coaching

Coping with climate anxiety

Caroline Jago coaching, hypnotherapy , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

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

Caroline Jago hypnotherapy , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

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.

life coaching

Life coach, Kent | Making changes in your life, and need some clarity? Feeling stuck, lacking purpose, or in need of new ideas?

Coaching can help with all these things, and more. If you could do with some motivation or support in moving forward, coaching can give you the momentum you need. It’s an effective approach to practical situations, such as changing career, setting up in business, being more productive, or achieving life goals. I help clients to develop their own solutions by making the most of their own resources, and work out strategies to tackle challenges along the way. It’s a great way to find your potential, and put it into action!

Find out what coaching can offer you…

Blog post:
Find your true purpose with coaching		 Blog post:
Time for life changes? Make them a success!
Success stories:
Making major life changes		 Success stories:
Coaching for career development

 

Time for life changes? Make them a success!

Caroline Jago coaching , , , , 0 Comment
life changes that succeed

fireworks

Raise the subject of new year’s resolutions in January, and you’re likely to get some mixed reactions – from guilty admissions of falling off the wagon, or finding the prospect too daunting to even try. So how can we tackle making life changes that stick, new year or not? Fortunately, there are some ways we can make getting off the starting blocks easier.

One step at a time

First of all, there’s the bite-size approach, where the elements of a goal are broken down into manageable chunks. Let’s take the example of writing a book. Once you’ve defined the subject or storyline, how will you fill those empty pages? A sensible approach would be to break it down into chapters. Maybe then you might outline each chapter structure. Perhaps then you’d work out how many words a day you can realistically get down. Of course you need to take your other commitments into account. And you might have to sacrifice something else to make time – watch less TV perhaps – to reach your goal. But if your aim is realistic to begin with, once you’ve made a start, you’re well on your way to making the life changes you want!

Which leads me onto the next crucial element: turning something into a habit. Research shows that we are far more likely to succeed at something once we incorporate it into our daily routine. Basically this sidesteps our brain’s tendency to question it. Even if you can only make a little time each day, the important thing is to do it regularly. ‘Little and often’ make the process easier, and helps it become part of the natural rhythm of your life.

Work smarter

And to enhance that natural process, we can use a little extra cleverness. If you’re a morning person, it makes sense to work with your early bird tendencies. So set the alarm half an hour earlier, rather than try and incorporate your new habit later in the day when you may be more tired. And if you really want to give yourself an extra push, take advantage of moments in the day when you can visualise yourself going through elements of your task – and succeeding. Your brain will respond accordingly!

Finally, the best bit: reward yourself. Track your progress, set yourself achievable milestones along the way, and be sure to celebrate once they’re achieved – perhaps with friends or family who are supporting you. For many, sharing their achievements is a magic ingredient of motivation. But if you’re flying solo, give yourself an extra reward for your strength and determination. Above all, cut yourself some slack and don’t give up if you hit a setback. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep your eyes on the prize. And if you need a little motivation boost, I recommend this download.

A qualified hypnotherapist or life coach can help you achieve your desired life changes if you need a little extra support on your journey. 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 check my success stories to read about clients who I’ve helped to make changes in their lives. Good luck!

(Published on The Hypnotherapy Directory, 3 January 2018)