Hypnotherapy Training Interview with Dr Matt Warner, Consultant in Emergency Medicine Consultant in Emergency Medicine at The Royal Free Hospital, Doctor Emeritus London Air Ambulance (interview during Stage 2 of the 3 Stage Diploma training in March 2015). “I’m a … Continue reading
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Making a change, and maintaining the change, is a difficult thing to master. Old habits die hard and well, we find comfort in routine. But when a habit or fear is holding you back, change is a good thing. In fact, it can change your life.
If there’s something you’re struggling with, whether it’s anxiety, a phobia, a habit or addiction, make this year the year you overcome it.
Hypnotherapy is one option, and is thought to be effective in treating a number of issues. Below, we look at five common issues hypnotherapy can help with, and how it can promote change for the better.
All of us will have felt anxious at some point. While when under stress or pressure, a little anxiety is common, an anxiety disorder is very different. Fear may takeover – the person perhaps avoiding certain situations and missing out on opportunities – all to stay safe.
Hypnotherapy can be very effective in managing anxiety. Hypnotherapy for anxiety can help boost confidence and self-belief, as well as help manage feelings of fear and worry. Using the power of suggestion, hypnotherapy can begin to teach you how to regain a sense of control and normality in your life.
The therapy can help you to identify potential triggers, and learn how to manage them. No longer will you live in fear – you will feel confident in your ability to cope, and know what to do if the feelings return.
One of the most common phobias, fear of flying understandably can affect your life. Yes, flying is one of the safest ways to travel, but flight anxiety can be crippling. While the level of distress experienced will vary from person to person, it can often interfere with personal holidays, or even affect career choices, if business travel is a necessity.
Hypnotherapy can help by connecting with the subconscious. By changing the negative thoughts and behaviours associated with flying to a more positive experience, you can regain control.
Fear of flying is a learnt fear, meaning it may have stemmed from childhood or after a bad experience. Because of this, it’s good to know what triggers your fear and why. Once you recognise the triggers, together with your hypnotherapist, you can learn ways to manage your feelings and learn how to cope.
While the thought of speaking in front of a big crowd will make most of us a little nervous, for some, this fear is even more intense. Fear of public speaking is common, and it’s on the rise.
Simply put, we spend a lot less time speaking in front of people. The times when we do, it’s often by force – whether at school or work – and because the situations are so few and far between, the fear remains the same.
In some cases, fear of public speaking can develop into glossophobia. This phobia comes from a fear of being judged. This, combined with doubts over your ability, can be overwhelming.
Hypnotherapy can be effective in treating phobias, as they’re not easy to control consciously. It works with your unconscious to understand where the root of the anxiety comes from. Hypnosis helps to identify the cause, and through tailored suggestion techniques, you can learn to manage the anxiety, overcoming the fear.
There are many areas in which hypnotherapy is thought to be effective. If something is holding you back, or you’re finding it hard to break a habit with willpower alone, hypnotherapy might be the option for you. Change isn’t easy, but trust us, you can do it.
Learn more about the common reasons people seek hypnotherapy and the different types of hypnotherapy.
When the new year rolls around, so many of us sit down to decide what it is we really want to achieve in the next 12 months.
While we always have good intentions behind us, after a few months the novelty of the new year wears off and many of us revert back to old habits. If this is the year you really want to make lasting change, it may be time for you to consider getting a little extra help. And for many, hypnotherapy is the answer.
Here are some common New Year’s resolutions and how support from a hypnotherapist could help you finally keep them!
“I want to change my diet”
Eating habits can be very difficult to break. The way we eat can be ingrained from childhood, leading to some people turning to food as a source of comfort. If you have tried and failed to change your eating habits in the past, you may want to look at your relationship with food and see if hypnotherapy can help.
From virtual gastric bands to suggestion therapy, hypnotherapy can give you that extra push to change your thought patterns and rekindle a positive relationship with food.
“I want to cut down/stop drinking alcohol”
January is the month many of us feel a little worse for wear after the festivities of Christmas. With parties and social occasions galore, Christmas often sees us drinking more than usual. If you’re keen to cut down on the amount you drink or even stop drinking altogether, seeing a hypnotherapist might help.
A hypnotherapist can use suggestion techniques to help alter thought patterns that may lead to you drinking. This can act as a reinforcement to your willpower and may prove to be the extra support you need to change your drinking habits for good.
“I want to quit smoking”
Quitting smoking is tough, but the benefits to your health are undeniable. There are many approaches you can take to kick the habit, including nicotine replacement therapies and good old willpower. If it’s something you have struggled to do in the past, just a single stop-smoking hypnotherapy session could help.
Hypnotherapy is natural and safe, so you really have nothing to lose!
“I want to stress less”
Stress damages both our mental and physical health over time. Embracing self-care and making time for relaxation should be on everyone’s resolution list in our eyes. If you know you’re prone to stress, you may want to explore how hypnotherapy can help.
Your hypnotherapist can show you relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques so you can continue what you learn in your session at home.
To find out more about what hypnotherapy can help with, please see our hypnotherapy areas page.
