22/09/2009 by Cathy.

The latest studies indicate a reduction of up to 26% per year in heart attack rates resulting in smoking bans in public places. This is much more than was anticipated.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8267523.stm

Most smokers (and I was one for a long time) don’t really want to look at articles like this and can easily feel ‘picked on’ by the rest of the world about their smoking. However most also know, really, that it is hugely damaging to smoke - quite aware of the risks they are taking with their own lives.

So why is this? How can we carry on doing something that we know is so harmful and justify it with “I enjoy it” or “it helps me relax”.?  What if you “enjoy” salmon sandwiches but have a fish allergy, would you continue to eat salmon purely because you enjoy it? Probably not. So what is different about smoking? Why can’t we easily quit smoking?

Nicotine has tricked your mind! Over time our minds have started to associate cigarettes with the relief of stress, with the relief of that feeling that we may call withdrawal, which is the feeling caused as nicotine from the previous cigarette starts to leave the body. Your mind has also generalised this feeling - and by that I mean that it starts to think that nicotine can help relieve other similar feelings like fear, anxiety, stress, etc…. This is one big con! If you are stressed by something, then all the nicotine does is temporarily relieve the part of that feeling that was caused by the cigarette in the first place! The rest of the worry is still there.

The crazy thing is that the cigarette causes stress in the first place. Every time you have one, it is like injecting pure adrenalin, the stress hormone. Your body is constantly living with higher than normal levels of the stress hormone, caused by smoking. No wonder we feel anxious and on edge so much of the time. However, in the back of our minds (the unconscious part of your mind), you only think that the cigarette relieves the stress, and therefore the unconscious part of your mind will continue to motivate you to smoke.

All we are doing when we say “I  enjoy it” or “It helps me through difficult times” is coming up with a consicous justification of our unconsciously driven behaviour  - which is entirely natural.

So, how on earth can we get out of this cycle? This is where hypnotherapy comes in. It is a way of accessing the unconscious part of your mind to re-train it, so that it no longer motivates you to smoke. Without that deep down motivation it become so easy to stop smoking. The niggling feelings you get in the couple of days afterwards will be so small that they can easily be beaten, and after that… Freedom for Good and a new life of better health!!!

http://www.hampsteadsmokingclinic.com

http://www.cathysimmons.co.uk

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14/09/2009 by Cathy.

Otherwise known as genuphobia, this fear of knees has been in the papers today.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/03/13/the-woman-who-is-so-scared-of-knees-she-s-lost-friends-and-can-t-go-swimming-115875-21195732/

Sadly, these stories only get into the papers because they are ‘a bit strange’ and we seem to love to read about other people’s disadvantages. The truth is that so many of us live with fears that we might not want to admit to, and which effect the way we go about our lives. Whether it involves flying, heights, spiders or fear of public speaking which are the better known and somehow (strangely) more socially acceptable phobias, or something more obscure such as knees, particular foods or even a particular tone of voice, there is hope.

Consciously, we know that our fears may be irrational. We can reason with ourselves and know that we shouldn’t be afraid - how many times have you heard “pull yourself together”, or “don’t be silly, it’s perfectly safe”. So, why can’t we pull ourselves together?

The answer lies with the unconscious part of your mind, the part that runs ’on automatic’. This is the part of your mind that allows you to drive without constantly thinking about what you are doing with the pedals and the gear stick.  It is the part that makes us run away from a dangerous wild animal without consciously having to think about it. The unconsious part of your mind is designed to keep you away from danger and motivate you towards pleasure, and the only way it can do this is by learning from the minute you are born.

Sometimes, as part of that learning, incorrect associations can be made. Your unconscious mind can truly ‘believe’ that there is something about knees that is dangerous, because it has somehow learned this in the past. But because it is unconscious, you find yourself automatically reacting before you are consciously aware of it, and without consciously having any idea of why!

This is where hypnotherapy comes in. Hypnotherapy can give access to the unconscious part of your mind, in order to understand where that association came from and gently correct it. There is hope in a technique that does not rely on de-sensitisation, does not rely on forcing someone into overexposure to the very thing they fear. This is a gentle and lasting approach to becoming free of our irrational fears for good.

If I can help in any way, please feel free to contact me on 07792312465 or cathy@cathysimmons.co.uk

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12/09/2009 by Cathy.

Recent research undertaken at King’s College, London found that children with lower self-esteem tend to gain weight as they grow up and be larger as adults.

They talk about how early intervention, in childhood, is key and quote Dr Ian Campbell of the charity Weight Concern as saying “Many of the adults we work with have identifiable underlying emotional and self esteem issues and are often resistant to treatment.”

See the BBC article here

However, it is possible to identify these factors at any age, with the gentle use of hypnotherapy, and to undo the effects of childhood low self-esteem, installing a new confidence and realisation of self-worth. This is itself can make a significant difference to a person’s relationship with food and, together with a new approach to eating (involving NO dieting!!) can be the start of the permanent weight loss they are looking for.

http://www.cathysimmons.co.uk

07792 312 465

Posted in Weight Loss, General Ramblings | Print | 1 Comment »

27/08/2009 by Cathy.

