for yourself include more motivation, more confidence, bravery, calm, resilience, happiness… then hypnotherapy can help you get what you need.

You’re just a phone call away from your new self.

Tel: 0797 054 0389

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Meeting of Minds

Vicky — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 21:18:19 +0000

This was the moment when the Member of Parliament for Bosworth, David Tredinnick, and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP, visited Burbage House Health Clinic. Part of my working time is spent at Burbage Health Care, where I am often in residence as one of their therapists. Amongst the attendees was a representative from the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Simon Jones. As the manager of cultural services, Simon is spear-heading wellbeing initiatives within the council.

The occasion marked a surge of interest in the works of health care providers outside the NHS. It’s important to realise why some therapies are not officially recognised as being effective. Far from being proven ineffective, it’s more to do with how therapies are researched. Some things just aren’t measurable within the confines of the clinical parameters required. However, many hundreds of past clients would absolutely stand by the benefits that they have received within the various therapies available. With this in mind, David Tredinnick has steadfastly promoted complementary medicines for a number of years and, I believe, rightly so.

In the above photo, therapies provided by the team above include: acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, physiotherapy, sports massage, chiropractic, podiatry, hypnotherapy, BWRT and Indian Head Massage.

Complementary wellness, the mind and body connection, mindfulness, meditation – all of these things are growing in popularity and common interest. We all need to remember that this rich diversity of help can restore health and happiness to our frazzled selves. We need to be mindful to allocate a budget not just for hair, nails, tanning, extensions and drinking, but to put aside a little for our wellbeing too.

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Hypnosis for Anxiety

Vicky — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 13:23:18 +0000

Living with Anxiety

It’s perhaps not surprising that more and more people are suffering from anxiety than ever before, which is why learning about hypnosis for anxiety may be just the answer you need, but haven’t considered in the past.

When you think about it, we are bombarded with terror, scandal, destruction and doom every time we open a newspaper or put the news on. This information goes into our minds as data and helps us to make sense of the world we are living in.

Therein lies the problem. Most of the stuff we hear about doesn’t directly affect us and yet we end up worrying about it. Even worrying about our own problems or the things we do have some control over really doesn’t serve any useful purpose either. Worrying solves nothing and can make us feel really bad.

We can lie awake worrying about things that have happened in the past or even things that haven’t happened yet. When our sleep starts to become affected then we feel even worse. Hypnosis for anxiety can actively work with the subconscious part of the mind to change our thought processes so that we can gain a greater control over our lives and develop new ways of thinking and behaving.

Should you see a doctor first?

Sometimes anxiety can be caused by a physical condition, so it’s useful to speak to the GP to get the all clear, or necessary treatment. If the problem isn’t physical, but is due to our own negative thought processes, then anti-anxiety tablets may be prescribed. These can be in the form of SSRI’s, the same drugs that are prescribed to treat depression. The downside to taking medication for anxiety is that, although symptoms may feel better, there is the risk of unpleasant side effects.

Other types of medication include Benzodiazapines (often referred to as tranquilisers). These slow the whole nervous system down and can cause brain fog, blurred vision, confusion and memory problems. In the short term they might be useful, particularly if you are suffering from panic attacks, but relying on these for a longer time may not be the best option, particularly as they can be highly addictive.

Natural Options

There are many coping strategies that can help people who are suffering from anxiety and most rely on some form of relaxation. The main antidote to anxiety is simply to stop thinking negative thoughts and start concentrating on positives instead. I know that sounds easy, but anyone with anxiety will tell you how difficult that can be. The reason it feels difficult is because the brain has switched into survival mode. This is why a course of hypnosis for anxiety can really help.

Hypnotherapy, particularly the solution focused approach that I use, works to change the way people respond so that they regain control and can move forward feeling calm and positive. Working in this way can help people to switch their brains back into normal mode, where they can be positively focused on life and find a level of comfort and safety once more. Hypnosis for anxiety can be very effective because it encourages us to relax and feel more peaceful. When we are feeling calmer then we can cope with life’s stresses in a much more effective way. Things that we were finding threatening become less so, which means we have a much greater sense of freedom and liberation, enjoying things that we used to be able to do.

