Hypnotherapy Keeps You Young

A Hypnotherapy Association is turning its attention to a nationwide problem as it focuses on National Stress Awareness Day on 7 November 2012. Twelve million adults see their GP with mental health and stress related problems every year, according to MIND 2012 statistics, and many more struggle on without seeking medical help. Claire Brigg, Research Officer for the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) points out

“It’s already known that chronic stress can affect our health adversely in many ways. What is not so well known is that it can also lead to premature ageing and the health problems that are associated with getting older.”

“Latest research suggests that these age related diseases occur at different rates in different individuals, and ‘psychological distress’ appears to be an important factor in how quickly the onset of these diseases occurs.”

Stress brings about imbalances in the body, such as high cortisol, glucose and insulin, and low growth hormones, and these may lead to unwanted responses in our bodies, potentially impairing the normal cell ageing processes.

Premature ageing can also occur as a result of a lifestyle that includes the sort of behaviours that we associate with stress, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, a high fat diet and sleeplessness. These have all been linked to DNA damage due to a process called oxidation. Claire remarks,

“It doesn’t sound great, does it? But the good news is that these ageing mechanisms can be reversed.”

“Research suggests that individuals can help themselves by reducing their perceptions of stress, along with increasing healthier behaviours, such as sleeping better, drinking less, and stopping smoking. These changes may promote subtle but important improvements in premature cell ageing.”

“In addition, hypnosis may contribute to stress reduction and health promotion. A study in 2010 showed that during and after a hypnosis session, heart rates were reduced and breathing rates were lower. So the state of relaxation induced by hypnosis could well be beneficial and lead to stress reduction, thereby minimising the risk of premature ageing.”

Solution focused hypnotherapy (SFH) can help people manage their stress levels. SFH is a modern research based combination of hypnosis and psychotherapy, which promotes relaxation and helps clients to make beneficial lifestyle changes.

The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy’s (AfSFH) primary aim is to promote the benefits of the Solution Focused approach to improving mental well-being, thereby helping to ensure the public are more aware of this valuable resource.

Oxfordshire Hypnotherapist, Penny Ling is an executive member of the AfSFH and is very enthusiastic about the efficacy of SFH in the management of stress.

“We know that too much pressure can lead to stress and a range of physical and mental health problems, including, it now transpires, premature ageing. Stress affects the way you think, feel and behave, impacting every area of your life at any age. Hypnotherapy offers powerful techniques and strategies to enable you to deal with stress, helping you to think and behave in a more positive way, and that has many health benefits”.

Penny explains how it works:

“We encourage clients to focus on how they want things to be. We avoid problem talk and instead help our clients to visualise their preferred future. By encouraging clients to think and express themselves positively, we can help to improve their response to life’s stress."

Penny is a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist practising in Faringdon Oxfordshire. Call 07508 658934 now to book a free consultation, or visit www.pennyling.co.uk. To find out more about the Association, visit www.afsfh.com

References

Broadbent E, Kahokehr A, Booth R J, Thomas J, Windsor J A, Buchanan C M, Wheeler B R L, Sammour T, Hill A G (2012) A brief relaxation intervention reduces stress and improves surgical wound healing response: A randomised trial Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity 26:2, February 2012, 212–217

Epel E (2009) Psychological and metabolic stress: A recipe for accelerated cellular aging? HORMONES 2009, 8(1):7-22

Gidron Y, Russ K, Tissarchondou H, Warner J, (2006) The relation between psychological factors and DNA-damage: a critical review. Biol Psychol 72: 291-304.

Toussaint O, Michiels C, Raes M, Remacle J, 1995 Cellular aging and the importance of energetic factors Exp Gerontol 30: 1-22.

