Kids in crisis

Last night I watched a Despatches programme on Channel 4 called 'Kids in crisis'. Although I was already well aware of the lack of adequate mental health services for children and teens, this programme really opened my eyes as to how difficult it is for some families, as their mentally ill children are placed in units hours away from their homes.

The programme dealt with severe mental health crises in children with a wide range of issues and specifically those who needed specialist help in a residential unit. It highlighted the lack of adequate support in some counties such as Cornwall where a lovely couple had to travel 300 miles to visit their 17 year old daughter Chloe in a secure unit in Kent. From a practical point of view this was incredibly difficult, but also emotionally the sheer distance between the child and their family was heartbreaking. A couple in Northern Ireland had their daughter placed in a unit for eating disorders in London, so this meant that - should anything happen and they had to visit her in an emergency - it could take them days to get there. Also, when the child is beginning to get better, the process for gradually getting them used to home life again, by overnight visits and short stays is incredibly difficult and expensive to arrange.

This situation is intolerable. I know that there is a finite amount of money available, but surely it is better for the child to have psychiatric help nearer to home even if it is not an exact match to the issue in question. I do realise that certain illnesses demand a different response and this programme was about desperately ill children, but I do believe that sometimes as a society we tend to over complicate things when there can sometimes be a simpler solution.

A little while back I treated a young person for post traumatic stress with hypnotherapy in just four sessions. The teenage girl in question had been referred for a course of long term therapy over 20 weeks but was not keen to do this as she felt that this intensity of therapy would only make things worse. The hypnotherapy worked really well, and she was able to move on with her life.

I really felt for these children, they obviously needed help and care and we must be mindful of children who suffer trauma in the very early years of life who then face difficulties later on, but I am sure that there must be a better solution.

Best wishes,
Wendy x

Fear of flying

One of the most rewarding treatments that I carry out for people is for a fear of flying. A lovely lady who came to me some years ago had not flown for many years due to her last flight ending in an emergency landing. The resulting panic and chaos in which she remembered people screaming around her was embedded in her memory, and - although it had happened many years ago - still seemed like yesterday and was preventing her and her husband from enjoying their retirement to the full.

This is not surprising as recent research reveals that a traumatic accident which may have happened decades ago is often remembered as if it were a recent event, as well as those involved seeing other similar events in a more heightened and emotionally charged way.

A group of Canadians had been flying from Toronto to Lisbon on August 24th 2001 when their plane suddenly lost power because of a fuel leak. They plunged down towards the sea at 2,000 ft per minute but the pilot managed to land the plane safely at a small military base in the Azores. One of the passengers, a psychologist, decided to use the group's shared trauma for a the basis of an experiment into the effects of extreme distress on the brain. Almost a decade later the same passengers were put under an MRI scanner and shown coverage of their disaster as well as footage of 9/11 which, coincidentally, happened weeks later. It was found that the people who had experienced the incident had a much stronger emotional response to the trauma, as opposed to subjects who had not experienced such an event. They also 'remember the event as though it happened yesterday, when in fact it happened almost a decade ago.'

Hypnotherapy and NLP can rapidly and effectively break up the memory of this type of trauma, and I am consistently amazed (I've always been a bit of sceptic) by how well the treatment works, often in just a couple of sessions. To enable people to see all sorts of different wonderful places, people and cultures is such a privilege for me.

By the way, the husband of the lady who came to see me wishes she had never come for treatment. It's costing them a fortune ....

Wendy x

De-cluttering

I have recently had a big clear out. This was prompted by new carpets being fitted throughout the whole house, the old ones being mostly laid bare by carpet moths, and so the new ones are polyester (sounds horrible but actually it looks and feels like the real thing and apparently the moths gag on it). Clients will be able to experience the luxury of the the new carpet as I have had my practice room done too. It all looks lovely.

The clearing out process, including the cupboard of fear - we've all got one of those havn't we? - was really quite cathartic, and I can feel a different, lighter energy in the house now. In the same way that our minds hold onto stuff which we really need and want to be rid of, we sometimes keep actual items which we no longer have any use for. However I did find that once I had started I tended to be much more brutal and my husband had to hold me back from throwing out things that we still wanted to keep (like a sofa or one of our children ... )

When taken to extremes it can be that you are either a person who hoards for England or one of those minimalist types who have everything painted white and no stuff at all. Of course the former can be a very serious issue and indicative of somebody who has been through loss or trauma and therefore finds comfort in filling their homes with all sorts of things which they really do not need. I do think that a bare home also indicates a certain mindset, and, as with everything a balance between the two is good. Sometimes we can be affected by our childhood home so if your mum was hoarder of every type of trinket, you may well go in the opposite direction when you have your own place.

