Night-time can sometimes be the worst time for some, whether you are one of those who ruminates about certain concerns and worries, or you are lonely, or maybe you find it difficult to sleep - or maybe all three!
One thing that I urge my clients to do at the end of each day is to write down three good things about the day - and these can be quite simple, ordinary things such as a smile from a neighbour, to something a little bit more exciting such as booking a holiday. It's not a difficult thing to do, and done regularly it can have a powerful effect on your happiness and wellbeing. Sometimes people say to me that they can't stop negative thoughts, but by actively thinking about and writing down the positive stuff on a regular basis quite literally turns that negative radar round to the positive. The important thing here is not to battle against negative thoughts, but to gradually replace them with positive ones.
Once you get into the habit of this, it then becomes automatic, and you also feel more in control, having that knowledge that you CAN control your thoughts is incredibly liberating.
So remember, three good things ....
Night, night
Wendy x
Friday, 29 November 2013
Monday, 11 November 2013
Bedlam
I am fascinated and it has to be said, saddened by Channel 4's series about 'Bedlam', the mental hospital in London, an institution with a renowned history for being the most famous lunatic asylum where patients used to be put on display for the amusement of the general public. Does the fact that we are now privy once again to watching the inmates through a television set, but not in person, make this form of 'entertainment' more acceptable. I'm not really sure, but I am as guilty as the next person as I am an avid viewer.
This week's episode showed two very different people - Rupert, a huge bear of a man, who came across as quite aggressive and troubled, and may possibly have fitted with society's idea of what a mental patient is like, loud, difficult, quite threatening. We saw him at the end of the programme, almost a different person, perhaps even too subdued, evidently well-medicated.
The contrast to Rupert was Dominic, a charming, polite family man who didn't really seem the 'type' to be sectioned. However, we learned that in between periods of seemingly functioning quite normally, he had very dark suicidal thoughts. His lovely wife and four beautiful children were left having to cope with the fallout of his, thus far, failed suicide attempts. His illness seemed quite baffling as he seemed to have a very happy and successful career and family life, until that is, we learned that he had had a very difficult childhood during which he was abandoned by his birth parents.
It can sometimes be the case that a difficult start in life can lead to mental illness in adulthood and symptoms can appear quite suddenly, after years of appearing to be quite well. It is very important that medical help is sought in cases like this, as the right balance of medication and therapy can restore wellbeing, and even sometimes lead to feeling much stronger than ever before. Hypnotherapy can help in this respect, by enabling us to look at past issues with a new perspective, and helping us to realise our own particular strengths and resources, so that we can be much more positive about the future.
Do contact me if you feel hypnotherapy may be of help to you.
My very best wishes,
Wendy x
This week's episode showed two very different people - Rupert, a huge bear of a man, who came across as quite aggressive and troubled, and may possibly have fitted with society's idea of what a mental patient is like, loud, difficult, quite threatening. We saw him at the end of the programme, almost a different person, perhaps even too subdued, evidently well-medicated.
The contrast to Rupert was Dominic, a charming, polite family man who didn't really seem the 'type' to be sectioned. However, we learned that in between periods of seemingly functioning quite normally, he had very dark suicidal thoughts. His lovely wife and four beautiful children were left having to cope with the fallout of his, thus far, failed suicide attempts. His illness seemed quite baffling as he seemed to have a very happy and successful career and family life, until that is, we learned that he had had a very difficult childhood during which he was abandoned by his birth parents.
It can sometimes be the case that a difficult start in life can lead to mental illness in adulthood and symptoms can appear quite suddenly, after years of appearing to be quite well. It is very important that medical help is sought in cases like this, as the right balance of medication and therapy can restore wellbeing, and even sometimes lead to feeling much stronger than ever before. Hypnotherapy can help in this respect, by enabling us to look at past issues with a new perspective, and helping us to realise our own particular strengths and resources, so that we can be much more positive about the future.
Do contact me if you feel hypnotherapy may be of help to you.
My very best wishes,
Wendy x
Friday, 1 November 2013
Taxi driver
It feels quite strange to me at the moment as, after having been their taxi driver for the past 20 years, both Chalk boys have now passed their driving test, so I am officially redundant when it comes to child chauffeuring duties. During this last half-term we havn't seen the younger Chalk for dust, as he has been zipping off in my car and ferrying various friends around who had done the same for him, in order to return the favour. This means that when I get in my car I am immediately assaulted by 'Kiss FM' playing very loudly, and he has even started to customise it with various bits and bobs. Happily there are no furry dice, yet ....
However, my services as a taxi driver are not entirely redundant as, with them needing regular medical treatments, I am kept busy taking my elderly parents to their various appointments. I am happy to do this as my mum and dad are truly wonderful people, at a combined age of 172 they show the most incredible strength, warmth and generosity, so that anything I can do to help them lead a reasonably independent life still in their own home is fine by me.
Nevertheless, it is sometimes tough and I do have an empathy for that generation of 50 somethings who are sandwiched between the demands of children and elderly parents. Sometimes you feel as though you want to say 'Where is MY support?' If you are in this situation it is really important that you have some 'me' time as otherwise the demands of family become all-consuming. If you can have some sort of outlet, perhaps an interesting hobby or regular trips out with a friend, then you will find that the family duties may not feel so burdensome. Finding time to relax is so important when you have many different commitments to juggle.
Perhaps you are feeling the burden of family, whether you are one of the 'in-between' generation having to care for children and elderly parents, or you simply feel bogged down by work and/or other commitments? Do contact me with a view to trying hypnotherapy, as it can really help to reduce those worries and anxieties, and leave you feeling much calmer and able to cope with all of the responsibilities in your life.
Best wishes,
Wendy x
However, my services as a taxi driver are not entirely redundant as, with them needing regular medical treatments, I am kept busy taking my elderly parents to their various appointments. I am happy to do this as my mum and dad are truly wonderful people, at a combined age of 172 they show the most incredible strength, warmth and generosity, so that anything I can do to help them lead a reasonably independent life still in their own home is fine by me.
Nevertheless, it is sometimes tough and I do have an empathy for that generation of 50 somethings who are sandwiched between the demands of children and elderly parents. Sometimes you feel as though you want to say 'Where is MY support?' If you are in this situation it is really important that you have some 'me' time as otherwise the demands of family become all-consuming. If you can have some sort of outlet, perhaps an interesting hobby or regular trips out with a friend, then you will find that the family duties may not feel so burdensome. Finding time to relax is so important when you have many different commitments to juggle.
Perhaps you are feeling the burden of family, whether you are one of the 'in-between' generation having to care for children and elderly parents, or you simply feel bogged down by work and/or other commitments? Do contact me with a view to trying hypnotherapy, as it can really help to reduce those worries and anxieties, and leave you feeling much calmer and able to cope with all of the responsibilities in your life.
Best wishes,
Wendy x
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