Dan’s Blog

Anxiety About Dentists, Doctors and All Things Medical

by Dan Regan | Jan 31, 2022 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Anxiety About Dentists, Doctors and All Things Medical

It’s been a hectic start to the year with things now well and truly back in full swing. I’ve been busy helping people to overcome anxiety, build confidence and to take control over eating habits and it’s been fantastic to see so many positive results. Outside work, I’ve been busy with my exercise and doing a bit of running again, I’ve been continuing to learn guitar (snapping some strings along the way) and spending fun time with the kids (well, maybe 95% of the time with the kids is fun, the rest is nagging them, cajoling them, reminding them to do things and tidying up after them!).

Many of the people I’ve been helping recently have come to see me about anxiety and fear to do with medically related things. For some, all medical things create anxiety, and they avoid the doctor and dentist because of the overwhelming uncomfortable feelings the thought of it evokes. Sometimes even talking about medically related things can be enough to create the fear and panic, even where the actual situations and events purely concern other people. There can be fears about needles, injections and blood tests and again, avoidance will be the main way they have of trying to deal with the fear and uncomfortable sensations.

As with most anxiety and fear, there is a cycle of imagining the worst case (e.g. needing a blood test and passing out), which creates anxious feelings and leads to avoidance and struggling.

Yet, however your fear and anxiety affects you right now, it is possible to take back control over your thoughts and feelings so that, like other people seem to do with ease, you can calmly go and do whatever medical things you may need to do.

Is Your Success With Hypnosis All About Your Subconscious Mind?

by Dan Regan | Jan 4, 2022 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Is Your Success With Hypnosis All About Your Subconscious Mind?

Take a scroll through the websites of a few hypnotherapists and in no time at all you’ll come across many references to the subconscious mind. There are those in the hypnotherapy field who believe that hypnosis is all about communicating with the subconscious mind and you’ll find their websites and posts littered with references and claims that link everything about hypnosis to this purportedly powerful, yet generally inaccessible, part of your mind.

They will tell you how your conscious mind only controls about ten per cent of your behaviours, habits and beliefs, with the remaining ninety per cent being controlled by your subconscious mind (they may even chuck in a picture of the brain or an ice berg for good measure to illustrate this). You’ll read how ‘hypnotherapy works by bringing your conscious mind and unconscious mind into harmony’ (whatever that means), or how during hypnosis your subconscious mind will be busy working in the background to make positive changes in our life (which presumably means you are unaware of what these changes will be) and how working your subconscious mind gets to the root of the problem.

I remember when I first turned to hypnosis and hypnotherapy to help with my anxiety and low self esteem issues. I was so confused and frustrated by my thoughts, feelings, actions and reactions that the prospect of some miraculous changes going on somewhere in my brain (while I just sat there relaxing with my eyes closed) seemed very appealing. I honestly expected to be ‘put under’ (whatever I thought that meant!) and to be out of it for a bit and then to come around with a totally new mindset of confidence. Best of all, I wouldn’t have to even do anything because my subconscious mind would figure it all out and fix it. Happy days!

So with all the claims of subconscious mind greatness that are published out there, is achieving success with hypnosis all about your subconscious mind playing ball?

Most Read Articles of the Year – Dan Regan Hypnotherapy in Ely & Newmarket

by Dan Regan | Dec 14, 2021 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Most Read Articles of the Year – Dan Regan Hypnotherapy in Ely & Newmarket

Phew! It’s been another busy and engaging year and it seems like so long ago since the start of the year (and the third Covid-19 lockdown).

Covid-19 and its impacts have continued to rise, diminish and lurk around over the year. Yet it has still been another year helping many people to overcome anxiety, end phobias, build confidence and self-esteem, quit smoking, lose weight and with many other issues that were getting in the way of their happiness. Thank you to everyone who has worked with me this year, those of you who have bought one of my powerful hypnosis audios and to everyone who has recommended me to others and left a kind review of our sessions together.

I always like to do a little personal review of the year in my head and to think back on some of the highlights of the year. I’ve really enjoyed meeting and working with so many people this year (face to face and online) and it makes my day whenever I hear how well you are doing (and it makes my week when you leave a positive review!). I’ve also been in the studio a number of times so that I can now help you with a wider range of hypnosis downloads, and I’m honoured to be a finalist in the Ely Business Awards.

Outside work, the kids are continuing to grow and to occupy my time and thoughts (usually in good ways!!); I’ve been continuing to practice the guitar (and can now play a few tunes recognisably!); and my exercise has continued to ensure that there is always some part of my muscle that aches.

I’ll be off for a short break with the family over the festive period (I’ll still reply to emails although may be a little slower than usual so please bear with me).

As part of my review of the year, I’ve brought together a treasure trove of my most read articles from the past twelve months (just a snippet of what’s available on my website blog pages).