Life can become more and more limiting as we worry about so many more things that can go wrong, so it’s a good idea to get help sooner rather than later. Hypnosis for anxiety can be given in my therapy room In Hinckley, Leicestershire, Burbage House Clinic or at the CW Therapy Rooms in Kenilworth. If you live further away I can also arrange sessions through Skype or Messenger, so that you can receive treatment in your own home, feeling safe and comfortable.

Alongside hypnosis for anxiety there are other ways that people can start feeling better. Here is my top ten list, although not listed in order of importance:

Stop listening to bad news
Don’t watch horror films
Think of three things to be grateful for every day
Be kind to yourself in words, thoughts and deeds
Practice mindfulness – when you notice you are thinking something negative bring yourself back to the moment and concentrate on the here and now
Watch comedy on the television
Take some exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the block
Practice smiling
Daydream about something nice, whether it is a past memory, something imaginary or something you can look forward to in the future.
Spend some positive time with friends

If you would like to experience a hypnosis for anxiety treatment, please get in touch for a free initial consultation. I can chat to you about how I work, what to expect in a session and I can also answer any questions that you may have.

Tel: Vicky on 0797 054 0389 or email: tranceforachange@gmail.com

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Therapy Online

Vicky — Sun, 20 May 2018 08:08:15 +0000

More than ever before, it can seem to us that life rushes past us in a haze. We are always busy doing something or, the alternative, not able to motivate ourselves to get things done at all.

There is a saying that I think should be the first thing we think of when we get up in the morning, and the last thing we think of when we retire at night.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU DO

Exactly when do you decide to make time for yourself? When do you become the person that you want to be? How are you making change in your life if you keep doing the same old thing and thinking the same old way? When you “do” junk food or “do” anxiety or “do” your bad habit, you are promoting, encouraging and reinforcing all the behaviour that you say you don’t like, that you are trying to get rid of. And, while you keep doing these things, nothing will ever change. The good news is that I offer the choice of online therapy as well as face-to-face, which means that in a moment from now you can be creating those changes that you want.

The benefits of online therapy?

Nothing can be more convenient than having therapy online.

You get the opportunity to fit the therapy into your life around your other commitments.
Because you are in your own premises you can feel safe and secure.
There’s no hassle with travel arrangements.
Distance is no object – you can literally choose your therapist from anywhere in the world.
Modern technology means that an online therapy session is almost like being there in person.
If you suffer from anxiety or other condition that undermines your confidence, online therapy is a wonderful way to interact with your therapist.
Online therapy can be an excellent choice if you live in a remote area.
Convenient and accessible if you have any physical limitations.

What is required for an online session?

Firstly, drop me a line to make your enquiry. I will email you information, which includes my terms of service and my privacy consent form. I follow strict ethical guidelines in line with the GDPR so that you know your personal and sensitive information will remain confidential at all times. I can work through Skype, Zoom, FaceTime or Facebook Messenger. Some of these platforms have timed cut-offs so we can organise the session so that this doesn’t interfere with the therapy. For the therapy session itself, you will need to find a comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed and can relax for the period of the therapy. I will need to be able to see and hear you, so you will need a webcam and microphone. These are often built into newer pc’s. Payment is taken prior to the session and I can either send you a Paypal invoice or you can pay me through bank transfer. The appointment is made and our session will go ahead online. This will be to the same professional standard as a face-to-face therapy session.

Taking the next step

If you feel you would like online therapy to help you, please get in touch and I will be able to send you further information.

My qualifications

You can be rest assured that I am fully qualified as a solution focused hypnotherapist and an Advanced BWRT Practitioner. I am a member of the following guilds and associations:

CNHC (Complementary and National Healthcare Council)

NCH (National Council for Hypnotherapy)

AfSFH (The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists)

BBRS (The British BrainWorking Research Society)

Further information about my qualifications and experience can be found at my About page.

