Monthly Archives: October 2011
Want to Eliminate Cigarettes?
I’ve been a hypnotherapist for 15 years, and nearly every time I mention this to someone I’ve just met I get the same response, “So you help people to stop smoking?” I do say yes but quickly explain that there is much more to practicing hypnosis. That said, I realize that stopping smoking may just be enough.
I recently came across an article published in Scientific American about the true costs of cigarette smoking and stop-smoking programs.
As soon as a person stops smoking, his or her risk of a heart attack drops, and it continues to fall for five years, when it reaches levels close to those of people who have not smoked. With the number of smokers in that state [California] having declined some 50 percent since 1985, that is presumably a lot of heart attacks-and related medical bills-avoided. But just how much?
Here’s how the numbers break down: In the first 15 years of the tobacco control program, the state spent $1.4 billion on the initiative, during which time it also lost some $3.1 billion on tax revenue from all of the billions of packs its residents were no longer buying.With the reduction in smokers over that same 15-year period, some $86 billion in direct medical costs were avoided, Glantz and Gonzalez noted. And that does not include the extra money flowing into the economy generated by increased productivity-thanks to more, and higher quality, days of work-of the non-smokers.
So, the more individuals that stop smoking, the more our economy is strengthened. And potentially, our individual health care costs will be reduced as well. I, for one, am ready for a social movement towards stopping smoking. Want to join me?
To become a certified hypnotherapist and help others stop smoking, lose weight, and overcome fears take a look at our upcoming Hypnotherapy course. Utilizing hypnosis to stop smoking is inexpensive, quick, and tremendously effective.
Who’s Wearing the Mask?
I’ve always wondered why people are so drawn to costuming. Here in San Francisco it’s considered it’s own art form. But what does your costume say about you?
Are you drawn to costumes that are aesthetically beautiful but essentially meaningless to you? Do you like to make people laugh? Be the center of the party? Express a part of yourself that you don’t otherwise? Stay on the cutting edge? Whatever your preference, your costume provides a bit of self-reflection.
Being a classic Sagittarian, I have the tendency to look deeply into things, and my Halloween costumes generally revolve around mythological figures or shadows from the collective unconscious. And if you remember the roots of Halloween, All Hallows Eve, you know that the holiday was a time to let out one’s shadow. And that is exactly the point- costumes allow the pieces of you that you normally keep hidden to come out and play for a day.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming was built on the idea of modeling- the act of acting “as if” in order to succeed. Usually, modeling is done using a role model, someone that has already done what you want to do. But, in truth, everything you need is already inside of you! You just may only express it once a year, if ever.
So, I have a challenge for you. It takes just a few moments to improve your life and work.
1. Remember the costume you most loved- and why you enjoyed wearing it.
2. What were you able to express that was most freeing to you?
3. How can you express more of that in your life today, without the costume?
And to make it even easier on you, here are a few themes to get you started.
Animals: instinctual, rather than logical
Evil characters: safety through separation
Fantasy characters: innocence, escape from reality, playfulness, mystery
Heros: taking charge of circumstances, overcoming insecurity
Sexy characters: overcoming repressed sexuality/sensuality
Trendy characters: displaying knowledge, being cool
The more you express the different aspects of yourself, the more whole your life becomes. Flexibility is the key to success, so mix it up and have more fun!
