Dan’s Blog

Hypnotherapy in Ely & Newmarket: Lockdown Three Update

by Dan Regan | Dec 30, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Hypnotherapy in Ely & Newmarket: Lockdown Three Update

I hope that you had a good Christmas and have been able to enter the New Year in positive spirits. Things were certainly different this festive season but I hope you and your loved ones are all healthy and well.

Christmas in our household, like many others I am sure, was fairly low key with plenty of time for exercise, guitar playing, games and a few good movies.

As no doubt you’ll have seen, just before Christmas it was announced that several areas, including Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, were being moved to Tier 4 Covid-19 restrictions (at that time, the most stringent of the tiers). In fact, this was going to be a Tier 4 update on my hypnotherapy sessions. However, events have moved apace and this is now a Covid-19 lockdown three update instead.

Lockdown restrictions mean that I am only able to offer online hypnotherapy sessions until the lockdown ends. This covers my hypnotherapy sessions in Ely and Newmarket, and it means that once again all of my sessions are back being delivered online through Skype and Zoom.

This is the same arrangement that needed to be put in place during the two lockdowns last year. It worked very well during those weeks and I was still able to help many, many people with issues such as anxiety, worry, fear and stress (whether pandemic-related or otherwise).

I’ve been getting great feedback from clients who have worked online with me, even if some may have preferred something more face to face had the option been possible. Over the last decade, and as supported by the research and evidence, online hypnotherapy sessions can produce results similar to face to face sessions.

So for the time being everything is back online to keep us all safe, yet fingers crossed we can all soon enjoy once again meeting in person.

Rediscover and Find Your Running Motivation

by Dan Regan | Dec 27, 2020 | Sports Improvement

Rediscover and Find Your Running Motivation

I come across a lot of runners who seem to have lost their running motivation. They are going through a dip and can’t seem to get their grasp back upon their motivation, purpose and reasons for getting out and running.

Essentially motivation means having enthusiasm, a need or a reason for doing something. If your need or reason is strong enough then I’m not sure you have to be too enthusiastic, you just do it regardless.

Most runners experience dips in their running motivation from time to time, as well as enjoying the motivation highs that come along too. As we continue to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, I think that dips in running motivation have become a bit more common. Whether it’s stress and anxiety caused by aspects of the pandemic, a sense of lethargy from how long it’s been impacting (with still more to go), the loss of usual activities and routines, the lack of running and racing with others in the usual way, or something else, running motivation can often suffer.

When an area of our life doesn’t seem to be going great, it can be easy to engage in those negative thoughts and feelings, and that leads to feeling worse and even less enthusiastic to get running or to run well. Certainly I think not being able to train and interact with others (in training and racing) can leave a big hole in your motivation and joy of exercise.

Yet, sometimes the best runs are those where you initially didn’t really feel like it. Sometimes it can be useful to think about the reasons you run, the physical and mental health benefits, and how much better you’ll feel if you do it (and how much worse you’ll feel for not doing it). I often get myself out of bed by reminding myself how much better I’ll feel for having done my run.

Other times I try not to think about it at all. You can’t always trust your thoughts and feelings to guide you. So I don’t engage with them too much: I just get out of bed and start getting ready and if it’s a run day then I run. It becomes a habit to run on the days you run and like any habit, it just starts and seems to happen whether you like it or not.

The Three Pillars of Mental Health

by Dan Regan | Dec 19, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

The Three Pillars of Mental Health:

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope that you had a wonderful festive period and that you are all set to have a positive and productive 2021.

The Covid-19 pandemic is still with us, of course, and it has certainly had a detrimental impact on mental health, with anxiety levels continuing to escalate. Many of you may well be suffering with anxiety, depression, stress and worry as a result of the pandemic (things I wrote about a lot last year if you scroll through my blog pages).

There are many things you can proactively do to support your mental health and to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. It certainly is possible to deal with those unwanted thoughts and feelings so that you feel better and happier. The research evidence I’ve mentioned below certainly l suggests that our mental health has been impacted.

In this article, I’m talking about the three pillars of mental health that were published in a research paper at the end of last year.

Sadly, one of the actions for improving your mental health doesn’t include chatting with kangaroos! You may have missed the news at the end of last year that animals that have never been domesticated, such as kangaroos, can intentionally communicate with humans (McElligott, O’Keeffe, & Green, 2020). I think that is pretty incredible stuff (almost out of the Scooby-do cartoons that my daughter keeps watching). I think talking with kangaroos would certainly boost my sense of well-being, although personally I’d rather have a penguin as a pal (and keep in mind that there is scientific evidence for the mental health benefits of pets, as I’ve covered before).