Whatever you are - hoarder or de-clutterer - I like to think of hypnotherapy as a way to give the mind a good clear out, and what's amazing is that this process can happen without having to lug furniture around or clear out cupboards. One of the things that many clients tell me is how much more energetic they felt after a session, lighter and clearer headed. It may then be that a problem you have been struggling with for sometime suddenly becomes easy to solve, or you may just be aware of having more positive thoughts.

The moths are really cross now, by the way ....

Wendy x

Kneesy peasy

Otherwise fairly fit and healthy I am having a bit of trouble with my knees of late (might be an age thing) to the effect that they are no longer behaving as knees should, eg. bending, weight bearing etc. I am going to see a rheumatologist but have had blood tests which seem to indicate a lack of arthritis, which is very positive, but a bit of a mystery.

I do sometimes think that our bodies indicate to us when we are overloaded in all sorts of interesting ways and we need to listen and pay attention to what is going on. I remember seeing a client who had the most awful IBS after splitting from a partner, and had actually described how she felt as 'gutted'. The split was causing these very physical symptoms. The emotions that she felt were going directly to her stomach. Also, I heard of a chap who could not accept his son's sexuality when he found out he was gay, he found it actually distasteful and then developed a strange symptom in which he had the experience of an awful smell in his nose.

This type of thing serves to illustrate how the body and mind are so closely related. I have thought about my 'knee' business and although it may well be that an MRI reveals a mechanical fault, I do think that some stress that I had last year in which I almost felt I was having to carry some family members going through a difficult time caused me to buckle under the strain. This difficult time has fortunately passed now, although the knees still seem to be complaining. Perhaps it is my age after all!

Wendy x

Depression in children and teenagers

I am so pleased that some schools are now opting to ban homework, and this is not just primary schools. Apparently Cheltenham Ladies College is doing away with 'prep' and also making sure that students have more relaxation time, including weekly meditation classes. I only hope that this begins a trend across both private and state schools. Given the increase in rates of depression in children and young people, it is essential that the whole country changes it's thinking in this way.

I have long felt that the amount of time a child is in school should be enough for them to be able to learn, and that home time should be just that - time at home to relax and unwind with the family. The demands on children and teenagers are so great now, that it is very important that they have some time to just 'be', away from the rigours of deadlines and school work. Of course, it is really important that this downtime is not spent just on smartphones or iPads, but that there is an encouragement to do other stuff too. But these need to be activities without structure, as endless clubs and sports commitments could end up being as tiresome and stressful as homework.

In many ways the world is a better place for youngsters now, much less bigotry and more freedom for people to be themselves, many more opportunities. However, by another token, there are so many more stressors on the young person, including the pressure to perform well at school, as well as all the other things such as body image, broken families, money and career worries, that we have to realise the importance of having the time and space to relax and just enjoy time at home.

I am mindful of the fact that many young people will be in the midst of exams at this time, so I'm sending my best wishes and thoughts to you all (and to your parents!) Take care.

Wendy x

A passionate man

I was very sad to hear the news about Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat MP, who died yesterday aged 55. We do not yet know the circumstances of his death but whatever the cause, it is certainly untimely.

Although a very successful parliamentarian as well as being a well-liked and genuine man, he battled with alcohol and bravely made this public knowledge a few years ago. The loss of his seat recently must have been devastating, after over 30 years as an MP, compounded by the recent death of his father who he cared for. His marriage had ended in 2005, although he was a doting dad to his little boy.

He was certainly a man of principle as evidenced by his passionate opposition to the Iraq war and he can be admired for this as, at the time, many around him were pro-war. Events since that time show that he was right in his belief that such action would ultimately lead to huge unrest, and anti-West fervour such as we now see with the Islamic State.

Sometimes it is said that people such as Charles Kennedy and other troubled souls like him see things all too clearly whilst the rest of us manage to find a way to 'rose tint' life, enabling us to function without the need for a crutch.

I hope that his family and friends find comfort in the outpouring of love and respect being expressed about this warm-hearted and genuine man.

Wendy x

Hypnobirthing

I am delighted that the NHS is now offering hypnobirthing lessons on the NHS, although this is still limited to some parts of the country, notably the north-east in Hartlepool and Tyne Tees. It is such a good idea to learn a self-hypnosis/deep relaxation technique in the months leading up to having a baby as this generally leads to a much calmer, happier pregnancy as well as birth experience.

Even better, if you can continue to find time (so difficult, I realise with a new baby!) to carry on a regular practise of self-hypnosis, this will help to make you a much calmer parent.

My first experience of hypnosis was just after my eldest son was born, when I had several sessions with a local hypnotherapist, who gave me a cassette tape (showing my age here) which I regularly used at home when Olly was having his nap. This then formed the basis for my interest in hypnosis, which then eventually became a career.

Making time for yourself - even just 10 minutes per day - is a wonderful gift to yourself to bring down stress and pain levels, whatever life is throwing at you.

Do get in touch if you would like to find out more about the wonderful power of hypnosis, and how you can learn to use it yourself in your daily life, with quite amazing results.

I would also like to add that I am experienced in helping couples with fertility issues, as well as being able to provide hypnotherapy for a more relaxed pregnancy and birth.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Wendy x

Finding Mike

I was so moved by last night's programme on Channel 4, The Stranger on the Bridge, in which a young chap called Jonny Benjamin endeavoured to find the person who had talked him down from jumping off Waterloo Bridge 6 years ago.

A vulnerable young man, he had just been given the devastating news that he was suffering from schizophrenia, a diagnosis which explained the incessant voices in his head but which also completely overwhelmed him, so that he saw no other solution than to plan to take his own life. He went to Waterloo bridge one morning and climbed through the railings, ready to jump, when he was approached by a passerby - who he thought was called Mike - who refused to leave his side, and eventually managed to persuade him to change his mind.

Jonny then spent months and years trying to find his rescuer, an internet campaign went viral and he even had a number of people come forward to say that they were his 'Mike'. He appeared on national TV to try and find his man, but to no avail. The trail seemed to have gone cold.

But then something wonderful happened and someone noticed Jonny's campaign, whose fiancé had had a similar experience six years ago, when he was crossing Waterloo Bridge and he had persuaded a young man not to jump. The details seemed to add up and Jonny felt this was his man, even though his name was actually Neil. Their meeting was very moving, Jonny was able to say thank you to Neil, a lovely warm-hearted man and they have remained friends.

Jonny continues to manage his schizophrenia, and is now working to raise awareness for mental health issues.

Sending good wishes to those two lovely men who were brought together on the bridge that day.

Wendy x

Male depression and suicide

The Panarama programme last Monday evening on male suicide was an extremely sad and moving piece. It largely focussed on journalist Simon Jack trying to find out why his father took his own life at 40, an age which Simon himself had reached.

Apparently suicide, quite shockingly, is one of the biggest killers in men under the age of 50, and particularly common with young men between the ages of 18 and 24. In a time when the stigma of mental illness does seem to be breaking down, it does still appear that for many the idea of asking for help is not an option. The old stereotype of women being able to go to their friends, family and professionals for help more easily, and not bottling things up may still apply, but I do think it goes deeper than that.

Simon found that his father did seem to have a history of depression and alcoholism (which do often go together) and was of the generation when you kept your stiff upper lip, and didn't talk to people about how you felt, as this was a sure sign of weakness. He felt increasingly trapped by all sorts of different pressures, and in the end saw no other way out.

Whilst this may still be true to a certain extent, I think what also comes into play is the fact that men are now finding themselves at a crisis point in terms of their identity. The world is now a complex place, where roles and identities are mixed around, and for many men the old primal idea of just wanting to provide for the family is still a basic instinct - hence there is a conflict.

We should encourage men to talk and seek help, but it is far more than that, I believe. Mental health support needs to be individually tailored for each person, not a one size fits all, and only then can we truly start to help those in need. This inevitably requires increased funding and training and a much less blinkered approach in the provision of counselling and support. In addition, help needs to be given straight away, as so often people are put on a waiting list, with sometimes dire results.

