Tis the season.......

Tis the season to be jolly the song tells us. Although for many people it is the season for memories, reflections and remembering absent friends. For years I have worked with the older generation in hospitals, care homes and through providing care at home. For them especially it is often a season of mixed blessings. But more and more now I find that I'm meeting younger people who don't have their sorrows to seek either.

And of course it's good to remember absent friends and all the good times you shared with them. All the precious memories that should indeed be cherished. But occasionally we can dwell on the past too much, even to the extent that it hampers the present. This can be really difficult when you actually lose someone precious. Someone irreplaceable and who held a special place in your life. They may have died or they may have simply moved on in their lives and that hasn't included you.

Anyone struggling to come to terms with feelings of sadness or helplessness should always talk to someone. It could be a friend or relative of course but if you find that you're not making progress with your life, definitely seek the help of a professional therapist or counsellor. In some cases it really is good to talk. And good to talk to people or friends whom you may know in that situation too. A friendly word or gesture is always welcome. After all it is the season to.

Seasons greetings to all


Maggie

Senior therapist.

Beeyourself Hypnotherapy

Hello Autumn

Well summer has certainly left us and autumn has landed like a bolt out of the blue. Looking for a change in clothes can bring all sorts of feelings, hopes and dreams with it. I always find something reassuringly nice slipping back into light jumpers and covering up a bit more. For some it means the freedom feelings of summer are gone and darker early nights are looming, something which can invariably bring its own issues to bear. Some of us intrinsically feel sadder as the weather changes and the light darkens. Looking at moods and emotions even memory gets us thinking about our brains and how they work.

The mind and indeed the human brain is a miraculous thing indeed. But like everything else it sometimes requires a little help from outside sources. The brain continues to baffle people as it has done throughout the ages and here are some interesting facts you may or may not know about your brain.

• Your brain weighs about 3lbs
• Your skin weighs twice as much
• Your brain is 75% water
• It consists of about 100 billion neurons
• It has no pain receptors so can feel no pain
• It contains 100,000 miles of blood vessels
• it is the fattest organ in the body 

No wonder it baffles so many people! The connection between our minds and bodies is indeed a strong one. One estimate is is that between 50-70% of visits to the doctor for physical ailments are attributed to psychological factors.

So our brain has been called the most complex object in the universe. What therefore can we do to look after it?

Omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil are said the be helpful. Exercise also helps to encourage the brain to work to the optimum capacity. Sleeping well is essential for any brain as it during sleep that your mental energy is restored. A healthy diet is a must the same as for the rest of your body. While protein is the main source of fuel for your brain, vitamins and minerals are also important as is limiting sugar. Getting out into the sun helps to maintain optimum vitamin D levels but these can also be taken orally over the winter. Scientists have recently discovered vitD receptors in the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system. Turning off the TV is another good move as is cutting down the use of mobile phones held next to the head. The brain appreciates being challenged so quizzes and puzzles are good. The final recommendation is to avoid any artificial sweeteners and additives. Substances such as aspartame and MSG are known to be detrimental to the brain and its healthy effectiveness. 

So as we go forth into a new season let us begin a new regime of looking after our minds as well as our bodies.

Maggie Graham

Senior Therapist

Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy 

People are enjoying this summer more than any in years thanks partly to some lovely summer sunshine. What a lovely pick~me~up it provides for us. It warms us up, helps us to relax and even switch off our troubles for a wee while.

Many of us can keep up those warm summer feelings into the Autimn and Winter. Unfortunately many of us just can't. A sudden drop in the temperature, amount of day light, time spent outdoors with friends and family or relaxing, can really have a detrimental effect on our emotions and mental wellbeing. Unfortunately we cannot switch the sun back on, but there are steps we can take to make sure that we don't allow our emotional levels to drop below what could be classed as an acceptable level for us. 

So what can we do?

There are many different therapies and treatments we can access to give us that lift we need at times. I use relaxation recordings quite a lot in the darker nights. They are low cost and can be used again and again.

