The report explains how recent research has shown that natural worriers are more vulnerable to the negative effect of sleep loss.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), neuroscientists from the University of California, Berkeley, saw increased activity in the amygdala and insular cortex in healthy persons who were sleep deprived. The pattern they observed mirrors abnormal neural activity seen in anxiety disorders, the investigators note.

Furthermore, the report explains how those who are naturally more anxious, and therefore more likely to develop an anxiety disorder, are even more vulnerable to the affects of sleep loss.

The report also suggests that there may be a significant benefit for people with anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and post traumatic stress disorder, treating the insomnia by using hypnotherapy.

Paul White, Director of the Surrey Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy and former Chairman of the National Council for Hypnotherapy, said "If insomnia is a key factor in anxiety disorders, as this study suggests, then it's potentially treatable by using hypnotherapy for insomnia. Our hypnotherapy for insomnia treatment works to remove the underlying worries and anxieties that support insomnia. In doing so, we generally reduce the anxiety and restore good quality sleep, affectively treating the symptom and the cause at the same time."

The Surrey Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy believe that insomnia has a profound effect on the way people process and respond to events around them. There is, therefore, an obvious connection between sleep and mental health.

They find that by using hypnotherapy to combat insomnia they can help clients to change their inappropriate beliefs around the external events that cause and maintain the insomnia. This creates new, more appropriate behaviours around those external events. Thus changing the way they respond to similar situations in the future.

By helping their clients to be more relaxed and calmer in their day to day life, as well as being more effective at dealing with stressful events and situations, means that when it comes to bedtime their mind is calmer, aiding more restful sleep.

Clients that undergo hypnotherapy for insomnia find that they can, after just a few sessions, actually go to bed without the worrying thoughts and stress over going to sleep.

Because by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, especially about sleep, clients begin to see changes with their sleeping habits and improvements in feelings of well being. When this happens, just about everything in their life improves because they can deal with day to day problems more effectively.



Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1344415#ixzz2YST9Frvq

If you would like to find more about how Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic can help you for problems such as anxiety, confidence, low self esteem, hypnobirth, gastric band hypnosis, sports performance hypnosis, weight loss hypnosis, sexual problems contact Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic.

Imagine a slimmer, healthier you that kicks unhealthy food cravings to the curb and fights her way past all the bad carbohydrates, starches, and trans fats. Wishful shrinking? Or a diet fad? Hypnosis weight loss programs can help a person lose weight when they are under hypnosis — a state of inner absorption and concentration — where a person is highly focused and more responsive to ideas about behavioral changes, in their eating habits for instance, says Mayo Clinic. With more than one-third of adults in the United States classified as obese, this diet fad provides a natural and quick-and-easy way for many weight loss hopefuls to shed the pounds.

Approximately $33 billion is spent on weight loss products in the U.S. by 45 million Americans who diet each year, reports Boston Medical Center (BMC). The fight for a fit, trimmer body is never-ending as Americans go on the alkaline diet, the baby food diet, the French woman diet, or even the Clean Program to lose the weight for good. What makes the hypnosis weight loss diet different from any other diet? Most importantly, is it effective and how can you think your way thin without the pills, diuretics, and cleansers?

Nancy B. Irwin, PsyD, C.Ht., speaker and author, uses hypnosis to help people become aware, first and foremost, of why they overeat. "My premise is that there is positive intent behind every bit of human behavior," she said to Medical Daily. "No one ever does anything to deliberately be bad or wrong, or even evil...similarly, no one chooses to be obese." Based on Irwin's clinical experiences, she believes the positive intent behind overeating is:

1) Numbing emotional pain

2) Thwarting unwanted sexual advances

3) To literally stand out/be seen.

Hypnosis weight loss programs are seen as a means to provide a healthy way to address these needs without damaging the body. In a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, researchers from the University of Connecticut (UConn) did a meta-analysis of the effect of adding hypnosis to cognitive-behavioral treatments for weight reduction. Additional data was obtained from two studies previously done where UConn researchers corrected the data for computational inaccuracies. The average weight loss of post treatment and follow-up assessment periods from all the studies was 6 lbs. without hypnosis and approximately 12 lbs. with hypnosis — double the weight loss. This study shows that hypnosis in addition to behavioral programs is effective in reinforcing a person's weight loss. This diet fad can be a psychological reinforcement for dieters to adapt positive eating habits and patterns for long-term results.

