Dear Debbie,

Written by: Debbie

I think I would like to try hypnosis to help me stop biting my nails. I have eaten my nails, chewed them down to the fingers and it is embarrassing. I feel crazy, because I just can’t stop! Will hypnosis help?

First of all, you are not crazy! Neither are you weak or helpless, even though at times it may feel that way. You are simply a person who happens to have a problem with nail biting. Hypnosis is one of the most common reasons a person will visit my office, after weight management and smoke cessation. The fingers are easily available , so it becomes a matter of habit and ease. Mindlessly an individual will place their hands in their mouth and start chewing away.

The nail biter is aware of the dirt and germs on their hands and under any existing nails and the possibilities of infection. They are embarrassed already having to reach out for a hand shake. So, well meaning friends and family aren’t helping by nagging, anymore than nagging will stop a smoker. In fact, it often leads to more of the same behavior.

Biting usually occurs when the biter is in one of two modes, either an automatic, “mindless” state or else when involved in another activity such as watching the television or at the computer. It seems to be an urge, that allows for a sense of relaxation or else it relieves boredom. Either way, through hypnosis you can “unlearn” the habit of nail biting and find healthy ways of handling the triggers (anything that is a stimulus) that set one to biting in the first place.

So, we work on creating a sense of calm that you can re-create anytime you desire. Next, we work on making you aware of when the urge strikes, so that you are conscious of the habit. Finally, we give you alternative activities to do that will give you a sense of calm or relieve boredom, whichever you find yourself feeling at the moment.

Monday Morning Musing….

Written by: Debbie

This weekend I had the opportunity to relax. What a blessing relaxation is, a chance to regenerate body, mind and spirit. One of the ways I chose to relax was to go for a kayak ride with a good friend of mine. We loaded up the kayaks on the spur of the moment and headed to a nearby beach.

Launching the kayaks was done in a mangrove area, where there are trails for kayaks and canoes to go through, eventually finding their way to the Gulf Of Mexico. Going through the tiny trail was interesting. My friend I both commented how beautiful it was, the sun finding it’s way through the mangroves in patterns, the tangled roots that reached deep into the water and the occasional crab or lizard crawling up the roots. It was also a bit scary, the trail is narrow and there wasn’t always room for the oars. We found ourselves reaching for roots to move our vessels forward. At times, we could hear one another, but not see one another. We encountered another group heading in the opposite direction and had to make room to pass in area that was too small for one vessel!

Eventually, we found our way out to the most glorious view of the Gulf Of Mexico and nearby spoil islands. We paddled around, swam and had a fabulous time. It seemed to occur to both of us that this adventure was a metaphor for life. We had each other to share and knew we weren’t alone, yet, at times we couldn’t see one another. We saw the beauty in the dark mangrove pathways, yet, we still felt a bit of the fear of the unknown. When we got through the most difficult part of the trails, we came out to such amazing beauty. Still, this beautiful and bright tour of the Gulf, took greater strength to traverse, because of the currents.

Just when we thought we had experienced all the joy and beauty and even lessons we could from this event, something amazing occurred. We were paddling nearby shore, when we heard a deep breath. Immediately to my left, within reach of my kayak was a mother dolphin and her two calves. They rolled up out of the water and back under. They continued by, so peacefully. I turned and followed them for a bit, from a distance. There are those who say that dolphins represent good luck or prosperity. To me, the good luck was just being so close to them in that moment. I definitely felt the abundance of life in that moment.

Monday Morning Musing….

Written by: Debbie

It is wonderful when a weekend can be used for revitalization. That is just what this weekend was for me. Friday evening was pleasant and relaxed. Saturday, I spent time with a long time friend relaxing poolside at Innisbrook. We chatted about everything, if you are one of the people who had a chair besides us, I apologize for our constant chatter while you slept in the sun. (However, you must admit, we did solve all of the problems of the world in one afternoon!) Sunday was a surprise birthday party for a neighbor of mine.

The party was fabulous, everyone there really enjoyed themselves and the guest of honor was really surprised and delighted. I must digress a moment in order to tell you how she had tried to share her birthday news earlier. I live in a neighborhood where many residents own golf carts and weekends are spent riding from one house to another socializing. Well, my neighbor had been out on Saturday night with her boyfriend, visiting as they do, and would mention her birthday was coming up. One person after another seemed to answer with a brief, “oh that’s nice, well, happy birthday.” Then change conversation. You could sense her disappointment. Therefore, what fun to see her arrive to the yells of “SURPRISE!” as he children and grandchildren covered her in silly string!

