Hypnotherapy Archives ~ Trance for a Change Tel: 0797 054 0389

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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Driving Anxiety

Vicky — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 16:44:38 +0000

Back in January of this year (2018) I sent a letter to all the local driving instructors in and around my local area. I explained to them the benefits of BWRT therapy and how it could help their pupils to overcome fear and driving anxiety.

That’s not all – I gave each driving instructor a voucher which they could pass to one of their pupils FOR FREE. Yes, that was a £60 saving for any pupil who would like the opportunity to feel more relaxed whilst learning to drive. I even told them that often ONE session is all that is needed – so the £60 voucher really could be very, very useful.

I waited for the phone to ring – perhaps a driving instructor would like more details, or would want to check out who I am. I could absolutely reassure them that I am a legitimate therapist and a member of various guilds and organisations who recognise my status as a qualified professional. The phone never rang and not a single driving instructor decided to take me up on my generous offer. I spent quite a bit of time wondering how I might have changed my approach or what I could have done differently so that these instructors were motivated to get in touch.

Explaining this to a colleague of mine, they shook their head and told me the EXACT reason why I hadn’t been contacted.

“Vicky,” she said. “If you help their pupils to feel more confident driving, they won’t need as many lessons and the driving instructors will lose a lot of money.”

It all made perfect sense now. As far as I could see, driving instructors wanted to keep their pupils in a state of driving anxiety for as long as possible – because while they were busy feeling nervous and not very confident, the driving schools could make a shed load more money.

So, forget the driving schools – here’s my direct approach – if you are learning to drive and want to feel more confident, or if you have been driving for a long time but seem to be feeling more and more anxious about busy roads and motorways, please check out how BWRT might be able to help you feel relaxed and calm behind the wheel.

Unfortunately, the free offer has now expired but for the first 5 people that contact me I will shave 20% off my regular price.

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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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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.

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Can virtual reality be used in hypnosis?

Vicky — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 18:12:05 +0000

My Demo

This weekend I took myself off to my local tech shop for a Virtual Reality (VR) Demonstration, curious to know what this emerging technology feels like.
It’s something I’ve been interested in for quite a long time so the chance to experience it first-hand was far too enticing to pass up. For those not yet aware of what Virtual Reality is, I’ll give you my layman’s explanation of it below.

When I put on the special helmet, my total vision was enclosed in a three-dimensional environment. I could look all around and see the different scenery, much like in real life. The motion felt incredibly real and my perception was fully absorbed in this new world. I had controllers in each hand which, when held in front of the visor, were shaped like hands, so it felt as if I could interact with the scenery. There was a total perception of space and depth so that even if the scenery was cartoony I still felt I was there, right in the middle of it.

Now, admittedly, in my wildest dreams I’d really like to experience something similar to the Star Trek’s Holodeck and whilst today’s available technology isn’t quite there yet, I still felt that the towering T-Rex was going to gobble me up for real when it came storming at me.

Gamers -v- Therapy

Avid gamers will already know the benefits and joys of immersion whilst enjoying computer gaming but my real interest is whether Virtual Reality can help in the therapy room and in particular, with hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

Research with Virtual Reality in clinical settings has shown that it can help distract people from pain. It appears that the higher specification units which offer a greater degree of immersion work the most effectively. It’s also worth noting that the virtual environment needs to be fun or interesting. A virtual environment of a kitchen, for example, would not hold the required attention.

The reason this type of immersion can be effective is because of how the brain works. Consciously our brains can only respond to a small amount of data. When we are absorbed in these virtual environments our brains are distracted away from the painful stimuli.

Another example of VR use is for desensitisation in the therapy environment. Many people consult a hypnotherapist for help with fears and phobias. Imagine, if you could face your worst fears in a controlled way, with progressively more exposure, then this could greatly help you manage your responses and reactions in real life.

With fear of flying clients, the scenery could change from the different locations in the airport to actually boarding the plane and being in flight. Turbulence could be encountered and reactions monitored and discussed during the session. The hypnotherapist could give suggestions for calm relaxation and positive thinking.

During my demonstration, I experienced standing on the edge of a very tall building and it felt very real and somewhat daunting. Someone with a fear of heights could be exposed to this, perhaps first focusing on a small drop, leading to greater ones.

Some research has also been conducted into the use of Virtual Reality and PTSD, with results looking favourable. Significant reductions in PTSD and depressive symptoms were experienced by US soldiers on return from military operations after treatment with Virtual Reality techniques.

