8 ways hypnosis relieves sadness

• Boosting confidence
• Enhancing the belief that your traditional treatment plan will work
• Decreasing pain perception
• Improving sleep (which can do wonders to improve mood)
• Increasing motivation for activities (social interactions, exercise, others)
• Improving perception of self-worth
• Improving belief about a brighter future
• Enhancing coping skills to stressful events

Hypnosis sooths IBS

The effect of hypnosis on clients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rapid and lasting. In fact, research bears this out, which is why I decided to specialize in this form of hypnotherapy.
The first wave of symptom relief is instant relaxation. IBS’ers are always on guard, they anticipate trouble everyday. They worry about public bathroom availability and whether they can keep their embarrassing secret from their friends. The never ending anticipation of symptoms actually exacerbates the condition and manifests what they worry about, thoughts become things.
My first time IBS clients obviously don’t really know me, have never been to my office, and know nothing about hypnosis but still experience tremendous relief after their first session. Hypnosis seems to have a way of hitting the reset button.
These clients also appear very different at the conclusion of a session, they are calm and happy. For the first time they experience what it is like to be themselves without the weight of IBS. That disconnect occurs on session one and with each visit the distance between themselves and their symptomatic past increases.
Clients also reinforce the new foundation of relief by listening to sessions daily at home. The repetition of symptoms over the years created the chronic pattern of misery, so we take the same approach with the solution and it woks consistently well.
 
Paul Gustafson, R.N., C.H. has been featured on WBZ radio, hosts TV show Healthy Hypnosis, is an Angie’s List ‘Super Service’ provider. Check out his in-office IBS Relief program. Also available as MP3 download.
Contact Paul for free consultation: 888-290-3972 or info@burlingtonhypnosis.com and visit Burlington Hypnosis.
 

Research: Stress types and resulting damage

Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain.  However, not all types of stress are harmful or even negative.  There are a few different types of stress that we encounter:
  • Eustress, a type of stress that is fun and exciting, and keeps us vital (e.g. skiing down a slope or racing to meet a deadline)
  • Acute Stress, a very short-term type of stress that can either be positive (eustress) or more distressing (what we normally think of when we think of ‘stress’); this is the type of stress we most often encounter in day-to-day life (e.g. skiing down said slope or dealing with road rage)
  • Episodic Acute Stress, where acute stress seems to run rampant and be a way of life, creating a life of relative chaos (e.g. the type of stress that coined the terms ‘drama queen’ and ‘absent-minded professor’)
  • Chronic Stress, the type of stress that seems never-ending and inescapable, like the stress of a bad marriage or an extremely taxing job (this type of stress can lead to burnout)

The Fight or Flight Response

Stress can trigger the body’s response to perceived threat or danger, the Fight-or-Flight response.  During this reaction, certain hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are released, speeding the heart rate, slowing digestion, shunting blood flow to major muscle groups, and changing various other autonomic nervous functions, giving the body a burst of energy and strength.

Originally named for its ability to enable us to physically fight or run away when faced with danger, it’s now activated in situations where neither response is appropriate, like in traffic or during a stressful day at work.  When the perceived threat is gone, systems are designed to return to normal function via the relaxation response, but in our times of chronic stress, this often doesn’t happen enough, causing damage to the body.

Stress and Health: Implications of Chronic Stress

When faced with chronic stress and an overactivated autonomic nervous system, people begin to see physical symptoms.  The first symptoms are relatively mild, like chronic headaches and increased susceptibility to colds.  With more exposure to chronic stress, however, more serious health problems may develop.  These stress-influenced conditions include, but are not limited to:

  • depression
  • diabetes
  • hair loss
  • heart disease
  • hyperthyroidism
  • obesity
  • obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder
  • sexual dysfunction
  • tooth and gum disease
  • ulcers
  • cancer

In fact, most it’s been estimated that as many as 90% of doctor’s visits are for symptoms that are at least partially stress-related.

What You Can Do

To keep stress, especially chronic stress, from damaging your health, it’s important to be sure that your body does not experience excessive states of this physiological arousal.  There are two important ways to do this:

  • Learn Tension-Taming Techniques: Certain techniques can activate your body’s relaxation response, putting your body in a calm state.  These techniques, including meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, journaling and positive imagery, can be learned easily and practiced when you’re under stress, helping you feel better relatively quickly.
  • Prevent Excess Stress:  Some acute stress is unavoidable, but much of the episodic acute stress and chronic stress–the stress that damages our health–that we experience can be avoided or minimized with the use of organization techniques, time management, relationship skills and other healthy lifestyle choices.

Seeking Professional Help

Sometimes stress becomes so great that people develop stress-related disorders or need the help of medications, herbal treatments or the aid of a professional.  If you experience excessive anxiety or symptoms of depression, find yourself engaging in unhealthy or compulsive behaviors, or have a general feeling that you need help, talk to your doctor or a health care professional.  There is help available, and you can be feeling better and more in control of your life soon.

Whatever your situation, stress need not damage your health.  If you handle your stress now, you can quickly be on the road to a healthier, happier life.

By Elizabeth Scott, M.S.

Sports hypnosis hits the mainstream

2008 Beijing Olympics: The only 2 shooters who won Gold Medals for the U.S.worked with a hypnotist and a hypnotist cured

1984: Time magazine reported that Mary Lou Retton used hypnosis to prepare for the L.A. Olympics and to block pain in her injured foot to win the Gold Medal.

1983: The Chicago White Sox hired a full-time hypnotist and made the playoffs.

1976: Rod Carew had a nagging injury that threatened his career. Through hypnosis, he turned the lingering pain into a .400 batting average.

1967: A dentist, Dr. Raymond Abrezol, guided the Swiss ski team to 3 out of 4 members earning medals using hypnotic techniques.

1959: Ingmar Johansson used Sports Hypnosis training before wresting the heavyweight boxing title from Floyd Patterson.

1956: Wleven hypnotists accompanied the Soviet athletic team to the Olympics inMelbourne.

In baseball: Nolan Ryan, George Brett, Maury Wills, Don Sutton, Mark McGwire reported using sports hypnosis to be able to relax for his baseball games.

Ken Norton used hypnosis to defeat Muhammad Ali (and broke his jaw) in the 1973 fight where Ken was a 7-1 underdog. Ali began using hypnosis soon after.

Jimmy Connors used Sports Hypnosis for his U.S. Open Tennis wins.

Australian Gold Medalist, Steve Hooker, of his fear in pole vaulting.

Tiger Woods began seeing Jay Brunza at the age of 13 for hypnosis and mental training. Phil Mickelson was trained by mental coach and hypnotist Dean Reinmuth

Greg Louganis, Wayne Gretzky, Steve Stone, Boomer Esiason, Freeman McNeil, Talmadge Griffiths and numerous NFL, MLB, NHL, Boxing, Olympic and Pro Athletes all use hypnosis today for that edge.