Monthly Archives: December 2009
Repetition and Learning: How Hypnosis Help You Un-Learn the Past
You have always heard that “practice makes perfect.” Have you wondered why? It might just be related to the synaptic plasticity of the brain. How many times does a thought need to be repeated before it becomes sufficient hard wired into the brain?
In 1949, Canadian psychologist Donald Hebb postulated a theory in which he said that “the persistence or repetition of a reverberatory activity tends to induce lasting cellular changes that add to its stability.” Another way of saying this is “cells that fire together, wire together.” Hebbian Learning is a theory that explains that some types of associative learning in which simultaneous activation of cells leads to increases in synaptic strength. Indeed, this may explain why repeated thought or practice strengthens the hardwiring of neurons in the association areas of the various lobes of the brain.
Biologically this means that a dominant thought created through our will power will stimulate new synaptic connections in our brain. Once these connections are made, repetition of the same thought (or action) will stimulate more corresponding connections. These redundant connections become engrams, which are holographic stores of memories. These engrams involve a network of connections which facilitate synchronized synaptic firing thus producing a more efficient expression of a given thought. The more a thought is held, the easier for that thought remembered or activated. For instance, think of acquiring a new physical skill such as dancing or the martial arts or learning a new language.
Conversely there are thoughts or memories that have reached that level of engram efficiency, but are no longer rationally desired. This could be a phobic memory that somehow is hardwired into our survival mechanism. This means that this gestalt (a collection of memories) is connected to the hypothalamus and pituitary and thus creates neuropeptides, which in turn encode this memory at the cellular level. Therefore, any contrary thought will be resisted as our body will have a defensive reaction to the contrary feeling. So, how to be rid our self of these unwanted thoughts? How can be get out of our way?
Again, our will power is a key factor. But, often this is not enough. Obviously, if you follow the postulate of Hebbian Learning, you would say “use it or lose it.” If you could select a contrary (hopefully positive) thought, make it as vivid as possible, and have it recurringly, you will biologically rewire your brain to develop new neural pathways while weakening the unwanted neural networks thought disuse.
Hypnosis is a great tool for helping bypass resistance and to install new thought patterns. However, repetition is still the key. Repeated hypnotherapy or self-hypnosis sessions can be used effectively to create new neural networks and to allow unwanted networks to atrophy.
Holiday Stress Relief
Welcome to the holiday season, a whirlwind of gift-giving, marketing, parties and activities. While this season is meant to bring feelings of generosity and cheer, it also causes stress for many individuals. In fact, holiday stress ranks right up there with asking for a raise!
What Causes Holiday Stress?
- Doing Too Much. While stress itself is necessary for our survival and zest for life, too much stress has a negative impact on our health, both mental and physical. Too many activities, even if they are fun activities, can culminate in too much holiday stress and leave us feeling frazzled, rather than fulfilled.
- Eating, Drinking, and Spending Too Much. An overabundance of parties and gift-giving occasions lead many people to excess. This temptation to overindulge results in the lasting stress of dealing with consequences (debt, weight gain, memories of embarrassing behavior).
- Too Much Togetherness. Even the most close-knit families can overdose on togetherness, making it hard for family members to maintain a healthy balance between bonding and alone time. Many families also have roles that each member falls into that have more to do with who they used to be rather than who they are today, which can sometimes bring more dread than love to these gatherings.
- Not Enough Togetherness. For those who don’t have these family issues, loneliness can be just as much of a problem. As the world seems to be gathering with family, those who rely more on friends for support can feel deserted and alone.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). As daylight diminishes and the weather causes many of us to spend more time indoors, many people are affected to some degree by a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder. It’s a subtle condition that can be a source of unhappiness during a time that people expect to feel just the opposite.
Minimizing Holiday Stress
The great thing about holiday stress is that it’s predictable. Unlike other stressors we encounter in life, we know when holiday stress will begin and end, and we can make plans to reduce the amount of stress we experience and the negative impact it has on us. Here are some tips to help reduce holiday stress before it begins:
- Set Your Priorities. Before you get overwhelmed by too many activities, examine your priorities, pick a few favorite activities and really enjoy them, while skipping the rest.
- Cut Corners. If you can’t fathom the idea of skipping out on sending cards, baking, seeing people, and doing all of the stuff that usually runs you ragged, you may do better including all of these activities in your schedule, but on a smaller scale.
- Change Your Expectations For Togetherness. Can you limit the number of parties you attend or throw, or the time you spend at each? Can you limit your time with family to a smaller timeframe that will still feel special and joyous, without draining you? When dealing with difficult relatives, it’s okay to set limits on what you are and are not willing to do, including forgoing your visits or limiting them to every other year. For those who experience loneliness during the holidays, consider inviting a group of friends to your home. Consider volunteering to help those less fortunate than yourself. Many people report these experiences to be extremely fulfilling, and your focus will be on what you have rather than what you lack.
- Set A Schedule. Putting your plans on paper can show you, in black and white, how realistic they are. And, be sure to schedule in some time to exercise.
- Breathe! It’s great if you can take ten minutes by yourself to do a breathing meditation, but merely stopping to take a few deep, cleansing breaths can reduce your level of negative stress in a matter of minutes, too. If you visualize that you are breathing in serenity and breathing out stress, you will find the positive effects of this exercise to be even more pronounced.
- See a Practitioner. If your stress seems unmanageable, consider making an appointment with a professional.
With a little planning and a few minor but significant changes this holiday season can bring the love and joy it was meant to bring, and leave you feeling fulfilled rather than drained.
What is NLP?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a unique combination of skills that teaches you how to connect with your unconscious mind (the memories and experiences that are beyond your awareness) and utilize the unlimited resources and potential of the human psyche.
NLP is a name that encompasses the three most influential components involved in producing human experience: neurology, language and programming. The neurological system regulates how our bodies function, language determines how we communicate with other people, and our programming determines the kind of world we experience. Neuro-Linguistic Programming describes the interplay between mind (neuro) and language (linguistic) and how this effects our body and behavior (programming).
A major benefit of NLP is that it addresses the many levels involved in being human. NLP involves the development of behavioral flexibility, but also involves the mental and cognitive processes behind behavior. It provides tools and skills for the development of individual excellence, establishes a system of empowering beliefs about self and communication, and what the process of change is all about. At another level, NLP is about self-discovery, exploring identity and purpose. It also provides a framework for understanding and relating to the ‘spiritual’ part of human experience that reaches beyond us as individuals to our family, community and global systems. NLP is not only about competence and excellence, it is about wisdom and vision.
In the belief system of NLP it is not possible for human beings to know objective reality. Success in all areas of life does not come from having the one ‘right’ or ‘correct’ map of the world, because human beings are not be capable of making one. Rather, the goal is to create a map that works, has many choices, and most closely aligns with our goals. Excellence comes from having choice. Wisdom comes from having multiple perspectives. NLP is a way of both enriching the choices that you have and making them more available to you.
“With NLP, the possibilities are limitless. It’s a powerful tool in transforming beliefs. It chops the root of excuses and fault, limiting patters, and empowers responsibility and transformation.” Scott Kelly, ATC, LMT, CHEK III
NLP is a technology for creating success. Learn the art of living your bliss now!