Other therapies / treatments can cost a wee bit more but can be such a treat that they are worth every penny. Last week I had my first Hot Stone-Full Body Massage by Jackie in West Calder (T 07958765590) and was a treat to behold and highly recommended! Certainly took me to the most relaxing place I've been in a while.

Exercising is another way to boost our mood and simply walking is the best exercise I've ever come across, and cheapest too! As well as boosting the mood regular walks help us to shed excess weight naturally which always perks us up.

And always remember, if you do feel your mood dropping or unwanted feelings creeping in, at any time, always seek help because help is there. 

Until next time:

Maggie
RGN, PNLP, HPD, DipCAH

Senior Therapist
Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy 

www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Conquer Vaginisthmus

Between 12 & 17% of women suffer Vaginisthmus. That's a lot of people! Many suffer in silence because it can be too embarrassing or uncomfortable to talk about. But the good news is that help is there and thankfully more are coming forward and seeking that help.

Vaginisthmus is a woman's inability to tolerate penetration of any kind. An attempt at intercourse causes an involuntary spasm of the pubococcygeus muscle, often shortened to the PM muscle.

It can break up relationships or cause considerable pain & strain on good relationships when a couple cannot enjoy the sex life that they would very much like to.

It's always good to rule out any physical impairments but often there are psychological issues such as past or present memories, emotions, fears, concerns and even guilt in some cases.

Hypnotherapy can be very effective in treating Vaginisthmus and I would recommend to any woman who is suffering in silence or believing she can't be helped to contact a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist. Your appointment is in complete confidence and your therapist will understand what you are experiencing.



Maggie


Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist
www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk

So good to talk.

As a professional therapist I followed the Sopranos series with great interest. The leading man in the show, Tony Soprano, was such a complex and fascinating character that I envied the therapist who spent her days trying to support him. The untimely death of James Gandolfini who played Tony,  was very sad thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.

I have to acknowledge the interest that programme played in leading me into a career of therapy. Knowing now that any hope of a follow up is gone in some way provides closure from wishing and hoping for more.

As a therapist I see many people who seek closure from all sorts of issues and concerns. It can be from fears and phobias which have constrained how they can live their lives. Or from the sudden and unexpected loss of a friend or loved one. Sometimes it is even unwanted habits or being overweight.

A therapist's work is very varied and indeed no two days are the same. Because of the confidential nature of therapy people are able, for the first time in many cases, to speak freely and honestly about their feelings. This is such an important part of therapy and can provide healing on its own. A private environment where you feel safe and secure to discuss concerns is essential in the knowledge that a good therapist will never judge or make you feel bad.

Whilst I have not yet had a Mafia Boss as a client, I can say that I have had the privilege of working with some delightful and interesting people. Celebrating their success on a regular basis has convinced me that becoming a therapist is the best thing I have done!

Maggie.

Senior therapist.

Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy.

This Blog is dedicated to James Gandolfini.

 

At Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy you can be seen by a qualified, registered and insured to practice therapist who is experienced and available at a time to suit you. 

Time; such a precious commodity

I've written about time before in the sense of taking a 'time-out' to charge the batteries. But time is such an important commodity that it deserves to be under the spot light again.

Why do we wait until our batteries are drained to consider time to rest up?
Why do we spend so many hours working that we forget the time to live a bit in between?
What would we do with some extra time if we could create it?

Time is one of the most precious gifts we can give someone, and yet it's free. What does it mean to you when someone just wants to spend time with you? It should mean something really special. And yet how often do we do it? How often do we do it for ourselves?

One thing I always try to introduce into therapy sessions, is the need to start being kind to yourself. One of the simplest ways to do this is to gift yourself some time. Time to relax, time to rest, time to have some fun, time to switch off from work or chores or simply time to stop the world for a moment and just take it all in. 

A good hypnotherapist will always give you recordings to listen to at home within some peace and quiet time. Not only does this help you to achieve your goals quicker, but it also ensures that you give yourself that precious gift of time.

