Tag: mindfulness

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is an adjunctive technique that utilizes hypnosis to aid in the treatment of specific symptoms or health conditions. Hypnotherapy works by inducing a hypnotic state marked by waking awareness that allows people to experience detached external attention and to focus on inner experiences. It is sometimes used as part of a treatment plan for phobias and other anxiety disorders. It is also sometimes used for pain management, weight loss, smoking cessation, and a variety of other applications. Formal explorations in the therapeutic uses for hypnosis began in the late 1700s but did not gain scientific credibility until much more recently. Modern researchers have further explored how hypnosis can be used, which conditions it can treat, and how effective it may be compared to other treatments.

What Hypnotherapy Can Help With

There are many different reasons why a person might want to try hypnotherapy. Research suggests that some possible applications include:

  • Chronic pain conditions
  • Dementia symptoms
  • Nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy
  • Pain during childbirth, dental procedures, or surgery
  • Skin conditions, such as psoriasis and warts
  • Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Hypnotherapy may also be used by licensed physicians and psychologists in the treatment of conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Some people may experience dramatic results with hypnotherapy. In other cases, people may simply feel very relaxed. Some of the benefits of hypnotherapy may include:

  • Awareness: Some people remain fully aware during the entire experience. They recall everything that happens and are even able to have conversations while under hypnosis. Other people may experience states of relaxation that are so deep that they may even feel detached from what is happening.
  • Focus: Most of the time, we are distracted by our surroundings. Whether the TV is blaring, your kids are demanding attention or your spouse wants to talk, it can be difficult to fully focus on yourself. Our conscious minds are also cluttered. You may be worried about paying a bill, concerned about an upcoming project, or planning tonight’s dinner. The therapy session is intended to break through these day-to-day concerns and allow you to focus completely on the problem at hand.
  • Relaxation: In the hypnotic state, you are deeply relaxed. Your conscious mind is quieted, allowing your unconscous mind to deeply focus on your issue. You are also calmer, and therefore more receptive to facing your problems or fears.

Most hypnotherapists utilize a series of calming messages, such as “you are safe” and “no one can harm you” to reassure their clients that during hypnosis they can objectively face their problems without having a panicked reaction.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness and impact of hypnotherapy can vary based on the individual and how the treatment is used. Hypnotherapy has been shown to have some degree of efficacy for certain applications, particularly:

  • Pain reduction and control during dental procedures and childbirth
  • Reduction in nausea and vomiting in individuals being treated for cancer with chemotherapy
  • Reduction in the severity of symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

While it may help people cope with problems related to stress and anxiety, it may be best applied when used in conjunction with first-line treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and medications.

Things to Consider

While hypnotherapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, that does not mean that it doesn’t pose some potential risks, such as: 

  • Hypnotherapy can produce false or distorted memories in some cases.
  • People who are very suggestible may experience a decreased sense of personal control while under hypnosis.
  • Some people can experience side effects such as anxiety, headaches, or dizziness.
  • Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for people who are experiencing symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions

Common Misconceptions

Hypnotherapy is still considered controversial, as many mental health professionals dispute its effectiveness. There are a number of myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy that can affect how people view this therapeutic tool.

  • Hypnotherapy is often confused with stage hypnosis. Stage hypnotists are performers who are excellent at reading people. They seekextroverts who will put on a great show for the crowd. Whether or not their subjects are truly hypnotized is debatable, but they are willing to go along with the sometimes outrageous suggestions of the stage hypnotist.
  • Hypnotherapy doesn’t cause you to forget what happened. You will remember the things that occur during your hypnotic state, you will not be asleep or unconscious, and you will be able to break the hypnotic trance at any time.
  • Hypnotherapy doesn’t cause you to lose control. During hypnotherapy, you remain in control. It is not possible for anyone to force you to do anything against your will, even under hypnosis. You will be tuned in to the work at hand, and so may not pay attention to your surroundings, but you will always be in charge of your own actions, behaviors, and statements.
  • Being hypnotizable doesn’t mean you are less intelligent. While some people believe that they cannot be hypnotized, research suggests that most people are hypnotizable to a certain degree. Only about 10% of people are difficult or impossible to hypnotize.

