A pick me up - by Lisa Barlow

10 Steps to Improve your Life, Lisa Barlow Stylie! - But only if you want to of course!

When the sun sets you want to be able to look back and say ' Today was a good day'
The quality of your days equals the quality of your life

1.     Be brave enough to take the journey inwards – Identify the areas in your life you are unfulfilled in. Be honest with yourself, when you are shown the mirror, don't avert your eyes, it is a chance to learn. Ask your closest friends to do you a skills and qualities audit of their perception of your strengths and weaknesses. This takes courage as if your friends are honest they may tell you things that you might not like to hear.  However, this can be extremely useful for your own personal development as you may find there are certain traits which you can address which will  help you to achieve what you say you want. Keep helpful thoughts and behaviours, ditch unhelpful ones and practice ‘act as if’ to develop new helpful behaviours.

2.     Be resilient and don’t give up. Practice these new behaviours everyday – Accordingly to some mind specialists, it takes 21 days for something to become a habit if done every day. This is any skill or quality such as learning a new sport, language, computer course, kindness, listening, empathy, starting a conversation with a stranger, giving an honest opinion etc. Whether it’s true about the 21 days I know that with practice and repetition new behaviours form. Take responsibility for your life and avoid blaming or becoming a victim of circumstance.  Your attitude towards your circumstance is the one thing you will always have control over.  Feel your feelings but don't dwell in the negative, accept the learning then shift your focus to uplifting things or people.  

3.     Continually stretch your comfort zones. I believe this is one of the most effective ways to build an inner self confidence. If you never face your fears you will avoid the possibility of having lots of fun and adventure.

4.     There is no such thing as failure, only feedback. If you adopt this approach to anything you turn your hand to in life then you will find a lifelong love for learning from all experiences in life.  Those that are painful and those that are joyful. Life is the largest, most prestigious university you will ever attend and what you learn through your life experiences will determine how successful you will become. What you will be remembered for by those closest to you isn’t always what you said or did, it will be how you made other people feel.

5.     If you want to get better at something find someone who does the skill well and model them.  Ask questions to find out how they do what they do. Yes, talent can be a defining factor between the good and the great but I will guarantee you will improve your skill if you commit to practice on a daily basis. Who knows how good you can really be if you give yourself permission to be great.

6.     Live mindfully.  Today is the only time we have. Yesterday has gone and tomorrow doesn’t exist.  Enjoy the wonderful ‘free’ pleasures we are given such as health, friendships, laughter and nature. Never take those you love for granted for we all suffer loss at some point in our lives. We’re only here for a short time so remember to stop and smell the roses and tell those important people in your life how very special they are to you.

7.     Empathise – Learn how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.  You don’t have to agree with how they choose to live their life but trying to understand their position, their perception of the world, may help to have better quality relationships. Having this skill alone can save friendships, avoid family feuds and save a great deal of suffering for both parties. Learn how to listen non-judgementally with an open heart, and to challenge compassionately when you disagree.

8.     Be generous with your time, words, love and money. A generous spirit is an attractive one. Focus on what you give, not what you get. Become altruistic, give for giving’s sake as this alone will make you feel good about yourself. If you really don't want to give, don't.  Get rid of 'have to' and 'should', use 'choose to' instead.  Take back control of your life. Be kind to yourself with your thoughts, self talk and actions. Think about the words you use and how you talk to others. Remember that maybe the only time to say anything is when what you have to say is better than what a silence would have been. This doesn’t mean not giving people constructive feedback to help them develop as human beings, it is more about how you say something rather than what you say that causes offence.

9.     Get active!  Find something you enjoy doing that requires you to move more than usual. Walk, dance, skip, hop on one leg, hula hoop, run up and down the stairs, whatever you like to do that gets that heart rate pumping but get it pumping you must. Getting more oxygen to your brain helps increase your feel good hormones yippee!!