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Exam Stress and How to Beat It

Vicky — Fri, 18 May 2018 14:47:25 +0000

It’s the time of year when a lot of school children and college / university students are studying for their exams and it can feel like the pressure is on. All of the preceding years of learning come together in an intense, and often challenging, period with study and revision being foremost in people’s minds.

Sometimes the pressure is so great that the mind can’t take it. Frazzled nerves, irritation, upset stomachs and even full-blown panic attacks can occur. Academic pressure is reported to play a part in around 96 student suicides each year around the April / May time, when exams are looming.

These tragic events should never be allowed to happen. Below, I have compiled information and advice, together with a free giveaway, to help students put their studying in perspective and to get the best out of themselves during this time.

Why does it sometimes feel hard to remember things?

When our anxiety levels go up, the brain switches from its intelligent, logical and reasoning part and slips into the primitive, emotional part. This is the part of the brain that controls our chemical responses too, which means our systems can become flooded with cortisol and adrenalin. These chemicals work to get us ready for a fight or flight situation. They help us to attack or defend ourselves when we feel under threat. However, they are of no use when we are trying to focus and concentrate.

When we are in this part of the brain our learning processes are limited. We can’t memorise and revision is impossible.

Useful Tips

So, what can we do to help ourselves, or those around us, to actually feel calmer so that studying is easier?

Anxiety is caused by negative thinking. If we are constantly worrying that we might get bad grades this will just make us feel worse. Sometimes it’s all too easy to forecast the future in the worst terms possible. We can imagine that our exam results will be terrible and then start worrying about all the knock-on effects of that, projecting doom and gloom way into the distant future.

If we find ourselves imagining the future, we should pretend that we are doing really well.Imagine feeling calm and relaxed in the exam hall. Notice what it would be like to be there and feel really comfortable in that situation. Imagine the answers coming easily and visualise all the positive things that you can think of, including your success.

A good way to lower anxiety is to focus on our breathing. If we make our out-breaths longer than our in-breaths we will naturally relax more and calm down. When we are anxious our heart rate increases so that more oxygen is pumped around the body and to the muscles, in case it’s needed for a physical response. To counter that, when we increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream it will lower those anxious feelings. Try breathing in for the count of 3 and out for the count of 5, or breath in for the count of 5 and out for the count of 7. Do this at your own pace and at a rate that is comfortable for you.

Sometimes, when we don’t feel that we are remembering the facts and figures that we need, even though we are revising for many hours, it’s easy to think that we should be studying harder. What we really need to be doing is turning off for a little while. Always take regular breaks when revising. Stretching our legs and going for a walk is a good idea – it also helps to reduce the build-up of cortisol, which will automatically help us to feel better.

Research also shows that actually doing nothing for around 15 minutes after studying boosts our recall. This means going to lie down in a darkened room, without distraction. So, no phones or TV, just silence.

Ancient Greek scholars would wear sprigs of rosemary because they believed it would improve their performance in tests. Latest neuroscientific research shows that the chemicals in the rosemary plant do appear to help our cognitive function. Rosemary oil could be used, or the plant itself. Simply breathe in the aroma of rosemary for a brain boost.

It really goes without saying that sleep is absolutely essential and can help improve our memory and concentration. Although it’s very tempting to stay up late revising, all that mental activity just foggies the brain up. When we sleep, neurotoxins are cleared away, which is an extremely important process. This is why we are more alert and responsive after a refreshing sleep.

Omega 3 fish oils contain chemicals which are known to boost brain function. Make sure you are eating fish or taking supplements in order to give a supercharge to your memory and mood.

There are many different products on the market that suggest they can help you with studying.Some such products include binaural beats and brainwave entrainment products.

For the first 25 readers, I will give away my Learning and Concentration Binaural Beat track which is enabled with a 10 hz Alpha frequency, to improve learning and concentration. Simply email me at tranceforachange@gmail.com and I will send a download link to you.

