Author: Caroline Jago

The benefits of online hypnotherapy

Caroline Jago general 0 Comment

woman smiling after online therapy

Since covid-19, I have increasingly been seeing clients virtually. Online hypnotherapy has become more accessible and widespread, offering a range of benefits that traditional therapy may not provide.

First and foremost, online hypnotherapy is convenient. Traditional therapy requires you to schedule appointments and travel, which can be difficult and time-consuming. Online hypnotherapy, on the other hand, can be done from the comfort of your own home or any other location of your choice. This is particularly beneficial for those who have busy schedules or mobility issues. With online therapy, you can easily fit hypnotherapy sessions into your daily routine without having to worry about travel time.

Furthermore, online hypnotherapy is more affordable. This makes therapy more accessible to those who may not have the financial means to pay for traditional therapy.

Another significant advantage of online hypnotherapy is maintaining the relaxation and good feelings you receive in the session for much longer. You are able to remain in a comfortable mental and physical state, which enhances the benefits of the session.

Furthermore, it can be more effective to experience the resolution of your problem in the same place where it tends to occur – which is often the home.

Some people ask whether it is possible to hypnotise someone through a screen, to which my answer is absolutely! There is no difference at all in terms of the way that sessions are conducted. Your eyes are closed – and as you are also able to use headphones if you wish, you can become even more immersed in your healing journey.

In conclusion, online hypnotherapy is a convenient, accessible, and affordable option for those seeking mental health services. It provides many benefits that traditional hypnotherapy may not offer such as increased accessibility, reduced cost, and flexibility. If you are considering hypnotherapy, I highly recommend getting in touch and giving online hypnotherapy a try. With its many advantages, it may be just the solution you need to improve your mental health and well-being.

Coping with uncertainty

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Living under changing covid-19 restrictions has impacted us for a number of months now, and is likely to continue to affect the future for many.  As our abilities to make plans in such an unpredictable environment are diminished, how can we learn to cope with uncertainty in order to help our mental health?

Why is uncertainty stressful?

Uncertainty occurs when our sense of familiar shifts, and things are in a state of flux – where no one knows what will happen next, or what a new normal might look like once the dust settles. The human body is hardwired to react to uncertainty in the same way as our brains are designed to assess potential dangers. Therefore uncertainty and unpredictability result in our nervous systems being on high alert; ready to react through fight, flight, or freeze.

Worrying is also a consequence of our desire to be in control – whether in terms of our environment, or the outcome of a situation. But the more we attempt to control everything around us, the more stressed we feel – which can eventually become a vicious circle.

Therefore the first and most vital step towards becoming more accepting of uncertainty – and better at dealing with it – is to understand that almost nothing is certain. Maintaining a sense of perspective is also vital – viruses and diseases have been with us since the dawn of time; and humans have adapted to living along a spectrum of medical, physical, and mental health risks. Some cultures spend lifetimes in challenging environments with little or no access to clean water, food, or sanitation – but still learn how to adapt, survive, and thrive. Such changes in perspective can result in a shift from despair to hope.

Learning how to cope with uncertainty brings many benefits. Making the most of whatever resources we have – and mastering challenges – can increase confidence, build resilience, and develop skills which all contribute to us creating a more fulfilling life.

What can we do about it?

Actions that can help you become more comfortable with uncertainty include:

    • Practising kindness, compassion and empathy towards yourself and others.
    • Staying hydrated —many people don’t drink enough water, and even mild dehydration exacerbates anxiety.
    • Noticing your breathing, and make your breathing slower and deeper. Stress and uncertainty tends to make breathing faster and more shallow, which becomes a vicious circle as the brain is starved of oxygen thus increasing anxiety.
    • Getting moving. Exercise flushes the body’s stress hormones; and even during winter, there are plenty of free routines and tutorials on YouTube for whatever level you feel comfortable with. This also applies to more mindful forms of exercise such as yoga.
    • Reminding yourself of your core values – the personal principles by which you live.
    • Doing at least one thing that aligns with these core values, something you can genuinely feel positive about.
    • Remembering to be grateful for whatever you do have. Imagine what life would be like without the people or things in your life you perhaps take for granted, in order to realise how fortunate you are.
    • If you can, being of service and doing something meaningful for those less fortunate. Reminding ourselves how we can add value to the lives of others, no matter how small, reinforces our own sense of meaning and purpose.
    • Taking action to become part of a solution. This can take many forms – from educating yourself (and maybe others), to becoming involved with groups campaigning for the changes you wish to see. Giving yourself a sense of control and purpose in this way not only gives you the opportunity to engage with something you’re passionate about – potentially with other like-minded people – but diminishes the helplessness which often contributes to anxiety. Be the change you seek!

