Stoptober

The years are certainly rolling on when you suddenly realise we are into another October and yet another Stoptober campaign. As the temperature outside faces a sudden drop so does the habit of smoking for so many people. I believe the success of the Stoptober campaign is realising that you are not alone in your battle to beat the nicotine addiction and you are doing it in tandem with hundreds of others.  

Group support, even a virtual group, can offer so much to people when they feel isolated in their battles especially with habits or addictions. This Stoptober, Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy is pleased to participate in the campaign by offering all clients a 10% discount for the smoking cessation session. This offer is open for the entire month of October.

One of the advantages of using hypnotherapy to stop smoking is that you normally do not turn to any other substitute to replace the nictine habit. You can free yourself from it for good. As we do not have enough research based evidence of the longer term effects from electronic cigarettes, it is vital that people are not encouraged to use these as a supposed method of quitting smoking. It may in time be proven to be an even more detrimental choice! It's certainly one risk I wouldn't be willing to take. 

As an advanced clinical hypnotherapist I wish everyone who is trying to quit smoking or simply just thinking about it, all the very best, whatever source of help they choose. And you may ask if I understand how difficult it is to quite cigarettes? The answer is yes, I've been where you are now. I stopped 4 years and 9 months ago today. And how did I do it? Hypnotherapy of course! One session and never looked back.

Maggie.

Senior Therapist.

Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy.

www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk 

Sometimes life gets in the way of living......

Things to do, people to see and life goes on. Easy to let life lead you by the hand instead of guiding it where you want to go. Sometimes in order to get where we want to go we have to first of all decide where exactly that is. Sounds so simple yet so many of us have never actually sat down, cleared the mind and thought, "Where do I actually want to be and what do I really want to be doing?" Easier at times to get into a rut and stay there. 

If you haven't yet tried picturing your goal in life, I can recommend it. Having the end goal in sight makes it so much easier to choose the right road to the rest of your life. As the late Steven Covie said, "Begin with the end in sight."

Of course many of us already know the road and are well on our way. Congratulations! But more of us have little blocks in our pathway. They can appear as doubts, fears, phobias or even just lack of confidence in our own abilities. But one thing is true; if we really want something in life we must first of all make up our mind and then work towards it. I think making one's mind up is the first essentail step. It can be a Eureka moment or a simple decision made. But the common factor most people experience is that once it's decided you have started the journey.

Doubts and fears can easily be overcome with the right professional help. I see people conquering these fears and phobias most days in the clinic. Celebrating success is a feature and a pleasure that comes with being an advanced clinical hypnotherapist. Prior to this I had years of experience in nursing and healthcare. Although essential and life saving work at times and always rewarding, it seemed to concentrate more on symtoms and was very often fire-fighting. 

Therapy can be deep and really deal with the root cause of many conditions and issues within modern day life. It's sad but true that life can indeed get in the way of actually living at times. You don't dare to dream at times far less actually follow them. Good things are simply things that happen to other people, or so it can seem. But when you make that decision to follow your dreams it can be an amazing release as well as life changing.

Your therapist.

Maggie.
RGN, HPD, DipCAH, PNLP.

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.