Start the New Year with a Better Thinking Brain

Dr. Daniel Amen, of the Amen Clinic, has written several books and done PBS specials on how changing our brain physically (with nutrition, exercise, and if necessary, drugs) has a direct impact on how we think and feel.  This article is a link to his step 3 of 7 ways to improve your brain function.  Step 3 is about killing the "ANT's" (Automatic Negative Thoughts) that run rampant in our mind.  Click here to read more

My Comments: I truly appreciate Dr. Amen's wholistic approach to brain health and emotional health! It is too easy to think we just need to suck it up or take a pill to feel better, often times ignoring the very real physical components of how our brain and body functions impact our emotions and thinking.

Automatic negative thoughts is something hypnosis works with all the time, in shifting what the automatic thoughts are, and helping people get out of stuck loops of a negative thoughts and responses to life events. In my practice I explain it as our minds get wired like juke boxes.   Remember those? As a result, when something happens in our daily life it is as if someone just pressed B7 or D29 and a whole automatic response is instantly fires off. This response not only includes thoughts, but feelings, and physical responses!

One of the things hypnosis is great at, is helping people to change their responses by changing these buttons. It isn't something I do to a client, but rather in a partnership of uncovering what the negative buttons are that causing issues, and disconnecting them or changing what response comes with them. Once the change is made it needs to be reinforced to become established and permanent. But then how long has the old negative buttons been running? It makes sense it could take a bit of time to cement in the new buttons.

Combining the power of hypnosis with other elements of wholistic health such as; nutrition, lifestyle, support networks, and more, creates a positive and powerful impact on people's life experiences.  This time of year, when resolutions and new choices are in the forefront of many people's minds, it a great time to begin looking at how to improve our brains, so that those new choices and resolutions can become a reality.

What can you do today?  Begin by monitoring your thoughts - keep an eye out for those "ANT's" and consciously choose a better thought = stamping out the ANT.  Spend even 5 minutes a day in a mini meditation, focusing on experiencing your life in a better way.  As you do this bring as many of your senses into play as possible.  See the changes you are desiring, feel it emotionally and physically, hear yourself responding in the new ways you would like.  Make it real!

To your best life,
Nancy
www.BirthYourDreams.com

Why Use Hypnosis?

The benefits of hypnosis

Nowadays, ever increasing numbers of people are utilizing natural practices because they know that our modern times are causing them too much stress. Of all the means of relaxation and stress management out there, more and more people are looking to experience the benefits hypnosis offers. [One thing to note, all forms of hypnosis are really self hypnosis, as whether you are using hypnosis with a clinical hypnotherapist or on your own, you are always in control of what is occurring.]

Due to its effectiveness in terms of calming the mind and developing a person's level of relaxation and intuitive focus, hypnosis is now being performed not just a means of clearing the mind and inner reflection but also to heal various illnesses in the mind, emotions, and physical aspects.

Self hypnosis and its benefits

One of the most celebrated benefits of self hypnosis is that it greatly helps the person's physical well being. By learning to develop deep states of relaxation and focus, self hypnosis benefits many systems in the body including the heart. By initiating a period of deep rest hypnosis decreases the person's metabolic rate as well as the heart rate, which leads to the reduction of workload for the heart. Also, self hypnosis can lower the levels of a person's cortisol as well as dissolving the chemicals closely associated with everyday stress.

Other physical benefits of self hypnosis include; reducing free radicals in the body by eliminating oxygen molecules that are unstable, decreasing high blood pressure, improving air flow to the lungs to aid easy breathing, and delaying biological aging in people.

When it comes to psychological factors, self hypnosis aids in increasing the person's brain wave coherence, decreasing anxiety levels, irritability, depression, mood swings, improving memory and learning ability, increasing the person's ability for self-actualization, and the feeling of youthfulness and rejuvenation as well as vitality. This leads to more positive joyful outlooks in life, while improving a person's emotional status and stability.

The list goes on about the benefits of self hypnosis in an individual, which in turn benefits their family and his or her community. Working with a professional hypnotherapist is the best way for people to maximize their efforts and attain the best results.

Mind Body Connection and Health - How is Your's??

One of the things I love best about my work as a clinical hypnotherapist is the opportunity to assist clients to create new perceptions and beliefs about themselves, their lives, and what is possible. There is so much power and potential held in our minds! How we feel about the direction our life is taking and what we believe we can do (or can't do) - all of this not only impacts the emotional and mental experience we have of our life, but also our physical health! Hypnosis streamlines and smooths the way for tapping into all that potential and growing a life you love. Check out this 1 mintue video for more information; Noetic Science 1 Minute Shift Let me know what you think, and if you are ready to make some shifts, I'm here.