Dieters who participate in a hypnosis weight loss program are "reprogrammed" by hypnotherapists to follow proper nutritional habits so they can commit to an "appropriate exercise regime, and most importantly to manage their thoughts, which are self-hypnotic suggestions 24/7," said Irwin. Healthy eating and an exercise plan is supported by hypnosis — no magic pill included. The combination of hypnosis with coaching increases the effective of the diet fad, said fitness trainer and author of Mind Your Own Fitness Bob Choat to Medical Daily. "What I've discovered regarding weight loss is that simply using hypnosis alone is not enough."

"Immediate action after a hypnosis session is important. Also, special suggestions, such as eating healthy veggies or increasing walking is part of the solution," he added.

Bottom line — does a hypnosis weight loss diet work? Yes, with proper diet and exercise.

Hypnosis Weight Loss Program
In order for hypnosis to work effectively, a weekly consultation with a hypnotist for eight weeks or more is required, in addition to self-hypnosis, says Vanderbilt University Department of Psychology in Nashville, Tenn. It is a time intensive program that will require a considerable amount of effort and should be tailored to each individual.

The average cost of hypnosis per session is between $110 to $150 but the cost often varies between hypnotherapists, says Hypochix.net.

At-Home Self-Hypnosis Tips
If you want to try this diet fad without breaking the bank, you can with these at-home self-hypnosis tips to help you think thin. Self-hypnosis, similar to regular hypnosis, involves the use of books, videos, or audio recordings and the use of your own voice to form a close connection between your body and mind for a specific reason. Below you will find some helpful tips from Your Holistic Healthcare and Medical Daily to help you reach your goal.

1. Find a quiet place to practice self-hypnosis to minimize the amount of distractions for a minimum of five to 30 minutes.

2. Relaxation is essential in order to achieve an effective self-hypnosis.

3. If the body is tense, try to imagine the tension escaping your body starting with the head, the shoulders, arms, legs, and feet.

4. Inhale and exhale deeply to release any negative energy in the body and mind.

5. Picture what the intended goal is and imagine overcoming it slowly as your voice will be your guide.

6. Repeat the statement to reaffirm your confidence in accomplishing your goal.

7. Self-affirmation will allow you to get to the mountain top of your goal.

8. Slowly locate your body and mind back to reality and open your eyes.



Read more at http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/16718/20130620/hypnosis-weight-loss-self-hypnosis-weight-loss-strategies-obesity.htm#yCglKkgvrbTypuor.99 

If you would like to find more about how Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic can help you for problems such as anxiety, confidence, low self esteem, hypnobirth, gastric band hypnosis, sports performance hypnosis, weight loss hypnosis, sexual problems contact Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic.

You are getting sleepy. Your eyes and growing heavy. When I count to three you will be - healthy!

If only it was that simple. But hypnotherapists claim that it's that simple.

Get hypnotised and you'll quit smoking, lose weight and become active. But does it really work?

Meghan catches up with Clinical Hypnotherapist, Leon Cowan, to find out more.

If you are looking for help with hypnosis or hypnotherapy in Birmingham and would like to find more about how Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic can help you for problems such as anxiety, confidence, low self esteem, hypnobirth, gastric band hypnosis, sports performance hypnosis, weight loss hypnosis, sexual problems contact Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic.

According to The Telegraph in an article published on the 26 June 2013, anxiety and stress are the most popular reasons for missing time off work. An official major nationwide study looked at tens of thousands of sick notes issued by GP’s and found that 35 per cent were for reasons associated with mild to moderate mental health disorders. A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions said:

“Sickness absence is a burden to business, to the taxpayer and to the thousands of people who end up trapped on benefits when they could actually work. Supporting people with mental health problems to return to work more quickly will be an important part of the new independent health and work advisory service.”

One way to help people deal with mild mental health disorders is by using complementary therapies such as hypnotherapy. The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) gives members of the general public access to local hypnotherapist’s details from all over the UK which can be used to arrange hypnotism sessions. This can help a variety of issues including weight loss, phobias, habits like smoking and anxiety or stress. In this case, hypnotherapy could help the client reduce levels of anxiety and stress through discussing the issue and using hypnotic techniques to control and alleviate symptoms.