Find a local therapist who can give you a relaxing treatment of your choice. I work with solution focused hypnotherapy and also BWRT, helping lots of people to feel calm, relaxed and confident. Here is a testimonial below, how one single session of BWRT helped a young lady with her exam worries. Maybe it could help someone you know too?

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Why choose hypnotherapy?

Vicky — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 22:30:35 +0000

Most people, when they feel unwell, will visit their local doctor for a diagnosis. We all know the procedure – if we have a broken bone, we might need an x-ray or perhaps antibiotics or other medications, in order to feel better. To have these free resources in this country is wonderful and it’s a service we often take for granted. When the NHS was created back in 1948 it was to give everyone, rich or poor, the chance of having a good standard of healthcare. Prior to that, in the early 1900’s we didn’t have this luxury and most people were too poor to even consider sending for the doctor. Local women would act as midwives and herbalists, administering to the sick and the needy.

Fast forward to today, and we hear constantly how the NHS is struggling to cope under an ever-increasing burden – the fact is, it was never designed to operate in the way that it does now. Back in 1948 the population in England was around 50 million. By 2017 it had increased to over 66 million. This means that resources are ever more limited and doctors simply do not have the time to look after all of their patients.

Waiting room delays become longer and longer, as do waiting lists for operations or other interventions. Sometimes it feels that much hassle just to get through to the doctor’s receptionists that we can often feel like giving up.

What’s more, how can the doctors help us when our problems are not physical but relate to the way that we are feeling? Doctors have limited scope when it comes to problems that are considered psychosomatic or psychological. Serious psychological conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar, for instance, will need medical guidance and the doctor may refer to psychiatric services. But, more common ailments such as depressive low moods, anxiety, insomnia, lack of confidence, and stress may all be helped with the use of hypnotherapy.

Some of my clients have faced just these types of scenarios and decided to become more pro-active about their healthcare. Maybe some of them didn’t want to be taking drugs like anti-depressants, beta blockers or sleeping pills for the foreseeable future. Others believe the medications are not effective and they want to have more control over their lives. It can also be the case that doctors can’t supply any further help within the boundaries of their scope of practice.

This is where it is worth looking further afield for help and support. Complementary therapies, such as hypnotherapy, can work alongside your medical practitioners to give you a more holistic approach to your health.

Working with a complementary therapist can give you much more scope, allowing you to make further choices and decisions about your own welfare.

Your mental health is vital to your wellbeing and happiness, it’s therefore only right that you find the solutions you need in order to feel better.

People become tired of waiting, living each day in torment or anguish. And when we remember that, ultimately, our personal health is our own responsibility, then we can start to empower ourselves.

Some reasons we might like to choose our own professional complementary healthcare practitioner are listed below:

When we seek therapy we are taking responsibility for our own health.
We can enjoy dedicated time with our therapist, who can give us undivided attention for the period of our session.
We can recognise that drugs such as anti-depressants do not solve our problems, only mask the symptoms.
Working consistently with a therapist towards a strong mental attitude empowers us.
Therapists can usually be flexible about when they can see us – appointments that fit in with us, not the other way around.
Opportunity to improve by using our own inner strengths and resources.
Changing the way we see things so that the whole of our lives can improve.

Your mental health affects your enjoyment of everything else in your life. So, if you feel as if the doctor’s door is firmly closing without a successful outcome, then hypnotherapy may offer the outcome that you are looking for.

The post Why choose hypnotherapy? appeared first on Trance for a Change Tel: 0797 054 0389.

Keeping friendships – with things to do.

Vicky — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 22:06:29 +0000

Why friends are important

Nowadays it seems easier than ever to stay in touch with all our friends – even those who have moved far away. We find that contact through social media such as Facebook, Instagram, text messages and Skype video means that we’re never far away from those people we have an interest in. That’s all well and good, but we must never forget how important it is to actually have face-to-face contact with our friends too, where we can.

Nothing replaces a hug, a pat on the back or a giggle over a coffee. It’s shown that friendships are vitally important to help us ward off depression, heart disease and feelings of isolation or loneliness.