How will this help?

When you learn to cope with uncertainty, you’ll have more time and energy to devote to the things you do have control over – and this can be key to reaching your highest potential. Remembering that ‘this too shall pass’ can also motivate us to become more appreciative, charitable, and selfless. And because crises disrupt the familiar and comfortable, these shifting sands also offer rare opportunities for growth and change. Such possibilities might not have existed before, at least not in our conscious awareness – but the situation can impair our ability to realise and potentially make the most of such opportunities. However, post-traumatic growth can become a reality if we are able to find meaning and learn lessons in the aftermath of stressful circumstances – and may be the best way we can contemplate the future for ourselves once the pandemic is over.

If you need support throughout this process, I am a qualified hypnotherapist and coach who can support and empower you through this process of change (see my success stories). I offer online sessions wherever in the world you may be, so please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation – and soon you will be able to take new coping skills into whatever the future holds.

Hypnotherapy, coaching, and covid-19

Caroline Jago coaching, general, hypnotherapy 0 Comment

In accordance with current guidelines, I am currently seeing all hypnotherapy and coaching clients online until it is safe to do otherwise, whenever that may be. In this post I talk about both what that means in practice for your experience as a client; and also how hypnotherapy and/or coaching can help you now during such uncertainty.

How can hypnotherapy and/or coaching help?

Online therapy has been found to be effective for depression/mood disorders, anxiety disorders, stress, PTSD, phobias, relationship issues, adjustment issues, and grief. These are among the issues that many are contending with right now, as the implications become apparent for our loved ones and ourselves in every sphere of our lives. Additionally, people may find themselves struggling only after current restrictions have been lifted. Many will have used coping mechanisms such as cigarettes, alcohol, comfort eating, or addiction to rolling news and social media – strategies which may have seemed to help in the short-term, but have become habitual and problematic.

It’s not all necessarily bad, however. The rare opportunity to step back and truly assess our lives may bring insight, and with it the possibility of making changes. Whether a new career direction, the realisation that now is the time to fulfil a lifelong ambition, or simply being able to spend more time with loved ones; covid-19 will cause many to reassess their priorities in life.

Hypnotherapy and/or coaching can help with all these issues. Managing anxiety, coping with uncertainty, and focusing on self-care are vital basic skills at this time, and easily taught online. I have been conducting hypnotherapy and coaching online ever since starting as a therapist, and many prefer the convenience. I also resolve such issues for clients regularly (see my success stories), so you can feel reassured that though this may be new for you, you’re in safe and experienced hands.

So what next?

Online therapy or coaching requires nothing more than an internet connection, and a place where you won’t be disturbed. I’ll send you documents in advance before we conduct sessions via video link, so we can interact much as we would do face to face. I also offer a free 15 minute phone consultation, so you can ask me any questions not covered elsewhere on the site.

And if you need something more immediate, I recommend Hypnosis Downloads for a large range of excellent low-cost hypnosis recordings.

Covid-19 may have disrupted many areas of our lives for the time being, but it doesn’t have to impact on your well-being.

Stay safe,
Caroline

Coping with climate anxiety

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tree at sunset - connecting with nature is part of managing climate anxiety

Almost every part of our existence is a gift from our planet’s biosphere. This includes the air we breathe, the food we eat, the buildings we live in, the elements that form our physical bodies, and the homeostasis that sustains life. Research demonstrates that our mood, health, and behaviour can improve when we spend time in nature. This in turn can contribute significantly to managing stress generally – and in particular, coping with climate anxiety.