“This could help those who are absent from work due to anxiety and stress and reduce symptoms with the goal of returning the client back to the workplace ASAP,” added a spokesperson from the NCH.

The National Council for Hypnotherapy aims to highlight the variety of uses for hypnotherapy.

NCH represents over 1800 hypnotherapy professionals within the UK and is committed to ensuring the highest possible professional standards amongst our members. Those looking for help with smoking, weight, anxiety, panic attacks, habits and phobias may be helped by local NCH accredited therapists, look for the NCH seal of approval on their websites. As one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists, the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) is actively involved with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and strives to develop standards for the benefit of the profession, now and into the future.



If you would like to find more about how Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic can help you for problems such as anxiety, confidence, low self esteem, hypnobirth, gastric band hypnosis, sports performance hypnosis, weight loss hypnosis, sexual problems contact Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic.

Did you know that good sleep and bad sleep are nothing more than learned habits? And that hypnosis is a great way of breaking old unwanted habits? Take for example, 'Rumination’ which is a habit that can keep people awake at night. What is 'rumination’? Well rumination is defined as "The compulsively focused attention on the symptoms of one's distress, and on its possible causes and consequences, as opposed to its solutions". Rumination is similar to worry except rumination focuses on bad feelings and experiences from the past, whereas worry is concerned with potential bad events in the future. Evidence now shows that both rumination and worry are associated with anxiety and other negative emotional states. Most people have experienced 'Rumination’, - laying on your bed thinking of all the things that went wrong the previous day, chewing over the same anxiety inducing thoughts again and again and again….familiar? The good news is that all these habits and states can be unlearned using hypnosis.

Hypnotic relaxation techniques work really well to help you get a good night’s sleep, because they are a great way of relaxing and calming mind and body. Hypnosis is that lovely daydream like state between waking and sleeping. So by being empowered to use these techniques, you are half way to sleep already and can easily focus on happy thoughts and memories, while giving yourself more positive visualisations. This all means you get a peaceful night’s sleep full of pleasant dreams. These relaxation techniques also work well if you wake up in the middle of the night.

Evidence shows that Hypnosis can help with sleep troubles. William S. Kroger M.D. states in his 2007 book 'Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis: "Hypnosis effects improvement in acute cases of insomnia. Often a single session is effective in restoring a sleep cycle, particularly if self-hypnosis is taught on the initial visit." Some research suggests that self-hypnosis improves sleep by redirecting patients' attention away from anxiety, producing thoughts that promote relaxation and is effective for treating insomnia. (Vickers & Zollman, 'Hypnosis and relaxation therapies,’ BMJ 1999;319: 1346-1349).

I have helped many of my clients improve their sleep simply by practicing some very easy relaxation techniques and/or listening to my free hypnosis relaxation CD. One recent client got back to me a few months after her one session and reported to me that: "After just one visit which was most relaxing I had the most amazing result. That night I slept wonderfully and my sleep pattern instantly returned." In conclusion, proper cultivation of sleeping habits can have a positive lifetime impact. Hypnosis, without doubt, can help steer the course of someone’s life in a healthier direction. And there are few things more healing than a good night’s sleep.

NOTE: If you want to see a hypnotist for a diagnosed sleep disorder the hypnotist must have your doctors consent before treating you.

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Tracy Donegan is the founder of GentleBirth (gentlebirth.ie), an Irish hypnobirthing programme. She explains:

* What is Hypnobirthing?

Preparing for labour with hypnosis, a state of deep mental relaxation and focus, that enables mums to change their expectations and perceptions of the sensations they'll feel in labour and replacing that with feelings of confidence, calmness and control.

Mums can do a home-study programme of eight CDs, guidebook and support or couples can come to a weekend workshop.

* Is Kate Middleton the first famous hypnobirther?

No, she's one of a growing list of celebrities who have used hypnosis for birth, including Jessica Alba(pictured), Pamela Anderson andCindy Crawford.

* Who started it and is it catching on in Ireland?

