Category: Mind Matters

1. Boost your Will Power

   Posted on 1:40pm Thursday 21st Jan 2021

    

   Probably the most effective way to boost your Will Power would be with a session of Hypnosis.  Well I would say that wouldn't I

   It just happens to be true.

   There are also other things you could do that are not quite as effective as a professional tailored session but here goes:-

   You can learn self hypnosis that's a less costly approach and can be used for several things as well as boosting your will power.

   You can get into routines and make lists which helps keep you focused.  The secret is to give yourself a little bit less than you can manage so you never become overwhelmed.

   One way you can help to get into the habit of dealing with things more robustly is to practise every day on little things that are easy to manage but that you consciouly decide to do.  This way you become programmed in dealing with things straight away and then when big things come along they are easier.

   These suggestions can all help a little but not really with things you want to stop like smoking or over-eating.  Have you ever noticed that if you get a thought in your mind about a tasty treat or even chips and you try to use your will power to resist, even though you do the thought remains and keeps popping up - even for a few days or a week or so that eventually you no longer resist.

   For things like that it is definitely the imagination that is what you need to address.  This is where the skill of the therapist comes in as they can design  a suitable and alternative thought.  But you can also have a go yourself.  Think about why you want to resist in other words what are you gaining and thing about something similar that will enhance the result of your resistance.  Now imagine that in your mind and keep imagining  until its the enhancer that you start desiring.

   Your imagination can by pass a lot of the suggestions above too.  If you can imagine your goal and it is tested to be suitable and attainable then if you imaginereally well and often you won't need your will power as your enthusiasm from the imagination will push you forward.

   If you decide to try some of these methods please do let me know how you get on.  I am interested truly.

2. Harmony within

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 10th Dec 2020

   How many of us, this Christmas,will receive or for that matter give pampering gifts that carry magical promises of enhanced vitality, beauty and even self-esteem?

   

    

   Alternatively maybe some indulgent and expensive chocolates, fancy wines or spirits, impressive cheese and chutnies?  Too tempting to ignore!

    

   These gifts come from love and intent.  The intention to make  us happy or give us a well deserved treat.  We can pretty much bask on that though but hold it for just one moment.

    

   And let's be honest, we continue with the theme throughout the year, sprinkled with the odd diet and healthy eating plan along the way.  Maybe do a token sober month or so. Why?  Well because we have been bombarded with marketing telling us we should.

    

   So it seems that we are chasing pleasure and satisfaction.  We are wanting health and happiness.  We pour concentrated pleasure down our throats, plaster beauty products on our faces and bodies and stuff satisfaction into our mouths.  Mostly it is a fake pleaseure that if we are unlucky we can become a slave to.

    

   Yes if we think about it the only things that  have any influence on our health and well-being are things that we put into our bodies.  So the right nourishment will help us to feel radient, vital and satisfied.  Whats the problem then?  Well there are other things that we can ut into our bodies and that is the thoughts that we allow to influence our minds.

    

   It's those little thatought that can be the sabateur that finances all these exhorbitant  'products' we are enticed to buy.    Getting to grips with those thought is not easy I will admit but even beginning to be aware that those thoughts are making you crave for an indulgence or buy that lastest magical product can start to have an impact.  And once you do start to recognise your thoughts then you can start to switch them.  

    

   It's only ignorence that gives them the power over you.  Once you become aware they are on the run.

    

   So if you are thinking of making a New Year resolution this time bear this in mind and ths year make it count.

    

   Good luck

    

    

    

    

    

    

3. Are YOU Stuck in the Past

   Posted on 9:10am Monday 7th Sep 2020

   It's coming up to a year now since the Covid19 was first around for us. Since then we've had a few ~temporary~ adjustments to make.

    

   For some people on the front line it was a horror story.

   For others it was a bit of a novelty and inconvenience.

    

    

   The novelty seems to be wearing a bit thin and there is anxiety to get back to how it used to be

   Many people are in limbo waiting to see what is going to happen as we move through the process of recovery (hopefully)

   Some people choose to be angry and try to find someone to blame. 

   Some choose to pretend that nothing is happening and it's all an exageration  Some know it's not!

   Some are waiting for a vacine.

    

   People are all different and have different triggers, emotional needs, values etc.

    

   One thing I think that most people can agree on is that we are not, ever, going to be back where we were before this pandemic.

    

   Some people are taking life as it comes and are finding peace in the newfound freedom to re-evaluate their lives.

   I see people getting busy with lots of new experiences,more relaxation,  more outdoor activities and appreciation of nature.  Valuing some of the fundamental things in life rather than the  more hedonistic  lifestyle they used to live.

    

   For sure the people who are 'making the most' of things as they are, will certainly be changing their future and looking at priorities differently.  Once things settle  down these will be the successful people in the new order.  Those who have found happiness on a budget (for financial hardship is surely the next thing that is coming along),  have found new activities, that are appreciative, creative and free like nature walks, taking time to get to know others, learning a new language or hobby, looking after themselves.  In other words without even realising it, re-evaluating their prioities.