10.  Keep a sense of humour – Who said that we have to take life so seriously?  Yes, there will be times of pain and suffering but in the space in between much of the pain and suffering is just what we create for ourselves in our minds.  I should know I create my fair share! Know what your outcome is and accept that the only thing you can ever control is your response to any given circumstance or interaction with any other human being. Try stepping out of yourself in the midst of an ‘emotional episode’ it’s likely you look laughable. Learn to laugh at yourself.

 Once we start to realise that in the grand scheme of things we’re not that important and the world doesn’t revolve around us and only us then we can start to really be the Captain of our own ship.  Relationships will improve as a result of every one of us working on ourselves. Sometimes it’s really not that important to get your own way, sometimes it is.  Know the values that are most important to you and let the other stuff go. Forget trying to control situations outside of you. Know you did your best and that your best will always be enough.  If you didn’t do your best, accept the learning and make a commitment to do differently next time.  Replace ‘if only’ with ‘next time’ and take real control of your own life.  Know what you feel and get good at naming your emotions.  Be honest, be vulnerable, let people help you.  Stop comparing yourself to others, your perception of your life is yours alone. If you do compare, have compassion for those who have greater sufferings to bear. 

Do what you want in life but be prepared to accept the consequences of your actions.  Don’t blame others for your experiences of life, take responsibility and learn from them. Always be prepared to have your beliefs challenged.  We only know what we know at any given time because we have been given this information from somewhere else, very often we don’t check out the reliability of the source either.  Remember: People thought the world was flat until someone was brave enough to test this theory out and prove it wrong!

Personal Development is a lifelong commitment to find your Nirvana, it’s alive and kicking in each and every one of us! Now go find yours.........But only if you want to x

For one to one coaching or information on up and coming workshops please contact Lisa Barlow at Bare Health on 01260 408413

A Friend in Need

                                                                                                                                                                   

Have the Bach Flower Remedies ever come to your rescue?  At the recent ‘Ladies Night’ at Bare Health I asked the room of over 30 people, who had used Rescue Remedy and over two thirds put up their hands.  Of all the 38 Bach Flower Remedies, Rescue Remedy is the one that I repeatedly find most people are aware of, having used it themselves or knowing someone who has.  Commonly people describe using it for stress, panic attacks or helping a difficult night’s sleep.  I have found it a great friend in all sorts of emergency situations. Even using it to great effect for insect bites, applying it directly to the skin and relieving very intense itching! 

Yet fewer people realise that Rescue Remedy is a combination of 5 different Bach Flower Remedies.  Understanding the components of the Remedy can help us to widen our use of Rescue Remedy and gain a deeper understanding of the healing potential from the Flower Remedies, first brought to us by Dr Edward Bach in the 1920s.

The Bach Flower Remedies are made from the essence of different plants and trees, with one exception, Rock Water being made from the water of a natural spring.   Bach discovered taking these essences in a diluted form could match different emotional and mental states.  By treating the individual’s emotional state he found balance was restored, increasing the potential for self-healing on all levels.  Dr Bach created the Rescue Remedy combination for emergency situations with the aim to “restore inner calm”.

Why does the combination work so well?  The 5 different Remedies are Rock Rose, Impatiens, Cherry Plum, Clematis and Star of Bethlehem .  Each has very different qualities.

Rock Rose used on its own has been found to help panic and deep terror.  It is the type of panic that is found in acute situations.  It could be used when waking from a frightening nightmare or the type of panic attack that causes palpitations and the tendency to freeze in terror.  The remedy can balance the feelings of helplessness with renewed courage and presence of mind.

Impatiens has a very different quality.  It has a feeling of rushing and acting quickly.  In an Impatiens state, we can find that others move too slowly; everyone seems to get in the way and a real desire to do a task on your own.  It is certainly a great reliever of stress.  Taking it when in such a state, can bring more empathy, understanding and patience.

Cherry Plum meanwhile has a fear of losing control of thoughts and actions; the fear that they will explode and harm themselves or others.  Someone in a Cherry Plum state may fear they will becoming abusive or hysterical.  The potential for taking the remedy is to develop a calmer mind that leads to more rational behaviour. 