And you don't have to go and float in water or find a mountain top to escape to, nice as they can be; simply relaxing in your favourite chair with the worldly distractions of mobile devices switched off, can transport you anywhere you like when you truly learn how to relax. 

We don't know where time goes to or comes from, or even why it appears to fly as we progress in years. But we can start to appreciate it for the gift it is. Especially when someone else offers to share this invaluable commodity of theirs with us. How special is that!



Maggie Graham
Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist
Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy 

April 29th 2013 

www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk
margaret@beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk
Twitter:              @BeeYourselfhyp
Facebook:        facebook.com/BeeYourselfHyp

Let's raise a glass....of water......

Whether you're looking to reduce weight or reduce stress & anxiety in your life, water really can be the key.

Not only is water a great quencher of thirst but it is also a great quencher of anxiety.
Within our internal systems water transports hormones, chemical messengers and nutrients to vital organs of the body. Lack of hydration within the body can cause a variety of conditions such as anxiety, which you don't automatically associate with an inadequate intake of water.





A few things to be aware of concerning water:

1. 75% of people are chronically dehydrated
2. In 37% of people the thirst signal is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger
3. Even mild dehydration will slow down your metabolism as much as 3%
4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of people
5. Lack of water is the No. 1 trigger of fatigue during the daytime
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain      
   for up to 80% of sufferers
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic maths and  
   difficulty focussing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of
   breast cancer by 79% and you are 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Fresh water is so vital in our diet so let's all raise a glass now....to better health.


Maggie.

Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist.
Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy.

Website:       www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk 
Twitter:        @Beeyourselfhyp
Facebook:    www.facebook.com/BeeYourselfHyp



Note of thanks!!
Maggie would like to acknowledge Clem Turner of Clem Turner Training for reproducing his interesting work about the connection between anxiety and dehydration.

www.clemturner.co.uk

Take a Time-Out

At Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy we like nothing more than celebrating success with clients. And it doesn't matter what success means to you. It can mean breaking an unhealthy habit, freedom from a phobia which has held you back or just feeling better; feeling better about life, about yourself, about the future and even the present dare we say.

It's amazing how a small point or issue can turn our day upside down. When we can deal with it before going to bed and move on all the better. But occasionally we need help to see the problem off the premises. Off of and well away from the mind and any control over how it makes us feel. Sometimes all it takes is one wrong word, perhaps even said in jest but lost in translation and the seed is sown.

It's always good to take time out. Time out to relax, to think, to process, to understand, to re-frame and dull the sting. Music does it for me. My time-out will always have music in the background to help me get lost and eventually, find my way back, refreshed and renewed.

If we walk miles we can feel comfortably tired and enjoy resting our feet before the next time. It's just as important to allow the mind to rest as well. You wouldn't intentionally keep walking until your feet hurt so much that you were unable to walk any further. Don't keep thinking about things until your mind hurts. Use whatever works for you and look after your mind. Too easy not to appreciate it until it really hurts and can't function properly.

Jack Dee famously uses hypnotherapy. He calls it, 'a massage for the mind'. Could not put it better myself!

Maggie.

Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy.

Where did that come from?

Where did that come from? Ever asked yourself that question? Even just into yourself?

 On certain occasions we can surprise people (and ourselves even more!) with knowledge which we weren't even aware we had. It's as though we have access to a virtual memory programme which can pop up on the odd occasion when we need to reach for something important. It can be very handy in an interview or exam situation. At other times, maybe not so helpful.

 Of course the human brain is a remarkable piece of engineering and a first class storage system for that matter. Imagine the task of printing out every iota of knowledge and useless information we store up-top; I for one can't imagine the size of facility which we would require. But as well as storing facts, figures, photos, numbers, faces, places, holidays and who we are, it also stores things we would rather forget from time to time. Emotions, feelings, times when people pushed our buttons, sad occasions, things that caused us harm or disappointment or even pain at certain points in our lives.