Scientists have long been warning about environmental harm caused by human practices. Yet the destruction continues, and the consequences amplify each year. As a result, anxiety about the future of our planet is increasing. This despair about our individual and collective futures – sometimes referred to as eco-anxiety – can exacerbate existing stress, and contribute to a sense of futility.

What next?

Given the urgency of the climate crisis – and a personal lifelong passion for environmental protection – I am now offering help with coping with climate anxiety. There are ways we can manage our overwhelm, both personally and collectively. Actively facing our fears and learning ways we can empower ourselves and our communities can turn this fear into a positive force for action. This in turn inspires hope, as we start to work with the capabilities we already have. There are some excellent resources here to get you started: Climate Psychology Alliance

Seeing a qualified hypnotherapist and coach who is actively involved in the ecological movement can help you make peace with these feelings, and empower you to take positive steps forward (see my success stories in related areas). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation – and soon you can be a proud part of the solution.

8 ways to communicate confidently

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confident meeting

Not many of us believe we are great speakers, nor do we necessarily find ourselves comfortable when encountering new people and situations. How often have you found yourself rehearsing your words ahead of a meeting? Even though some might feel or appear more confident, it would be fair to say that they too occasionally get cold feet. Nervousness or palpitations can indicate a lack of self confidence – but there are ways you can help yourself.

Low self confidence can affect you in numerous ways: exam nerves, fear of public speaking, job interviews, meeting new people, stage fright, fear of being laughed at – to name just a few. Some of us experience visible or physical signs of low confidence such as sweating, stammering, shaking, or blushing.

So here are a few ways you can overcome this…

1. Start with what you know. If you have a presentation coming up, rehearse what you’ll say the first minute or so, preferably keeping it focused on something you know and understand well. If you start confidently, the nerves will decrease as you gradually settle into what you’re saying.

2. Listen – both to others who speak confidently, and yourself. Listening to the sound of your own voice, and enhancing your delivery with techniques from confident speakers, can teach you to speak with conviction.

3. Be humble. We all make mistakes, so don’t be afraid to occasionally check that everyone understands you – and if you do make a mistake, just make a joke out of it. People naturally warm to those who show their human side.

4. Maintain gentle eye contact. Be sure to include everyone in the room when talking to a group.

5. Crack a joke! A little bit of humour can work wonders, helping to lift any tension. You’ll get the attention of the majority of the crowd, and they’ll see you as warm and approachable.

6. Find points in common with your listeners. Interaction helps with sharing ideas – as well as learning more about others, and how else you can potentially interest them.

7. Smile! Much like eye contact, the non-verbal elements of your communication can make all the difference. You can better express yourself when you smile – and the warmth will come across in your voice as well.

8. Prepare. If appropriate, make a note of the key points you wish to communicate, and have them in front of you to help you maintain your focus. Rehearse a few times beforehand, and even if you don’t end up needing notes, just having them to hand can be reassuring. You might even ask someone you trust to give you feedback.

What next?

If you’ve tried most or all of these and are still struggling, there may be something holding you back at the subconscious level – and this is where hypnotherapy can help you. By addressing the root of low confidence – your self image in your own eyes – hypnosis helps you get rid of unwanted beliefs about yourself, helps clear the clutter in your mind, and can help you discover a new you. By using hypnotherapy, you can take care of most problems related to anxiety.

Fear of the situation can become reinforced the more you encounter it, and hypnotherapy for confidence can help you beat it. By working on your inner confidence and focusing on all your positive skills and attributes, hypnotherapy clears your mind – and this clarity is manifested externally through a sense of self confidence and assertiveness. You can try it out right now with these downloads (with a more comprehensive programme here).

However, there may be events in your past which contributed to your present situation, which may make it more helpful to work with someone who understands your individual history and circumstances. Seeing a qualified hypnotherapist such as myself can help you make peace with these, quickly and effectively. As a performing musician also, I understand especially well such feelings of stage fright; and have helped many of my clients with these issues (see my success stories). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation – and soon you’ll be able to look back on that old anxiety as a thing of the past.

