Dan’s Blog

Ely Office Has Now Reopened! Hypnotherapy in Ely

by Dan Regan | Jun 15, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Ely Office Has Now Reopened! Hypnotherapy in Ely!

It’s been thirteen (or so) weeks since the covid-19 lockdown was introduced and I’m delighted to say that my Ely hypnotherapy office is now back open for business!

Whilst I’ve continued to work with people online via Skype and Zoom, particularly for anxiety, worry and stress, it’s fantastic that I can now welcome you to my hypnotherapy in Ely office for face to face appointments once again.

As you would expect, there are a few covid-19 adjustments to how things are organised now, to minimise risks and to keep you safe. You can find all the details here: Covid-19 Safety

The Anxiety Equation – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

by Dan Regan | Jun 10, 2020 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

The Anxiety Equation – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket:

Many people come to hypnotherapy thinking that the thing they are anxious about causes their anxiety. And in many ways this is quite natural because for you that thing is associated with anxiety, worry and dread.

Whether it’s public speaking that makes you anxious, or flying, or driving on motorways, social situations, swimming in open water or something else, in those places, situations or circumstances, the anxiety can be overwhelming. There are the thoughts and feelings beforehand and when you think of that anxiety filled thing, the increased anxious thoughts, feelings and sensations when in the situation, as well as any analysis or self-criticism as you think back upon it afterwards.

Yet there is an additional element in your anxiety. We know this because not everyone struggles with catastrophising thoughts and anxious feelings about those things. Some people love flying, socialising or public speaking and those other things you try and avoid.

The fact there is more to it is good news, because it means that rather than being stuck wtih those thoughts and feelings, you can do something about them that can help you feel better.

Hypnosis and Control – Who’s In Control Really?

by Dan Regan | Jun 10, 2020 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Hypnosis and Control – Who’s In Control Really?

One of the issues that tends to come up time and time again in any discussion around hypnosis, is that of control. Perhaps due to movies featuring hypnosis or some of those old stage routines, there’s an ongoing misconception that hypnosis involves you being controlled in some way.

And when it gets mentioned to me I can’t help but have a wry smile, because why would I spend so many hours helping people with mental health issues like anxiety if I could make you all do my evil bidding (cue evil laughter!!). And I’d definitely also get myself a cape and some spinning hypnotic eyes like that snake in the Jungle book too.

But seriously, hypnosis has nothing to do with being under my control or being controlled in some way. In fact, it’s very far from that.

It’s all about helping you to learn how to be in control of your own mind.

Sports Psychology & Performance: Hypnosis For Peak Performance

by Dan Regan | Jun 1, 2020 | Sports Improvement

Sports Psychology & Performance: Hypnosis For Peak Performance

Today I’m talking some more about the evidence for incorporating sports hypnosis into your sports psychology techniques if you want to maximise and optimise your performance.

There’s no doubt that the mental side of sport is vital, yet often overlooked. Your emotions during training and competition, the self talk (voice in your head) can keep you strong or make you doubt yourself, and your self-belief can dictate whether you achieve your potential or plateau. Getting and spending more time in the zone can certainly influence not only your enjoyment and motivation levels, but also your results.

I know from my own experience of running marathons that physical training, practice and preparation are key, yet without the mental side and your mindset being right, it can all unravel. Your sports psychology mindset can determine the results you get. Over a marathon distance, your self talk, especially as you get tired, can tell you that you can’t do it or can stay strong and encourage you to push on.

Research has highlighted that hypnosis can be used to enhance the performance of footballers, cricketers, martial artists, badminton players, cyclists, golfers and basketball players. In fact, from a sports psychology perspective, hypnosis can help with successful athletic performance in many sports and disciplines because of the ability to harness thoughts, feelings, expectation, beliefs and perceptions.

Why Do Some People Break Lockdown Rules?

by Dan Regan | Jun 1, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Why Do Some People Break Lockdown Rules?

The past weekend has seen some of the hottest temperatures of the year here in England. And with that, hundreds of people have headed to the beach and other open areas to enjoy the sunshine. As I write this, gatherings have only today been relaxed a bit so that you can meet up to five other people outdoors, as long as you maintain social distancing.

Yet throughout lockdown there has been case after case of people not following the lockdown rules and guidance. From high profile people who get ‘caught out’ publicaly to people you may have seen in your own neighbourhood. Even the figures on the daily briefing sldes suggest that about 20% of people have admitted going out other than for allowed reasons and where I live I would say that the figure is much higher. From street parties to visiiting family, and despite the number of deaths approaching forty thousand, some people have seemingly put their own needs above the interests of us all.

So why is that? Why do some people break lockdown rules?

Update On Ely Office Reopening For Face To Face Hypnotherapy Sessions

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

Update On Ely Office Reopening For Face To Face Hypnotherapy Sessions:

Well, it’s been quite some time since lockdown started hasn’t it?! While I’ve been busy helping people over Zoom and Skype with mental health issues such as anxiety, stress and worry, I’ve missed seeing clients face to face at the office.

The latest from the Government suggests that it will be mid- to late June before I can safely open up the Ely office. Bear in mind that this timeline very much depends on how things progress with other easings of the lockdown that are happening. Fingers crossed I’ll soon be able to welcome you back here to help with all your mental health needs.

I recorded this short video with some details about reopening for face to face hypnotherapy sessions (which is worth watching just for how hard I make it look to put on a face mask!!):

Emotional Thinking and Anxiety

by Dan Regan | May 27, 2020 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks

Emotional Thinking and Anxiety

Emotional thinking comes with anxiety and a whole range of mental health issues, like depression, fear and stress. It’s all those black and white, all or nothing thoughts that can mentally escalate and make you feel even worse.