Researchers have discovered that a chemical released from cut grass and other vegetation can work directly on the brain in the amygdala and hippocampus areas which are responsible for emotions and memory.

Apparently it can reduce stress and boost memory in addition to preventing damage to the hippocampus normally resulting from chronic stress.

According to this Telegraph article, (see link, below) the Australian researchers have produced a perfume spray which will soon be available.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/6094786/Feeling-stressed-Then-go-mow-the-lawn-claims-research.html

“Eau de mow”?  (It’s true - its not April 1st)

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26/08/2009 by Cathy.

An anti-obesity drug went on sale in the UK in April, under the brand name Alli, without the need for a prescription.

There are concerns in the US about its safety regarding liver damage and these are currently being investigated. You might be interested to read a bit more on the BBC News website.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8221313.stm

Posted in Weight Loss, General Ramblings | Print | 1 Comment »

10/08/2009 by Cathy.

It is good to know that people are becoming more and more aware of the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for confidence. In this case, Leona Lewis had suffered, like so many of us, with shyness and timidness in front of an audience.

Leona Lewis has hypnotherapy for confidence

Do you find that there are areas of your life where you can be completely confident and in control, and yet there are others where you behave and feel completely differently?

Especially in our work lives. I meet many people, some of whom have senior positions in their organisation, who are very good at their jobs, very compentant individuals, who have great confidence in most areas of their work lives - and yet there may be just one circumstance or situation that fills them with dread. Maybe it is public speaking, maybe running a meeting, maybe negotiations, perhaps in job interviews, maybe even a meeting with their boss.

These are examples of when our behaviour is being driven unconsciously, without our even being consciously aware of why, and that is why Cognitive Hypnotherapy can be so effective, far quicker than you might imagine, in this area of confidence. In just a few sessions you can walk away with the result you want - totally confident and in control.

http://www.cathysimmons.co.uk

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29/07/2009 by Cathy.

“Scent of fear puts brain in emergency mode…”

Another interesting New Scientist article - looks like they have bottled the fear pheromone. Scary in itself if you think how it could be mis-used.
I wonder if you could bottle the ‘calm’ pheromone..

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17527

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21/07/2009 by Cathy.

This New Scientist article is a couple of months old now. However, it is well worth posting up for those who may not have seen it. It talks about the placebo and nocebo responses - real world consequences of our beliefs and expectations.

Beware Witch Doctors  (New Scientist 16 May 2009 - Issue 2708)

The good news is that using hypnosis it is possible to break down our negative expectations and beliefs, and instill new positive expectations, which our minds will start to unconsciously motivate us towards.

Interesting and powerful stuff!

Posted in General Ramblings | Print | 1 Comment »

16/07/2009 by Cathy.

This was written by fellow Cognitive Hypnotherapist Russell Davis and is so useful I had to post it here.

“We are all unique and experience the world in unique ways. We need to make sure we are communicating in a way that the recipient understands it. The same is true when it comes to love. Are you demonstrating your love for your partner in a way that they will hear and understand it? After over 20 years of experience an American relationship counselor, Gary Chapman, identified 5 ways that we give/receive love. Here’s the thing - we tend to give love in the way we prefer to receive it – which may not be the same way as our partner. So all your efforts may be in vain and they may be feeling rather unloved. Well now you can not only understand your preferred way, but your partners as well and truly enhance your relationship. The 5 love languages are:

1. Words of Affirmation. These are anything from compliments, encouragement, affirmation and the absence of criticism or judgment. Does criticism crush you? Do you feel especially loved when someone expresses their gratitude for you?

2. Quality Time. This focused time on each other with no distractions. It includes sharing your thoughts and feelings. It could be quality activities as well which could be anything your partners wants to do together and you are willing to do as a act of love. So, take her to the ballet if you know that is something she would love do. Do you feel especially loved when someone gives you their undivided attention?

4. Gifts. These could be bought, made or found. They don’t have to cost a lot of money. Do you feel especially loved when someone gives you a gift or another tangible expression of their love?

5. Acts of Service. Doing something that is important to your partner – not what you would like to do for them. Do you feel especially loved when someone pitches in to help you or helps with the housework?

6. Physical Touch. This could be anything from a glancing touch as you go past, of a massage. Most men think this is them as it includes sex but actually for men sex is more of a physical desire not emotional. To test this as yourself: Do you like other forms of touch? Would you want to have sex with your partner if they were not communicating love with your second love language? If not, then your second is probably your first. Do you feel especially loved when someone expresses their love through physical contact.

Communicating love to your partner in their preferred love language can transform your relationship as they will feel emotionally loved and wanted. They will automatically respond and reflect that love back to you. Give it a go. See if you can identify your partners primary love language. Do something to express your love to them in that way for every day for 2 weeks. Watch the transformation unfold.”

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02/07/2009 by Cathy.

Check out this article in the Times about the supersitious behaviour of tennis players, and a superb description by Trevor Silvester about what is going on in the brain to explain this.

http://www.questinstitute.co.uk/522/superstitious-tennis-players-demonstrate-the-mistake-our-brains-make/

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