What makes you happy

At the start of every day how do you feel when you wake up? I know for me personally i am half asleep, wanting a coffee, and feeling optimistic thinking about what the day is going to bring. It's not always been this way for me. There was a time in my life when i dreaded waking up every day, as i battled with depression. But even when i was going through my darkest times, looking back now i know there was always moments in my day when i would smile, or sometimes laugh.

The point i am trying to make in this blog, is that no matter how low you feel there is always something that will bring on a smile. Whether that's a funny moment you have seen whilst watching the TV, or someone saying something that makes you laugh, maybe just being out in the fresh air with the sun shining can bring on that all important smile.

So, what makes you happy, I mean truly happy?. My happiness comes when i sing, i absolutely love belting out a tune. My family make me happy, they can drive me mad at times, but they also make me laugh really hard. whatever it is that brings about your smile, do it more often. And if you really want to help yourself, keep a journal of all the things that have either made you smile or laugh in your day.

As a society we have got used to so much doom and gloom that we automatically focus on what is negative in our lives. So let's flip that on it's head, and start focussing on the good stuff.

The roof over your head

The body that carry's you from a to b

Your family

And most important your health

Now is the time to start being truly happy, and appreciate the little things in life

New Year Resolution Taking you in a new direction

As we move into 2023 we start to think about the changes that can be made to our lives

Maybe you want to lose weight

Stop Smoking

Become more confident

Beat a fear or phobia

Get rid of the anxiety that has been holding you back in 2022

Beat an addiction

Cut down on your alcohol intake

All of the above intentions are real, but why is it that most of our intentions are gone

by January or February?

Well, humans are creatures of habit, and when the going get's tough

our resolutions are harder to maintain, and so we revert to our old and trusted ways

because that is where our comfort zone is

But it does not have to be like this in 2023, because therapy can give you the focus you need to stick to your goals, and help you to stay on track no matter what your resolutions are.

So this New Year, forget sitting back and only thinking about those changes and resolutions, but take that first step to becoming the best you in 2023

Helping you cool down as the temperature rises

Temperatures are rising in the UK, and all over the world due to climate change

I have seen a spike in clients struggling more with sleep ,and stress since the hot weather kicked in. i noticed even in myself my mood had changed, i have been feeling really agitated, and my clients have been mentioning the same thing.

We are aware of seasonal affective disorder, this is when peoples moods change in the winter due to a lack in serotonin, once the sun comes out your serotonin rises, and our mood gets better. But what about how are moods are affected in the summer? In the summer months our cortisol hormone rises, and in turn causes us to become angry, grumpy, and agitated, and on top of this effects our sleep”.

I started wondering how i could help everyone to cool down in this heat, as a hypnotherapist i know that using your imagination, whilst in a state of induced relaxation by focusing your attention works wonders, so i have introduced a technique to cool everyone down, It is so easy that anyone can do it.

Not only will the recording cool you down in this heat, but it will reduce your stress levels, and help you have a better nights sleep.

To access my free summer cool down recording got to: www.essex-hypnosis.co.uk/downloads

Free Recording

Essex-Hypnosis Blog

An ongoing series of informative entries

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5 May 2021

Fixing Sleep Issues with the Power of Hypnosis

As we come out of the other side of the pandemic

It has affected many of our daily routines, and one of its biggest reported impacts has been that on sleep - sleep becomes more elusive when we are anxious.

Many people are suffering sleep issues for the first time in their lives:

• awake for long periods

• unable to fall asleep at all

• wake up several times during the night

• more intense and emotional dreams

• tired and groggy the next morning

• find it difficult to concentrate or function properly

• feel irritable

But good sleep stratagems will help you sleep well and can limit the negative effects of poor sleep.

Try these FIVE hints for calmer and better sleep.

1 Limit news intake and avoid your mobiles and tablets for at least an hour before bed

Do something to boost your mood before bed - a humorous television programme or an uplifting podcast can help you sleep

2 Have structure to your day

Our brains and bodies love structure. Wake, exercise, eat and sleep at similar times each day

3 Focus on your breathing

Think about resting rather than sleeping. Follow your breathing by silently whispering the words ‘in’ and ‘out’ to induce sleep.

4 Learn to relax

Relaxation can switch off the stress response, physically and mentally. Find something that works for you - mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing or a long hot bath.

5. If you can’t sleep - get out of bed

Your bed should not be a battleground. Instead, try to enjoy the sensation of merely resting.