During the course of the party, one gentleman was assisting a young mother in getting the children and all the contraband that goes with that, loaded into the car. The car door closed before he managed to save his pinky finger on one of his hands. He came back into the party looking ashen. He was clearly in pain. Someone got him a bag of ice and he began to ice the finger, but oh his pain! Although nothing was broken, he was gong to have quite a bruise. I asked him to begin to breathe deeply and slowly. He did. Then I asked him to close his eyes and begin to notice how cool the ice felt on his finger, how soothing that coolness felt. Then begin to focus on the amount of pain he had, give it a size in his mind. Next, begin to dissolve the size of the pain slowly, breaking it up and allowing the pain to become smaller and smaller as the coolness of the ice became more and more soothing. Now, he was to imagine the finger healing and restoring itself, sending signals of comfort to the finger and back to the brain. Relax, relax, allow this to be real, as real as is possible.

Suddenly his eyes popped open with a look of surprise. (I gulped.) He looked at me and said, “Hey, this really works! What you just did works! I feel better!” He laughed, I relaxed and everyone went on with the party.

Speaking of parties, I promised to post more about the Entrecard party today.

Three are 200+ possible winners, with a total value in prizes set at over $7000 and for the ECards users, exactly 66,666ec (”ec” = Entrecard Credits)!!!

This is how Marcus says you can enter to win:

Here is how to enter the party contest and belong to the lucky winners…

Subscribe to the Hochstadt.com Blog Announcement List (see the sign-up field in the top right hand corner of this page, right below my image? Yup, there it is.) Not only does it bring you 2 points but I may send you a cool gift when you do 🙂 – 2 Points
Post a comment to this blog post – 1 Point (one point per person)
Stumble and digg about this contest and fav me on Technorati – 1 Point respectively
Use the below party contest image(s) on your site (linking to this party contest) – 2 Points
Write about this blog and this Hochstadt.com Party Contest on your blog, linking to both this blog and the Hochstadt.com Party Contest. Use your own wording, one that fits to your audience. (It shall be easy because the above prizes fit to ALL audiences!) – 10 Points
Write about this blog and this contest on your blog, AND link to ALL contributors (just like you see my list above including all the prizes) – 30 Points
*PSSST* When you write about this contest on your blog it may be a good idea you indicate which of the above prizes you would like to win most. Perhaps Santa is listening and your wish comes true, who knows… 😉

Hint: Use the same e-mail address and Web site’s URL when performing the above contest actions. That way, I will be able to track your entries. 😉

Draw of the winners will be held on MAY 1st!

Go check it all out (remember I am giving away a phone consultation and 7 Living The Lucky Life Audios). http://www.hochstadt.com/its-the-hochstadtcom-party-contest

So friends, Party On!

I am Madame Rue (and so can you!)

Written by: Debbie

If Valentines Day is so happy, why do one in four Americans refuse to celebrate it? And why do 15% of American women (and some men) send flowers to themselves?

Obviously, we haven’t all found our true love. But it isn’t for lack of trying. We gamely go to singles events. We cross our fingers and register online. We hound friends for introductions. We even hang out in bars. But six months or six years later, we still sigh when Elvis asks, “Are you lonesome tonight?”

Remember the guy in Love Potion #9 who was a “flop with chicks?” Well he almost got it right. But instead of going to Madame Rue for something to drink, he should have come to Wisdom Hypnosis for something to think. Everyone knows hypnosis is effective for smoke cessation and weight management; but did you know that hypnosis can help you define and attract that special someone who matches your requirements—exactly. (Don’t believe me? Wait till you meet Exhibit A.)

Join me February 13^th and 20^th for The Real Love Potion #9. Through wisdom hypnosis, total relaxation, and deep writing, you will:

· measure and build self esteem

· determine where you’re stuck on the map of heartbreak

· learn how to get unstuck

· release the mistakes of the past

· thoroughly describe Mr. or Ms. Right

· prepare to love and be loved

· start attracting the right person into your life

These 2 evenings are all about love, so we have to meet at the charming and historic White Chapel in downtown Palm Harbor . Yes, it’s true. “We’re goin’ to the chapel.”

The Real Love Potion #9

Palm Harbor White Chapel

1190 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor , FL

Wednesday, February 13 & 20

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

www.wisdomhypnosis.com
(for more details, as soon as my web lady can get the link up!)

(727) 781-8483