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. 

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

Christmas is coming!

Yes Christmas is coming, complete with all the joy, excitement, family time, sharing and fun. Sounds just like Christmas in the movies doesn't it. I'm certainly dreaming of a white Christmas this year because that's what we have been told to expect here. Perhaps I should change my introduction to look forward to all the stresses & strains, pressures of finding money you don't have, coping with memories of absent friends or simply wondering where the energy will come from to cope with the whole process!

Many of us spend hours on end trying to think off something different from the usual Christmas present. What can we buy someone which is useful and yet unique? Hypnotherapy can provide relief from of life's constraints and unwanted habits or behaviour. At Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy we are now selling Christmas gift vouchers which can be purchased for any treatment be it #StopSmoking, #WeightLoss, #GastricBanding or simply for pampering and #Relaxation. What better gift!

Call now to order yours. Payment and orders can be taken over the phone by credit and debit cards. Make this Christmas a relaxing one for someone.

Best wishes to all for the forthcoming season. May it be a good one! Maggie. Senior therapist. www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk

How stressed are you?

Stress can be likened to a silent epidemic causing all sorts of physical, mental and emotional conditions in our lives. Quite often, stress is never identified as the root cause and literally gets away with murder. Much is being said on the news about the over prescribing of anti-depressants at the moment. Many people simply cannot function without them. And yes, they can help in cases of stress & anxiety. Please note I said 'help' and not 'cure'. It can almost feel like the quick and easiest method of damping down the symptoms which is always very welcome indeed. The symptoms and side effects produced by stress can indeed become debilitating. But I believe, that until we start to tackle the cause of the stress and develop strategies to target this, we might as well continue to gently blow the flames rather than extinguish the fire.

Sometimes it helps to talk to someone about what exactly is happening in our lives. We certainly live life at some pace and for reasons unknown to man, it is now expected of us to function at this pace. The busier you are, the more you do, the more expected of you, the more you are meant to do; but was this how we were designed to function? I think not. Otherwise why do our blood vessels react to keep us under control? Why do we stretch our digestive systems to the limit? Why do we struggle to sleep? Why do we become so short tempered over the smallest of things? Why do we become so forgetful? Why worry? Why worry indeed! All these bodily reactions are in response to stress in our lives. The brain is preparing us to fight or run for our lives. Don't get me wrong; if we ever being chased for our lives that is a very helpful state to get into! But within our every days lives, it becomes unhelpful and even downright dangerous to our health and well-being.

So is there an antidote to stress; one that does not involve ingesting chemicals? Yes there is: The perfect antidote to stress is relaxation.......... Relaxation is something we don't do nearly enough of; until of course we are forced to in response to something interfering with our health. But why wait until it gets to that stage. There are many ways to relax and unwind. The hardest is all to often to start of with.......finding time for you. Once you find that time use it well. Guard and protect it. Cherish it! Whether you spend an hour at a time soaking in bubbles by candle light, spending undisturbed time getting into a good book, standing in the garden or on the beach and taking in the most beautiful deep breaths along with the beautiful scenery.....now that is great to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure! But for those who need help to relax, help to unwind, help to fight the negative effects of stress on the body, there's always hypnotherapy. It's an amazing way to relax and charge the batteries. Jack Dee likens it to popping in for a massage to the mind. I love that description. In fact, I couldn't put it any better myself! Maggie. Senior therapist. Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy. 8th November 2012.

#Stoptober

Stoptober is the NHS's stop~smoking~in~October campaign. Are you thinking about quitting? Are you one of those smokers who thinks, yes, they would love to stop, but deep down you just feel as though you can't? Well this is probably a good time to take that forward. You have lots of company, lots of support and encouragement and lots of good reasons to give it up now and some good resources at your beck and call.

Am I a smoker? The answer is no.
Was I a smoker? The answer is yes.
Did I need help to quit? Oh yes indeed!
What method helped me? Hypnotherapy.




So can hypnotherapy help me to stop smoking?

If you really want to do something, but feel as though you really can't manage it on your own, then hypnotherapy may the route to your success. It usually takes one session and you stop. And any professional, clinical hypnotherapist, will, if you feel you require a second session within a month, provide that for free! They should be as keen as you are to help you stop smoking.