Best wishes,

Wendy x

Colouring book therapy

I was listening to Radio 4's You & Yours today, and was particularly struck by an item about the new craze for colouring books for adults. At first this may sound like a ridiculous idea, how can we possibly make time for such an inane activity such as colouring? This is just an activity for children, surely?

But actually it's not as stupid as it seems. Getting lost in colouring as an activity - and the books are more sophisticated than the average children's colouring book, so you can be really pleased with your finished picture - can be a wonderful form of meditation. Dedicated colourists say that worries and cares seem to melt away as you focus on the relaxing task of putting colour to a picture. Actual meditation can sometimes be a difficult thing to do as the mind tends to wander and sometimes you dwell on particular worries. Having a relatively easy task to focus on is a simple way of being mindful, and anyone can colour.

I have already ordered my colouring book, so am looking forward to getting started. I am determined to not go over the lines .....

Wendy x

Dive right in!

It was with some trepidation that I waved goodbye to my youngest as he drove off in his little VW polo to Birmingham, to stay with his older brother for the weekend. He is an excellent driver but, knowing the very different style of driving in a large conurbation compared to the practically deserted  roads around here, a mother does tend to worry.

His rationale was that he had to do it sometime, so why not now, and it would kill a couple of birds with one stone, as he could bring his brother and the brother's girlfriend back with him. So I packed him off, and tried to keep to the back of my mind those anxious thoughts.

Sometimes, when faced with a difficult task the best way is to 'feel the fear and do it anyway' (as wrote the brilliant Susan Jeffers). We all feel anxiety, it is a natural human thing, but just accepting this, and then getting on and doing the thing that scares us is what then will build up confidence and resilience.

By the way, he got there safely! Just worrying about him coming back now .... I'm his mum, give me a break.

With best wishes for Easter,

Wendy x

A little bit fat

I always find I seem to be at my plumpest this time of year.  Getting to the end of a carb-loaded winter in which it's easy to cover up the blobby bits with long cardigans, I suddenly realise the sun's coming out, it's getting warmer, so it's time to de-layer. And that's when I realise the truth of the matter.

I am a little bit fat.

Having just had a thorough medical which revealed that I am in good condition generally, although my cholesterol level would point me in the direction of the GP to get a statin prescription (no way, Jose - see my earlier blogs on what I think about statins) I am not unduly concerned. So it is probably more a case of vanity.

Normally I would cut calories for a few weeks, but I decided this time that I would self-hypnotise daily, in an effort to find out what my body really needs. And the results have been fascinating. I think in the past hypnosis has really helped me to just simply eat much less, and this invariably led to weight loss. But this time my focus seems to be much more precise, and I am finding that I seem to be gravitating towards a way of eating which is optimising my health, with the pounds falling off quite quickly too.

I have always had a keen interest in nutrition, and have long been convinced that the lower carbohydrate type diets are much healthier and likely to lead to good results long term. In the past, however, I have found flaws in the various different options - Atkins, South Beach, Dukan always seemed a bit unsustainable. I have also been looking at the Zoe Harcombe diet, which is interesting but I am not sure about the food combining aspect. Through self-hypnosis I seem to be working out my own version of a healthy low-carbohydrate diet which works for ME, and it's a revelation.

It's almost as if my body knows exactly what to do, and just by having these daily self-hypnosis sessions, I am finally finding an easy, sustainable way to shed the pounds.

I really believe that we each have so much more insight into ourselves than we think we have and by learning how to tap into this we can live our lives in a much healthier, happier way. Hypnosis can gently guide us to certain realisations, that our conscious, logical brains would not be able reach.

Enjoy this lovely spring sunshine.

Wendy x

Filling your cup with good friendships

Mr Chalk and I have just spent the weekend with some lovely friends on the North Norfolk coast, and had a wonderful time just chilling out, eating, drinking and chatting. I must say it did us both the world of good and we came back over the border feeling very much refreshed.

We got talking at the weekend about those people in life who 'fill your cup' and those who have a tendency to empty it. As we go through life we form friendships at different stages but we can sometimes find that, with some friendships it seems to be all one-way traffic.  We may find that we do all the organising, chasing, shoulder offering when things are difficult and generally keeping the friendship going. In return we seem to receive very little, and after a while this can contribute to low self esteem as we feel that we are not valued or given support in return.