Childbirth is possibly the most natural thing in the world. For most women, it’s an exciting, positive and life-changing experience. But childbirth also comes with a plethora of emotion, and sometimes, a fear and anxiety about labour can get in the way. This fear and stress can affect the birth, prolonging labour.
Whether this fear is sparked by hearing horror stories, or a previous experience of labour, learning to relax and listen to your body can make for an easier birth.
Hypnobirthing is a method which aims to help women relax in the lead-up to, and during, childbirth – free from stress, anxiety or fear. The idea is that, as an expectant mother, you attend a course of hypnobirthing classes in the lead-up to labour. You’ll learn self-hypnosis and breathing techniques, which you can take with you when the time comes.
When should you start classes?
If you’re interested in giving hypnobirthing a try, it’s suggested you start classes at around 25 to 30 weeks. This gives you time to practise the techniques, so you feel confident in the delivery room. Of course, you can still attend classes if you’re further along. Even learning the basic techniques of hypnobirthing can be helpful.
What will you learn?
The main aim of hypnobirthing is to make the idea of childbirth stress-free and as positive as possible. Of course, complications can be had, but hypnobirthing aims to help women look at the birthing process in a more positive light. It’s natural, you can do this.
As a woman, you are surrounded by other women who have done it. They have their own story, and stories from friends, family and those before them. Sadly not all births go to plan and for some, these ‘horror stories’ of bad experiences can leave them dreading labour.
Instead of researching what might happen and anticipating pain, which then increases anxiety, hypnobirthing works with positive language, including:
With positive language as the foundation, hypnobirthing classes will consist of self-hypnosis techniques, visualisation and breathing exercises. You may also learn the ‘ideal positions’ for childbirth, which can shorten the length of labour and work with your body, instead of against it.
It’s common to be given materials to take home too, so you can continue your hypnobirthing practice outside of the classroom, right up until your birthing date.
The benefits of hypnobirthing
“I was letting my body get on with it, rather than rolling around on a birthing ball, or preparing to go to hospital.
By teatime, the ‘surges’ had become so outrageously strong that they were almost beyond painful. Some bizarre internal engine had taken over and I remained calm, excited and a bit giggly.
I have recommended hypnobirthing to every expectant parent ever since.”
Read more of Amy’s experience.
According to those who have used hypnobirthing, there are a number of benefits.
Everyone is different and so, your experience of pregnancy and childbirth may be different to your friends’, or those around you. It’s important you listen to yourself and what you want from your birthing experience.
There is no right or wrong way. If you’re pregnant, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Exploring all options and learning about the different approaches is the first step to feeling more in control and understanding the process.
While Christmas is meant to be a time for joy, we all know it can bring its own stresses. From dealing with family to last-minute gift shopping, for some, it’s the most stressful time of the year.
We asked the office how they cope with stress at this time of year.
Bonnie, Creative Writer and Producer
“Plan, plan, plan! My other half and I try and agree ahead of time roughly how we’ll split time between our different friends and family to help minimise stress and avoid any arguments.
We’ve also found that spending time individually with our friends/family can be a great way to avoid extra stress when going to meet extended family or friends that aren’t shared.
We’ve also found that ‘neutral ground’ for family celebrations can be helpful. Rather than having part of the family driving 4+ hours and the rest of us driving for less than one hour to meet at the same family’s house year-on-year, we try and pick a restaurant or cottage rental with a roughly equal travel distance for everyone.
Another good one is recognising your own and your loved ones’ faults. I know my other half is always going to be late for, well, everything. He last-minute shops; he turns up late to everything for family and friends. Recognising that doesn’t mean he cares less, and preparing yourself for that likelihood can help take the stress out of it/diminish the worrying around it and helps to just let it go.”
Melissa, Digital Marketing and Brand Ambassador
“I schedule a few evenings in the lead up to Christmas where I do the things to help me relax and unwind – for example, have a relaxing bath, light a lavender candle, chilled relaxing nights in. Another thing is to accept that there may be some conflicts of interest but you’re not responsible for anyone’s actions, mostly enjoy being in the moment and celebrating it with loved ones.“
Hannah, Membership Services Executive
“Get out of the house when it’s dark, put the coats, scarves and gloves on and go for a walk. Appreciate all the effort your neighbours have gone through to decorate their houses with lights and enjoy!”
Ellen, Marketing Communications Executive
“My advice is that amidst the hustle and bustle, make sure you still find some time to yourself – spending days on end with family, socialising, understandably the excitement can get pretty overwhelming!
In the lead up to Christmas, despite it being my favourite time of year, I ensure I always have some ‘me time’ – whether that’s sitting down with a cup of tea and my favourite film, or even wrapping presents alone, with some music playing and a chocolate biscuit (or two).”
Amy-Jean, Art Designer at Happiful
“I always find I can get quite anxious when all the family are in such a small space and it can get stuffy so I like to go for a short walk with a couple of the family just to get air and chill! (plus this really helps with the digestion of all the calories).”
How do you cope with festive stress? Let us know on Twitter!
