Its thought that between 10-20% of people experience IBS at some point in their lives (NHS Choices web site). Although this illness is not fatal it is, nevertheless painful and embarrassing for those who suffer.

People with IBS tend to fall into sub groups and experience a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhoea, abdominal bloating and excessive wind.

Many patients find their pain is worse when constipated, and it may be relieved by opening the bowels or passing wind. In women there may be a pattern associated with their periods. Nausea can occur but vomiting is not usually a feature of IBS.

Bowel habits vary enormously between individuals, though most people have their own pattern. The change in bowel habit may be in the frequency of action, the form of the motions, or associated with urgency.

Anxiety and IBS

Regardless of whether they have IBS, people with anxiety tend to worry greatly about issues such as health, money, or careers, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Other symptoms include stomach upset, trembling, muscle aches, insomnia, dizziness, and irritability.

There are several theories about the connection between IBS and stress and anxiety:

• Although psychological problems such as anxiety do not cause IBS, people with IBS may be more sensitive to emotional troubles.
• Stress and anxiety may make the mind more aware of spasms in the colon.
• IBS may be triggered by the immune system, which is affected by stress.

Studies at The University of Gothenberg in Sweden showed that Hypnotherapy alleviated the symptoms of IBS in 40 % of the people tested – and that the results were long term.

 Cognitive Hypnotherapy can help control the symptoms through deep relaxation and individual hypnotic suggestions. Clients can also be taught how to use these techniques in their everyday lives.

 There have been plenty of studies done* that indicate that stress and the general state of mind of IBS sufferers can have a profound effect on the severity of their symptoms. Therefore it seems obvious that relieving stress and anxiety could help and enable people to be in control of their IBS.

Learning how to relax and control anxiety can be of benefit to everybody, so if you would like some more information on how Cognitive Hypnotherapy works then please contact me

*Journal of clinical excellence/American Physiological Society to name just a few.

It’s surprising how many people wish for a better life but don’t actually don’t take any steps to make their life any different so come the next New Year they find themselves wishing for a better year again. There is no escaping the fact that a better, more fulfilling life awaits us all BUT people have to make the changes themselves. And that’s where most of us get stuck. There is no magic wand, no magic beans BUT there are opportunities; seeing them and acting upon them can bring about the changes which leads to the improvements in our life.

So what changes can we put into place which will help us make our new year wishes come true?

One of the biggest changes we can make is to stress less because if feel less stressed about things that affect our lives it will give us the foundation to create other changes. Being less stressed can give us more control over our life, help us to feel uplifted and generally more positive.

Tips on becoming less stressed.

1. learn how to recognise what it is that causes you stress. It will be different for everyone. We are so reactive to what’s happening  we rarely take time to take stock of our thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

2. learn to understand what feelings are connected to your stressor. For example, you may feel stressed when driving in town but ask yourself why. It may be a case of feeling insecure, out of control, intimidated, threatened or frustration. Whatever it is you are feeling, identify it and begin to acknowledge the real reason for your stress.

3. Challenge your stressful thoughts

• Is this thought a fact, or just a thought?
• What am I reacting to? What meaning am I giving this situation?
• Is there another way of looking at it?
• What would someone else make of it? It’s often helpful to think about a particular person who you respect, and imagine what they would think about that thought, what meaning they would give it, and how they would react to it.
• What advice would I give someone else (with this thought in this situation)?
• Is this one of those Unhelpful Thinking Habits?
• Is my reaction  in proportion to the actual event?
• How important is  this really? How important will it be in a year’s time?
• How am I reacting? When I think of that Playground Bully, am I like Victim 1 (believing and getting upset), or can I be like Victim 2 and challenge the  bully?
• What if I tried to see this situation as an outside observer. How would that look? Would things be likely to have a different meaning?
• What evidence is there that this thought is true?
• What evidence is there that this thought isn’t true (partly or totally)?
• What would be a more balanced way of looking at it?
• What is the bigger picture?

4. learn coping techniques to interrupt the pattern of stress. Techniques such as NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming), EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or Mindfulness are methods proven to cognitively interrupt the negative thoughts and feelings and help people attain fuller and richer lives.

5. Find a therapist. If you are unsure how to begin to tackle your stress issues book some sessions with a therapist. Getting professional support is a great way to help you work your way through your problems. Your therapist will guide you and teach you techniques to help you deal with stress.