Hypnobirthing has been documented in medical journals as far back as the early 1950s in Russia. In 1955 the British Medical Association approved the use of hypnosis in pain management in childbirth and surgery. There's a growing interest in Ireland. Since 2005 I've taught over 2000 couples.

* Does it work?

Studies show mums who use hypnosis request less pain relief and have shorter labours. The more relaxed a mum is the less adrenalin she'll have in her body (adrenalin makes the body work harder than it needs to). Only 15pc of GentleBirth mums have the epidural.

* Is it for everyone?

It's for anyone who wants a more relaxed, stress-free pregnancy – no matter what their plans are for the birth. Even if a mum is planning an epidural, being able to stay calm while waiting for it makes a more positive experience.

Irish Independent

According to an article published on The Almagest, a clinical trial showed that hypnotherapy helped people with non cardiac chest pain. Around one in three of patients who require help for chest pain do not have any form of heart disease or any other identifiable chest pain and as result, finding treatment or a cure can be difficult.

The study looked at if patients with chest pain could be helped by hypnotherapy. The research consisted of 28 patients split into two groups. One received 12 sessions of hypnotherapy over 17 weeks, whilst the other group received a placebo and supportive therapy. Results showed that 83 per cent of those who had received hypnotherapy reported significant pain relief, as well as an improved sense of wellbeing and reduced use of painkillers. In comparison to those who had received a placebo and supportive therapy, 23 per cent reported improvement.

Further investigations showed that hypnotherapy had affected areas associated with emotional response to pain as well as acid levels produced in the stomach, both of which could be cited as reasons for non cardiac chest pain.

The news comes as a delight for hypnotherapist directory, The National Council for Hypnotherapy. The Council and its qualified and professional members have long been highlighting the various benefits of using hypnotherapy for a range of issues including habits, phobias and ailments. A spokesperson fromThe National Council for Hypnotherapy added:

“It is great to see some positive results received from using hypnotherapy in a clinical and independent trail. We hope it encourages other to try its hugely beneficial properties.”

NCH represents over 1800 hypnotherapy professionals within the UK and is committed to ensuring the highest possible professional standards amongst our members. Those looking for help with smoking, weight, anxiety, panic attacks, habits and phobias may be helped by local NCH accredited therapists, look for the NCH seal of approval on their websites. As one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists, the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) is actively involved with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and strives to develop standards for the benefit of the profession, now and into the future.

If you would like to find more about how Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic can help you for problems such as anxiety, confidence, low self esteem, hypnobirth, gastric band hypnosis, sports performance hypnosis, weight loss hypnosis, sexual problems contact Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic.

A clinical trial shows that hypnotherapy can help people with non-cardiac chest pain.
Around one third of patients who are investigated for chest pain turn out not to have heart disease or any other identifiable cause for their problem. So-called non-cardiac chest pain can be very hard to treat. It’s been suggested that reflux of stomach acid or psychological problems might contribute to the condition.

Researchers at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, England, divided 28 patients with non-cardiac chest pain into two groups. One received 12 sessions of hypnotherapy over 17 weeks and the other received placebo and so-called supportive therapy. Eighty per cent of those receiving hypnotherapy reported significant pain relief, compared to only three out of 13 in the control group. The hypnotherapy also improved the sense of wellbeing and reduced the use of painkillers.

Brain scans of those treated with hypnotherapy for other conditions shows how it affects a region of the brain controlling emotional response to pain. It also reduces levels of acid produced by the stomach. Both mechanisms provide a plausible explanation for the benefit of hypnotherapy in non-cardiac chest pain.

If you would like to find more about how Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic can help you for problems such as anxiety, confidence, low self esteem, hypnobirth, gastric band hypnosis, sports performance hypnosis, weight loss hypnosis, sexual problems contact Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic.

Have you ever found yourself glued to television infomercials that promise miracle fat fighting after 40, P90X abs or creams that make you look better at 48 than you did at 28 and wondered, "Should I buy it?" You might want to stop at the bookstore first.