I think that, as we get older, it's important to re-evaluate our friendships and when there seems to be too much effort involved, really think about possibly letting things fizzle out. This is sometimes difficult to do, particularly when the friendship has been a long-standing one. I feel that as I get older I really want to have friends that fill my cup, not empty it. Life is just far too short to be with people who do not seem to be giving anything back.

Best wishes,
Wendy x

Getting out

I realise that I often take for granted the beautiful countryside we are lucky enough to have around here. This morning, I took myself out for a brisk walk in the sunshine, and did a 'circuit' that incorporates the most wonderful views across open fields. Sometimes when I go out for walks I just stop and stare, taking in the view and breathing in the fresh air.

Apparently, experiencing awe and wonder has a physiological effect, and can reduce inflammation within the body and mind, which in turn leads to better immunity, and even lowering the risk of clinical depression. Perhaps it's a sense of 'a greater power' or maybe just a feeling of contentment when looking a something beautiful. Awe-inspiring architecture could presumably have the same effect, but personally I believe that nature has probably got the edge here.

Best wishes,
Wendy x

Shot of morphine anyone?

New research seems to confirm that lowering our stress levels could affect our waistlines too. A study carried out by the journal Biological Psychiatry asked 58 women to eat a high fat meal, also monitoring recent stress levels. After the meal they measured how much enjoy they used, as well as their blood sugar, insulin, fat and cortisol (the stress hormone).

The results very clearly showed that those whose stress levels were higher used up less calories after a meal. On average, stressed people burned 104 fewer calories every day which over the course of the  year could equate to 11lbs of gained weight.

We cannot avoid stress, but by dealing with it more effectively means that our bodies will naturally function better.

Have you ever considered having hypnotherapy to deal with stress?

The other day a lovely client compared our hypnotherapy sessions to having a shot of morphine, such was the deep relaxation she felt. What is also so wonderful about hypnotherapy is that the 'morphine' affect lasts as she felt so calm and de-stresses when away from the therapy room too, but without the chemically-induced drowsiness, of course.

So, if you want to feel much better and lose a bit of weight too, please get in touch.

Wendy x

Challenges for young adults

It has been reported that there is more depression than ever occurring in older teens and twenty year olds. This can be a difficult time and now more than ever there are difficulties which put pressure on this age group. Many young people are having - out of necessity - to remain living with their parents, as the cost of housing is too high for them to be able to afford their own place. This means that they are unable to have complete independence and control over their lives, which would build self-esteem and confidence. The workplace is also so competitive now, that the pressure to do the best, career-wise and gain as many qualifications as possible is higher than ever. In addition, the cost of university education, having tripled, puts many twenty year olds in a depressing debt situation, before they have even begun to think of settling down, buying a house and having a family. I know this well as we sometimes laugh about my son's £50,000 debt he will leave university with, as it seems almost too absurd to be real.

What a depressing picture! On the other hand, in many ways the world is a better place for our young now, much more tolerant of minorities - allowing for a wonderful, rich diverse society which had not been previously accepted. There is huge amount of choice in all areas (sometimes this is not necessarily a good thing) and we have information at our finger tips about everything, thanks to the internet.

If you are an older teen or a twenty something, there a few things that you can do to help yourself feel more positive, and these include:

Cut down on your use of social media (yes, it's hard, but studies have soon that overuse of this resource will not make you happy).  Cultivate real friendships, meet people face to face, it's healthier and will promote wellbeing.

You don't have to be Gwyneth Paltrow, but try to eat a healthy diet with lots of veg, fruit and good protein sources. If you do suffer from low mood, cut down on alcohol, as it is a depressant. Not too much caffeine or fizzy drinks, either.

Have a career goal, but be a little bit flexible in this regard, sometimes things do not happen as planned, but this can sometimes be for the best. Above all, try to do something that you really enjoy, then it won't seem like work. Not always possible, but it can happen.

Don't try to be superhuman - there is so much pressure on youngsters to look perfect, correct weight, nice hair, that many people are suffering with body image problems. Be you and know that you are lovely.

Find some form of exercise that you enjoy, and do it regularly. Walking, swimming, dancing, extreme pole-vaulting, whatever gets you going. Team sports are good too, as you get the social contact, which enhances well-being.

If things are really tough, consider counselling or hypnotherapy. It can really help.

