Archive for the ‘Well Being’ Category

In my weight loss classes, most everyone tells me that they are eating for every other reason than hunger. There are serious and real emotional reasons that push people to overeat, anxiety and stress appear at the top of that list. Many of us cope with the stress of our lives by eating, often too much, and too late. People eat when they are upset, compulsively cramming emotions and reactions deep down inside them with food. The only reason we should eat are because we are hungry (or, enjoying a meal with loved ones.)

Studies have shown that when stressed beyond normal levels, the body can produce so much cortisol (the stress hormone) that it is no longer able to metabolize fat. Thus, even if one exercises, if stress levels and overeating are off the charts out of control, it will become impossible to lose weight, much less live in a healthy, natural state.

My CD programs are designed to help you to de-stress, relax, and eat like a naturally thin person. When you uncover and face your issues, you are on your way to creating healthy patterns for a healthy life! These programs are designed to teach you to eat like a naturally thin person, and perhaps more importantly, to reinforce what this really means. Guided imagery through hypnosis can help you to get and stay in control of your state of mind, which in turn, helps you to control your eating habits.

Learn to eat right. Learn to trust your body. Learn to avoid starvation and raise your metabolism through exercise. My specialized programs address these issues related to weight loss and, combined with a good weight loss manual, you will have results.

Have you ever had a time when you just couldn’t quiet your mind enough (or, at all!) or shut those persistent, disruptive thoughts completely off? We’ve all been there – and, sleep problems have become a national problem. Many of us lead overly stressful lives with high pressure jobs, family situations, or just too much going on at once that for some, it’s just impossible to truly wind down. Many others, too, brag about powering through their super schedules on four hours of sleep, or five, or three…

I believe that people have actually untrained their brain in the ways of sleeping. Sound crazy? Well, the causes are simple, and all round us. Too much stress, anxiety, anger, sadness, and fear get in the way of our positive thoughts. We churn on these negative elements far too often. When we experience crises and traumas, we pave the way for those negative life experiences to make serious impressions on our brains and how we process information.

Ready to break such unhealthy patters? Ready to rest so you can be at your best? Ready to sleep? My sleep CD programs are designed for the purpose of retraining your brain – to sleep! (Remember there was a time in your life when you did actually sleep!) Stay Relaxed is designed to put you to sleep; Stay Asleep is designed to encourage your brain to let go so you can go to sleep. Repeated listening of all CD programs puts you in charge of your sleep patterns. What are you waiting for? Get to sleep so you can recharge!

Phobias are a little different than anxiety in that they are usually specific to some thing that actually exists – like spiders, or driving over bridges, being trapped in closed spaces or crowds. Phobias and putting oneself in uncomfortable situations can certainly create and entice anxiety to emerge. You may have a phobia that sounds strange or silly to someone else but is very real to you. You may already be avoiding situations that potentially cause you unnecessary anxiety.

But, why not gather some additional helpful tools and techniques to help you change old and negative behavior patterns that are getting you nowhere? Using NLP (neuro-linguistics, guided imagery, and trauma therapy), I have designed programs that will help you to effectively, safely overcome phobias so you can get back in control of your life without fear. Reinforce positive patterns of thinking to recharge!

In the past two years, I have seen so many more clients that have been diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder. Medical doctors can and often do prescribe medications for anxiety, not knowing what else to do to help people. Most of my clients tell me the medication either doesn’t help or makes their symptoms worse.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a little less severe than actual full-blown panic attacks.  It is experienced more generally rather than as a sharply defined incident. For example, many people are overly anxious about work or school or relationships or life in general.

When anxiety has a specific focus it usually has a different diagnosis, like the fear of public speaking (#1 fear for many!) or social phobia.  It is sometimes also called or can include Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Anxiety about weight is usually classified as anorexia nervosa.  Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is becoming quite common and in part of the diagnosis that includes anxiety disorders. Each of these disorders have very similar or even the same symptoms:

• Substance–induced anxiety disorder
• Social phobias
• Obsessive thoughts
• Mood disorders
• Psychotic disorders

These disorders are real and can be seriously debilitating for many. Once you have been examined by a medical doctor, there are many modalities that I use in my practice to help you resolve the underlying issues that trigger your anxiety.
The CDs I recommend for anxiety are Stay Calm and Stay Confident. One set is designed for you to listen to in a comfortable place when you can just drift off and relax to the music and suggestions. The other set is designed with repeated suggestions that help you and your brain to stay focused on what you want. Repeated listening is the key to consistent change.

Please see my website catalog for a selection of CDs that can help you as you take control of your anxiety issues.

The new year often brings a new set of stressors to our lives that promote anxiety. Anxiety—or, panic attacks—affects many of us, often on a daily basis. Some feel those debilitating effects have control over our lives.

Have you ever experienced any of the following symptoms?
• Pounding heart (heart palpitations, racing heart rate)
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea or abdominal stress
• Feeling dizzy, light headed, faint or unsteady
• Feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Chills or hot flashes

If so, you may have experienced an anxiety attack brought on by a stressful situation or series of events. Often times, too, one (or some) of these symptoms is followed by a powerful and persistent concern about having additional attacks, worrying about the implications from having such an attack (e.g., worrying about losing control, having a real heart attack, going crazy) or even prompting a significant change in other behavior—related attacks. Anxiety/panic attacks can mimic a lot of physical illnesses (like thyroid conditions) so it is absolutely essential to get a medical assessment by a qualified physician.

However, you can stop fearing: there are plenty of healthy ways to combat stress, to become aware of anxiety-producing situations, and to then calm down once you do feel like you’re in the middle of an attack.

You can get help—you can reduce anxiety in your life. See my CD programs on how to get started! My Stay Calm CDs are designed with specific music and words to help you to retrain your brain to be calm. One CD in this program is Guided Imagery designed for you to listen to while lying down or sitting in a quiet place. The Whole Brain Learning CD is designed with specific suggestions, repeated, with specific music. This CD can be used at any time to help you to continually focus on what you want and staying calm. Listening repeatedly is recommended for consistent change to occur.

Welcome to a new year–and to my new blog. Here you’ll be able to find inspiration, guidance, and resources in my weekly posts spanning a variety of topics and issues that concern and affect us all.

Happy new year! Those three small words create a loaded statement for many, especially those of us who are feeling depleted from the holidays, overwhelmed with expectations for a new and improved year, or stressed from life’s many challenges. Get support in your quest to create the life you want. Discover the many facets of our inner workings. Learn strength to work through road blocks that prevent you from a peaceful existence.

As always, I’ll direct you to sources that I know are tried and true–gems from my colleagues, from the current research, from real people with real experiences and lives. I hope you enjoy the content found on my new blog and perhaps are inspired to share your stories via comments posts here, too.

Here’s to your health and happiness!

Diane