How hypnosis can help with anxiety and depression

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Mental health issues are finally gaining wider awareness and understanding generally. But just because the conversation is expanding, there is still a long way to go – and many people still suffering in silence. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common conditions, and while the link between them might not be obvious at first, they are different sides of the same coin.

What’s the difference?

Depression tends to focus on ruminating on the past, frequently accompanied by an inability to find meaning in the present; whilst anxiety tends to manifest as worrying about the future. Both conditions can be exhausting to the extent that they impact upon the most vital elements of a healthy life – such as sleep, diet, and interpersonal relationships.

People suffering with depression can learn to accept and work with ambiguous circumstances, as well as to search for and focus on meaning in their life. Learning to relax with uncertainty also benefits those with anxiety; as does learning ways to dial down the hyper-vigilance that if left unchecked, can result in extreme manifestations such as panic attacks, agoraphobia, or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Unhealthy coping mechanisms such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can also arise as a consequence.

What do they have in common?

Both conditions have stress at their root. This is a state we experience when there is a mismatch between perceived demands and our perceived ability to cope. Stress can also be defined as an adaptive physical response to change in the environment. The stress response evolved to protect us, enabling humans to deal with life threatening dangers such as being confronted with a wild animal. Such situations required action – hence the activation of the stress response to fight, flight, or freeze.

Our brains have not evolved as swiftly as our modern lives have, therefore this stress response to demanding situations is still with us. We all experience stress in different ways depending upon our personality type and past conditioning. Exercise can help flush out stress hormones, but it is better to deal with the cause rather than the symptom, and learn better coping strategies. Likewise, learning to recognise depressive thinking styles (such as all-or-nothing thinking, and catastrophising) can empower us to challenge them when they arise.

So how does hypnotherapy help?

Hypnotherapy is different from any other form of therapy because of the way in which the therapy part happens while in hypnosis – itself a natural focused state of absorption. It is a very effective combination of a trance-like altered state of mind with deep relaxation, which allows the chosen therapy to be even more effective. Therapies can include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), suggestion therapy, regression, ego states therapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, or hypnoanalysis to name just some examples.

Hypnosis allows you to enter a state of deep relaxation, which in itself is a very useful therapy for managing stress. It also allows one to become calm and focused, as all parts of the mind work together and concentrate on solving the problem at hand; and therefore make the most effective use of the chosen therapy as it is applied. All parts of the mind work in harmony for the good of the whole being.

Are there any other benefits?

Hypnotherapy is a proven method for overcoming both anxiety and depression; as well as being positive, rewarding, safe, and gentle. Someone who has undergone hypnosis will not only learn to manage their symptoms but will have more confidence, increased self esteem, and a clearer and more positive perspective on life. Hypnosis calms the nerves, the mind, and the whole body; while alleviating the stress and anxiety that an individual may experience. It is a fascinating process that explores the resources of the subconscious mind – and the beliefs, behaviours, and thinking patterns of the individual become more positive and empowered as a consequence.

Under hypnosis, an individual can both visualise and feel themselves free from anxiety or depression. Hypnotherapy will allow you to live a richer and more rewarding life without these conditions stopping you from reaching your goals. You can try it out right now with these downloads for anxiety or these downloads for depression. However, if you prefer therapy focused on your individual personality and circumstances, I am a fully qualified hypnotherapist who has undertaken specialist training in both anxiety and depression, and have helped many of my clients overcome these conditions (see my success stories). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation – you don’t need to suffer in silence.

Image by John Hain from Pixabay

Anger management with hypnosis

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Anger is a natural emotion. It alerts us to threats and unwanted feelings, and can motivate us to regain control of the situation which is causing them. However, it is frequently destructive when expressed. You risk being consumed by it, and losing the ability to think clearly. It is also physically toxic – recent scientific studies have found that frequent anger contributes to numerous serious illnesses, including heart disease and hypertension. It can also damage our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. How can you respond more effectively before the red mist descends, and you lose control?

