Daily Habits

Written by: Debbie

Imagine if you could create 10 daily habits, that empower you. Just ten things you do daily, that create a sense of who you are and why you are here. You already have daily habits, brushing your teeth, maybe coffee and the paper or walking the dog. Just think, if you began to do some things just for you. How fabulous would you feel?

I include self-hypnosis into my daily routine, when I miss it, I really miss it! When I miss my daily self-hypnosis, my family reminds me, because they miss it too. (Funny how family will let you know when you aren’t quite right.) I also drink a gallon of water every day, encourage myself in the mirror every day (making eye contact) and listen to inspirational/motivational audios when driving. I want to work up to ten. I will start with just one more at a time, once it is a real part of my day, I can add more.

How about joining me? Imagine if we all worked towards ten daily habits that brought more joy, prosperity and excitement into our lives?

This just in….

Written by: Debbie

I love when an athlete will attest to the powers of hypnosis. Here is a rugby player,
Shontayne Hape who has been undergoing hypnosis to help him cope with his third knee reconstruction operation. Then there is this article telling about how more and more young athletes seek out mental toughness coaches.

I have had the privilege of working with martial arts students, Olympic hopefuls, golfers, football players and even a ping pong player to name a few.

Secondary Gains

Written by: Debbie

There are times when an individual may seek help for an issue, appear to be trying and yet success alludes them. There are those who reach their desired success quickly, then seem to do a complete 180 degree turn. Why is this?

Perhaps it is due to something called a secondary gain. If your disease allows you to miss days of work or school, illicit sympathy or gain attention, these are some examples of what a secondary gain is. Every behavior we have rewards us in some way or we wouldn’t have that behavior. That’s right, every behavior. Even the negative ones. Therefore, when changes don’t seem to occur, it is time to take a look at what the benefit is.

It is usually said that to suggest you might be taking advantage of others as a result of your suffering is to blame the victim. How can you take any course of action when you are assumed to be unable to help yourself? This allows you to be treated as a victim, removing any responsibility to change your circumstances.

Are you giving yourself permission to act out irresponsibly because you “can’t control yourself”? Going a step further, you can treat others poorly or have power over them if you are the “victim” and they need to conform to your special needs. Perhaps your family all has a similar issue and this allows you to be a part of the clan.

Through hypnosis, we can journey together to discover what the gains are. They are often not something the logical mind would expect. Once discovered, another method of meeting that need can be established. A healthy habit, thought or behavior that will allow you to move beyond the issue towards success. Away from over eating, nail biting, smoking or even the hiccups towards a life of freedom!

A former client with a long term physical ailment came to me hoping for a cure. There had been quite a bit of attention given to her ailment and her attempts at curing it. In my office, she was able to find relief. However, we agreed there needed to be more work done, to allow this to become a permanent change. The siren call of the media attention took hold. The follow up visits were not kept. The relief was sporadic. Perhaps a secondary gain can be seen here.

When you make a commitment to yourself, for change, it is important that you follow through with the entire course of action. You are worth it!

Harvard Medical Heralds Hypnosis for Healing!

Written by: Debbie

I found this article online : Speed Healing: The Road To Rapid Recovery

The article begins by explaining that when animals are sick or injured, they slink off to the comfort of their nest or lair until they’re all better. You usually have to make breakfast, show up at work, and retrieve the dry cleaning — no matter how you feel. Getting better is just one more entry on your checklist of things to do.

Fortunately, researchers have identified steps you can take immediately to bounce back faster.
Listed amongst them is hypnosis. You see, hypnosis may accelerate recovery from serious injuries and surgeries. A Harvard Medical School study showed that the fractured bones of patients who received regular hypnotherapy were fusing at an advanced rate — 6 weeks after the break, their bones appeared to have been healing for 8-1/2 weeks. A separate Harvard study also found that the incision wounds of women who were hypnotized before and after breast-reduction surgery healed more quickly. The hypnotized women also had less pain.

Cinnamon helping your health!

Written by: Debbie

I came across this blog Cinnamon, the new anti-viral medicine and was delighted. According to new research, cinnamon helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and and keep hunger at bay. There is research being done regarding it’s use in preventing the rise of blood sugar levels, thus helping diabetes type 2 patients. Now, there is evidence that studies claim anti-viral benefits for this special cinnamon extract against Avian Flu H9, the Sendai virus, HIV and Herpes Simplex 1, Newcastle disease (in chickens) and the flu.

Not only will this extract fight the viruses, but it will also immunize against them.

A research and license deal on Michael Ovadia’s patent-pending cinnamon extract was signed last week between TAU’s technology transfer company Ramot and Frutarom, a multinational nutraceutical company based in Israel.

Frutarom is expected to use the extract in a whole host of applications from disinfecting the air as a spray against Avian flu in airports; to a daily supplement that protects people against the common flu.

Funny thing, I have been encouraging my smoke cessation and my weight management clients to use cinnamon sticks for quite a while now. It is so nice when science validates a point for you!

Hump Day Celebration

Written by: Debbie

Happy Hour Without The Alcohol!