How to foster mental health?

Mental health is often overlooked and underrated but it is just as prominent as our physical well being. More frequently people relate the term health to the physical body but mental and physical health are closely inter-related. Though we separate the terms as body and mind, one cannot be physically fit completely if he/she carries a poor mental health because it leaves a negative impact on the physical body. A good mental state paves the way for a healthy lifestyle and prevents several serious health conditions. A study found that positive mental well being can mitigate the risks of heart attacks and strokes. The mortality rate from cancer and heart disease is higher amidst people who suffer from depression or other mental health conditions. It is apparent that our body can give rise to many physical problems when we are mentally ill. Mental illness in simple terms can be the depression, anxiety, irregular eating habits and stress, that are faced by many in their day to day lives which lay the root causes for many complicated mental disorders. How to promote mental health for a thriving and vigorous life?

In the contemporary world everyone are rapidly running to acquire means for a wealthy lifestyle but in this process we have forgotten that health is our greatest wealth. In this modernized society we afford every thing by just a single click from the tip of our hands, perform more smart works rather than hard work, for this our mind should be clear and strong but on the other hand mental illness is an issue faced even by the little ones these days and so we have to frame some valuable time to engage in a mindfulness to lead a fruitful life. There so much factors that contributes to the stress and depression from time to time but mental health is very salient for the further going.

In the rushing lifestyle just make some time for your hobbies, do things that you relish and which makes you feel relaxed. As mental health can have a positive impact on the physical body similarly take good care yourself physically to improve the mental health. Intake nutritious food, have a regular and adequate sleep because lack of sleep contributes to a high rate of depression, stay hydrated. Exercise regularly which curtails stress & anxiety levels and enhances the mood. It will sharpen our memory and augments our thinking capacity. Benefits of yoga are well known and it could be a great stress reliever and improves the quality of life. It will help build confidence & self esteem, calm the mind and gradually helps to boost the immunity. When you feel that sometimes when life is getting over you just get a grip yourself with the succor of your family and friends, widen your horizons, seek out activities that can get you out of the mental trauma. Surround yourself with good people and positive thoughts which tends to leave a huge positive impact in your mind. If you have any intense mental issues do consult a psychiatrist without any hesitation and delay as prevention is better than cure. Things will be beautiful in its time and just wait for your time to arrive without becoming more stressed or intimidated about the future.

Healthy mind in a healthy body is the healthy style of living.

How To Stop The Habit Of Negative Thinking

The further we let ourselves think negatively then the more we will think negatively and it will become all the more difficult to stop that thought pattern. However, thinking positively all the time is not the answer to defeating negative thinking. It is plausible to have fewer negative thoughts and reinterpret those thoughts in a more rational way.

The way to control negative thinking so that it would not become a bad attitude about life is to understand that negative, cynical, or disparaging thoughts are common among most individuals. Being harsh on oneself isn’t the answer, and neither is finding a good response to every negative thought. If you’ve had a bad day, you can state that it was a tough day. If you have a disagreement with somebody, you could be correct in believing that they have been treating you unfairly. We don’t have to make negative ideas unacceptably common.

But, if you realise that perhaps the majority of your recent thinking has been pessimistic and it is proving to be increasingly difficult to remain cheerful or positive, it may be time to attempt to put your thoughts into balance. You surely wouldn’t want to sour every scenario by dwelling on the negative attributes. If we let negative thoughts overwhelm us, we may find it more difficult to relax, be nice to others, and be appreciative of our life experiences.

Here are some ideas to help you keep negative thoughts under control:

Allow negative thoughts to come and go

Let yourself think negatively. Resist from retorting that you must not think that way. Recognize the notion, and then just let it go. Your thoughts do not represent you or your situation. Many individuals consider their thoughts as balloons that drift away as quickly as they are formed. You don’t really have to give every thought equal value or allow it to determine every prospective circumstance.

Be actively involved in your expression of appreciation

Whatever type of day you’re experiencing, make some time to reflect on some things you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as the cup of coffee you’re sipping or the fact that it’s Friday. If you practise gratitude even when you’re not struggling, then you will be able to recall what it was you were appreciative for when things go tough.

