Scientist says we are only born with a fear of loud noises and a fear of falling. All other fears are learnt behaviours.  

In my work as a hypnotherapist, I often work with individuals who have fears through a learnt behaviour. The trigger doesn’t always have to be a physical experience. An example of this is the client that comes to me with the ‘What if’ or ‘I can’t because’ or the parent saying to the child ‘this happened to my friend’. The seed is then sown.

With it being bonfire night there were a lot of loud fireworks going off. I discovered that my own year old dog had a fear of them. I do not know how, as I have only had her eight months.

Initially on the first night, I think we probably heightened her fear by making a lot of fuss. Basically praising and therefore heightening her negative awareness of the noises.

So what did I do?  I encouraged her to relax in the situation. No I didn’t give her hypnotherapy. We used a plug in diffuser and a jacket called a thunder jacket (reminded me of the hug in mug advert).

When working with a client I find the art of relaxation gets bypassed and the ‘fight or flight’ controlled by our brains has kicked in before it actually needs to. There must be a lot of prehistoric mammals (otherwise known as memories) out there chasing us.

Working with my clients I know in heart that I cannot undo the past. What I work with them on is making ‘the now’ a moment they can control.  A client recently came to me for a fear of loud noises, bad weather etc. I recently received a text from them telling me they’d heard a clap of thunder and jumped like any of us would, but that was all and had stayed perfectly calm after.  

I recently watched a fantastic video on UPWorthy about Happiness and being in the moment.  Make 10 mins to watch it, it’s an amazing video.  I love the little girl telling the story about standing at a door and then using her imagination to describe what may behind.  

How about closing your eyes right now and imagining opening that door. What colour door is it? s it a cool metal handle or just one you push open?  I wonder where you’ve gone to?  Whilst you're there really experience what’s behind it.  If it’s outside feel the touch of nature. Wind, sun, water.  If you’re in a room look around at the old photos, your favourite comfy chair. Who knows what’s in that room?  Even allow your mind to subconsciously pick up and touch objects.  

Well done you just experienced self hypnosis.

Take 10 mins after reading this to watch this great little YouTube video.  I think you’ll enjoy it. http://www.upworthy.com/clear-your-next-10-minutes-because-this-video-could-change-how-happy-you-are-with-your-entire-week.

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The school holidays have only just begun and the kids are already running out of exciting things to do!

Now some of you may know I was brought up in a small town called Crawley. My youth was spent playing in the local woods; climbing trees, playing hide and seek and generally enjoying myself without the aid of a computer console.

What do I think this helped with as an adult?  Well the greatest dreams were created in those times about my future. That local forest became my Narnia. As I stepped into the entrance of the park nothing else really mattered.

We’d find trees to swing from and like elves from the forest other children would join in with the fun and games. We never thought about being bored, we didn’t have time. We were busy chasing away the fire breathing dragons or hiding from the invisible witch that lived down the black alley.

Children these days are not always allowed to set their imagination free.  As a hypnotherapist the daydream is a powerful tool.  During a hypnotherapy session a client is encouraged into a relaxed daydream type state.  Whilst relaxed the therapist encourages them to change how they view certain feelings or events in their life to a more positive way.

So if you’re off with your kids this school holiday, why not relive your childhood?  Show your kids how a forest such as Tilgate Park (http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/Leisure_and_Culture/Tilgate_Park/index.htm) in Crawley can be the place where their character is formed and their sense of independence is encouraged.  And if you slay a few of your own dragons whilst you’re there, even better.

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