New blog post today on shifting from surviving to thriving: http://ping.fm/XGBER

From Surviving to Thriving

There is so much happening in the world that is negative, and all of it gets the spotlight in our news and media. It can truly feel like the sky is falling at times! Logically we know it can't really be all bad news - so how do we shift our attention off of the negative and build the positive? Is it really possible?

I believe it is not only possible it is imperative! Do you remember the story of the secret garden? Initially it looked dead, choaked by weeds and neglect. But with some attention and love it bloomed again. Our lives, just like nature, flow in cycles. Tho we don't get to choose what comes to us we can choose how we want to respond.

No matter how gray and dark things can become they can bloom again! It is possible to move from just surviving to thriving even if the outer circumstances stay the same. We all go through challenging times - the difference between those who thrive and those who survive (often barely) is outlook and choice. Choose to not let the world and it's woes, or even your woes, define who you are and how you are going to experience your life.

Here are 3 steps to help

1. Turn off the TV and radio news! On the internet - change your settings on your home page for positive fun things, and turn off the news slide show! Yes it really is possible. Get the headlines only (put them on the bottom of the page where you can look at them when you want to), and then only read what is really important for you to know.
2. Make a list of what increases happiness and joy for you - and then do at least 1 per day. It doesn't have to be fancy or costly. Maybe it is watching a beautiful sunset, taking a walk and noticing how spring is blooming all around, or spending time with a loved one (pets qualify!). Listen to upbeat music and sing along! It is hard to stay down or grumpy when you are singing. Research shows that singing even strenthens your immune system. It doesn't even have to be good singing!
3. Look for things to appreciate and be grateful for during your day. Then on your way to sleep at night think of at least 3 things you are grateful for. Again simple stuff. After a hard day, 1 of them could be that you get to go to sleep in your wonderful bed and let go of the day!

I want to challenge us all to make some new conscious choices. Are you up for the challenge? Practice these 3 steps for 1 - 2 weeks and notice what is happening in your life and world, and report them back here as a comment. The shifts may surprise you! After all what have you got to lose?

The Intention Experiments

In my practice I use intentions regularly to assist clients in making shifts in their lives and moving out of old patterns that no longer serve them. It is exciting to learn the how controlled scientific experiments are now being used to uncover and explore the power of intentions. Thousands of volunteers around the world have participated in Intention Experiments so far. Lynne McTaggart, architect of the experiments, is working with leading physicists and psychologists from the University of Arizona, Princeton University, the International Institute of Biophysics, Cambridge University and the Institute of Noetic Sciences. She has written a book detailing the results on these experiments - "The Intention Experiment". Use the following link to learn more - The Experiments Posted using ShareThis

Happy Holidays!

For all my clients, friends and family-

Along with wishes for your every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year - comes a prayer that this finds you and yours safe, warm, healthy, happy, and loved!

I'm writing this while watching the snow that continues to fall and pile up around us. I don't remember a snowy Christmas time like this since 1996. That was the year my grandson was born. He was a 6 weeks old when the snow hit, and 4 generations got snowed in together for several days. We spent the time playing, snuggling, and marveling at our little man. It is one of my favorite memories even with the power outage and water heater that went bad

So my hope for you is that in this year of snow that you are reveling in what is truly important in your life and making some great memories. Staying home, playing with your kids, making some cookies and watching the snow pile up isn't such a bad way to spend some December days. Normal weather and life will be back with us soon enough. One of things I love about living in the NW is that the snow is an occasional event - not the norm

For many years now during the time between Christmas and New Year's I reflect on the ending year and get clear on my intentions and goals for the new year. This has served me well, in good times and in bad. What are your goals and intentions for 2009? Our country (and world) is in a time of challenges and changes, that will push all of us to make some new choices. If you need some help getting clear, and moving into 2009 with some new attitude and tools under your belt - I'm here

I continue to marvel at how blessed I am in my life and work. It is a pleasure working with all my clients, assisting you in finding your joy and peace while you create a life you love is a real joy for me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your process through your life and your births

I am also deeply grateful for all the referrals I receive. Sending your family, friends, and clients to me is one of the highest compliments I can receive - Thank You!

May you have cozy, bright, and fun holidays and a joyful new year!

Many Blessings,

Nancy