Over recent days, there has been a lot of emotional thinking going on about the Prime Minister’s senior advisor, Dominic Cummings, breaching the lockdown rules by heading up to Durham and visiting Barnard Castle (to test his eye sight). Regardless of whether you think he broke the rules, this controversy has led to raising emotions of annoyance, anger and frustration leading to people saying and posting all sorts of comments and accusations.

And, with emotions (and identity and beliefs being challenges) a huge number of things being thought and said boil down to ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’ with people drawing upon some facts and ignoring others, raising unrelated issues to muddy the waters and sometimes just trying to dismiss someone else’s opinion with insults or calls to move on. It’s quite incredible how many people will not countenance someone having a different view. It’s a strange sort of democracy with freedom of speech where someone can’t feel comfortable with different views, no matter how strongly held (assuming they aren’t threatening harm or violence or being abusive). It comes down to black and white, all or nothing, right or wrong thinking.

But I’m not here to talk about politics or the current shambles (which may – or may not have all blown over by the time you read this). Yet it gives an illustration of where emotional, black and white thinking can end up.

Of course, with anxiety, that emotional thinking is all inside your head. You may even know in your mind that those worst case scenarios and things you ae catastrophising and dreading are irrational. Yet the anxiety keeps those thoughts coming one after another.

Post Lockdown Anxiety – Hypnotherapy Vlog

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

Post Lockdown Anxiety – Hypnotherapy Vlog:

After many weeks of lockdown, it has now been announced that the UK lockdown will be eased further from next month, having already been eased a bit a couple of weeks ago. And, perhaps unsurprisingly given all that has been going on, many people are feeling apprehensive and anxious about the next stage towards things reopening and life getting nearer to some normality (albeit a new normality with social distancing rules).

Many people are worried about what this next stage may look like and involve. There may be fears about safety and health, education and jobs, amongst other anxieties. And certainly some polls suggest people are worried about getting the covid-19 disease and the impacts and implications of that.

In recent articles I’ve talked about several ways to look after your mental health and to deal with anxiety and stress, alongside listening to the hypnosis downloads that I’ve made available over in my hypnosis download shop.

And it’s worth keeping in mind that research shows that we are generally quite poor at predicting how we will feel in the future. If challenges come our way we tend to think we will feel and be a lot worse than turns out to be the case. In the same way that you’ve dealt with, handled and somehow got through all the challenges you’ve already faced in your life up until now, you will find a way to handle and cope with life after the lockdown. You are more resilient and capable than perhaps you’ve been giving yourself credit for.

I covered more about this in a previous article (that you can read here: Are You More Resilient Than You Think? Dealing With Challenges Post Covid-19) and today I’ve got a video version for you so please do click on the image below and have a watch:

Boost Mental Health By Sitting Less and Moving (or Sleeping) More

by Dan Regan | May 21, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Boost Mental Health By Sitting Less and Moving (or Sleeping) more

A whole mass or evidence demonstrates that being sedentary is bad for your mental health and physical health. And a further mass of research shows the positive impact on mental health issues such as anxiety, stress and depression, from exercise.

The link between moving more and better mental health is pretty conclusive and widely recognised. I mean, even this week in the Government coronavirus briefing, there was talk about the benefits of exercise for your mental health (featuring the Health secretary and Welsh ex-footballer Robbie Savage!).

Now if you’ve been following any of my posts or articles for a while you may have gathered that I’m a bit of an exercise nut. From hating PE at school through to running and bootcamp, exercise has become an integral part of my routine, lifestyle and wellbeing. Although sometimes I still have to have a word with myself and push myself to get into gear and get started on moving.

Throughout the covid-19 lockdown I’ve managed to keep going with three runs a week and three bootcamp sessions (in the garden…which is now more mud and dust and less grass where I’ve worn it away slamming my tyre!).

Yet the lockdown and working from home has also meant more time for sitting and that kind of low energy expenditure stuff. From working at home on my laptop (like right now) to watching a film with the kids, there has been more time than usual being sedentary.

We know long periods or a lot of sedentary time is bad for your mental health, so what should you be doing with that time instead? Should you be doing high intensity exercise or are there other, less intense, things that can boost your psychological wellbeing?

Mindfulness and Hypnosis

by Dan Regan | May 20, 2020 | Hypnotherapy Hypnosis and NLP

Mindfulness and Hypnosis

Lockdown is easing and the sun is out. It’s a perfect time to pause and just enjoy the warmth of the sun, the sound of the birds and the blueness of a cloudless sky. Sometimes being present in this very moment is a wonderful thing to experience.

Rather than letting your mind fill with stuff from the past that has already happened, or imagining the future which has yet to happen, it can be beneficial to be in the here and now. This is something that is very much a central element of mindfulness.

Mindfulness, which originates from Buddhist philosophy and practice, can be deﬁned as the non-judgmental, accepting experience of the present, as it unfolds moment by moment. Rather than letting your mind wander or thinking about things that have happened or might happen, mindfulness involves paying attention to present moment experiences. You pay attention to your thoughts, feelings and sensations with an attitude of openness and acceptance.

In recent years, mindfulness has become a major player in the field of mental health, particularly in the field of stress reduction. While often treated as a discreet activity (e.g. mindfulness meditation), you can also be active and doing things with a sense of mindfulness (something I’ve covered before).

With its increasing profile, and with its clear overlap with elements of hypnosis, here in this article I’ve covered the research into mindfulness hypnosis for reducing stress, the benefits of mindfulness and their relationship with each other in therapy.

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