Clematis in contrast will appear laid back, but to such an extreme that they are dreamy, absent minded and ungrounded.  A Clematis state is not uncommon after shock.   The person will find it more difficult to concentrate and could appear ‘spaced out’.   When Clematis brings balance the individual will find greater clarity in their thoughts and be more focused.  

All 5 remedy states can be seen as aspects of different behaviour following a severe shock. With Star of Bethlehem the shock will come as the result of a traumatic experience, such as accidents, receiving bad news or bereavement.   Star of Bethlehem helps the person to integrate the shock into their lives.  By lessening the effects of shock it thus enables a speedier recovery.  It can also bring balance to the effects of an event that may have happened years earlier.

Dr Bach sought a simple system of healing that everyone could access for themselves.  I would encourage you to seek out the remedies for all types of challenges in life and assess which Remedies you feel drawn too.  Should you need help, a Bach Flower Practitioner or Homeopath trained in the use of the Bach Flower Remedies, can guide you to the specific Remedy or combination of Remedies for your individual emotional or mental state.  Bach Flower Remedies are safe for people of all ages and free from side-effects.  They are a wonderful self-healing tool.

If you find that a walk amongst plants and trees lifts your spirits then maybe the Bach Flower Remedies can equally lift your mood.  They are certainly a great friend in emergencies.

Jane Bowdenleigh is an experienced Homeopath trained in the use of Bach Flower Remedies.  Jane is available most Thursday mornings at Bare Health for an informal discussion about using Flower or Homeopathic Remedies.  www.jbhomeopathy.co.uk

Throughout August & September Jane is offering 20% off first appointments at Bare Health. Find out more about our Special Offers now available at Bare Health.

                                                       

Welcome to Bare Health!

Hello I'm Mel Ball and I own Bare Health, Health Store and Complementary Therapy Centre in Congleton, Cheshire. Healthy Living has always been a passion of mine. Having initially achieved a degree in Sports & Health Studies at MMU I went onto train as a Sports Massage Therapist and then for the last 15yrs I have worked in the Natural Health Industry as a sales advisor and as a Complementary Therapist. Throughout this time regularly attending seminars, workshops and undertaking further courses on many topics related to Natural Health. 

It was always a dream of mine to one day open my own Healthy Living Store & Complementary Therapy Practice - a One Stop Shop for natural Health! And in October 2011 this dream became reality! Bare Health opened its doors for the first time! So far its been an exciting and indeed challenging journey.

There's never a dull moment and at the heart of Bare health is a shared vision to promote the benefits of natural health and wellbeing to the public, offering support and advice so our customers can make informed choices about their health. I feel its so important to recognise that each and every one of us is unique and the approaches we adopt at Bare Health are holistic and tailored specifically to individual needs.

A Team Effort

Its truly a 'team' effort at Bare Health. The store is managed by myself and my mum Sue, and supported by our team of experienced, professional therapists all sharing a united passion for Health. And with a Holistic approach being at the heart of Bare Health It was important to offer a variety of disciplines that treat 'Mind, Body &  Soul'. And from this, 'Bare Health Holistics' has started to grow from strength to strength.

Out in the Community  

In addition to the Store and Therapy Centre we also put on a regular events program with monthly clinics from Leading Nutritionist and Food intolerance tester Gareth Zeal, free in store days with nutritional advisors, regular workshops, In store sampling days, Angel evenings and our hugely successful Ladies Nights and early morning Yoga Sessions! We've also been busy taking Bare Health out into the community! Giving talks at the WI and other local groups, supporting local sports events like the Cloud 9 Hill Race and participating in the Congleton Food Festival. Like I said earlier, never a dull moment!

Latest Developments

Our latest venture is our new online store www.barehealth.co.uk so for those of you who struggle to visit us in store there is now the option to order your favourite products with us online! And don't forget we are able to access thousands of Natural Health Products so if you cant see what your'e after in store or online you can contact us at Bare health 01260 408413 or email mel@barehealth.co.uk with your enquiries.