Coping strategies

There are a number of ways of managing anger in the short term. These include relocating to a different environment (preferably outdoors), deep breathing, and stress relieving toys. Talking to someone sympathetic, writing it all down, and flushing out the stress hormones with exercise are also beneficial. But these may not always be practical in the heat of the moment, and you may find yourself wishing that you could get to the root of the issue – and nip the anger in the bud. After all, we know that prevention is better than cure – and hypnotherapy does exactly that.

By working with your subconscious, hypnotherapy manages the triggers which cause anger. It teaches you to be calmer and more relaxed, intercepting situations which might have caused you to flare up in the past. You can see things in a different light, with perspective on situations which caused you anger previously.

Working with trance states

Hypnotherapy actually works in the same underlying way as anger – as when you are in a rage, you are in a trance. No amount of logical reasoning can snap you out of it – you stop listening to the other person, and only believe in what you have to say. Attempts to control such intense feelings consciously are rarely effective, and do not deal with the real source of the issue. This is because they do not access the subconscious mind – the reservoir of feelings, thoughts, memories, and impulses outside of our conscious awareness; influencing all of our behaviours and experiences. Hypnotherapy accesses these resources, while using a similar kind of trance-like state – the difference being that your focus is positive and resourceful.

The five dimensions of anger – cognition, emotion, affect, communication and behaviour – can be broken down, and the pattern of escalation interrupted. Through hypnosis we can access the subconscious mind, harnessing its power to reprogramme this process.

Regaining control

Our body already has natural mechanisms to cope with stress and regulate emotions, but occasionally they need assistance. Hypnosis does just that, enlisting the help of your subconscious mind to make the necessary long-term changes – allowing you to be more relaxed and in control in situations in which you were previously quick to anger.

During the state of deep relaxation that hypnosis brings, the subconscious mind is most open to new ideas, perspectives, and positive suggestions. These include motivation and encouragement, confidence building, and a plan to control anger based on your personal triggers and reactions. If you want to give it a try, this download might help. Otherwise you might find sessions tailored to your personal circumstances more beneficial – and as a qualified hypnotherapist, I am experienced in supporting clients to make the changes they want in their lives (see my success stories). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation to see how I can help.

Those who have undergone hypnotherapy experience new thinking and behaviour patterns. These are what allow a person to finally control their anger, and move forward with their lives.

 

Image by WenPhotos on Pixabay

Hypnosis for insomnia

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Do you long for a decent night’s sleep? Do you lie awake each night with your brain going round in circles? Do you nod off in the day because you are not sleeping enough? If so, you may be suffering with insomnia. This condition is becoming increasingly common in our modern lives, as we work and play ever harder. So if insomnia is affecting you, what can you do to resolve it?

The physical and mental benefits of sleep

Sleep is more valuable than many people realise. Not only does it help to recharge our physical energy, but allows the body – and mind – to heal from the previous day. Without proper sleep, our bodies do not function so efficiently. Over a period, this can lead to significant mental, physical, and emotional problems. Sleep problems are something that many people feel that they have no control over. However, it is possible to break the cycle, and regain a proper sleeping pattern again.

So how would life be different if you could get back into a sensible sleeping routine? How much healthier and happier would you feel, knowing that you are sleeping properly? What would it feel like to manage the stress that keeps you awake at night?

Returning to sleep naturally

Hypnosis can help, as it is connected with the part of your mind that holds your beliefs, habits and behaviours around your sleep problems. It essentially reprogrammes this part of your brain, in order to allow you to achieve the results that you both need and desire.

During hypnotherapy, you will feel comfortable and relaxed as you start to make the necessary changes to let go of your insomnia. The natural benefits that accompany the feeling of hypnosis will also help you to manage any stress, and feel more confident and in control.

You can try improving your sleep using hypnosis with this download. However, if you would like one-to-one support which takes your individual circumstances into account, I am a qualified hypnotherapist who has resolved insomnia for many of my clients (see my success stories). I also educate insomniacs on sleep hygiene, in order to help you take control on a practical level and enhance your success. I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation to see how I can help.

Just imagine how you will feel once you can awaken fit and ready to make the most of each day – and the rest of your life.