Can hypnotherapy make me stop smoking?

Now that is a different question altogether. One of the myths of hypnotherapy is that a hypnotherapist can take over your mind or make you do things. Wrong on both counts. If a client came to me and said that they were told to come because loved ones are concerned that they stop smoking; but they really enjoy the cigs and really don't want to quit; in that case I have to advise them that they are wasting their money. Nobody has that power over another person and for that reason a reputable therapist is never allowed to issue a guarantee.  It's enshrined within their 'code of conduct' for a good reason. For more information on that and how to check that your hypnotherapist is qualified and registered, go to the CNHC website and search at www.cnhc.org.uk

Of course there are many resources out there to help you stop smoking. There are support groups, nicotine replacement patches...chewing gums etc etc. And many of these work for a lot of people and they are to be commended and encouraged whichever route they choose.

For me, I chose hypnotherapy to stop using nicotine and not replace it with another form of the drug. And one of my concerns was of course the risk of gaining weight. And many people do! The coating of tar gradually leaves your tongue and you can taste food and enjoy eating more. Many substitute a cigarette for a snack and really believe that it helps to keep the weight off. But at what risk to your health? And I have to say, at one point, I had mastered both (smoking & eating).

With hypnotherapy your fears and concerns should be listened to by the therapist prior to your session. The first part where you discuss you, should take some time to ensure this is really personal for you and your concerns taken on board. I lost weight when I stopped smoking for that very reason.

So if you have managed to stop, either on your own or with some support, well done!

And if you are thinking about quitting and feel that this is time for you to do it, good luck, I wish you well!

Maggie.

Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy

What's the difference between hypnotist & hypnotherapist?

The short answer is of course, Therapist. Last year the profession of hypnotherapy became registered (voluntary at first) and regulated by the Complimentary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). One of the reasons for this was to allow the public to differentiate between a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist. To become a hypnotherapist now and get on to the register, you must be qualified, insured to practice and evidence that your knowledge is up to date.

Does this mean hypnotists are bad? Certainly not! Hypnotists provide us with great entertainment. Some of us love watching the stage shows and the expertise these guys have. Some of us even enjoy getting up to the stage and joining in the fun. And others are more inclined to stay rooted in the audience and watch from a distance (guilty!)

The process of taking someone into hypnosis is a fairly simple and relaxing one. If the hypnotist has not managed to get you on to the stage, it's because you really didn't want to go there. That's the basic rule in hypnotherapy too. Anyone can be hypnotised if they really want to. There are of course some medical exceptions such as paranoia, but the basic rule is you can if you want to. When someone visits a therapist such as a hypnotherapist, they are seeking help with a particular issue. People seldom attend for therapy and resist hypnosis. You remain in control the whole time and a therapist certainly cannot take over your mind! But it is essential that there is trust between you and your therapist. You need to know that in order to uphold their professional status, your therapist is not allowed to do the stage entertainment stuff and must at all times keep your personal details confidential at all times. So the therapy clinic should feel safe, friendly and helpful. But the key in success is certainly to choose the right therapist for you. If you can develop trust in your therapist you are already on your way to where you want to get to. And never feel e embarrassed to ask to ask if a therapist is qualified, registered and insured. And the evidence should be there to see on your first visit. Maggie.

Senior therapist with;

www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Is Therapy for me?

Therapies come in all shapes and sizes, as do therapists and people who seek therapy. As a qualified hypnotherapist I love trying all sorts of therapies, some for relaxation and some as a treat for some 'me time'. But there are other times in our lives when certain issues or thoughts start to come to our attention more than we would like them to. At other times issues can cause us to change our behaviour and habits without us even realising. It's at these times when therapy becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity. I once was very privileged to attend a workshop in London led by Naomi Fell, the American psychologist who published her research and conclusions on Validation Therapy. Its purpose was to train staff in the skills to understand what people with dementia were trying to convey when their usual powers of communication were interrupted with the illness. Dementia is a cruel illness which robs people of their intellect. Occasionally they can become upset, almost disturbed and out of character. As if they are re-living an experience. Validation therapists are trained to go into the experience with them and guide them safely to a conclusion. Although it can be a frightening experience for the person and I have to say, for the therapist as well sometimes, they can find a peace afterwards that is hard to quantify. Almost a relief. It is finished! So why am I rambling on about Naomi Fell and her Validation theory? Well her research led her to believe that, we do, throughout our lives, lock issues away deep in our subconscious minds. And often that's the best place for them. But, and here's the rub, her evidence demonstrated that at some point, it will come back to the forefront of our minds or our conscious mind as we refer to it. And when it does, we are forced to deal with it because of the effect it has on us and our day to day lives. And although her therapy was geared towards helping people with dementia cope with these recurring thoughts and problems, her advice was for us all. Her recommendation? Deal with issues when you can and while you are still able to. Because some day, you might not be as able, but they will rear their heads. Maggie Senior therapist Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy

Can hypnotherapy ease my exam nerves?

It doesn't matter whether we are studying for a professional qualification, a driving test, school or university exams or a short course of interest to us, strange things can happen to our abilities around exam time. Of course exams used to be the only way to determine how effective we were going to become in performing tasks or gaining much needed qualifications. But nowadays various programmes allow us to take bite size chunks as we go along making the 'final exam' much less onerous than it once was. However, certain achievements still require that we demonstrate our acquired skills and knowledge under examination conditions in order that we are deemed safe or competent to hold that certificate or licence. They say if we study an area of interest and we enjoy the subject, we should be able to soak up the knowledge and any practical skills that accompany it. And often we do. We can recite away our tables and codes and other technical data as we rehearse in our heads and revise the necessary information. So why on earth do some of us step into that 'exam' environment and fall apart? Are we just too keen to do well that our nerves take over to protect us? And in doing so, protect us so well that we can't think of a thing! Whilst deep down, we know, that we know, what we know and that we should, be able to, regurgitate it. So now let us avoid regurgitating as well! (Remembering stomach churning) The human body is a marvellous thing. The human brain is a fantastic thing! Any situation that might require us 'needing' to be 'protected'automatically brings on our Fight or Flight response. Adrenaline rushes around us and makes us buzz. Of course that's great if we are being chased by the mad axeman! But not so great when we just want to relax and recall what we know we know. So can hypnotherapy help to overcome this fight / flight response? Yes it can. And yes it does for a lot of people. We can learn how to relax and how to override this response at the times we need to keep a clear head, concentrate and recall. Our conscious and subconscious minds can work wonders for us, if we allow them to. Maggie Senior Therapist Bee Yourself Hypnotherapy www.beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Do I really need a gastric band?

Why do the words enter our thoughts at all? Because a gastric band is a drastic step for anyone, be it a virtual one or a surgical one. And yet many of us are ready to go for it, so why is that? My thoughts on the matter are that we diet for years, always looking for the next best thing, the new grapefruit and egg diet or the supposed 'cadiac' diet that did nothing for our hearts lest the rest of us! And in the process we end up heavier than we ever were! 


So what's the big attraction with a gastric band? Well, I think it sounds like a quick (which it is) and easy (which is isn't) route to the perfect figure that lies within, just waiting for something magical to release it. But what exactly is the magic? That's another topic entirely because it causes us to eat very small amounts and often to sustain us. But is that enough?


In the long run all weight loss comes down to a change in lifestyle, what we eat, when we eat it, how we move, what our emotions do to us and how they affect us and being in the right frame of mind to start thinking differently. 


So, it there a place for gastric banding? Yes, I do think so, but I quickly qualify that statement with: In extreme cases where a person can be classed as morbidly obese which means their size is a direct risk to their life, then yes, it can start the process off and help the person to see quick results and sometimes, when we have such a long road ahead of us, that's important. But....yes there's a but.....if during the process we don't include the education and the lifestyle changes that we require in order to sustain this, it may all have been for nothing.


If you have thought about a surgical band which costs anything from £4K-£9K or are considering the less risky route of a gastric band under hypnosis, anything from £400-£900, then be prepared to listen to your surgeon / therapist and make a note of all the pros and cons before going forward. It really is a life changing decision.


Maggie
HPD, DipCAH, PNLP, RGN.


www.beeyourselfhypnotherapy.co.uk