I like the idea of communicating with animals, although that’s got nothing to do with this article about the impact of the pandemic and the three pillars of good mental health.

The Effectiveness of Online Hypnotherapy: Skype and Zoom Hypnotherapy Sessions

by Dan Regan | Dec 17, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

The Effectiveness of Online Hypnotherapy: Skype and Zoom Hypnotherapy Sessions

Online hypnotherapy sessions are something that I’ve been successfully using with people for many years. Yet whereas in the past it was mainly people abroad or who live outside a reasonable travelling distance, with Covid-19 and everything that goes with it (like social distancing and lockdowns), Skype and Zoom online hypnotherapy sessions have boomed.

There are many advantages that come with online hypnotherapy. As long as you have a reasonable internet connection, you don’t need to live near Ely or Newmarket to work with me, you save on the time and cost of travel, and if you are struggling with something like anxiety or health anxiety, it can make accessing effective hypnotherapy much easier.

This year I’ve helped more people than ever with online hypnotherapy and for issues such as generalised anxiety, health or coronaphobia anxiety, stress, fears and weight loss. It’s been great to be able to continue helping people during the pandemic lockdowns.

Whenever online hypnotherapy, through platforms such as Skype and Zoom, gets mentioned, one of the first things people want to know is whether it is as effective as face-to-face hypnotherapy, or even whether hypnotherapy online is effective at all.

In my own experience it certainly can be effective, subject to the usual ‘rules’ of effective hypnotherapy that include someone being motivated and committed to make changes and to take action, and being willing to put techniques and strategies in place both in and outside the sessions. Yet rather than only rely on the positive results I get when working online, let’s have a look at some of the evidence for the effectiveness of online therapy.

My Most Read Hypnotherapy and Mental Health Articles During 2020

by Dan Regan | Dec 14, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

My Most Read Hypnotherapy and Mental Health Articles During 2020

I think we can all agree that 2020 has perhaps been one of the strangest and most challenging years we’ve ever come across. What started just like any other year quickly became a torrent of uncertainty, lockdowns and restrictions that impacted on pretty much every area of our lives.

There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted upon mental health. I can still think back to those uncertain early days of the pandemic lockdown and remember the worry and stress from not knowing how things would pan out for me and the kids, and all the while against the backdrop of staying at home and watching terrible images from in hospitals and the every increasing death rate. since then things have been up and down with the virus and with restrictions, yet the impact of Covid-19 continues to loom large in our lives.

All of the evidence and research I’ve covered over the year shows increased levels of anxiety, stress, worry and fear. There are health fears about you or your loved ones contracting the virus and the risks that would come with that. You may have been hit financially and been impacted in your work and employment. Education has been impacted upon. Usual activities and routines have been disrupted. You may have been unable to spend time with loved ones or friends, or had to curb your usual sources of enjoyment and fun. Each and every one of us has faced challenges, disruption and restrictions that have changed the usual path of our life.

At the end of each year I like to highlight the most popular articles on my blog. There may be ones there that you missed or that it may be beneficial to revisit (and remember too that you can also check out my many vlogs for even more help, information and suggestions)..

It’s no surprise that most of my most popular blogs of 2020 cover aspects of mental health and anxiety related to the pandemic. I’ve been covering the research and suggesting ways to support your mental health and well-being throughout the pandemic, and much of the same advice still holds true at this time. Yet there are also some other aspects of my hypnotherapy work covered such as sports performance, the science behind kindness and other aspects of mental health, overcoming anxiety and managing stress. Do read on and revisit the blogs that were the most popular from over the year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

by Dan Regan | Dec 14, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

It’s been a strange year to say the least (which seems to be the main thing I come out with whenever I talk about 2020). Yet the festive season is now upon us. I plan to spend some time having fun with my girls and I hope that whatever you have planned, you have a wonderful Christmastime ahead of you too.

As the year draws to a close I always like to spend a few moments reflecting on my year. Given everything that’s been going on with the pandemic, I think that just having made it through in one piece to the end of the year is something of a triumph. Certainly we’ve all faced challenges, uncertainty, restrictions and changes over the months and I hope that you have been able to take care of your physical and mental health. I’ve written a load of articles this year with suggestions for supporting your mental health (relevant during the pandemic and more generally too) so do check those out if you think that your well-being could be improved.

Due to the pandemic I’ve been working with more and more people online (via Zoom or Skype) which has worked really well, as well as helping people (outside of the two lockdowns) in my offices in Ely and Newmarket. I’ve moved office in Ely to a great new location, and been fortunate enough to celebrate a decade of being a hypnotherapist and helping people.

Fingers crossed that 2021 will be a smoother year for us all and I wish you well with taking action upon, and achieving, your goals for the coming year. But before 2021 arrives, do have a very Happy Christmas!