Hypnosis can help many forms of sleep issues.

If you are not sleeping well, and traditional treatments are not working, hypnosis may be able to help you sleep the way you deserve.

It uses different approaches to induce relaxation, such as focused attention, symptom control and guided imagery.

And, unlike sleep medications, it has no side effects, so it can be an aid for those who can’t or don’t want to take sleeping pills.

It can help overcome bedtime restlessness - ease the worry, tension and anxiety that prevent sleep - and can show the way to the deep, restorative sleep that we all need.

To get started, download this complimentary hypnosis recording. And take the first steps on the road to better sleep!

Click on the link below for your free sleep recording

Press for free recording

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Nov 12, 20233 min read

~Hypnosis and your Weight Loss Mindset

In this weeks blog i thought i would talk about weight loss, the struggles that can be faced, some top tips to help you with your weight loss journey, and my very special half price offer i have running on my Virtual Gastric Band weight loss programme throughout November 2023.

When we look at each other we are all different shapes and sizes, some people manage to stay slim throughout their lives, while others really struggle with their weight, and i am certainly in this category. There can be a number of reasons why some people are overweight, so let's go though some of them, as it's not just overeating that can be a cause for obesity.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Hypothyroidism, or under active thyroid disease - Your thyroid is a small gland that is located in your neck, if this gland stops making enough hormones it can cause a multitude of problems, including weight gain.

Menopause - A female produces less oestrogen during menopause, causing more fat around the tummy area, nd weight gain.

PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome - The male hormone androgen is higher in females with PCOS, also, being less sensitive to insulin, which is also a hormone that turns blood sugar to energy, hence weight gain.

Depression - Higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol can cause fat to gather around the tummy area, plus you may feel too low to eat properly.

Insomnia - It is a fact that if you sleep less than 6 hours a night you can have more body fat, due to too much cortisol and insulin hormones, which in turn adds pounds to your weight, also, lack of sleep can play havoc with the hormone that signals hunger and makes you crave food, especially fatty and sugary foods.

MEDICATION

Some medications can make you more hungry, some can effect how you burn calories, and some can change the way your body absorbs nutrients. Here are some of the types of medications that can do this: birth control pills, antipsychotics, antidepressants, epilepsy drugs, and beta blockers.

Steroids can also cause weight gain, they are used to treat asthma, some types of arthritis, and other conditions. Taking steroids for long periods makes you more hungry, causing overeating and weight gain.

GENETICS

Yes you heard it here, good old genetics that our ancestors have passed on can lead to weight issues in families, as it can play a role to where we store fat in our bodies.

DIET

I know i am stating the obvious with this one, but if you have a diet full of added sugars or lot's of fatty foods you will gain weight.

OVEREATING

Another one that is obvious, eating more calories than your body needs daily will lead to weight gain

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Or a lack of it is a massive risk factor for weight gain, and obesity

AGEING

As we get older your metabolism slows down, and you need less calories, hormone changes happen, and decreased activity occurs leading to "you guessed it" weight gain.

It's not all doom and gloom though, there are things that you can do to help yourself. Firstly you need to be mindful of what you are putting in your body, before eating that food the you want, really think about whether you are hungry or not. Recognise where is the hunger coming from, is it in your head? if it is, then that's head hunger, if it's in your tummy, then you really are hungry. Your body will let you know when it is hungry, so start listening.

We are so used to going about our every day lives eating on the move, eating in front of the TV, or computer that we do not process what is going in our mouths, or the amount, as you are going into a state of hypnosis when dong this, so how can your body tell you when you are full for instance.

Stop eating in front of the TV, and the computer, eat at another seat, you will be surprised that just by switching seats can change your brains routine, it's like muscle memory, if you do the same thing for long enough it becomes easy, so change your routine and sit elsewhere. Eat slower, enjoying every mouthful. and lastly, imagine your stomach is the size of your fist, how much food could you comfortably fit in your stomach if it were that size. Try it, you will be amazed by using your imagination how much you can accomplish.

THE SPECIAL OFFER

If you are interested in finding out more about how i can help you on your weight loss journey.

Throughout the month of November 2023 i am offering a wonderful half price offer on the four session Virtual Gastric Band Programme.

Normal Price: £399.00

Special Offer Price: £199.00

watch the video below to see how i can help you lose weight

BOOK NOW