My Personal Recommendations

Our products at Bare Health are all tried and tested quality brands. We also like to offer things that are a little unique and different too but most important is quality ingredients! We don't want our customers throwing their money down the drain! 

So, on a day to day basis what keeps me going?

•  A good breakfast

Well, I start my day with a pint of water or a herb tea followed by a healthy nutritious breakfast, I recently came across Primrose's Kitchen - fantastic Raw Muesli's, a nutritious blend of gluten free oats, fresh carrot, cinnamon, nuts, seeds and psyllium husk which tastes great too I also add a good tablespoon of Superlife Breakfast topping on top this gives me the steady release of energy I need to see me through to lunch! Im also enjoying Orzo an Italian Coffee Alternative made from Organic Barley this comes in an instant powder or granules for a cafetiere. As I keep dairy to a bare minimum I add Koko Coconut Milk to cereals and beverages - in my opinion, this is the closest, taste wise, to semi skimmed milk.

And if I need a snack during the day? Then I love Bounce Balls, naked bars or an oatcake (or celery stick) with Organic Almond or Peanut Butter - this help sustain my energy levels. And when I feel like a bit of Chocolate? IQ Ingredients RAW Cacoa Chocolate fills that craving - I can personally recommend the lime flavour - added bonus - its actually shown to have health benefits too :)

• Supplements  

I take SunChlorella daily, I find this again helps my energy levels, boosts my immunity and aids skin health. Alongside this I take Cherry Active for its high level of antioxidants and I find it aids my recovery from exercise. It also naturally contains melatonin which helps to regulate my sleep patterns too! (which I find extremely beneficial for those nights when my mind just wont switch off). I also like to take a good quality multivitamin that's free of binders, excipients and is easily digestible- TerraNova Multivitamin and Mineral is my product of choice along with a good source of omega oils I particularly like Solgar Wild Alaskan Fish Oil and I like to add Udos Choice Blend to salads and smoothies.

And for when there are times where i'm, lets say, 'run off my feet' and finding it a little hard to concentrate, then BetterYou Femergy  helps restore balance and my focus! My additonal coping strategy!

• Exercise

I have to make the time to exercise! And I always feel better for it! And this is why i'm now getting myself a regular routine started. Boot Camp on a Monday night, Early Morning Yoga at Bare Health on Wednesdays and then I've recently take up Tennis (It must have been the Wimbledon fever!!) which i'm really enjoying. I can highly recommend Adele Hartshorn of Ignite Personal Coaching she's the person who is pushing us to our limits at Boot camp and then stretching us (pardon the pun) to our limits at Bare Health Yoga. Yes, she pushes us hard, but she gets results and i'm really starting to feel the benefit, not just physically, mentally also! I also love the fact that she walks her talk, is so passionate about her work and gives 100% to everything!

And Finally, one of the best tips I could give?

Keep Hydrated! Drink at least 4 pts of water a day!

I hope this has given you a little insight into Bare Health and that you will find our regular blogs on Natural Health of interest - if there's any topics you would like us to cover in future posts then please contact me on mel@barehealth.co.uk 

Dont forget you can also follow us on  TWITTER @barehealth1 or 'LIKE' us on facebook  'Bare Health' to get regular updates

The information in this blog is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or other healthcare professional. Always consult your GP if taking prescribed medication or prior to implementing making any changes to your health regime

Beat the Bugs this Summer

 

By Bare Health Homeopath - Jane Bowdenleigh MSC, LNWCH. 

http://www.barehealth.co.uk/jane-bowdenleigh.html

Beat the Bugs this Summer!

Have the bugs been bothering you this summer?  Enjoying my garden on these sunny days has been a pleasure but just recently I have noticed the horseflies dancing in attendance. These bites tend to be really itchy and as soon as I give into the temptation to itch then they cover a large, red swollen area giving off a lot of heat.  The homeopathic remedy Apis is a great soother for bites like these.  Apis can be taken to ease wasp and bee stings as well as nasty bites from other insects that become hot, red and swollen.  Take Apis 6c every hour until you feel some improvement and then reduce the frequency accordingly.  If you only have a 30c then take every 2 to 3 hours and again reduce the dose, as the symptoms ease.