    

   So what is it about this life that we used to have that is so precious?

   Stressful lives with stressful jobs often resulting in stressful homelife?  No time to live the life that the good money you are earning is paying for?  No value time for the people that you care about?  Clocking up the airmiles to show impressive pictures of you enjoying yourself! Guilt because you can't do more, fit in all the visits you should be making, talk to your immediate family, help with homework, listen to each other properly?  See your parents/grandparents/grown up children?   Even before this pandemic we saw enough people giving up stressful jobs for a big pay cut which allowed them to live a less stressful life.  Small price to pay?

    

   Or if you were struggling to make ends meet with no spare cash for yourself then seeing your friends with, what seems to you like pocket fulls of cash, out there spending and having fun fun fun whilst you are feeling guilty, frustrated becasue you can't do that.  Causing stress within the family group etc etc?  Maybe it's not quite so obvious now.

    

   Just stop for a moment>  What are the values you live to?  Could it be your beliefs, your experiences and most of all your emotions.  Has your financial status become your self-esteem, has your job title become your self-worth? Do you feel you are not good enough and must try harder (if this is the case I'll tell you, even if you became Prime Minister of the world it would not satisfy your need)?  Who are you trying to impress? (You can have such little self-esteem that you depend of the esteem of others to fill the gap and I will tell you,  it is never enough)

    

   Or does your lack of self-worth make it impossible for you to get the best out of any situation you find yourself in?  Do you feel unworthy of enjoyment or fulfilment?  Do you feel that you have no right to try to be happy as you are just not good enough.  Do you feel the need to be seen working hard - life should not come easy to you?

    

   Can you go for a whole week without alcohol?  What about a month? Nothing wrong with a drink unloess you depend upon it to help you to relax and let go of the stresses of life.

    

   STOP AND THINK - PERFECT TIMING FOR EVALUATING YOUR PRIORITIES.

    

   In other words get a new life that is more fulfilling for you.  Start by thinking about the things that you really want or need.  Then start to make small changes to your expectations and lifestyle.  For most people it will be a big ask as your system that you have set up, whilst not that helpful, is your raisen d'etre.  Scary to take that away so small steps and new values.

    

   Make yourself ready for the NEW LIFE ORDER that is just around the corner.  make the transition easy for yourself.  START NOW.

    

   Start small by doing something just because you like it and it doesnt cost a cent.  Drawing, writing, painting, walking in nature, growing things, making things, sitting for 10 mins looking at a flower or tree,.... anything.

    

   If you recognise that you are not living the life that you really would like and need some help to adjust then drop me a text with a brief outline of how you feel, I am offering coaching and therapy sessions on line at a very small fraction of the cost for a face to face sessions.  07926 044414

    

   Andrea Lowe

    

   Course Tutor, Clinical Hypnotherapy course

   Hypnotherapist/analyst,

   Coach and Colour Therapist

   07926 044414

    

    

    

    

4. What's with Past Life Regression?

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 2nd Aug 2019

   There are lots of stories, theories and rock solid beliefs about Past Lives and whether we've lived them or not.  The truth is we simply don't know.  To quote Johnny Nash - "There are more questions than answers and the more we find out the less we know."

   Is it our need to find meaning in our existence?  As with everything where their is a belief without 'proof' then the belief is passionate.  

   When investigated many of the past life stories were found to have  alternative explanations.

   But then most people will remember the case of the twins who had memories of their older siblings that had died in a car crash before they were born.  It seemed like indesputable evidence that they had replaced their siblings and were almost living their lives.

   That seemed to provide the final proof of past lives and it still may do.

   And in those times when children are at their most 'open' and unbiased and receptive.  But this openness often fades and these memories disappear.  Who knows what forgotten thoughts and visions have infiltrated the young mind only to become lost in the sands of time.. 

   However, science, that attempts to look for scientific evidence  without bias and preconceivment, has now proved that some memories of the parent are genetically transferred to the child.

   This finding ties in with Carl Jung and his theory of 'Collective Unconscious'.

   The collective unconscious is a concept refering to the idea that a segment of the deepest unconscious mind is genetically inherited and is not shaped by personal experience.

    According to Jung's teachings, the collective unconscious is common to all human beings and is responsible for a number of deep-seated beliefs and instincts, such as spirituality, sexual behavior, and life and death instincts..

    

   So in the words of Johnny Cash (again) there are more questions than answers and the more we find out the less we know.

    

   One thing is for sure there are mysteries in all of our pasts.

    

   Here is a link to some Stories of Passt Life hypnotic memories and how they panned out.

   https://www.bustle.com/p/are-past-lives-real-these-7-stories-of-alleged-past-life-experiences-from-history-are-chilling-2894272

    

   Have you got a story in your past.?