The Future

It would seem that, although research is still ongoing, the benefits could be widespread. We can now experience virtual humans in our virtual worlds that can communicate with us and hold meaningful conversations. We could therefore set up meetings, public speaking scenarios, and a host of other situations. The smoker wanting to be free of smoking would be able to rehearse what it feels like to be in a smoking situation and say no. Similarly, alcoholics would be able to rehearse being in a pub and buying soft drinks. Addicts could walk away from their fixes.

Beautiful landscapes, beach scenes, country gardens and idyllic groves, can all be there, waiting to be explored. Coupled with hypnotherapy, this type of relaxed environment could help even the most unimaginative of people to feel connected to wonderful, calming places. The resulting reduction in stress, anxiety and depressed feelings, I am sure, is something we can all look forward to with interest.

References:

The effectiveness of virtual reality distraction for pain reduction: A systematic review. Kevin M Malloy and Leonard S Milling
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2370/e616c141e9bb3f01e0a3d50ba5323c14ce92.pdf

Virtual Reality for PTSD by Arline Kaplan:

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/traumatic-stress-disorders/virtual-reality-ptsd/page/0/1

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How to beat Insomnia and Sleep Problems

Vicky — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 10:37:44 +0000

Insomnia

We all experience the odd restless night’s sleep and notice how tired and drained we feel the following day. Usually, we can enjoy a better sleep the next night and catch up on our sleep deficit. For some people, however, sleep becomes a torment – we long for it, desperately seeking that rest, only to find there’s no relief.

Insomnia affects people in a few different ways:

Waking up too early in the morning.
Waking up several times in the night.
Lying awake when first going to bed, taking hours to get to sleep.
Tired in the daytime but unable to nap.

In a busy world sleep is often considered less important than all the other things we need to do. We want to cram as much as we can into our days and can even feel guilty for having the odd lie-in. But sleep is absolutely essential to maintain our health and feelings of wellbeing and should be high on our list of priorities.

While we are asleep neuro-toxins are flushed out of the brain. We can imagine that this is when the cleaners are busy at work, just like a Molly Maid service, removing all the excess toxins that are produced during our daily mental activities. This process is essential to prevent nerve damage in the brain areas.

It’s recommended that adults should, on average, aim to sleep between 7 and 9 hours per night. Children sleep more, needing anywhere from 9 to 13 hours a night and babies can sleep as much as 17 hours per day.

As reported in the Daily Mail (Tuesday, 10^th April 2018), hypnotherapy can be a very effective way to help people restore healthy sleeping patterns. It can calm the whole system down and help to alleviate concerns, anxieties and worries.

Sleep researchers conducted surveys, asking people who slept well what they thought about prior to falling sleep. The universal answer was “nothing”. The same question was asked to insomniacs, and their replies were “everything”. Hypnotherapy helps by reducing stress levels and helping clients to focus on the positive things in life so that sleep comes easily and naturally.

The positive suggestions that are given to the subconscious mind can help to install new behaviour patterns. Once we get into the habit of sleeping better again our natural circadian rhythms take over and restful sleep is restored.

The effects of sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation can have a wide range of negative effects, affecting our judgement, co-ordination, concentration and reaction times. In fact, it can often leave us feeling as if we are drunk and unable to think properly.

These effects include:

• Reduced immunity leading to more infections, colds etc.
• Weight gain
• Concentration and memory problems
• Increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and other health problems
• Inability to cope with stress.
• Irritability and moodiness
• Depression and low moods
• Fatigue
• Lack of motivation
• Impaired motor skills, leading to clumsiness and accidents
• Reduced creativity
• Difficulty in solving problems and thinking properly

Lack of sleep and weight gain

When we aren’t getting enough sleep, we can crave sugary foods, which give us a quick energy boost. The reason for this is down to two hormones in the body that regulate our feelings of fullness and hunger. The first hormone is called Ghrelin. This stimulates our appetites. The second hormone is Leptin, whose job it is to send signals to the brain to tell us when we are full.

When we aren’t sleeping enough our Ghrelin levels go up, which means we feel hungry and want to eat more food. The Leptin levels decrease, so that we don’t feel satisfied and want to keep eating. The less sleep we have, therefore, the more food you will crave.

Tips to help restore sleep

• Have a warm bubble bath before bedtime, put a couple of drops of lavender essential oil into the water.
• Dim the lights in the evening, using a low wattage lamp or even candlelight. This will help your own body’s natural circadian rhythm.
• Avoid alcohol or caffeine drinks before bedtime.
• Keep screens out of the bedroom. Monitors and phones etc emit a blue ray light, which promotes wakefulness, just like morning light.
• Switch bulbs in your bedroom to a red ray light – amber or warm tones, which mimic the sun going down.

• Avoid eating large meals late at night. If your body is busy digesting food it’s working too hard.
• Try black-out curtains in your bedroom.
• Ensure adequate ventilation. Rooms that are hot and stuffy are difficult to sleep in. If you sleep with a small window ajar you will also wake up feeling refreshed.
• Organise regular bedtimes and morning wake-ups for yourself so your body gets into a routine.
• If your mind is racing, keep a notebook near the bed. Write down the things you are thinking about and tell yourself firmly that you will deal with them in the morning.
• Give yourself “worry hour” and get into the habit of ignoring anything on your mind outside of that time frame.
• Put lavender drops on your pillow case.
• Do progressive relaxation of your body, starting with the muscles in your head and working down.

If you would like to try hypnotherapy to help you calm your mind and restore wonderful, restful sleep, please get in touch. Vicky Tunaley, tel: 0797 054 0389 or for more information, please visit my website at www.tranceforachange.com

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What is hypnosis?

Vicky — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 22:28:05 +0000

One of the things my clients often ask me is “what does hypnosis feel like?”. There’s actually no right or wrong answer to this as we all experience hypnosis in different ways. It’s also not the same each time we go into trance. Just like sometimes we might sleep well and at other times feel more restless, trance can be experienced quite differently on different occasions. One thing is for sure, just like anything, the more we do it the better we get at it.

Trance

The word “trance” can itself be misleading and can imply a zombie-like state, perhaps like a sleepwalker wandering about the house in the dark with his arms outstretched. It’s actually nothing like this. Instead, it’s a very natural state that we access quite regularly during our normal day-to-day activities. Think of times when you’ve been absorbed in a really good book or a film on television. Part of your mind will still be aware that you’re sitting down relaxing in the chair but the other part of your mind will be engrossed by the unfolding events on the page or screen. We can daydream and still be alert if required. This is the kind of relaxed focus that’s aimed for when using hypnotherapy. Changes might be observed in the body as the breathing slows down and the relaxation response takes place. Sometimes parts of the body can feel heavier or lighter. There may be different sensations or feelings of floating. It’s quite common to drift in and out of awareness too, at times listening to my voice and at other times engaged in the wandering imaginings of the creative mind.

Explorers of the Mind

I imagine that when we access our deeper mind we become explorers of a strange new land. There are no rules; time and distance are meaningless on this infinite journey of inner-space. We are often not prepared for looking so deeply within. We often think that the answers are all “out there” instead of inside ourselves. We can think of our subconscious as an unfathomable, deep ocean. There will be hidden treasures and sometimes sea-monsters to battle. It’s the greatest of adventures to explore these unchartered depths because when we do, we learn so much more about ourselves. We can access our own inner resources to help us through life’s challenges. If you’ve ever taken a dip in the sea, you will know that the waves can sometimes knock us off our feet with their intensity. Sometimes our conscious thoughts feel like this. If we dive below the surface we find our balance and those waves don’t affect us anymore. We can see with greater clarity in the calmness of the vast ocean of our minds, beneath the waves of our thoughts that can sometimes feel inescapable. When we become more in-tune with what’s going on inside, we find our solutions.

Hypnotherapy

When hypnosis is combined with therapy we get hypnotherapy. This delivers all the qualities of trance combined with positive suggestions and embedded commands for the change work that is required. Here, there is no limit to what can be achieved as hypnotherapy is as versatile as the minds it seeks to change. When working in the therapy room it’s not necessary to be in a very deep trance. This is because suggestions can be taken on board during any part of the process, including the pre-trance conversations. It’s definitely not mind control or magic. It’s more like an awakening or understanding that forms in the deeper part of the mind and which then filters through to consciousness. This is a process that can happen very quickly, or slowly through a period of time. Subconscious patterns of behaviour are modified in the ways that are needed, affecting our future reactions, feelings and habits. The way we see the world and all of our reactions and behaviours are fuelled by our thoughts. If our thoughts are unhelpful or negative in some way then this may seriously impact on what we do or don’t do in our lives. Many of my clients tell me that hypnosis is a deeply nourishing and relaxing experience. Anxious clients, in particular, can feel some trepidation prior to their first session but once they feel comfortable on the couch (or in the chair) it’s always a pleasant and rewarding experience. It therefore stands to reason that if we can change our thinking processes – which govern absolutely everything – then we can also experience some major shifts within our lives too. The power of hypnosis is present and real, often creating change in a myriad of different ways and in a variety of circumstances. People can be pleasantly surprised with just how many conditions hypnotherapy can assist with. Quite simply, it’s able to do this because it communicates directly with the subconscious mind, which controls just about everything.

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