Most people react differently to bites and stings and matching the symptoms to the most suitable homeopathic remedy will give you the maximum relief.  Bites that burn and irritate the skin will be soothed more readily by taking Cantharis.  While reactions that cause the skin to go red and blotchy like nettle rash will gain greater relief from Urtica Urens, the remedy made from nettles.  Homeopathy treats like with like, so always match your symptoms with the symptom picture for a specific remedy.  For someone who is quite irritated from a bite or sting and sensitive to the touch Staphysagria may gives more relief.  Especially if they find the area is worse for a cold application and better for warmth.

If the individual remedies are not easily to hand, especially if you are on holiday, then a general application of Hypercal (containing Hypericum and Calendula) cream or tincture will give relief from mosquito or midge bites.  Urtica is also available as a cream to give topical relief to the types of reaction indicated above.  While I have found Rescue Remedy great for relieving an itchy bite when I have not had access to my homeopathic first aid kit.  Just put a couple of drops neat from the bottle direct on the skin.  

Of course most bites and stings can be managed at home with first aid remedies to good effect.  Though if you or someone you are with, experiences difficulty in breathing, swelling of a body part and/or palpitations ensure you access emergency medical care straight away.  This may be the first signs of an anaphylactic reaction which can be severe and life threatening.  While waiting for emergency help give Aconite 30c or 200c or if nothing else is to hand then give Rescue Remedy.  Both can ease the shock and fear.   

The good news is that there is a lot of homeopathic help to beat the bugs this summer.   Bare Health has many of the remedies and creams in store.  If you would to discuss how to best use them, I am available most Thursday mornings to answer your questions.

Jane Bowdenleigh, LNWCH.  Homeopath.  07740 798595 www.jbhomeopathy.co.uk

My favourite products for supporting my health and well being - Lisa Barlow,Personal Development Coach

http://www.barehealth.co.uk/lisa-barlow.html

I am interested in all things related to 'health and well being 'and although my main passion is emotional health I love the range of natural, quality products on offer at Bare Health that help to keep me in tip top condition. There are many supplements for specific ailments and health conditions but the following list are the ones which I feel support my overall well being:

1) Sun Chlorella A
Sun Chlorella "A" is a high quality and balanced nutritional supplement, rich in various nutrients. Sun Chlorella "A" contains many nutrients found in green vegetables such as essential amino acids, protein, minerals, vitamins, chlorophyll and carotene that are essential to a healthy body. Remarkably, Sun Chlorella "A" contains 60% protein by weight.  I use this as part of my supplementation programme to help maintain energy levels and promote good digestive health.

2) CherryActive - Available in concentrate or capsule
I love the taste of cherries so I choose CherryActive concentrate but the capsules are good for taking on my holidays. The main benefit of CherryActive is that it is especially high in antioxidants. So what?

Antioxidants protect the body from damaging ‘free radicals’ produced during activity and free radicals are linked to ageing skin, cancers, heart disease and arthritis.

As I am a keen runner I probably have lots of free radicals floating about so increasing my antioxidant intake to 'mop them up' is extremely useful for my body.  Running can also be quite tough on the joints so luckily for me Montmorency cherries are a rich source of anthocyanins which possess natural, anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps to reduce exercise-induced soreness and promote rapid recovery meaning that I can train more regularly without having so much muscle fatigue.

Cherry Active has other benefits too.   Current research shows taking CherryActive Concentrate daily improves quality and quantity of sleep.  It is made from Montmorency cherries, which are high in naturally-occurring melatonin. Melatonin is produced by the brain to regulate healthy sleep cycles. Bonus!

3) Better You Vitamin D and B12 spray
I use vitamin D spray particularly in the winter months as I can suffer more with mood swings when there is a lack of sunlight. As we are getting less natural exposure to sunshine it is unlikely we can get enough Vitamin D for our physiological needs (food sources being oily fish and eggs).