The world has changed a lot since I was twenty and it's not always easy, but the biggest thing to remember is that change CAN happen, and you can make the life that you want.

Best wishes,
Wendy x

No passport required

I hesitate before making the journey tomorrow to Birmingham to see my eldest son, as it seems that according to the terrorism expert on US Fox News it is a no-go area for non-Muslims.

This ridiculous comment has caused quite a outrage but it only goes to show how how narrow and ill-informed some people can be. If this so-called 'expert' was called upon for comment on a major news channel, one can only assume that there must be many more people in the States and throughout the world who are similarly ill-informed.

It is this sort of lack of knowledge and narrow thinking which is at the heart of many problems in modern society.

I love the fact that we are a richly-seamed society and in particular in this country welcome people from many different cultures and ethnic groups. Whilst we have witnessed all too recently the most awful atrocities, we must continue to strive to know each other and know more about our world, as it is only through knowledge and understanding can we live peacefully together.

I think that I may be alright without my passport.

Best wishes,
Wendy x

Change your destiny

I have been reading Paul McKenna's latest book 'The 3 things that will change your destiny' and, although he does come in for some stick and can be a little gimmicky, I think that much of this book makes an awful lot of sense.

In my hypnotherapy practice I incorporate a lot of McKenna's techniques as I trained with John Plester at the East Anglian Institute of Hypnosis, one of Paul McKenna's trainers. It seems that over the years McKenna has evolved from the show hypnotist to someone who is much more in tune with the healing side of hypnosis, incorporating spiritual ideas from Buddhism and also including the latest energy healing techniques like 'havening'. This seems to be a combination of EMDR (eye movement re-processing) and TFT (a touch-based healing technique) and was the brainchild of Dr Ronald Ruden, a conventional medical doctor who runs a practice in New York
City and has had outstanding results, particularly with patients suffering from post traumatic stress.

I am not sure about this, although I have had excellent results from another similar type of therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Basically what this type of intervention does is disrupt negative thought patterns, particularly useful for significant trauma - such as an accident or terrifying event - and the result is that the person no longer has the damaging emotion from that particular memory, although they will still be aware that it happened. It just does not affect them any more.

McKenna combines different strands of therapy including the havening already mentioned as well as Neuro-linguistic programming, and good old hypnosis to come up with a very interesting book. I think that it can be condensed into just one thing, however, and it is this:

'What you think is holding you back from your ultimate destiny is just a story you tell yourself, and you can change that story at any time'

In other words YOU create your world, no matter what has gone before, by focussing on what you really want in life, you will find that the most wonderful things start to happen.

Best wishes,
Wendy x

Obesity solutions?

The recent Channel 4 programme 'Shut-ins - Britain's fattest people' was sad and disturbing at the same time. Focusing on two morbidly obese people Sharon and Aftab, it found how their lives (and the lives of their partners) were so severely restricted by their eating disorders that they could no longer go out and do all the things that the rest of us do. It then showed how they were offered different ways of losing weight, Sharon a very dangerous operation to reduce the size of her stomach, so that she could no longer eat huge quantities and Aftab had the help of a lovely personal trainer, along with a strict diet.

Both seemed to achieve success, losing stones, and by the end of the programme doing those normal things that we take for granted. It will be interesting to follow their progress.

What was striking to me was how they both seemed to treat their partners quite cruelly at times, and they seemed to be almost wrapped up in their own problems.

At the root of extreme eating disorders such as this often lies a very low sense of self-esteem, perhaps stemming from difficulties in childhood, resulting in their addictive behaviour. The psychiatrist on the show said that, in effect, binge-eating is a form of self-harm and this is so true. One part of the person knows that this behaviour is so negative, but with the overwhelming pain and torment felt inside, eating is a known easy way to make themselves feel better immediately. They then become trapped in a vicious cycle of bingeing and feeling bad, as the food is the only thing that appears to offer comfort.

I regularly see clients with eating disorders, and each person is unique, so I treat them in a holistic way. Many hypnotherapists offer the gastric hypnoband treatment, but I feel that it is far more important to focus on what is at the root of the overeating, and concentrate on building up confidence, self-esteem and helping to make small changes which will last, and result in the adoption of long term healthy habits. Many people want to see drastic change very quickly, but I feel that it is more important to work on the client's emotional wellbeing, and the rest will follow naturally.

