This left me with two questions.

a) Why do people tend to wake up when having a nightmare and b) do nightmares have long lasting effects on the minds of those people having them.

One explanation why we wake up in the middle of the nightmare maybe  due to an adrenalin rush. The subconscious mind can’t tell the difference from a real event and a vividly imagined one,. I’m sure many of you will have had dreams of one sort or another and they felt at the time as if they were  real.  Adrenalin is released when we are in a “fight or flight” situation. Among other things, we become more alert.

As far as whether nightmares have long lasting effect, I’m reminded of some recent research http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/173592.php which seems to indicate that if we experience a traumatic experience and then manage to change the perception shortly afterwards then the anxiety caused by the event will be lessened or removed. So perhaps when we wake up from a nightmare and then reassure ourselves “It’s only a bad dream” the mind no longer feels traumatised by the events that took place in the nightmare.

Automatic writing may be defined as a script which the writer produces involuntarily and in some instances without being aware of the process even though he/she may be in an alert waking state.

I teach the technique on my training courses- see www.hypnoticsolutions.org.uk for hypnotherapy training – but automatic writing isn’t used to predict the future – it is instead used to assist in the recall of past events or situations.

By Tom Nicoli, BCH, CI
With the years of research, case studies and documentation regarding hypnosis, which goes back centuries to Mesmer and beyond, one would assume there would be sufficient work done in the area of hypnosis for weight loss, especially when you consider weight loss is an area people seek hypnosis services for more than almost anything else. More work is needed in this area, but there are some very interesting studies available.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings – Studies of hypnosis as a single treatment for obesity show variable success. A critical review of hypnosis for obesity in studies from 1958 through 1978 concluded that hypnosis may be of benefit but that standardization of methods was needed. In a subsequent trial with 156 participants, results from participants who received 9 weekly individual hypnosis sessions plus behavior-modification treatments were compared with results from those who received behavior-modification treatment alone. On average, the hypnosis group had lost 7 kg of weight more than the control group at the 2-year follow-up.

This fact is important to keep in mind for it is common that though people may be successful in losing weight, it’s maintaining their health by keeping the weight off that becomes the challenge. By incorporating hypnosis into your lifestyle it becomes an easier task to simply not want to go back to the old, unhealthy eating patterns.

Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. – Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, usually achieved with the help of a hypnotherapist. With hypnosis, your attention is highly focused and you’re more responsive to suggestions, including behavior changes that can help you lose weight. Over the years, numerous studies have evaluated hypnosis for weight loss. Most found positive, but modest, results.

It is obvious there is no direct physical correlation to hypnosis and reducing fat / losing weight. There are 2 separate yet indirectly connected processes involved. Hypnosis is a way of working with the mindset, thoughts and emotions about eating patterns, food and activity. Once the internal barriers are removed to engage in healthy behaviors, then a person can do what we all know is needed in order for the physical process of weight loss to happen. Hypnosis is a proven adjunct to successful weight loss and maintenance of healthy behaviors for quality living.

So the next time you decide to get healthy, lose some of that nagging weight and are ready to remove the struggle of will power and the losing battle in your mind, use the proven method to assist you to achieve your personal goal to be your best… Hypnosis.

He isn’t the only star to be using hypnosis. Earlier this year the Daily Mail reported on how singer Lily Allen had slimmed from a size 12 to an 8 by using hypnosis. http://tinyurl.com/5muov2

Allen reportedly said: “After the hypnotism, I want to go to the gym every day, otherwise I feel really bad. I just want to get more toned and healthy. I’m really good about everything at the moment – I’ve never been happier.”

Others who have used hypnosis to lose weight include model Sophie Dahl, singer Geri Halliwell and the Duchess of York.

Perhaps the main use of hypnosis is for stopping smoking. Hollywood celebrities  Ben Affleck, Samuel Jackson, Ellen Degeneres, Matt Damon and Drew Barrymore and others have all used hypnosis to stop smoking.

Many faced with being asked to give a best man speech, or to give a presentation at work, are faced with sheer dread. The fear of public speaking is one of biggest fears faced by people in modern day society.

I remember many years ago, when I was an accountant, I was asked to give a presentation to my colleagues on some subject related to taxation. I felt very nervous and uncomfortable. I’ve no idea what the audience thought.

So what causes this? And how do we overcome this?

Well we know consciously that there should be nothing to be afraid of, and that there is no real threat to our lives when we are about to give such a speech. However at the unconscious level the body is going into “fight or flight” response. Basically it’s fear of being embarrassed in front of others, or fear at making a fool of oneself.

The fear may be rooted in some past event, maybe long forgotten. And it would have been reinforced each and every time you were asked to speak in front of others. But we don’t necessarily need to find what started it for us to be able to overcome the problem.

In order to feel at ease when giving public presentations one has to overcome the fear and feel comfortable in speaking. To this end, combining hypnotherapy and public speaking practice will benefit you.

At Hypnotic Solutions we use a combination of hypno-analysis and NLP to help clients overcome fears and phobias. Collapsing the negative feelings and replacing them with feelings of confidence.
In hypnosis we ask the client to mentally rehearse giving the speech and feeling good.

We also recommend those who want to improve their speaking to go along to their local group of Toastmasters International. I was first introduced to Toastmasters a few years ago by one of the speakers at the National Guild of Hypnotists annual convention in Boston, MA. The speaker commented how Toastmasters had given him the skill to do public presentations. So on returning to the UK I joined London Communicators and completed the Competent Toastmaster manual. I now use my public speaking skills in my training school, Hypnotic Solutions Training, to help others in becoming hypnotherapists.

She told surgeon that she could feel only tugging and pulling.