B12 boost contains vitamin B12, chromium and green tea extract, all associated with energy production and body metabolism, providing an effective source of natural energy in the form of a daily oral spray. By obtaining B12 under the tongue, the vitamin is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, avoiding the digestive system which can destroy essential nutrients with strong enzymes and acids. In fact, B12 is so difficult to absorb that only one per cent of intake from food is actually retained. As I also suffer with digestive problems the spray is an ideal alternative to tablet form.

Vitamin B12 is specifically known for its role in producing healthy amounts of red blood cells which are necessary for the proper delivery of the required oxygen to the body's cells and tissues. This is excellent for anyone going through stressful periods at work, home or those with an intensive exercise programme. Research has also found that B vitamins are linked to cognitive health and memory, and in particular maintaining the body’s energy levels.

4) BioStrath
Bio-Strath provides a convenient, effective way to strengthen resistance to colds, flu and illness, to speed up recovery after illness or debilitating disease, and to help regain and sustain good health. It can be taken regularly as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. The weaker your immune system, the more noticeable Bio-Strath’s benefits. It is designed to optimise immune function and promote mental and physical well being.

Made in Switzerland from a special, highly concentrated extract of herbal yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bio-Strath’s uplifting formula can combat everyday tiredness and fatigue. This can be taken on a continual basis and is particularly useful in the winter months to help fend off colds and flu. However, I have found that it is also useful to support the immune system when under periods of stress.

5) Quest MegaBiotix or Terra Nova Probiotic

I have suffered with IBS type symptoms for many years and having stumbled on 'probiotics' I have found my symptoms to be massively reduced (alongside more effective emotional coping strategies). Probiotics help to keep the gut healthy with good bacteria.

I am a firm believer in balance in life and although I do use supplementation to aid my performance and support my body's systems in times of additional stress I believe that a healthy diet, regular exercise and good mental/emotional health provide the foundations for our overall health. Our minds and bodies are intricately linked and so it is just as important to keep the mind healthy as it is the body. At Bare Health I help to empower individuals to take full charge of their minds and create a vessel which only contains thoughts that provide the most helpful fuel for a fulfilling, balanced life. Enjoy x
ps. Currently I am loving the Baobab and Onion Kale Chips on sale at Bare Health which are a healthier alternative to crisps and are absolutely scrummy. Get some before they sell out!

For more information or to purchase any of the products mentioned, just follow the links below, alternatively please feel free to call Bare Health on 01260 408413. We are always happy to help.

http://www.barehealth.co.uk/sun-chlorella-a-tablets-300.html
http://www.barehealth.co.uk/brands-en/cherry-active/
http://www.barehealth.co.uk/brands-en/betteryou-en/
http://www.barehealth.co.uk/brands-en/terranova/

It takes guts to be healthy!

You can now visit our new online store just follow this link:

 http://www.barehealth.co.uk/

It takes guts to be healthy!

                                     

A healthy digestive system is perhaps the most important factor in promoting long-term health. If any element of this complicated system is working inefficiently there could be a negative influence on health. This could range from indigestion and bloating to poor immunity and malnutrition.

Common problems

Heartburn, constipation and diarrhoea are some of the most common everyday ailments suffered by many people. Bad digestion caused by not absorbing the nutrients within your food may also result in diminished immunity, poor bowel function, delayed wound healing, allergies and muscle wasting.

Digestion is the process which breaks down foods, allowing the body to absorb and utilise nutrients; carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals.  Factors which can negatively affect digestion include stress, ageing, a poor diet, the use of antacids, antibiotics and other drugs.  Improper digestion can lead to many symptoms such as gas, bloating, indigestion, constipation and/or diarrhoea, IBS and food intolerance reactions.

However, there are a number of ways to help digestion.  If, after assessing your diet and lifestyle you find digestion is still a problem it may be beneficial to use supplements as an alternative to using antacids, which can be damaging to health.  Natural products such as acidophilus, pancreatin, hydrochloric acid, bromelain and pepsin are all excellent digestive aids. Digestive aids play a specific role in the process of supporting the different stages of digestion, absorption and elimination.