Daily Physical Activities Can Boost Your Well-being and Mental Health

by Dan Regan | Nov 26, 2020 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Daily Physical Activities Can Boost Your Well-being and Mental Health:

It’s been that time of year again when my daughter and I head out to take part in the Ely Festive 5k in support of the amazing people at the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

My daughter tells me that this is the fifth year we have taken part, although as you might expect, this year was a little different and so rather than a few hundred of us racing together, we headed out around Ely in a virtual version of the event. Every year she says she never wants to do it again, followed by changing her mind (a few dozen times), telling me she is going to train this time, not training, and having me push, cajole, and occasionally encourage her over three miles (and this year someone from her school bubble ran with us too, which apparently made it sooooo much better than previous years!).

I’ve written many times about the benefits of exercise for your mental health and well-being. Certainly I find exercise, like running and boot-camp, play a massive role in maintaining my own good mental health and in making me feel better in myself. Most of this research has tended to look at more structured exercise when evaluating the mental health benefits. So what about the mental health and well-being impacts of more common daily physical activities, like walking, gardening and going up stairs?

Hypnotherapy in Ely & Newmarket: Post Lockdown Two Update

by Dan Regan | Nov 24, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Hypnotherapy in Ely & Newmarket: Post Lockdown Two Update

It’s been a busy few weeks during Covid-19 lockdown two. Somehow it seems to have flown by while I’ve been working online with clients (through hypnotherapy sessions over Zoom and Skype) and getting on with some behind the scenes things, such as getting ready to record a load of new hypnosis downloads in the New Year.

Of course my running has kept me pretty busy too (thankfully there has only one frosty morning recently!) and I’ve just started up with some guitar lessons (and I still need to get through another five seasons of Game of Thrones!). Busy, busy!

With lockdown two coming to an end, hypnotherapy sessions will be available face to face once again from Thursday 3rd December in Ely & Newmarket. And, of course, online hypnotherapy sessions will still be an option if you don’t want to travel, live too far from my offices, want to limit your interactions with others or because you simply prefer it!

There are only a few weeks left until Christmas and the New Year will be here in no time at all so if you are seeking help with things like anxiety, stress, worry, fear or something else then please do get in touch as soon as possible.

Looking forward to seeing many of you in person very soon!

Reduce Anxiety and Stress With Nature During The Pandemic

by Dan Regan | Nov 20, 2020 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Reduce Anxiety and Stress With Nature During The Pandemic:

Winter is coming! Or so they keep saying in Game of Thrones which I’ve finally given in to and started watching (so many hours of my life are passing me by as I work my way through series after series!).

It’s starting to feel like winter is now well and truly here. As I headed out for my run this morning it was still dark, there was frost over the cars and the thermometer was reading one degree. It took all my will power to persuade me to get up and out of bed and to go and run five miles around the streets of Ely in the flipping cold! And as always, I felt loads better mentally and physically afterwards from moving, exercising and getting out.

And to be fair, it wasn’t as cold as the time I sat in a dark, cold student flat in Leeds all weekend one winter waiting for the shop to open on Monday morning so I could buy an electric meter token, only to discover that there had been a reserve amount in the meter that just needed a button to be pushed!

When I head out for a run or a walk, I love to take in as much time around nature as I can. This morning I ran over the fields, along the river and through Ely nature reserve. And then afterwards I walked to the office through the same fields, only at a more leisurely pace where I could see the birds and squirrels and take in the trees and greenery.

Spending time in nature is good for your mental health. It helps you to reduce stress and anxiety and boosts your mental health and sense of well-being. I’ve written about this and suggested it a number of times before, but now a new research study has added even more weight to it by specifically looking at the importance of nearby nature for mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anxious Thoughts – From What-If To If-Then

by Dan Regan | Nov 16, 2020 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Anxious Thoughts – From What-If To If-Then:

With anxiety, you can find yourself imagining all sorts of worst case scenarios that might happen. You can worry about all the ‘what if’ possibilities and they can seem to take over your thinking, especially in the quieter moments. Even though you know logically that many of the things you are anxious about are unlikely to happen or are even irrational, you still find yourself worrying and worrying.

And the more anxious you feel, the more you experience those anxious thoughts, which in turn leads to more anxious feelings and even more unwanted thoughts. It becomes a cycle and a pattern that may be linked to something specific yet could just as easily be more general and pervasive. Essentially your mind responds to all those perceived threats of things going wrong or badly in some way and starts to prepare you for taking action. You feel uncomfortable, you get a funny feeling in your stomach, you get tense and restless and your mind keeps overthinking it.

There are many steps you can start to take that will begin to interrupt that pattern of anxiety and start to reduce and diminish it.

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