Everybody loves Hump Day! You know, the day that says you’ve survived half of the work week already and haven’t wrung the neck of that whistling co-worker or told your boss in most uncertain terms where and how to place that extra task! Now, the drive home through traffic with folks who just like you are overloaded, but somehow, unlike you they have forgotten how to drive properly. 😉 Awaiting you at home is a broken appliance or an agitated loved one or who knows what other fun?

Well, in my office, we have a solution. That’s right, an alcohol free happy hour. This “Happiness Booster” consists of the combined expertise of myself (the hypnotist) and acupuncturist Christine Hasinger into 15 minutes of sheer delight. Motorists can pop in on the way home, spend 15 minutes to relax, have a snack and be on their way! All this for $25. most of which is going to the local children’s hospital. If you live or work nearby, here is the link to the page, just scroll down to events. We just wanted to create a way to eliminate stress and raise money for a charity that matters to us!

He’s taking me home

Written by: Debbie

This is a great little story that I was sent in email. The point is how a simple re-frame of our thoughts can have such a huge impact on our beliefs!

A minister I know had been on a long flight from one place to another. The first warning of approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS. Then, after a while, a calm voice said, “We shall not be serving the beverages at this time because we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.” As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, “We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us.”

And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, “As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her! She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.

Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid.”

The minister could hardly believe his eyes. When the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, the minister lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The child replied, “Cause my Daddy’s the pilot, and he’s taking me home.”

Now, that’s a re-frame….

Self Hypnosis Benefiting Kids!

Written by: Debbie

A new study reports that self-hypnosis training in children and adolescents may result in significant improvement of chronic headaches. Researchers from the University of Minnesota investigated the results of treatment for chronic headaches in youth using self hypnosis. The study found a reduction in frequency, intensity and duration of these headaches among the group of outpatients who were taught and used self hypnosis techniques. There were no adverse effects reported. Imagine that, pain relief without drugs! Think how our children could benefit if they were taught self hypnosis instead of pill popping. Hmmm…..

Prosperity In Odd Forms

Written by: Debbie

We decided to take a much needed extended weekend away from the phones. So, we booked a room at the Loews Hotel in Miami beach. We got a suite, waterview. We were set for a weekend of luxary, knowing it would be costly, perhaps as much as we have spent on week long vacations in the past.

Well, my husband discovered he had enough American Express points to cover half of the nights we would be staying. Great! Savings number one. The day before we were set to leave, the phone call comes. Computer glitch, our room was not going to be available. Oh no! Well, they could give us a suite on the 18th floor, not water view, but lovely just the same. They dropped the cost of the room by $195 per night and threw in a $75 gift certificate for our inconvience.

Wow, savings numbers two and three.

When we arrived, our room wasn’t ready. Apparently, the people in the suite before us hadn’t left yet. This was not a great thing to hear as we were tired and wanted to clean up and relax. Plus, I got a call: I needed to check a proof and had to meet a deadline. I was permitted to use the business center for free! Only a $5 savings, but still savings number four! However, they gave us yet another $50 gift certificate for the inconvience. Savings number five! We finally got into our room, half of it!

It seems housekeeping was still cleaning the parlor portion of our room. Four large adults stuck in a bedroom! Once again they choose to make it better for us. Well, it seems they don’t like to have guests wait to check in. So, yet again one more gift certificate.

We recieved $200 for dinner! Savings number six. The trip has only begun. I wonder what opportunities and possibilities will arise over the rest of the weekend.

I have to tell you, prior to the trip, I had been over-tired and allowed doubt to enter into my mind. Should we spend this money? I had felt myself begin to slip into a poverty mentality. So, I instantly did a self hypnosis on prosperity thinking. I also read a portion of the Laws of Success, by Napolean Hill. I shared with a friend how I wanted to feel; she encouraged those beliefs.

Now, walking down Ocean Avenue, I looked up today at the hotel and was amazed at the hotel and how my room is on the top floor, with the biggest patio in the hotel. (It is bigger than the one on the back of my home, which I always considered fairly sizable.)

Super Kids

Written by: Debbie

It is amazing how wonderful young people today are. In my experience, the young people of today have been exposed to so much. They have always lived in a fast paced world, with microwave moments and sound byte communications. The expectations academically seem to be more and more accelerated with every year. The internet has allowed for social interaction beyond the neighborhood or even the local community.

What I observe is that so many young people use this expansion and opportunity to create a more powerful future for not just themselves, but for the world as they perceive it. They volunteer in astounding numbers. Young people save lives through fundraising efforts. They chanage the course of the lives of individuals and communities. For instance young Talia Leman. Talia is the founder and CEO of her own non profit organization, Random Kid. RandomKid takes the ideas of the kids for a better tomorrow seriously and helps to make them a reality. RandomKid empowers children to solve real-world problems. Talia has realized that everyone is significant and possesses the power to make a difference in the life of another.

In my office, I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with amazing young people. Olympic hopefuls, actors auditioning for Broadway, equestrians and many others. It is a joy to see these young people who are so full of promise and enthusiasm harness the power of their mind and bodies to become the superstars they were meant to be.

DebbieDona