    

5. The Roots for Compassion

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 14th Feb 2019

   

   Compassion, tolerance, equality, fair play.  All topics of the moment and called out for by the many.

   But I believe that as with many if not all things missing in our lives, compassion and tolerance begin at home, with your roots.

   Right now I'm not getting all political because that's just too much of a topic to deal with.  I'm talking about something much more basic..  The compassion for fellow human beings, the tolerance of other peoples opinions, no matter how they differ from yours.  Often the people with the big ideas that are so protective of them are the very ones that need to develop more of the tolerance and compassion that they preach  The ones who cry out for tolerance from others are the ones who don't give it out themselves.

   Just imagine what it would be like if all drivers were tolerant and had compassion for their fellow road users!  Much less accidents, much less aggression.  Yet what do we have nowadays more then ever, ducking and diving, crossing lanes pushing in, tail gating, speeding and the rest.  Everyone of those drivers just has no tolerance for the other drivers on the road, no compassion for anyone except their wants and their desires.

   But let's see how this could have become so prevelant . If someone was pretty much ignored as a child but 'bought' with ever more expensive presents and treats then they would learn only to care that they were satisfied and not really care about anyone else. The attidtude of getting to the front of the traffic queue becomes more understandable.  And on a bigger scale the attitude of not  having room for others opinions and ridiculing them would also be to expect everyone to think like you, for  to be different would probably be a little scary for them, as they were programmed into being safe and valued as long as they got what they wanted.

   Therefore if we're expecting compassion and tolerance then we really have to start changing the fundamentals of our lives.  Allowing for people to feel valuable for who they are. Hoping that the people who cannot understand compassion and tolerance might find a way through their blockages.  Starting small and starting in the home.

   And maybe, just maybe there would be less people like the chappie in the picture in need of self worth and a bit of compassion and tolerance.

   The most important thing that anyone can learn in life is to value themselves and as an adult and parent to create self worth in the people you care for.  Unfortunately it is a lucky dip and there are more booby prizes than star prizes.  And the booby prize winners create unrest and havoc or disappear into the nether regions.

   We need some fundamental changes in our society, not to change what we are experiencing now but to change the future quality of life.  And this is just in our small section of the world, our society.

   Let's change from the roots up.  NOW 

   Would appreciate any comments you might have

    

    

6. What is self -hypnosis and what can it help with

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 17th Jan 2019

   What is hypnosis

   

   There is a lot of mystery and misconception about hypnosis.  So self-hypnosis, if you've listened to the hype, is even more difficult to understand.

   Let me put it simply:

   Imagine a vertical line.  At the top you are wide awake and bursting with energy.  At the bottom yu are in the deepest of your sleep.  Throughout the day and unknowingly we slip up and down that line, mainly around the middle area.  though if we get really excited, stimulated or even fearful we rush up towards the top of the line.  In a similar way we tire and feel ourselves slipping down the line.

   At some point approaching the bottom of that line imagine a place where you are not quite awake and not quite asleep, a place where you can very easily daydream and where sounds and other distractions are less compelling and seem further away than they are.

   You slip quite qickly through this spot when going to sleep and also upon waking.  Some people stay there longer than others and some need more time to 'come round' when the waken.  You could say that place is hypnosis.  It is in that place where you can consciously imagine at your best.  It is almost as though the active side of your mind that is alert and working hard at consciously thinking of anything and everything is quietened.  this leave the other part of your mind, the part that can imagine and daydream more room to take over a little.

   When you are able to access this part of your mind you are also able to recall things that you might think you have forgotten and you may fine that memories or lost thought just pop into your head with the slightest provocation.  Maybe a smell will take your right back to school or a tone of voice, or a random word will be free to conect through those pathways that are normally pushed to the back in the rush of conscious thoughts that are meant to be planning, working out, taking control.  After all isn'r that what we are taught from being very young.?

   What is self-hypnosis?

   Self Hypnosis helps you to devolop a method of entereing into the state of least thought so that you can access your deeper mind.  

   Why would you want to do this? 

   When combined with a few very simple techniques like PMS (Positive Mental Attitude) focusing on outcomes and desires then self-hypnosis can be very beneficial if practised regularly.

   What can it help with?

   Self-hypnosis can help with

   Setting targets, for instance work related or sports related.
   

   Motivation to achieve your targets

   Pain management

   Controlling to some extent unwanted thouoghts

   Self understanding

   Sleep

   and many more things including dealing with illness and discomfort.

   To get the most benefit from self hypnosis you need to develop a knowledge of some useful tools that can ensure you get it right and do not exasperate the condition you are trying to deal with.

   Yu need to ifeally know how to analise yourself a little so that you are developing that understanding that makes the big changes in lifestyles.

   Of course if you just want to use self- hypnosis in its most basic form you can do that too..

   I run self-hypnosis courses reguarly. If youa re interested please contact me and I will let you know when the next one is starting.

   Andrea Lowe, Hypnotherapist/analyst and course tutor