Digestive Enzymes

When it comes to maintaining a healthy digestive system, enzymes are key. Without sufficient digestive enzymes, food will not be properly broken down and absorbed. Undigested food particles promote unfriendly bacteria, leading to flatulence, bloating and a host of other digestive conditions. Digestive enzymes help to boost the digestive process, and can be taken with foods to help with the breakdown and absorption of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

Botanical Options

Nature provides an abundance of botanical compounds, which have properties that support digestive wellness. Studies have highlighted the synergistic benefits of using many of these herbs and spices. Chamomile, fennel seed, lemon balm, peppermint and yarrow have a long history of use for calming the gastrointestinal tract and relieving intestinal spasms. Research has also repeatedly confirmed these effects. Dandelion and gentian root contain various bitter principles, known to stimulate digestion and support liver health. A combination of gentle herbs such as these may help to alleviate annoying and uncomfortable symptoms of poor digestion, such as excess gas, bloating and intestinal cramping.

Some tips for good digestion:

-          Chew, chew and chew some more! Digestion starts in the mouth. Food has to be well broken down to be properly absorbed and there are no teeth in your stomach!

-          Don’t drink with meals, as you’ll dilute your much-needed stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

-          Avoid using antacids. Heartburn is often a sign of low stomach acid, which will be reduced even further with antacids. Try taking digestive enzymes with meals instead.

For more information please call into Bare Health or phone 01260 408413. For a limited period you can pick up a free digestive 'Comfort Zone' sample pack and leaflet from Bare Health on High St, Congleton.

The information in this article is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or Healthcare Professional. Always seek advice from your GP if taking prescribed medication.

 

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

By Sarah Rhodes, Bare Health Hypnotherapist

http://www.barehealth.co.uk/sarah-rhodes.html

 

I was at a party over the weekend and someone asked me what I did for a living,

“I’m a Hypnotherapist,” I said,

“Ooh, don’t look at me,” came the reply, “you might make me do something stupid and embarrass me!”

If this is what your reaction would have been, you are clearly not alone.  This is a typical response from someone whose only experience of hypnosis is watching a stage hypnotist.  They think there is some magic or mystery associated with hypnosis, and that a hypnotist merely has to look at you, to put you ‘under his spell’, and get you to reveal your deepest secrets or fall in love with a brush!  However there is a lot more to hypnosis and hypnotherapy than most people realise.

Many people are frightened of hypnosis for a variety of reasons, most of which come down to one thing - lack of information.  In the past hypnosis has been associated with magical, mysterious powers and even the occult.  It was used as a tool of power to dominate people.  Practitioners kept their methods mystifying so that they could fool people into thinking they had special powers.

Some practitioners still like to keep their methods secret and this goes to perpetuate the myth that hypnosis requires special powers and that the subject is at the mercy of the hypnotist who has ‘taken over their mind’.

This is definitely not the case.  There are no special powers involved.  It is a completely natural state, which the therapist helps you to achieve yourself.  The subject always remains in full control.

 

So what is hypnosis and hypnotherapy all about?

Well, stage hypnosis is certainly only the tip of the iceberg and, whilst being entertaining, it often gives people the wrong impression of the hypnotic state.  Many people have the idea that the hypnotist is in control of the people on stage, that he has ‘put them under’ and they will now do anything he says.   In actual fact the six or so subjects, actually on the stage doing the entertaining, have been selected from perhaps thirty people that initially volunteered.  The Hypnotist will have carried out some simple suggestibility tests, which give an indication of how susceptible a person is to hypnotic suggestion.  He will then have whittled down the volunteers to the few who were highly suggestible.  The hypnotist will also assess the volunteer’s character a little, to select the most outgoing, increasing the chance of having very entertaining volunteers.  Any suggestions given by the hypnotist are all things that these people would probably also do, for example, under the influence of alcohol.  They cannot be made to do anything they would object to in normal circumstances and are free to act upon the suggestions, or not, as they wish.  Hypnosis, in this situation, merely reduces inhibitions, much like alcohol would do.