VandeVusse L, Hanson L, Berner M A, Winters J MW (2010) Impact of Self-Hypnosis in Women on Select Physiologic and Psychological Parameters Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing Vol 39:2, 159–168 ****ENDS****

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Note to Editors: For more information about the AfSFH, visit www.AfSFH.com or contact:
Debbie Pearce Tel: 01404 813388 / 07939 840788
Email: dpearcehypno@gmail.com

Or Nicola Griffiths Tel: 01285 821019 / 0773 866 5172
Email: Nicola.griff@btinternet.com

The Olympic Torch

Last week the Olympic torch passed close to where I live in Oxfordshire on it’s way north west towards Wales. The history of the torch goes back to the ancient Greek games. During the Games, a sacred flame burned continually on the altar of the goddess, Hera who was the goddess of marriage and family and the protector of married women.

As a performance coach I have seen mostly women, learn to focus, expel their nagging doubts and excel at a sport or activity they never felt they had a chance of winning. My clients have surprised themselves in what they could achieve, whether it was gaining confidence riding their horses, then going on to win dressage events or playing mixed doubles in Tennis and winning the tournament. When I used to high jump at school, I was in the top three athletes, and without even knowing what I was doing, would close my eyes, relax and visualise the sport where I would jump. As I ran for that spot everything else – all the noise of the crowds – would melt away.

In any kind of performance it’s being able to lower one’s anxiety and focusing on the job in hand. Being able to visualise the positive outcome. Once learnt, it’s a resource that you can use in all areas of your life. Take my runner Jo, she broke her leg during a marathon last year, but when it came back to train again, she just couldn't. It was December, the weather wasn't good, she was commuting 2 hours each way each day. A tough one, but when I explained how the mind works and that to achieve her goal, she had to reorganise her schedule, she set forth determined. Managed to work 2 days from home, lowered her stress, made it easy for her to run at lunch time and off she went. Within 6 weeks over Christmas and New Year she was out running again. Training for the Bristol 10K. That was last week, and yes - she ran and didn't injure herself this time.

Hypnotherapy Association Promotes the Benefits of Focusing on Solutions

Faringdon based Hypnotherapist Penny Ling is the journal editor for the AfSFH - the association aimed at promoting the benefits of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy.

The AfSFH was set up to make the public aware of this highly effective form of therapy and is attracting qualified Hypnotherapists who specialise in the Solution Focused approach.

There is no doubt that that illnesses caused or made worse by stress are on the increase.* Conditions such as anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), agoraphobia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and migraines are all ways that excess or sustained stress can affect our well-being.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) tackles these conditions by reducing anxiety and helping clients to regain a sense of perspective; once anxiety is under control many troublesome symptoms are alleviated. The therapy encourages positive thinking by helping clients to focus on solutions to problems, rather than dwelling on the problems themselves. Clients usually find their sleep patterns improve and motivation, confidence and self-esteem are all restored.

The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists (AfSFH) was established to promote the benefits of the Solution Focused approach to improving mental well-being so the public are more aware of this valuable resource. It also provides Hypnotherapists who specialise in the Solution Focused psychotherapy model with a forum for maintaining professional standards.

The Association is the brainchild of David Newton, founder and senior lecturer at the nationally recognised Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training Centre in Bristol. He explains: “Stress is a part of normal everyday life: dealing with household accounts and paperwork, traffic hold-ups, pressures at work, strains in our close relationships, health worries — if the stress is sustained or excessive it can lead to a vast array of emotional, behavioural or even physical illnesses.

SFH differs from earlier forms of therapy by encouraging clients to formulate a positive image of their problem-free future rather than analysing the cause or symptoms of the problem itself. It is a highly effective and liberating approach. The new Association will provide a valuable resource for both the public and for practising Solution Focused Hypnotherapists.”

Faringdon based Penny Ling is enthusiastic about the AfSFH. “I welcome the opportunity to be part of this new association. I have seen the tremendous benefits of focusing on solutions and encouraging positive thinking – clients find the approach amazingly uplifting”.

