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