Breaking Down The Barriers

A study done back in 2004 (Potter, 2004) found that 'public perception' is the greatest barrier to progress in the development of hypnotherapy, particularly due to the use of hypnosis in entertainment. This is confirmed by Modlin in 2004. Ten years later and it seems that that perception IS improving, but has still along way to go. I gave a talk on hypnosis recently in Ferrybank Library in Waterford. While promoting the talk I put together some posters and in the days preceding it went around to the local shops and businesses asking them to put up the posters. Now most people were great and very obliging; but I did come across this one lady who, after looking at the poster skeptically, proceeded to tell me all about her misinformed view on hypnosis. How it is 'spooky' and something to do with 'mind control'. After all she had seen that Keith Barry on the TV and he made someone do funny things .... 

Thankfully, I find that most people in this day and age are fairly aware of what hypnosis is, and what benefits hypnotherapy can offer. But at the same time if I had a penny for the amount of people that have said to me 'Don't look in my eyes' I would be a rich man. For my part, I have done everything I can to dispel the myths and misconceptions around hypnosis. The last three years I have given over thirty public information talks in the South East area on 'the truth about hypnosis' and 'the many benefits' that it offers, from removing a habit to reducing stress to helping people relax. Research from around the world continues to demonstrate all these benefits. So that is what makes the misconceptions unfortunate - because they prevent people from obtaining these benefits.

Consulting Hypnotists teach people how to be successful with their lives in so many ways. We help them to create new behaviors and empower them to transform their lives. I say it at all my talks because it is so true that 'all hypnosis is self hypnosis'. That is why I teach 'self hypnosis' to all my clients. After they leave my office, not only have they been hypnotized into that creative focused state of mind we call hypnosis; and have received the helpful and beneficial suggestions they want me to give them (as well as any other hypnotic techniques I feel might be needed such as 'regression' and I will explain that in detail in a future blog), but are walking into the future ready to program their minds every day using self hypnosis. This leads to them feeling better in every way both physically and mentally. 

Hypnosis is not a quick fix. It is a learning process. All the time when you are using hypnosis you are developing new neural pathways in your mind and building yourself up from within. So for example, coming to see me for my 'weight control' program, what you are really doing is 'learning how to live a lifestyle that leads to permanent weight loss'. I am learning the piano at the moment. I did not expect to get just one piano lesson and become proficient at it. I understand that to become really good on the piano I need to practice every day. Just like I would ask my clients to practice self hypnosis and the other techniques I teach them. To develop any new behaviour is the same. Can you see the parallels here? 

If you 'practice' great accomplishments will occur. Unfortunately if people come to see a Consulting Hypnotist and do not follow instructions or practice what they are taught their successes will be limited. They are wasting my time and their own time. But when they commit to the process they are always more than happy with the results. Of course I am also always there to support my clients once the hypnosis program is completed. Clients with a weight loss issue or confidence issue are always assured that they can come in once a month for maintenance. I find that clients love to know that they can come back if they choose and that once their program is officially completed they are not on their own. They can continue to be successful.

I believe continued research will allow hypnotherapy to become a more mainstream tool and continue to develop and change the public perception. In the meantime it is up to us Consulting Hypnotists to spread the good news. I hope by reading this blog you have a better understanding of a hypnosis program and what it entails. Remember that hypnosis is a natural process which can really bring so many positive changes to your life. What's not to like?

© Trevor Eivers 2014

 

My name if Trevor Eivers and I am based in Waterford, Ireland. I am a Certified Consulting Hypnotist (since 2010) with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest hypnosis body in the world with over 14,000 members in 83 different countries worldwide. I am also a Certified NLP practitioner. I love my job in which I help everyday people with everyday issues. Contact me at 086-8211677 or check me out online at waterford-hypnosis.com or Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trevor-Eivers-Hypnosis/177881245578285

Here is a nice 8 minute video where I talk about my business:

A Meeting with Waterford Hypnosis

Stop Smoking for the New Year - Tip #6 - Tapping Your Subconscious Mind

A very warm welcome to my 6th and final tip in this series. I feel I have saved the best for last, as in my view this is probably the most important tip and insight that I have given. 