There’s a lot of things included here that can help you with issues, such as reducing negative thoughts and feelings from things like anxiety, stress and distress. And there are also many strategies and techniques for helping with sports psychology and for increasing confidence, resilience and well-being. In most cases there is evidence and research to support them which you can find over in the full article using the links (more and more we are able to call upon evidence based practice to help with aspects of mental health and psychology).

I hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as I’ve enjoyed researching and writing them. So whether you’re visiting these articles for the first time today, or revisiting them and reminding yourself of how to boost your mental health, I hope you find something you enjoy that helps you and that you can take away to help you have a wonderful 2022, and even more, to make progress towards being the best version of yourself that you wish to be and can be.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from Dan Regan Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

by Dan Regan | Dec 13, 2021 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Merry Christmas from Dan Regan Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

It’s been another strange year with the pandemic still looming over us all and now the new variant being the focus of attention.

I’ve been busy this year helping clients (and thanks for all the recommendations and reviews!), writing articles and recording new hypnosis downloads to help you with a variety of issues. In between that I’ve enjoyed some great times with the kids, lots of fun as I continue to learn guitar, and some intense times exercising!

I hope that this past year has been kind to you and that you have found time to take care of your physical health and your mental health.

And before I switch off to take a short festive break with my family (and to sing endless repetitions of the songs from the Albert Finney version of Scrooge), I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Wishing you a healthy, happy and wonderful 2022!

Hypnosis Downloads – Back In The Recording Studio!

by Dan Regan | Dec 7, 2021 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Hypnosis Downloads – Back In The Recording Studio!

I’ve been back in the recording studio and I have some more awesome hypnosis downloads to share with you.

It’s always great to get into the studio and record more and more hypnosis downloads. They can be used as a resource to help my clients and to support their sessions as they deal with things like anxiety relief and building confidence. And I know that many more people also benefit by using them to support their well-being and mental health.

This time around I’ve got new audios to help with reducing anxiety, increasing confidence, achieving positive growth from past events and help to quieten your mind and clear you mind. Do go and check them out in my shop, along with the many other titles that are waiting there to help you feel better.

Ely Business Awards Finalist – Hypnotherapy in Ely

by Dan Regan | Dec 3, 2021 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Ely Business Awards Finalist – Hypnotherapy in Ely

I’m delighted to confirm that Dan Regan Hypnotherapy has reached the SME Ely Business Awards Final 2021 in the Service Excellence category.

As anyone who has followed this website or who reads my posts knows, getting a positive result for my clients is the top priority in everything I do so I’m thrilled to have become a finalist.

The winner of the category will be announced in late January at the awards ceremony (should I start writing an acceptance speech? Haha!). (note: the awards ceremony has since been moved to March due to the pandemic).

A huge thank you to all of my awesome clients who have chosen to work with me and to those of you who have kindly left feedback on how much the hypnotherapy sessions helped you, and who continue to recommend me to your friends and family. Thank you!

Health Anxiety – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

by Dan Regan | Nov 11, 2021 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Health Anxiety – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

Recently a client with health anxiety was telling me how he couldn’t even put the TV on listen to the radio without coming across several mentions of health-related issues. There’s an almost constant stream of adverts and stories about illness, heart disease, cancer and other health issues. And, of course, over the last couple of years, all the mention of COVID-19, long covid and death from the pandemic has presented a challenge to anyone who struggles with health anxiety.

When I work with health-anxiety clients, they often tell me how any slight physical sensation or niggle gets magnified and amplified inside their imagination. Rather than being able to calmly consider and assess that slight pain, discomfort or niggle, their health-anxiety quickly escalates to a worst-case scenario where it is something serious like cancer (and then there are the fearful thoughts about everything that would come with that from impacts on them and their loved ones, to uncomfortable treatment, anxiety and the panic over their potential death).

Whilst the internet is a wonderful thing, with health-anxiety it can become a source of vague information that always points to a serious health condition (just about any physical symptoms can probably be directed towards something catastrophic like cancer).

And, of course, anxiety itself can cause physical sensations, for example in your stomach, chest or muscles, which adds more fear and anxiety to an already racing mind. Your health anxiety can lead to more sensations and aches, tension and pains, which then only adds to your worries about your health and maintains the things you are feeling in your body.

Now, of course, we shouldn’t just ignore every physical sensation and put it all down to anxiety. Yet, like my clients, you can develop the ability to calmly assess what you are feeling, to consider what may have caused it and to decide upon and calmly take any actions that may be needed to treat it. And, of course, the calmer you are able to be, the more clearly you can think, the better your decision-making processes will be and the easier it will be to consider what you are experiencing (without anxiety creating or exacerbating it). And so rather than thinking that twinge in your chest is a sign of a heart issue, you can calmly recognise that you probably strained a muscle exercising.

COVID-19 and the pandemic have certainly added to the health-anxiety levels of many people, whether from a rise in stress or anxiety about catching the virus and being seriously affected. And health-anxiety and the fear of contracting COVID-19 is something I’m covering here today.