Penny Ling is a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist currently practising in Longcot near Faringdon Oxfordshire. Call 07508 658934 to book a free initial consultation. To find out more about the new association, visit www.afsfh.com

Currently moving to Oxfordshire, helping more people to reach their potential. http://www.solutions-focused-hypnotherapy.co.uk/locations.html

Stress management – career change?

When you wake up in the morning, do you feel dread?
Have you spent the night tossing and turning – unable to switch your mind off?
Are you always glad it’s Friday, yet Sundays fill you with anxiety?

Well you’re not alone, 75% of the working population wish they could have a different job*(stress management org) That’s over 500,000 of us in the UK feeling trapped, so it’s no wonder that the health of the population depends on how stressed we are.

While it’s an employers responsibility to create and maintain a stress free work culture and to make sure everyone is treated fairly and in a safe environment, we often don’t realise that it is us – ourselves, that have to keep good physical shape and get the work-life balance right.

More and more, we are put under extra stress because of the recession and constant bombardment from the media about how much unemployment there is.

So where does that leave us?

What’s stopping us achieving what we want and need?

What constitutes a stress free career?

Why are you doing your job?

Is it something you fell into by chance because you didn’t know what to do? Do you think you couldn’t earn a living from what you would like to do? Do you think you’re not clever enough or lack experience? All these are questions we ask ourselves but the answers we give back are not necessarily true.

A job that involves a favourite activity or passion
Many people give up a high paid stressful job to go on to become gardeners. Some give up safe but boring jobs to become policemen because they feel it’s serving the community. What is it about your current job you actually enjoy?

If you choose work, which is engaging, and enjoyable you thrive, sometimes it can be the actual work or the environment. If the job is mundane and unfulfilling then boredom is likely to set in and this can cause frustration and anxiety.

A healthy career has the right balance of pressure – not too much to spend all your time trying to sort out and not too little so you get bored.

Find the right style.
Many large companies have procedures in place to make sure there is no discrimination and safety. Is adhered to – however some people find this rather anonymous – they do not thrive because the constraints keep them from being creative, yet others may enjoy the security these jobs provide.

Pace of work
Some work is at a very slow pace where you may see results over a very long time span, other jobs may have a fast turnover or lots of deadlines.

Company structure
Some will want to climb up through the ranks of a company, some organisations have plenty of scope and opportunity to do this, others may be very limited. Some people too like being told what to do and others like to be autonomous – which are you?

Earning enough for your needs.
This one is interesting as although you may need to earn a set amount each month to pay for rent/mortgage / utilities / car etc it can be surprising how much more people spend when they are in a stressful job. Often these costs are found in the extras which are purchased as treats or just because you’re too tired to be bothered – the cup of coffee and muffin in the morning, the Panini at lunch, the bars of chocolate in the afternoon, a couple of drinks to wind down with colleagues in the evening and a take away after work because you‘re way too tired to cook.
Not only are these expensive, they are only making you feel good only as a temporary measure. It’s the fat and sugar in all these foods that makes you feel better at the time but once they’ve been digested it’s back to square one and you’ve consumed way over your daily calorie intake.

Getting a balance
You may not notice it happening at first, but if your work is encroaching into your down time, then you’re not getting the balance you need. There are vital positive neurotransmitters in the brain what make us feel good, stress will deplete them and being around a relaxed atmosphere with friends and family will create more. It can also impact on your relationships with your family and friends as they never see you and too much stress will impact on your sleep making it difficult to cope.

A sense of purpose and value
There are many careers which are stressful such as teaching, nursing and policing but if it touches on the type of people we are and the values we hold, if we feel these jobs are allowing us to give something back to the community at large, then we’re much more likely to endure the stress of the job because we have a much more positive reason to do it.