This is not new. Many people over the years have had operations using hypnosis or self-hypnosis instead of anaesthesia.
See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7494262.stm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7494283.stm

Dr Escudero invented Noesitherapy, which has similar properties to self hypnosis.

He was featured in a BBC documentary programme a number of years back. In the programme we saw one of his patients undergo surgery on her leg. Dr Escudero taught the patient that she maintains plenty of saliva in her mouth – which apparently not only focusses her attention but puts her more at ease. Throughout the operation the patient showed no discomfort.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A25699666

And how any of you made resolutions at the beginning of 2007 but didn’t stick to them?

We all start out with good intentions. For some it’s about wanting to stop smoking in 2008. For others maybe it is to do more exercise in order to lose some of that extra weight put on over the Christmas holidays. Or perhaps to start a new hobby. It doesn’t matter what it is, unless you’ve go enough motivation it ain’t going to happen.

I think it was from Tony Robbins that I first heard of the “Pain – Pleasure” principle. And that’s just a reworking of the “Carrot -Stick” principle. The basic premise is that people move towards doing things they get pleasure from and move away from doing things they get pain from.

So, for example, let’s suppose you used to drive into work each day. Driving took slightly less time than going by train, and while driving you used to listen to your favourite radio programme. Then one day they started major roadworks on the road you used to take to work. So your journey took twice as long. And you’d have to get up an hour earlier and the car journey was less pleasurable. Consequently the motivation to travel to work by train instead of car was increased!

When clients come to see me because they want to break old habits (whether it be smoking, overeating, drinking too much alcohol etc) I know that they already have some motivation to change, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. However their motivation isn’t strong enough to counteract the behaviour they’ve been doing for many years; a habit that is ingrained in their subconscious minds.

However by using the client’s reasons for either wanting to break the habit or for becoming more motivated at starting a new habit, I can help the client re-programme their mind for success.

So, for example, in a stop smoking hypnotherapy session one of the things we do is to associate great feelings of happiness with saying “No” to cigarettes and tobacco. We also get the client to imagine they are standing at a fork in the road of their lives, and to choose which road to go down. The road on the left is the road of misery and pain they would take if they were to carry on smoking and the road on the right the road of health and success as non-smokers.

We all have the ability to become more motivated. For more details just e-mail us at info@hypnoticsolutions.co.uk

For the twentieth year, the National Guild of Hypnotists will host their annual convention, exhibition, and educational conference. The NGH convention offers intensive trainings, recertification, Certified Education Units, networking, and marketing opportunities for professionals who utilize hypnosis in their work. The convention is also open to the public for people with a sincere interest in learning more about hypnotism for themselves, as a career, or as an addition to professional services they already offer.

The training programs are conducted by award-winning speakers, published authors, and trainers and authorities on professional hypnotism. Twenty-seven of our speakers are from outside the United States. We may be the National Guild of Hypnotists, but this is truly an international event.

The National Guild of Hypnotists has over 10,000 members, representing 65 countries around the world. There are NGH certified trainers in 44 US states and 27 countries.

To learn more about NGH, visit their website at www.ngh.net

Wikipedia defines “A New Year’s resolution” as “a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change, that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year’s Day and remain until the set goal has been achieved, although many resolutions go unachieved and are often broken fairly shortly after they are set.”

It has become a tradition for many people that on 1^st January they will stop smoking , or go on a diet, or start doing exercise. So why is it that these resolutions are often broken so quickly.

We are constantly being told that if we want to succeed in life we should set goals. Goals should be reasonable, specific, measurable and time targeted objectives. Goal setting is a process that allows people to specify then work towards their own objectives.

Perhaps the main reason why so many fail with their New Year’s Resolutions is because the goals are not thoroughly planned or thought through, but are impulsive.

So what can turn a New Year’s Resolution into a reality? And how can hypnotherapy help?

Motivation – the greater the motivation to do something the more likely you will succeed. Suggestions given in hypnosis can increase one’s motivation for change.

For smoking cessation – write down all the reasons why you want to stop smoking. Take one day at a time. Hypnotherapy could help you by reducing or eliminating completely the cravings for cigarettes.

For weight control – don’t think of dieting, but of eating sensibly. Aim to slow down your eating (chew your food more!) and eat consciously. Drink more water (especially when feeling hungry). Hypnotherapy can help you programme your mind to new eating habits.

Chunking – if the goal is too great it becomes too much of a challenge. To help you succeedin such a goal, break it down in to smaller components if necessary. Eg a goal to run a 26 mile marathon next year could be too much of a challenge for someone who is not used to running. Break the challenge down into smaller chunks eg aim to run 1 mile by the end of the month, 5 miles by the end of three months, 10 miles by the end of six months and so on.

Have a Happy , Healthy and Prosperous 2007

So why is it that so many smokers see smoking as the way to keep off weight?

Well many smokers who use willpower to stop smoking find that they substitute the cigarette with a bar of chocolate or other snack. Of course this would potentially lead to weight gain.

You see, not only have some people got into the habit of smoking but they think they enjoy it. Take away their enjoyment, and what have they got left? Certain foods are known for helping change our moods, eg chocolate. So by having a sugary snack, say, instead of the cigarette they are satisfying their need.

However as I explain to my hypnotherapy clients, what we do in hypnosis is to replace the old habit of smoking with something that’s better for the client, which may be, for example, drinking more water, or doing deep-breathing exercises, or just feeling happy about being a non-smoker.

If you’re one of those smokers concerned about weight gain then have a look around next time you walk down the street and notice how many oversize people are smoking. And now think about those people you know who are thin or of normal weight and who are non-smokers. Smoking doesn’t have to be related to weight gain, provided you have the right attitude of mind.