If you wish to chat to me about hypnotherapy, and find out how it can make a difference to your life, please call on 01449780352 or 07817158429, or email me on wendy@wendychalk.co.uk.

Take care and best wishes,
Wendy x

A detox for the mind

As we begin the new year there is always much talk of 'detoxing', giving our bodies a rest from the Christmas overload of alcohol, rich food, chocolates, cake. I noticed that my younger son is giving green tea a go, but I'm not sure how long that will last and how soon he will be back on the builders!

It is a really good idea to start the new year with a commitment to looking at how we can improve our health, but I would advise that its sensible to pick a particular thing - just one thing - that you know you can stick at, however small. A detox regime which consists of wheatgrass smoothies and tofu will not be sustainable, and research seems to back up the idea that it is the healthy habits which last are the ones that make most of a difference. Make it easy for yourself.

However, as well as paying attention to our bodies, it is even more essential to address what's going on in our minds and maybe do a bit of a 'detox' there too. As I reported in a previous blog, stress can play havoc with our hormones, in particular leading to an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone, which causes weight gain particularly round the middle. Lack of sleep, too, can cause all sorts of physical and emotional problems, and it is generally thought now that the less good quality sleep we get, the heavier and unhealthier we tend to be.

It is sometimes difficult to fix ourselves, so why not consider contacting me for some hypnotherapy sessions? Whatever issues you have, whether it is a work/life balance problem, anxiety issues, particular difficult memories you would like to let go of, we really can look at the whole picture and find ways to help you feel so much better, not just in body but also in mind too.

I look forward to hearing from you soon - you can contact me on 01449 780352 or 07817158429, or you can email me on wendy@wendychalk.co.uk.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2015
Wendy x

Happy and healthy in 2015

This time of year is often very challenging for some people, and Mr Chalk and I were witness to this yesterday when, coming home from London by train, we stopped at Colchester and were told to disembark as there had been a suicide near to Manningtree and the trains could obviously not proceed further. It's a terrible tragedy when someone has got to this state of mind, when they feel the urge to commit such a desperate act and we really cannot know or judge what was going on here. However, I do feel for the rail staff and particularly the driver who will very probably experience some form of post traumatic stress after such an incident.

Depression is at epidemic proportions, and the NHS response to this - in the form of medication and perhaps down the line some cognitive behavioural therapy, maybe in person but often on the phone, or even (unbelievably) an online course does not seem to be working.

As someone who has been through depression and come out the other side, I now know the things that work and I am listing them here:

- medication such as antidepressants can work wonders, and it is really important to consult your GP about this, although it is then sometimes very difficult to come off them, and some people have to stay on them for life in order to feel well.

- over the years I have discovered that there are a range of natural supplements that keep me well, these include omega 3 fish oils, vitamin B complex and 5 HTP (a serotonin booster which acts in a similar way to some anti-depressants). I have not found St Johns Wort or evening primrose oil, or homeopathic remedies to be particularly affective but that's just me. Try reading Patrick Holford for more information on natural remedies.

- eat healthily and moderately, lots of veg (less of the fruit because it can give you sugar high and lows). Particularly good mood food includes seeds, nuts, oats, porridge, lean protein such as chicken or fish. Oily fish is particularly good as it gives you the omega 3s. Avoiding the junk really does have a significant effect.

- doing an exercise that you enjoy is really vital, and doing it regularly. For me that's walking, yoga and swimming, I don't do enough of them, but I will try in 2015.

- find a hobby that's really absorbing, where you completely lose track of time, preferably not something that involves a computer, lap-top, iPad, mobile phone or any other electronic device.

- sleep is really important, so make sure that you get enough of it, and consider hypnotherapy as this can have a profound effect on the quality of your sleep.

- get with others, and do stuff for them, I'm so lucky to have a job where I help people and see the direct results of this. Small acts of kindness work just as well though.

- notice those little moments in the day that are special, a lovely hug with someone you have not seen for a while, really bright winter sunlight, a nice meal. This really does work, it takes practice but over time you can re-pitch your default setting to positive, and not negative thoughts.

- try not to be superman or woman, you are a unique person with your own wonderful qualities.

Can I just say a big thank you to all the lovely people I have helped through 2014, and I look forward to meeting many new ones in 2015.

Warmest wishes,
Wendy x