A three hour therapeutic workshop packed with information and techniques to help you manage and reframe your stressors.This is a 3 hour interactive workshop, using insights from various psychology models and incorporating a powerful and proven combination of NLP, Hypnotherapy and Mindfullnes

What you can expect from an stress managment workshop

• The session will start with  refreshments, followed by introductions from me and my colleague
• I will talk about cognitive hypnotherapy,  how and why it works. I will answer any questions or concerns that you may have  about hypnotherapy.
• We can then discuss how stress affects us (this part of the session is  not obligatory – only those people who wish to talk about need participate) to gain an understanding of ‘how you do  your’ problem.
• We then will have a lovely 10 minutes of  hypnotic relaxation.
• I will then explain how your mind has developed a protection for you which has resulted in feeling stress.
• We will teach you how to identify your stressors, how to feel differently and react differently.
• I will then teach you NLP  techniques so you can use these to get you through moments of stress.
• We finish the morning with a Mindfullness  session to help focus your subconscious on being postive

Extras

• free handouts.
• a free NLP technique sheet reminding you of  the new skills you have learnt in the session
• a download of the hypnotic guided visualisation  and word weaving used in the session

click here to read more about dealing with stress

A unique 4 week workshop offering a complete wellbeing package to inspire, enthuse and energise using Cognitive Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness, NLP and Yoga.

Week one    Boost Confidence

Week two    Boost Self Esteem

Week three  Stress Less

Week four    Energise

This therapeutic four week journey will take you through a range of therapeutic models teaching you a variety of techniques to help you to become more confident, grow self self esteem and generally feel more in control and less stressed. We will also prime your subconcious mind to look for opportunity and progess… so if you want to grow, this is the workshop for you.

Packed with loads of useful resources including

• handouts
• cbt  home work tasks
• cognitive hypnotherapy downloads

Session Objectives

By the end of the session you will have 

• Learned some relaxing techniques
• You will understand why you lack confidence
  in some situations
• you will have learned at least four coping techniques
• you would have received two sessions of
  Cognitive Hypnotherapy

What these sessions are:

A mix of NLP & Cognitive Hypnotherapy together with an understanding of how your psyche works. A deep
structure remedy for interview nerves. This session is designed to change the way you feel and think internally in relation to job interviews leaving you with a positive frame of mind, uplifted and much more
confident.

What these sessions are not:

• A mix of interview questions and negotiation
  techniques.
• Communication and presentation skills
• How to prepare for your interview
  tips

  What you can expect from an interview confidence session

1. The session will start with an introduction
   from me and a cup of tea or coffee.
2.  I will talk about cognitive hypnotherapy,
   how and why it works. I will answer any questions or concerns that you may have about hypnotherapy.
3.  We can then discuss how you feel during the job interview (this part of the session is  not obligatory – only those people
   who wish to talk about need participate) to gain an understanding of ‘how you do
   your’ problem.
4. We then will have a lovely 10 minutes of hypnotic relaxation.
5. I will then explain how your mind has developed a protection for you which has resulted in feeling nervous and/or panicky and fearful just before and during job interviews.
6. I will then teach you at least 4 NLP
   techniques so you can use these to get you through the interview with
   ease.
7. We finish the morning with a hypnotherapy session – a combination of guided visualisation and wordweaving to help and
   guide you through the perfect interview.

  ExtrasAlso available

• a free ‘useful information’ fact sheet
  outlining basic common sense interview techniques and website
  resources.
• a free NLP technique sheet reminding you of
  the new skills you have learnt in the session
• a CD of the hypnotic guided visualisation
  and word weaving used in the session (at a small charge
  of £3.50)

To book on a session please phone
07786314901

One to One Sessions

If you prefer to have a one to one sessions with me, please call me to discuss how I can help you. ]]> http://www.barbarahayhypnotherapy.co.uk/2011/10/16/interview-confidence-workshop/feed/ 0 http://www.barbarahayhypnotherapy.co.uk/2008/09/04/hello-world-2/ http://www.barbarahayhypnotherapy.co.uk/2008/09/04/hello-world-2/#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:04:48 +0000 barbarahay http://www.elegantwordpressthemes.com/preview/Influx/?p=1 Some people often find themselves in repetitive situations where they engage in self-damaging or defeating behaviours. Sometimes this involves addictive behaviours, or patterns of unproductive activities which are harmful to themselves or others. What is a typical self defeating behaviour?

Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste
not see their sorrow?
Ever lost touch and let a good friendship
die,
Because you never had time to call and say “Hi”?
You’d better slow
down – don’t dance so fast,
Time is short, the music won’t last.

When
you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting
there.
When you worry and hurry through your day
It is like an unopened
gift…thrown away.
Life is not a race – do take it slower,
Hear the music
before the song is over.