Avoid thinking in terms of all or nothing

Extreme thinking inhibits us from dealing with each circumstance on its own terms. The constant use of terms like “never” and “always” makes it difficult for us to understand that things change with time and that we really do not wish to foresee the future. Rather, use terms like “frequently” or “sometimes.”

Keep your expectations in check

We frequently anticipate situations to go a certain way and sometimes they don’t. We are then dissatisfied, which is quite natural. Which is why we should avoid placing too many precise expectations on a particular type of result that we cannot foresee. We don’t know whether or not relationships will pan out the way in which we want them to. We can’t be sure whether a job will be a good fit for us or not. Everything might appear to be going smoothly before something unexpected happens. When we have preconceptions about just how things are going to turn out, we are much less equipped for surprises.

Letting ourselves experience all of our emotions without turning them away ensures that even if we are dissatisfied, we understand everything will turn out just fine. We can withstand a circumstance even though we are upset, unhappy, or dubious about it. Allow your ideas to linger and be deliberate in appreciating the good in your life. You’ll find that you can manage anything and that your negativity now seems to be under control.

We all have unpleasant thoughts from time to time. We’re having an awful day, and it seems like the entire universe is conspiring against us. We start believing that everything is more difficult for us, that life is unjust, or that other people do not even have our best interests at heart.

The further we let ourselves think negatively then the more we will think negatively and it will become all the more difficult to stop that thought pattern. However, thinking positively all the time is not the answer to defeating negative thinking. It is plausible to have fewer negative thoughts and reinterpret those thoughts in a more rational way.

The way to control negative thinking so that it would not become a bad attitude about life is to understand that negative, cynical, or disparaging thoughts are common among most individuals. Being harsh on oneself isn’t the answer, and neither is finding a good response to every negative thought. If you’ve had a bad day, you can state that it was a tough day. If you have a disagreement with somebody, you could be correct in believing that they have been treating you unfairly. We don’t have to make negative ideas unacceptably common.

But, if you realise that perhaps the majority of your recent thinking has been pessimistic and it is proving to be increasingly difficult to remain cheerful or positive, it may be time to attempt to put your thoughts into balance. You surely wouldn’t want to sour every scenario by dwelling on the negative attributes. If we let negative thoughts overwhelm us, we may find it more difficult to relax, be nice to others, and be appreciative of our life experiences.

Here are some ideas to help you keep negative thoughts under control:

Allow negative thoughts to come and go

Let yourself think negatively. Resist from retorting that you must not think that way. Recognize the notion, and then just let it go. Your thoughts do not represent you or your situation. Many individuals consider their thoughts as balloons that drift away as quickly as they are formed. You don’t really have to give every thought equal value or allow it to determine every prospective circumstance.

Be actively involved in your expression of appreciation

Whatever type of day you’re experiencing, make some time to reflect on some things you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as the cup of coffee you’re sipping or the fact that it’s Friday. If you practise gratitude even when you’re not struggling, then you will be able to recall what it was you were appreciative for when things go tough.

Avoid thinking in terms of all or nothing

Extreme thinking inhibits us from dealing with each circumstance on its own terms. The constant use of terms like “never” and “always” makes it difficult for us to understand that things change with time and that we really do not wish to foresee the future. Rather, use terms like “frequently” or “sometimes.”

Keep your expectations in check

We frequently anticipate situations to go a certain way and sometimes they don’t. We are then dissatisfied, which is quite natural. Which is why we should avoid placing too many precise expectations on a particular type of result that we cannot foresee. We don’t know whether or not relationships will pan out the way in which we want them to. We can’t be sure whether a job will be a good fit for us or not. Everything might appear to be going smoothly before something unexpected happens. When we have preconceptions about just how things are going to turn out, we are much less equipped for surprises.

Letting ourselves experience all of our emotions without turning them away ensures that even if we are dissatisfied, we understand everything will turn out just fine. We can withstand a circumstance even though we are upset, unhappy, or dubious about it. Allow your ideas to linger and be deliberate in appreciating the good in your life. You’ll find that you can manage anything and that your negativity now seems to be under control.