“The first thing to remember is the dual nature of your mind. The subconscious mind is constantly amenable to the power of suggestion; Trust the subconscious mind to heal you. It knows much more than your conscious mind about healing and restoring you to perfect balance.”
                             ― Joseph Murphy, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind 

 

You might be surprised to know that 'will power' has only 5% success rate in stopping smoking. Why? Because will power resides in the conscious mind. The conscious mind is the analytical, critical, and 'thinking' part of the mind that we make decisions with every day such as 'What should I eat?'; 'What should I wear?', etc. This mind shuts down completely when we are asleep and only functions in the waking state. The conscious mind is linear thinking and sequential (it can only think of any one thing at any one time). It likes logical order and is also responsible for our self -talk.

The subconscious mind is much more powerful than the conscious mind. The conscious mind is like a drop of water in the ocean, whereas the subconscious mind IS the ocean. The subconscious controls everything we do, feel, touch and smell. It is the source of our imagination and everything we do automatically on a daily basis, like walking, talking, reading and writing. It is also the source of our habits and behaviors. Now, most important to keep in mind (no pun intended!) is that if the conscious and subconscious minds are in conflict, the subconscious will always win out. 

Many people have tried and failed to stop smoking because they have done so strictly on a conscious level. They usually fail because that conscious decision comes into a conflict with the subconscious. When the message to stop smoking filters down to the subconscious it can meet resistance. Why? Because most smokers keep reminding themselves that they can't stop smoking. Every time they do that they are sending a suggestion to the subconscious which prevents them from being successful. Most smokers agree that smoking is not good for their health and hate the taste, but of course it is not a logical problem, but a subconscious emotional attachment. No matter how much a smoker wants to quit consciously, if the subconscious mind does not agree, then in most cases it will not work and the habit will remain.

The change to a non smoker happens when you really believe something with unqualified passion. Only then will that belief will go deep into our subconscious. It's important to convince your subconscious mind of the reality you desire. This happens by presenting your subconscious mind with new orders repeatedly. You can do this using 'self-hypnosis' everyday. Doing this exercise regularly helps develops a habit. All hypnosis is 'self-hypnosis' and the term 'self-hypnosis' involves actually placing yourself into hypnosis, where you can condition and program yourself with positive suggestions to stop smoking. Self-hypnosis is something I teach all my non smoking clients. All I ask is that client commit to doing the exercise every night for 21 days and they are always amazed by the results.

I hope you enjoyed this series of stop smoking tips. I have certainly enjoyed putting them together:) Many of these tips I give to my clients, many of whom I have helped stop smoking. Check out some of the feedback/testimonials I have received on my website: http://www.waterford-hypnosis.com/smoking.html

© Trevor Eivers 2014

 

My name if Trevor Eivers and I am based in Waterford, Ireland. I am a Certified Consulting Hypnotist (since 2010) with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest hypnosis body in the world with over 14,000 members in 83 different countries worldwide. I am also a Certified NLP practitioner. I love my job in which I help everyday people with everyday issues. Here is a nice 8 minute video where I talk about my business:

Stop Smoking for the New Year - Tip #5 - No such thing as 'Just the one'

Welcome to my 5th and penultimate tip in my series of Stop Smoking Tips for 2014! Hopefully you have now enjoyed a few days and weeks free of a bad habit. If you have followed my previous tips, and set out with the right attitude, hopefully you will have found it easier than you expected to stop. Once you build up some momentum, there is no looking back. So make sure to get rid of all packets of cigarettes and ashtrays from your home, car, etc. With everyday that goes by, see it metaphorically speaking as taking another step down that golden road of health and happiness, where you are feeling good,  energetic, smelling fresh and having more money in your pocket. You have made this decision to stop smoking so full steam ahead!

However it is very important not to test yourself and say 'ah just the one won't hurt'. Unfortunately, it will hurt, as all it takes is just one puff to start the cycle (that nicotine trick described in tip#3) all over again. For the first few weeks you are learning how to live as a non smoker and of course you want to make sure that this behaviour is permanent. So it is important to make sure that in those moments of vulnerability that you are strong. In my experience the two most common situations that people test themselves or relapse are: 

1. Social events: Remember that you are smoke free because it is a choice that you have made. It can be all too easy with a few drinks to get carried away and let your guard down. All it takes is one puff and in nearly all cases you are back smoking full time again the very next day. Instead, think about how great you'll feel in the morning when you wake up smoke free (besides the hangover not being half as bad!). If the people you are with smoke, just feel glad that you are free from a disgusting habit! 