Journalist Lauren Kessler took a yearlong journey, making herself a guinea pig to all those claims. Her book "Counter Clockwise: My Year of Hypnosis, Hormones, Dark Chocolate and Other Adventures in the World of Anti-Aging" attempts to shine a light on the anti-aging movement and the billion-dollar industry that it feeds, stripping away fiction from fact and interviewing experts in every field. She laughs a lot at herself and dares to ask the hard questions we're afraid to ask -- in an attempt to prolong our years and make them healthy and vital.

She started by getting a thorough examination to determine her biological age, testing the function of her heart, lungs, arteries, etc., at some of the most cutting-edge labs where elite athletes and scientists collide to uncover what makes those bodies tick. At year's end, she had more testing, to see if she had turned back the clock and by how much.

The book is easily managed through chapters that mine the experts on everything from the latest plastic surgery to the frontier science of biomarkers -- characteristics that can be measured to indicate the body's normal processes and the presence of disease. They tell you how old youreally are where it counts -- on the inside. Ms. Kessler breaks down the 10 that are the gold standard of age and how biomarkers like blood pressure, cholesterol, strength and BMI really tell a story. She even takes all of those online tests (including the RealAge test from "The Dr. Oz Show") and suggests the ones she says are worth your time.

Elsewhere, she sorts the wheat from the chaff about vitamins, examining information from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University (yep, that's the vitamin C guy's namesake) and their researchers who spill the real deal on supplements such as resveratrol, omega oils and daily pills you might be taking.

As part of her research Ms. Kessler follows eating regimens that claim to improve health and extend longevity. Testing each one, she plows through a detox, a cleanse, superfoods, the 500-calorie homeopathic hCG plan (claims to use human chorionic gonadotropin, a pregnancy hormone) and more. She details changes in her body and mind, exploring personal sustainability and safety. Some of the more radical movements such as the Raw Diet and Calorie Restriction are awful and even sad as she describes lifelong devotees dedicating hours each day preparing meals and subjugating themselves to unrealistic and unhealthful outcomes.

"We eat out of joy, and we eat out of sadness, we eat out of boredom, guilt, love and addiction, we eat to reward and to punish, to celebrate and mourn, to remember and to forget," she says. "Food is not just food."

In the end, what and how we consume is a large part of the puzzle of behavior associated with vitality and health. She points to a MacArthur Foundation study that shows that lifestyle choices (70 percent) trump genes (30 percent) in regard to health and longevity. Ms. Kessler points out that the great divide in our nation of "what we should do vs. what we actually do" when it comes to our health is widening and growing in a way that should alarm readers as children are being drawn into the mix of obesity and poor health.

"Counterclockwise" is chock-full of good info, such as resources to see if your vitamins are potent and pure, medical testing you should and should not get, exercise classes you might want to bypass and most of all, a writer who is not afraid to examine the questions we all ask ourselves as we look in the mirror but would never speak in mixed company. It's money well spent.



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/health/book-review-counter-clockwise-details-quest-against-aging-694680/#ixzz2YSVDR3Bi


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I was interested to read in the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council’s bulletin that there is now an MSc in Clinical Hypnosis which will give more credibility to the therapy and increase its use in a medical setting alongside more conventional treatments.

Some examples where it is being are in anaesthesia for dental treatment and in childbirth where the patient will be taught before the event to use to self-hypnosis to turn off pain.

While this does sound quite a leap of the imagination if you think of self hypnosis as like meditation it all starts to make sense.  In a meditative state we seek to separate the mind from the body to induce relaxation, and in the case of anaesthesia being relaxed then allows you to visualise better.

When I hypnotise someone I merely guide them into hypnosis and eventually they will learn how to do that themselves.  We are all capable going into a state of self hypnosis it is just that we might not realise it, like writers when they are working on a piece and find that the whole morning has passed.

In a clinical situation, during the hypnosis or self hypnosis you can imagine that your hand is in cold water so it feels numb.  If you hold this thought your mind will follow and your hand will start feeling numb and anaesthetised.  The more you practice, you will eventually be able to move the numbness to any part of the body that you want and that is why it is possible to feel no pain when you give birth.

If you would like to find more about how Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic can help you for problems such as anxiety, confidence, low self esteem, hypnobirth, gastric band hypnosis, sports performance hypnosis, weight loss hypnosis, sexual problems contact Birmingham Hypnotherapy Clinic.