Cynophobia - a little more knowledge can help

I have always maintained that my specialist subject is phobias, because I had so many for so many years. I even had hypnotherapy for them, but it didn’t work first time round – but that’s another story that needs analysing another time. There were two major aspects in my ‘curing’ (not a word the advertising standards like for eradicating a problematic response, but I feel cured!) my phobias 1) understanding what exactly was going on in my brain and body, at the moment of panic and 2) Having an incentive for success in a positive context – NOT – I won’t be scared of driving BUT I want my independence.

I’m particularly fascinated by odd phobias such as bananas, mushrooms, Santa Claus and a like, but the usual ones tend to be sickness, spiders, snakes, mice and dogs.
Cynophobia is a phobia of dogs. For those who love dogs – and it appears that hypnotherapists are particularly fond of dogs for some reason! – a dog is a man’s best friend and how could anyone be scared of one? When I started to see a lady from Congresbury with such a phobia we went through the usual rewind, reframe and lowering general anxiety and an extra session, but not with myself but Jo Buckingham a dog psychologist.

I later visited Jo to ask her more about dog behaviour as my client really benefited from her understanding our furry friends a bit better. Instead of just running away, the hypnotherapy had bought her enough time to interpret the dog’s demeanour and to act accordingly.

Many people misinterpret a dog bark as ‘go away’. Jo said that dogs quite often learn this from the postman! Person walks past the house or up to the door and the dog barks. Because that person then carriers on or turns away it reinforces the behaviour in the dog’s mind. Dog thinks ‘I had some influence here’ and so tries it again and it works, which reinforces it more. If the dog is out on the street or in a garden, this is when the behaviour is unhelpful. So whenever this happens, these are the kind of signs to look out for.

A relaxed jaw, tongue out; tail up is a happy dog.

If the mouth is straight, the dog is tense, if it’s licking it’s lips and yawning it’s not too keen on the situation, if it’s baring it’s teeth, it’s not best pleased. At this point you can decide what to do, but Jo pointed out not to approach the dog front on and look straight in it’s eyes. When other dogs approach they will do so side on and move round to sniff, so you need to move side on and try and make yourself less threatening. If the dog comes up, present the back of your hand to sniff and lick – they lick to see if they recognise the taste. If they get excited and start nipping, it’s not a bad thing, try and rub their chest. Dogs like to feel secure and some dog owners bandage the chests of nervous dogs, to make them feel better. Try smiling and speaking with a quiet voice, don’t shout.

Just remember if a dog barks they might just be stating they are there and may just be thinking you’ve got treats. If you ignore them, they usually go away, don’t confront them or run away – this can make them think it’s a game!

My client felt this knowledge, and taking Jo’s dogs out for a walk helped her enjoy the countryside she loved so much, but had been too afraid to walk in for many years.

Local hypnotherapist meets new national standards

Local hypnotherapist meets new national standards

A Nailsea and Clevedon based hypnotherapist has become one of the first in the country to achieve a new national standard of excellence for her therapy.

Penny Ling has been registered by the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the UK regulator for complementary healthcare.

The recognition places her at the forefront of a national drive to provide a benchmark for standards and safety for the public. Practitioners registered with the CNHC meet national occupational standards and abide by a rigorous code of conduct, performance and ethics.

Penny said: “Achieving registration is not only great news for me and my clients, but a vital step for hypnotherapy.”

“This is the time of year when many people are struggling to keep up their new year resolutions. The most popular uses for hypnotherapy are around stress and anxiety conditions, weight control and addictive behaviours such as smoking and alcohol abuse, and my speciality - Phobias.”

Hypnotherapy is one of 11 disciplines now recognised by the CNHC. Members of the public can search the CNHC register to find practitioners in their local area. More than 40,000 searches were carried out last year.

By providing a verification of standards, the CNHC allows GPs, hospitals, private healthcare providers and insurance companies to refer patients to hypnotherapy practitioners or to make hypnotherapy more readily available in health centres, clinics, doctors’ surgeries and hospitals.

For further information, please contact Penny Ling, 01275 854354 or visit http://www.pennyling.co.uk