Anxiety and Exercise – Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely

by Dan Regan | Nov 10, 2021 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Anxiety and Exercise – Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely

Knowing from experience how horrible and limiting it can be, helping people to overcome their anxiety really is my passion. There is no greater feeling than helping a client move from despair, lowness and overwhelm from their anxiety, to a place where they feel lighter and happier. I love it every time when someone tells me how they now feel calmer, more confident and more in control of their thoughts and feelings, no matter what challenges come their way.

Hypnotherapy for anxiety relief has good evidence to support it, as well as the wealth of positive feedback my previous clients have kindly left about their sessions.

And, as I’ve covered before, exercise can also help with reducing anxiety symptoms, and works well alongside hypnotherapy. I’ve also drawn upon exercise to support my positive mental health, and I firmly believe it now helps me to stay in a good place and to deal with whatever comes my way in life.

I enjoy exercise, with my weekly bootcamps, gym work and running. Yet, I know some people (like my wife!) shudder at the very thought of structured exercise. Especially if you had unpleasant experiences with exercising in the past (my school P.E. experiences were largely miserable!), then you may not enjoy the thought of getting exercising. Below I cover the evidence that suggests that sitting less and moving more in some form, really can help your mental health effectively.

Of course, if you wait until you feel like exercising then it may never happen! I know that at 6.25am on a cold and dark winter morning I really do not feel pumped and excited about being at bootcamp! Instead, I focus on just doing it, on making it a routine behaviour (like brushing your teeth or going to work, just something you do regardless) and focus on all the positives that I’ll get after exercising, such as positive feelings, reduced anxiety and enhanced mental health.

And as the science in this article shows, by calling upon exercise and hypnotherapy, you really can find relief from your anxiety and start feeling better and better in yourself.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Anxiety Disorders – Hypnotherapy in Ely

by Dan Regan | Nov 8, 2021 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Anxiety Disorders – Hypnotherapy in Ely

If you struggle with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) then you’ll already know how unpleasant, uncomfortable and limiting the symptoms can be. Although intensity and frequency of symptoms can vary, they include abdominal pain and bloating. People generally suffer with constipation, diarrhoea or a combination of both.

If you have IBS you may also struggle with mental health issues, such as anxiety. I’ve worked with clients who get anxious about leaving the house, being in situations where they are uncertain of access to toilet facilities, or any other situation where they may feel ‘trapped’ in some way. I’ve known of clients who need to allow over an hour of additional time before leaving the house and those who won’t eat all day to try and minimise their symptoms. You may feel anxious about going to new places, long journeys and other situations where your symptoms could impact or you feel they might embarrass you.

Of course, one of the common symptoms of anxiety is itself uncomfortable feelings in the stomach. And so there can be a negative spiral of anxiety and IBS, and IBS and anxiety, where each exacerbates the other. The end result is with anxious thoughts and feelings, frustration, stress, annoyance, catastrophising and limiting or avoiding situations.

Perhaps even more frustratingly, there is no certain test or procedure that can medically confirm the IBS. With severe symptoms, you may have undergone multiple investigations and tests, which can rule other things out, but which frustratingly can’t confirm that you have IBS (they just confirm that you don’t have the other conditions).

And because the symptoms of IBS can be unpredictable, and you may have better and worse moments, your anxiety can lead you to worry about the worst happening this time, or what if you have that bloating, discomfort, constipation or diarrhoea. Worse, what if others notice or you experience intense symptoms in front of people you would rather not know about your IBS, or where you just can’t get to a toilet quick enough, or where you just need to be in the safe environment of home?

Help To Quit Smoking – Hypnotherapy in Ely

by Dan Regan | Nov 1, 2021 | Quit Smoking Hypnosis

Help To Quit Smoking – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

Are you looking to successfully quit smoking? If so, you’ll already know all the good reasons why you should quit, yet somehow you either put it off or struggle to successfully kick the habit.

There’s no doubting all the good reasons for stopping smoking, and in this article I’m covering some recent research that looks at the estimated increase in risk of certain diseases from each cigarette smoked (not just from being a smoker but from each cigarette). Many smokers use cigarettes as a way of dealing with mental health issues such as stress and anxiety and you may worry about your mental health getting worse if you no longer have that crutch. If this is you, I’ve also taken a look at the association between smoking cessation and mental health in this article.

More and more people are being encouraged to switch to e-cigarettes because they are considered to be less harmful to your health than cigarettes. But does the evidence support e-cigarettes as helping you to stay off cigarettes?

I work with many people who want to quit their habit, and whether they are smoking 10-15 a day or more, and no matter how long you may have smoked, it is certainly possible to successfully quit. You may think you need to smoke, that you get something from it, and you may expect that giving up will mean all sorts of struggle and unpleasant withdrawal.

Yet with hypnotherapy, many people can and do quit for good. As with any goal, it requires some motivation, time and effort, yet the rewards for your health, for being their for your loved ones, for being free of having to always think about when you’ll get the next opportunity to light up, and for your finances, make a little bit of action very worthwhile. So as you know all the good stuff that will come with being a non-smoker, isn’t it time you made it happen?

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