2. Stressful events: A very important point here is that smoking does not 'relax' you in any way shape or form. In fact smokers in general are more stressed and manage stress less effectively than non smokers. It is important to find a more productive way to relax, even if it is a simple breathing exercise. Here is a very simple breathing exercise that will help: 

Bring your point of attention to your stomach and imagine you have a deflated balloon in your stomach. Take a slow deep breath and breathe in from the stomach, inflating that balloon. Inhale through the nose. Now slowly exhale through the mouth, pushing out that breath, pushing that breath all the way down your body, imagining your breath like a relaxing mist. Feel yourself letting go with every exhale, your muscles becoming loose and limp, just like you’re a snowman melting on a sunny day. Repeat.

I hope you enjoyed this latest tip. Many of these tips I give to my clients, many of whom I have helped stop smoking. Check out some of the feedback/testimonials I have received on my website: http://www.waterford-hypnosis.com/smoking.html

© Trevor Eivers 2014

 

My name if Trevor Eivers and I am based in Waterford, Ireland. I am a Certified Consulting Hypnotist (since 2010) with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest hypnosis body in the world with over 14,000 members in 83 different countries worldwide. I am also a Certified NLP practitioner. I love my job in which I help everyday people with everyday issues. Contact me at 086-8211677 or check me out online at waterford-hypnosis.com or Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trevor-Eivers-Hypnosis/177881245578285

Stop Smoking for the New Year - Tip #4 - Mindfully Breaking Smoking Cues

Welcome to tip #4 in my series of Stop Smoking Tips for 2014. Since I wrote my last tip you might have heard of the sad death of a Rock & Roll legend - Phil Everly (of 'The Everly Brothers) on January 3, 2014, just two weeks prior to his 75th birthday. The cause of his death was complications attributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a combination of emphysema and bronchitis), brought on by a lifetime of smoking.

Now depending how long you have been smoking, you may have found that you had developed specific times and activities that you now associate with smoking? These can be anything from having a cup of coffee to a night out and a drink with friends. 

The good news is that these cues can easily be broken and that you can create new non smoking cues. My tip to change this to be aware of your 'thought process'. As part of my hypnosis program, one of the techniques that I teach my clients is called 'Mindfulness' which helps achieve this goal. It helps you to become aware of your thought process - and it empowers you to see your thoughts for what they really are - just 'thoughts'; - and that you do not need to engage with them, just take a long slow deep breath and watch them come and watch them go, without attaching any meaning to them. The average thought lasts just a few moments! So, just because you have a thought to smoke, does not mean you need to go down to the shop and buy a packet of cigarettes! Just say to yourself: "I might have a thought to smoke - but I don't have to". Mindfulness helps us to happily live in the present moment and you will find it very beneficial if you mindfully remember that no craving lasts more than three minutes! 

Just like a fish swims in water, us human beings swim in our thoughts. How we use these thoughts very much equals how we feel. So getting your 'thought process' right when it comes to stopping smoking is very important. Aim to develop a little ritual whenever you have a thought to smoke. For example buy a bag of sweets and if you have a thought to smoke unwrap and rewrap one of the sweets, and you'll find that a moment later that thought will be already gone. Just distract yourself for that moment and take a slow deep breath and exhale.

Now that you have made the decision to stop smoking, you know that it really did serve no purpose in your life. However it is now important to replace the smoking activity with something more productive. You could eat an apple, drink a glass of water or even go for a walk or a run. Mindfully take up a new activity, hobby and/or past time. I am sure you will find doing this will really help create new healthy habits and cues for being healthy and free from a bad habit.

Before long you will even be able to enjoy your cup of coffee and night out smoke free. Just make sure that you prepare yourself (see previous tip#2). Once you have one cup of coffee or night out smoke free, you will find it will no longer be a cue to smoke, but a cue to remain a non smoker. 

I hope you have found this tip beneficial. Please tune in again soon for the next in the series of my Stop Smoking tips for 2104.

© Trevor Eivers 2014

 

My name if Trevor Eivers and I am based in Waterford, Ireland. I am a Certified Consulting Hypnotist (since 2010) with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest hypnosis body in the world with over 14,000 members in 83 different countries worldwide. I am also a Certified NLP practitioner. I love my job in which I help everyday people with everyday issues. Contact me at 086-8211677 or check me out online at waterford-hypnosis.com or Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trevor-Eivers-Hypnosis/177881245578285