Hypnosis, or trance, is actually a completely natural state of very deep and total relaxation. In the state of hypnosis, you are not awake, neither are you asleep; you are in between these states, like a halfway house. There are many levels of hypnosis and everyone, at some time in their life, has experienced some level of trance, most without even realising it.  I’m sure almost everyone has experienced that feeling when you wake from a dream and you’re not sure whether it was real or not; when you have driven a long way, arrive at your destination and you can’t remember a significant chunk of the journey; or when you have been so absorbed in a book or film that you have been unaware of what is going on around you.

All of these examples are light forms of the hypnotic state, daydreaming too is a form of trance.  However, to get the real benefits from hypnosis it is necessary to enter a much deeper level of the hypnotic state; this is where a hypnotherapist can help.

The success of all hypnosis is dependent on the willingness of the subject to co-operate fully with the hypnotist, and the ability of the subject to concentrate his or her mind.  It is also very important that the subject trusts, and has complete confidence in, the therapist.

A hypnotist does not possess any special powers

Contrary to popular belief, a hypnotist, or hypnotherapist, does not possess any special powers and cannot hypnotise anybody against their will.  All hypnosis is, in fact, self-hypnosis, and to reach the hypnotic state takes the total cooperation and concentration of the subject.  The hypnotherapist will teach you how to achieve this trance state.  He or she is able to guide you to much deeper levels of relaxation and states of hypnosis, before giving gentle suggestions to address your particular issue.  You are always totally aware of what is happening and in full control of the session.  You cannot be made to do anything against your will. 

We are all products of suggestion.  A newborn baby’s mind is pure; there are no phobias, anxieties, compulsions or opinions.  From the moment a baby is born these things are being formed in the baby’s mind by external suggestion, whether it is verbal or, at this young age, experienced.  It is from these suggestions that many issues originate. When we are very young we do not have the ability to use reason and logic, this means the reaction to any suggestions we receive is purely emotional and is therefore very powerful.

For example, if a 3-year-old girl is terrorised by an older brother with a spider, she cannot apply reason and logic to convince herself he is just being mean and the tiny spider he has will cause her no harm.  Indeed if she wanted she could squash it between her fingers to get rid of it.  Her brother has put the powerful suggestion in her mind that the spider is something to be feared and from then on every time she sees a spider she is terrified something awful will happen to her.  This feeling may get worse as she gets older, called a Syndrome Effect, resulting in a woman who is terrified at the very thought of seeing a spider and is continually looking around the room in case a spider should appear. Quite often the original reason for the fear is so deeply hidden in the subconscious that the person is not even aware of the fear’s origin. 

All human minds respond to suggestion, there are suggestions surrounding us everyday; advertisements, news stories, books, magazines, even other people.  For instance, you may wake up one morning feeling fine and ready to face the day, but the first person you meet says, “Are you okay, you look a bit pale?” 

If then, throughout the day, several people comment on how pale you look or ask if you are alright, gradually you will start to wonder if indeed you are a bit off-colour.  By the end of the day you will probably feel quite below par, as if you are coming down with something.  This is the power of suggestion.

In the hypnotic state, the conscious, logic mind is bypassed, enabling suggestions to be given directly to the subconscious mind, which greatly magnifies the power of the suggestion, and therefore increases its effect.

What does hypnotherapy actually do, how can it help me?

This is all well and good, you might say, but what does hypnotherapy actually do, how can it help me?

Well, hypnotherapy can help many people in many ways. It may be used to help with a wide range of issues, ranging from smoking cessation, overeating, stress, insomnia, phobias, lack of confidence/self esteem, improving performance at work or in sport to use by pregnant women enabling them to experience a more relaxed, calm and comfortable pregnancy and birth.  Hypnotherapy can help with all of these issues and more by giving appropriate suggestions over a period of time. 

If you would like more information about how Hypnotherapy can help you, please contact Bare Health on 01260 408413, call Sarah Rhodes on 07881 816 439, or visit www.appletonpractice.co.uk