When we are young we mix in schools and colleges, do group sports and activities and get a healthy dose of contact on a daily basis. As we get older we get busy with work and families, and sometimes those close friendships start to feel more and more distant.

Like anything, to keep a friendship alive it needs some TLC. Our friendships will wilt and eventually die if we don’t work to keep them healthy and alive, just like our houseplants.

Here’s some great ideas for helping to keep those friendships blossoming and keeping you connected for many years to come. There’s always something to do!

First, make some time in your diary and then start organising some amazing times together.

Remember, the more experiences and good times you share, the greater the memories you will have and the closer you will feel.

Things to do

Go to the cinema
Cook a meal at home
Go out for dinner / lunch / tea
Learn a foreign language
Visit a museum
Plan a day trip on the train or by coach
Do your weekly shopping together
Visit a garden centre
Hold a car boot sale together
Help clean / decorate each other’s houses
Buy some wool and complete a knitting project
Have a wordsearch / crossword evening in
Have a board game evening
Attend a local church service together
Start a scrapbook together
Visit a garden centre
Go on a boat trip
Visit someone elderly or sick nearby.
Learn a new craft
Do some baking
Go on a pony trek
Volunteer
Go to a concert
Start a book club
Go fruit picking
Host a dinner party
Go swimming
Learn sign language
Visit a zoo or animal sanctuary
Go on a picnic
Visit your local Buddhist centre
Go on a cycle ride
Visit the park
Play badminton / tennis
Go roller or ice skating
Go on some random bus journeys
Have a barbeque
Go litter picking for your local council
Visit your local theatre
Write a short story
Create a community garden (or work in each other’s)
Go dancing
Join a gym
Go bowling
Plan a trip to the seaside
Start a vision board
Have a tie-dye day
Go foraging for fruit / herbs
Learn to juggle
Walk someone’s dog

51. Have a movie night
52. Do some art / drawing / painting
53. Have a makeover night
54. Play cards
55. Make a kite and go somewhere to fly it
56. Start a DIY project together
57. Go to a playground
58. Walk in the forest
59. Learn how to make mocktails / cocktails
60. Practice hairstyles on each other
61. Go to a festival
62. Create a list of goals for the coming year
63. Play pool / darts/ dominoes / skittles at your local pub
64. Go on a penny walk
65. Join a drum circle
66. Learn to belly dance
67. Go rock climbing (indoors or out)
68. Visit stone circles
69. Find a local attraction and explore
70. Go go-karting
71. Learn some yoga
72. Do each other’s nails
73. Join a group – even if it’s something totally out-there!
74. Go fishing
75. Enjoy a spa day
76. Get interested in some local projects
77. Join a circus skills workshop
78. Get involved in amateur dramatics
79. Re-design your living rooms
80. Learn calligraphy
81. Write letters to people you haven’t seen or spoken to for a while
82. Visit your library
83. Try some candle or soap making
84. Join a fitness class
85. Start a collection of something
86. Play some online games together
87. Learn a musical instrument
88. Make a teddy bear
89. Have a trip in a hot air balloon
90. Go snorkelling
91. Have a game of bowls
92. Drive somewhere new
93. Play Frisbee
94. Learn to play chess
95. Write a love letter to the first person you ever had a crush on (but don’t send it!)
96. Go bird watching
97. Collect beads / crafty items and make some funky jewellery
98. Go to a farmer’s market
99. Join a medieval re-enactment day
100. Learn archery
101. Learn to hula hoop

Not everyone will be interested in all of the activities shown above, but hopefully these will give you some ideas and help you to decide how you would like to spend your time and with whom.

Above all remember, to have a friend is to be a friend. Be the person your friend can turn to in times of need. Learn how to listen and be supportive, offering a shoulder to cry on in the bad times, and a companion to laugh with in the good times.

Remember anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions.

Show an interest but know when to give some space.

Follow those simple rules and your friendships will be made in heaven.

The post Keeping friendships – with things to do. appeared first on Trance for a Change Tel: 0797 054 0389.