 I'm thinking about the size and make up of that storage facility. What if inside of our brains, somewhere deep inside our subconscious minds, was a room full of filing cabinets, drawers, shelves, boxes perhaps even a safe where we are the only key-holder allowed access. What might we store there? What if someone broke in? What if someone was raking through those most private belongings??? Ahhhh!! How would we react? Panic? Anger? Tears? Fear? Fight or even Flight?



 Sometimes, all it takes to set us off is someone consciously or unconsciously messing about within our store room upstairs. Breaching our NO-ENTRY sign without even knowing it and without us even realising that's what has happened.

 I think this happens all the time. Every day we can experience fear, panic, anger, emotions we can't quite describe, that dark cloud or the red mist just descends. Our mood, feelings, inner safety or well-being can suddenly feel compromised and there is no obvious explanation for it.

Often the first thought that comes to most rational of minds is, "I'm going mad" or "I'm losing it, I must be".

 Of course we're not going mad and we're not losing it. If you push something far enough it will move, drawers can open, boxes can topple over and whey hey......out it spills. Or worse, it just slowly trickles until the puddle gets bigger and bigger and we finally notice something is wrong and something is bothering us.

What can we do about it?

 I think we can do many things, the last of which involve medication, cigarettes or alcohol!

 Let's talk;

Yes let's talk. Talking something through can be an amazing experience. It can be exhilarating and lead to freedom. Talking to a friend can help a lot of the time. But when you are coping with extreme emotions such an anger, anxiety, sadness or fear a professionally trained person is always recommended.

You can talk to your GP, your practice nurse, a counsellor, a therapist, a hypnotherapist or a psychotherapist. The list is by no means exhaustive. But the most important part of the message is talk, talk to someone.

There's always something refreshing about moving the furniture about - yes I like that - that feels better. The same can be said for a good clear out in our memory store room. A wee bit extra space can make all the difference. A good de-clutter can work wonders, is it something you need to do?

 Maggie.

 Senior therapist.

 Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy.

www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk

A New Me! What's wrong with the old me?

Every January seems to be the time to think about new starts, new me, new habits and so on. But is the old me really so bad?

One of the kindest things we can do, is to actually like ourselves. Some people find that harder than others. It's very easy to give a compliment, but can you receive a compliment so easily? Sometimes, something, deep down, inside is instilled within, programmed almost to dislike what we feel or what we look like. And it doesn't need to be something we have consciously put there either. These feelings have a way of creeping up on us and before we know it they are squatting within our subconscious mind, taking up valuable space. There is a saying, a song even, "You don't know what you've got till it's gone". (Shows age!)But there is some truth in it. And even the negativity we store up about ourselves, the dislike of our shape or size, the sadness, the anxiety; sometimes we don't know just what we have had until it's gone. But in some cases gone is good! Gone can mean freedom from unwanted thoughts and feelings, constraints and behaviour. And yes, sometimes we don't know what a psychological weight we have been carrying around, until it's gone! So perhaps before we go seeking a 'new me', we should perhaps, check out the 'old me' and learn to love all over again. Maggie. Senior therapist. Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy.

New Year - New You

Once again the festivities are over and we wonder what lies in store for us this year. Will it be better? Will it be happier? Will I eventually lose / gain weight? Will it be different? Will this be the year I stop smoking? I suppose the main question is, do we want it to be different? If so, how do we do that? One thing about a new year, it does offer a new start, a time to think and re-think what we really want out of life. And the trick is not just to decide what we really want, but to actually get out there and go for it! That takes courage and sometimes we may need to turn to someone to talk to; to talk things through with; to bounce off of; and help us to increase the confidence levels to take that next step. Many of us also face sadness at this time of year. Losing friends and loved ones is difficult at any time of year, but over the festive period those emotions can becomes magnified as well as carrying on into every festive celebration from now on. So new starts with promises of change and improvement are often tinged with dark clouds drifting around us. For some they can get too close for comfort. Whatever your new start is to be, whatever resolution you promised yourself and whatever thoughts and memories you take into 2013, may it prove to be all you hope for. So here's to change; to good health, to absent friends & family and supporting each other through this New Year ahead. Maggie. Therapist. Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy. www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk