I Don’t Believe in Hypnosis !!!

“I Don’t Believe In Hypnosis”

At a social gathering a woman inquired about purchasing a gift certificate so her niece could learn self hypnosis for stress management. Moments later, her niece walked up to me and said, “Thank you, but no thank you. That was very nice of my aunt, but I don’t believe in hypnosis.” After composing my thoughts for a few moments, I responded, “Believe? Believe? What’s there to believe in? It’s not a belief or religion. It’s a method that was approved by the American Medical Association in 1958 and continues to help many people of all walks of life.”

There is much written on belief, religion and hypnosis. But none of it has to do with actually believing ‘in’ hypnosis. The abstracts and documents written regarding belief and hypnosis speak mostly about different religions and their uses of hypnosis and similar actions. Most Eastern belief systems practice some form of hypnosis or techniques in their rituals. Even the Roman Catholic Church issued statements approving the use of hypnosis in 1847. The Bible refers many places to hypnotic like events. For example, Paul speaks of being in trance while he was praying in the temple (Acts 22:17).

Consulting hypnotists spend a lot of time educating their clients and the public on hypnosis. Media, myths and those that just don’t understand have done an injustice to a technique that has proven itself time and time again to help many. Ignorance is either lack of knowledge or just a fear of the unknown. Both do an equal injustice to complementary health fields.

I spend more than half of my client’s first visit talking about facts and dispelling hypnosis myths. From movies to cartoons, I have seen hypnosis portrayed as a zombie like act. Even in the children’s cartoon, Rugrats, I recently saw an episode where one 4 year old hypnotized the 2 year old to do bad acts. I literally sat back in my living room chair and screeched, “Oh no, more children to set straight after this episode!!” Children are notoriously easy to hypnotize as their brains are in constant trances. This could account for the high success rate in children. But if Angelica is turning Tommy into a zombie through hypnosis, then what’s a 5 year old to think when his/her mom suggests he be hypnotized for his fear of dogs. Our job as hypnotists is 24/7 to dispel myths so the mind-body can connect.

Being a hypnotist, daily I see the mind-body connection. I experience it personally and through clients that the mind has a lot to do with health or illness. When people think of mind-body, they sometime think spiritual-religion. Although I do find that many spiritually aware people believe in the mind-body connection. It has nothing to do with religion or belief. For them, it has to do with their experiences and practices with the mind which have allowed their body to make changes. The American Medical Association has stated that up to 75 percent of illness is stress based. If that is not mind-body, then I don’t know what is!

Recent studies and diagnostic advances have scientifically proven the mind body connection for those skeptical. A Canadian study tracked patient outcomes for those with breast and prostate cancer and found that mindfulness based meditation “altered cortisol and immune patterns consistent with less stress and mood disturbance, and decreased blood pressure.” Brain Behav Immun. 2007 Nov; 21(8):1038-49. Epub 2007 May 22. Recent research has even shown that the mind can change the actual physical structure of the brain. Neuroreport. 2005 November 28; 16(17): 1893–1897.

According to the National Institute of Health, “there is evidence that mind-body interventions can be effective in the treatment of coronary artery disease, enhancing the effect of standard cardiac rehabilitation in reducing all-cause mortality and cardiac event recurrences for up to 2 years. Hypnotists really do not need such proof for ourselves, but the general public needs to be informed and educated about the new discoveries of the mind-body connection.”

According to the Aug. 28, 2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, it was reported that a study was released that breast cancer is eased with just 15 minutes of hypnosis. According to the new study, women who received hypnosis before breast cancer surgery needed less anesthesia during the procedure, reported less pain afterward, needed less time in the operating room and had reduced costs. A major advance for hypnosis and its skeptics.

In my practice, I work a lot with children. Children and hypnosis are a wonderful, effective partnership. According to the National Institute of Health clinical hypnosis and self-hypnosis benefit children in pain relief. Studies found pediatric hypnosis effective for bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture during cancer treatment, for alleviating postoperative pain and anxiety in children undergoing surgery, and for headaches and some other conditions involving chronic pain or undergoing other medical procedures.

November, 2007, it was reported that hypnosis be used as a treatment for IBS. “We advocate that hypnotherapy become the treatment of choice in children with persisting complaints of either functional abdominal pain or IBS in whom first-line therapies such as education and dietary advice have failed,” Dr. Arine M. Vlieger of St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Journal of Gastroenterology.

Conservative hospitals are now adding hypnosis, guided imagery, acupuncture and Reiki (energy medicine) into their facilities. Ten years ago, I was considered woo woo; now I’m mainstream! Good medicine today blends complementary and alternative medicine and treats the entire person, not just the physical body.

There are many more studies, convincers and statistics that could be portrayed here. It is up to the individual to be educated in their own health care choices. We, as Consulting Hypnotists, have to continue our crusade to adequately educate the public so that they know the facts before they can make good choices. The facts are that hypnosis works. Hypnosis is not a belief, it’s a fact!

 

Children and cells

This may be redundant in posts, but working with children a lot, I see the constant use of cells and their carrying them on their bodies constantly.  While the medical establishment is still out on its dangers, I will keep posting things that are released.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkeMLOIAEKU

School is coming or has already begun for some.  Check back in a week or so with some tips on test stress and just what the Department of Education has to say in how to keep it in check!!  Great data… coming soon.

 

The Great Phone Debate

Not sure if any of you have had that feeling of warmth and gooeyness (is that a word???) while you’re on your cell phone for a long time, but when I feel that, I’m not feeling it a comfy feeling !! haha

If you have kids, there’s even more to be concerned about. More and more is coming out about cell phones. Here’s a new one.

Cellphone use potentially risky for kids, teens: health agency

Toronto’s department of public health is advising teenagers and young children to limit their use of cellphones to avoid potential health risks.

The advisory — believed to be the first of its kind in Canada — warns that because of possible side effects from radio frequencies, children under eight should only use a cellphone in emergencies and teenagers should limit calls to less than 10 minutes.

“Teach them the ways to use a cellphone responsibly — to make shorter calls, to use other modes of communication; if it’s possible, use a landline,” said Loren Vanderlinden, a health department supervisor and the report’s author.

In an interview with the Toronto Star, Vanderlinden said scientists were dismissive of any risk years ago. But with more studies, she said, a pattern is emerging that suggests people who have used their cellphones for a long period of time are at greater risk of certain kinds of brain tumours.

Eight years ago, a government inquiry in Britain concluded cellphones shouldn’t be marketed to children under 16 because so little was known about the long-term health risks.

But according to Health Canada, there is no firm evidence that cellphones pose health risks.

“Health Canada currently sees no scientific reason to consider the use of cellphones as unsafe,” the agency wrote. “Health Canada is basing this conclusion upon the bulk of scientific evidence from …studies that have been carried out worldwide, including at our laboratory.”

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, which represents Canada’s cellphone industry, also said there is no need for anyone, including children, to change their cellphone habits.

“The state of the science right now from leading health agencies, including the World Health Organization, is that cell phone use — as set out in the guidelines — is that these devices are safe,” said Marc Choma, a spokesman for the organization. “And that is the state of the science worldwide.”

CBC News

 

Hiatus

Thanks for visiting.  Just letting the readers know  that I’m currently on a hiatus from the blog.  I’m producing more CDs and will be back shortly!

Enjoy your summer naturally green and peaceful!

 

Proprietary Blends

Aren’t those warm and fuzzy marketing words? Doesn’t it sound like your special product is made with awesome ingredients?

I will not name the company that I had this issue with. They are not the only one guilty. This is not a rant on a company, but a lesson in being prudent with ingredient lists. I purely want others to understand terminology and to be as skeptical and informed as they can not taking for granted what is listed.

A neighbor had been occasionally asking me to try her ‘new, all natural incredible cleaning products’ for the past year or so. She had been calling me occasion to come see these products because she was so excited about their ‘green’ ability to clean. Because I am known locally as the green clean, chemical free nut, she so wanted to show me her new found products.

I am not neurotically green, but I do purchase about 90% of my food organically/locally grown and the products I do use in my house, are considered very safe. The few cleaning products I purchase, I research the ingredients very well. The remainder, and majority of my cleaning products, I make. This includes my household and personal soaps. As a soap maker for many years, I understand the science behind it which is how the uncovering of these sales tactics were unearthed.

After attending this gathering with a display of products, I was very hesitant as the questions I did have regarding ingredients, could not be answered by the representative of the company. I listened respectfully. Questioned why their amazing hand cream had the ‘paraben sisters’ in it!! When she started talking about their lye-free soap, it perked my ears. The only soap one can make without sodium hydroxide (lye) is glycerin melt and pour. I personally have never really looked into these soaps as they are more crafter oriented, I do know that what I was being shown was ‘not’ glycerin.

Now remember, I am not against a soap made with sodium hydroxide. The harshness of it, when used correctly, is totally gone and conformed into a moisturizing, mild bar of soap – when made correctly. What I am against is a company that won’t be up front with their ingredients.

After calling this company and inquiring about the ingredients I found that one of their ingredients were Propriety Blend. WHAT?? What is a proprietary blend? Can you find this on Isle 8 of your local hardware store?? Or with the milk in the grocery store??? I asked, and questioned, and asked, and questioned their customer service about what were the ingredients, not exact amounts, but the ingredients for my family’s sake. The nice lady on the other side of the phone said she didn’t know, nor did anyone else in customer service.
Now my rant goes on. It seems that companies can fluff ingredients legally. A proprietary blend is anything that they don’t want disclosed because they feel their recipe is secret. There you go… Hiding behind the word secret.

After trying out one their Tub and Tile cleaners, it gave me a respiratory reaction. None of which I even have with the harsh products on the market. So why was this product giving me such a bad case of it. Again, looking into the ingredients, “Surfactants and solvents” were listed as ingredients. What are surfactants and solvents? I feel that is a category, not an actual ingredient. Yes, after calling the company, once again, they told me that they do not disclose what exactly are used. And here’s the kicker: they told me that rest assured, their products were “natural” (a word not defined by the FDA) and that they don’t profess to be a green company, nor do they market it as a green company. HAHAHA… The reps that I have spoken to, all market it as such. Hiding behind and blaming their reps. Gotta love commercialism.

Live and learn… read labels, scrutinize. You may be paying more for green products, which in my opinion is fine, but when bad chemicals have a mask on and marketed as safe that is outright wrong.

 

To tap, filter or bottle. That is the question!

Bisphenol A has been getting a lot of press lately. It has been widely known in holistic circles as being a nasty for some time. The hormone disruptor that can be found in almost everyone. Studies have linked it to breast and prostate cancer, and infertility.

Polycarbonates (type of plastic) are sometimes made with BPA. Looking at the recycling triangle, you’d see a #7. #7 is the recycling number that doesn’t fit into any other category. Therefore, it may or may not have BPA in. What does have BPA is products made with Lexan type plastic like those hard pretty colored water bottles, baby bottles, canned foods are lined with BPA, and some metal water bottles are lined with BPA (what is that about!!)

That being said, can bottled water be safe? What about the other numbers? Do we fill the landfills even further continuing to use bottled water?

Due to Canada banning BPA and a recent study, the BPA controversy has been all over the news and web. Earth day brought up some very valid points regarding plastics and the waste from not recycling plastic water bottles.

After reading many reports and much advice regarding water, I’d like to just organize thoughts and ask, “What is the priority of your water quality.”

I see it this way. There are three types of people. Two of which I’ll talk about. One is the person who doesn’t buy into any of the propaganda regarding the water not being safe. All I have to say is read and decide for your own.

Second type of person who chooses water for safety at the extreme and is the very chemical cautious. The “I don’t want to drink tap water at all because of all the miscellaneous chemicals, contaminants, chlorine and fluoride.” “If I do, it will be dead, distilled water.”

Thirdly, the person who just wants to get large portion of gunk out of their drinking water and doesn’t really understand what the gunk is, but is concerned.

I’m not writing this to persuade anyone. What I’m doing is organizing or bringing to light what and why you would choose a particular water treatment method. Maybe you haven’t thought of the entire fluoride problem in drinking water or what your actual reasons are for the method you choose.

I’ve read much on just filtering tap water. There are great filters out there, if you do your homework. The one thing they cannot filter is fluoride. The only way fluoride can be taken out of water is reverse osmosis. This creates a dead water, but very safe. The filter of my dreams, but expensive. Due to the economy, it isn’t happening at this house soon. Thanks shrub.

Yes. To reduce plastics, it would be best to filter tap water. But I am that kind of person that doesn’t want my daughter exposed more than she has to be (restaurant food, school, juices, etc.) with fluoride. I’ve done my homework. Fluoride is poison. That’s why your fluoride toothpaste tells you not to swallow it and who to call should your child ingest it.

I want the most chemicals out of my water, without fluoride, so for now I will buy bottled spring (not water from a ‘source’.) but genuine spring water knowing its source and testing. Yes, I am questioning whether I should filter it as I pour it into my glass (trying to get away from storing anything in plastic) bottle with spout. That may be coming. An inexpensive 29 contaminants filter costs about 30.00. Good investment I guess, until the reverse osmosis magically appears in my house.

I also highly recommend a chlorine filter for your shower. My daughter has very sensitive skin and without the chlorine, it has shown to be very good – not to mention what chlorine does to you. That’s an article for another time.

 

Happy Day and Welcome !

Welcome! I’m here to give and exchange some tips, info and chat about holistic living, hypnosis, living a calm, green, chemical free, peaceful life.

I’m really not neurotic about chemical free living. Or am I? I mean just what would you classify as neurotic? I read, read and read some more. I do what my intuition says regarding what I eat and use. I buy as much organic, local, non-processed foods as I can get. The soaps and cleaners in my house I either make from scratch or have done much research into ingredients – both listed and hidden Yes… you do know that there are hidden chemicals in products.

When I am told something regarding healthy living or find something out, I always back it up by doing my own research.

I’m hoping you will find this blog useful and take good information away in your quest for a better Earth and healthier, happier life.

Peace and nitey nite – it’s late (for me) on the east coast! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz