Mindful Eating with Hypnotherapy

Week 1

After an already hectic week I wasn’t sure how I was feeling about my new course. I knew relatively little about Mindful Eating, but what I did know was I needed to explore my relationship with eating. Over the years I have tried a lot of different ‘diets’ and needless to say I have a liberal sprinkling of scepticism about the course. This was totally my own fears and self-sabotage rearing its ugly head.

The best part about the introduction was finding like-minded people who were also exploring food relationships and a facilitator who understood frustration. It became quite apparent that this course was NOT about weight management, goal setting, unrealistic expectations or guilt. This was a welcomed start to our journey.

The introduction to the Mindful Eating Hypnotherapy was clear and targeted for the group, which made us all feel at ease. We all left with a feeling of calm and relaxation. In the days since the course we have been asked to be aware of how we felt about eating and ourselves when we are around food. There have been some interesting discoveries, at certain points I have decided to say ‘no’, I have wanted to eat a lot of childhood foods and generally felt food as something happy. I’m not sure what other developments, if any, will happen over the course but I will keep you posted. Aynsley

If you would like to know more I will be posting this blog for the next six weeks. Please like and share. For interest in doing a course please phone Katherine Locke on 07791182023 or email katherine@followyourfreedom.co.uk and for similar courses please phone the Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre on 01297 32331

Thank you and a fond farewell to Nikki our volunteer

I began volunteering at Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre in July 2015, having only moved down to Axminster from Bedfordshire two months earlier. I was welcomed in as one of the team of volunteers who man the reception desk, and I also took on the task of creating a computerised catalogue of all of the books held in the centre’s library – no easy task with approximately 1000 books to list! Originally when I began volunteering, I thought the main benefit would be to meet new people and hopefully make some friends along the way. However, after a few weeks here, I realised just how much they offer in terms of the therapies available and how they look after the team of volunteers to make sure that they are not doing more than they are able to realistically manage. 

Whilst here, I have been able to help with things such as the Wishing Well cancer support group, and help out at the annual Health & Wellbeing Exhibition which I thoroughly enjoyed as I got to meet and speak to hundreds of people. I have also been lucky enough to have some therapies here outside of my working hours, including massage and mindfulness. I have learnt a great deal more about the wide variety of complimentary therapies available as well, and will definitely be trying a few more!

In the last two months,  after being put in contact with an organisation called Pluss, I was given the opportunity to work more hours at the centre and be paid by Pluss (this is known as an Options Traineeship) to help me to get ready for finding permanent employment. Little did I know that, less than six weeks later, I would be sat here writing this blog post, on my last day working at the centre before starting full time work in the morning! It happened so quickly and everyone at the centre has been so supportive of my decision to apply for and then accept the offer of the job. I will miss my shifts at the centre but will still be helping at their events such as the Exhibition (Saturday 8^th October at Axminster Guildhall!). 

 I cannot thank them enough for the experience and support they have provided here. If you are looking for a volunteering opportunity then definitely get in contact with them as it’s a lovely place to work and meet new people from the local area.

Homeopathy - Chamomilla

As part of our homeopathy treatment of the month - this week we are exploring Chamomilla.


No. 1 remedy for:
Teething
Colic
Earache from exposure to cold

Person is extremely angry, irritable, cross, whining, can't be satisfied

One cheek is red the other pale

Diarrhoea like chopped spinach and belching smells like bad egg

Symptoms that come on after extreme anger

Worse for being touched, looked at, covered up

Better for being carried and cold compresses

If you'd like to know more about Homeopathic medicine then please visit www.lindalester.webeden.co.uk

The benefits of Arnica montana - Homeopathy therapy of the month

Linda Lester
01404 813074
www.lindalester.webeden.co.uk

Homeopathy is a safe, gentle and effective natural health system. Homeopathy assists the body's own natural instinct to heal itself and restore natural balance. 
Homeopathy is safe for people of any age, pregnant, mums, babies and older people and can be used with other medicines if necessary.
Homeopathy is a holistic system of health care, that takes into account every aspect of your daily life and enables the homeopath to look at your unique symptoms and choose a treatment that is specific to your needs. It is not addictive and is free from Side effects.
When you have your case taken by a homeopath you will be asked lots of questions about yourself and it is this information that helps the homeopath choose a prescription that best suits you as a unique and individual person.

         

        Arnica montana

Leopards Bane. 

The tincture is made from 

the roots of the plant.

Arnica montana has an

affinity with blood vessels

and is used to assist with:

• Bruises, concussion, shock and trauma of an accident, post operative bruising

• Helps prevent Jet lag and DVT

• Remedy for muscular diseases: strains, sprains, bruising and swelling.

• Head hot and body cold

• Lumpy bed flu (if the patient complains that the bed feels hard and uncomfortable

Better for : open air, wind in the face, cold water.

Worse for: mental exertion, getting hot and cold food.

In case of accident can give 30c potency up to 4 times in

an hour. If patient starts to feel better stop giving remedies.

What Linda says on volunteering...

                   Linda Farnham Volunteer Receptionist Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre

In February 2016 I saw an ad seeking reception volunteers at the centre. I had just given up work & liked the idea of being a receptionist. I have always enjoyed being in a face to face environment and this sounded perfect for me. I rang the centre and spoke to Aynsley and was invited to pop in for a chat. The centre had a very welcoming atmosphere and after agreeing a regular shift I agreed to start the following week. I must admit it was all a bit daunting on my first session – I had to answer the phone, transfer calls and meet & greet. But after the second week I felt fine.

I have met so many interesting people, have learnt so much about the local community and feel part of a team. Everyone is friendly. I was astonished to find out how much charities rely on volunteers. This centre virtually runs on volunteer help from reception to food bank. The three centre managers are really lovely and obviously care a great deal about their work and the local community.

My Friday mornings as receptionist –

I arrive at about 9.25 where I meet the duty manager. We generally have a chat about anything really and then I take my seat at reception.  On my days I usually have specific tasks to perform which suits me, however if you don’t want to do any tasks it is fine as long as there is some-one to meet and greet, answer the phone, offer visitors a drink

I enjoy doing little projects or tasks. I have drafted letters for funding, posted ‘events’ on Facebook pages of local groups, contacted local interest groups with a view to presenting at our Wishing Well group.

During my morning there are times when the phone rings a lot and then nothing for ages. The reception area can be a hustle and bustle of visitors and then all peace and quiet but that is what I like – a bit unpredictable.

I generally work until 1.30pm when another volunteer comes in and takes over.

Since starting in February I have found that I look forward to Friday mornings, a reason to get up earlier and not wear my old working clothes, style my hair and apply my make-up. I also feel more fulfilled and part of the local community.

Life is too short for maybe’s so give it a try and I am sure you too will enjoy it.

If you would like to be a volunteer please pop into the Centre or give us a ring on 01297 32331 for more information as we would love to hear from you. 

Hypnotherapy - Therapy of the month

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy – Deborah Pearce

Debbie works with clients who are looking for a more enjoyable experience of life.  This may mean working with clients to reduce anxiety, or to help clients get a better night's sleep or to help clients become more confident. It may mean getting rid of unhelpful fears or phobias, or taming your 'inner critic'.

Debbie practises Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, which means that rather than focusing on problems Debbie encourages you to identify solutions that will work for you. Debbie’s approach utilises Solution Focused Brief Therapy techniques, encouraging the client to adopt a more positive outlook on life. Call Debbie on 01404 813388 or 07939 840788 or email dpearcehypno@gmail.com

How can hypnotherapy help?

STRESS

It’s not always easy to remove the source of the pressure or challenges that you face. It may be that you are stressed because of work pressures or illness in the family. Hypnotherapy can help you, though, by helping you to cope so much better. Remember, it’s not the situation you find yourself in that is causing you stress, it’s your response to it. By using Solution Focused techniques, we can help you to formulate a better way of coping with your situation. We help you to visualise your preferred future so that your sub-conscious mind has a positive template to work with. By responding to external pressures in a calmer, more positive way, stress-related symptoms often improve. Life can, indeed, be fun.

SLEEP

Anxiety is a common cause of insomnia, and of course worrying that you’re not sleeping only makes the problem worse. It’s not long before a vicious cycle sets in and the harder you try the more elusive sleep becomes. It can be really debilitating and can seriously impair a person’s ability to function normally or enjoy life.

Hypnotherapy can help insomnia sufferers by addressing the underlying anxiety, often caused by work, relationship, health or financial worries. Ruminating on problems serves to amplify their significance and even small issues can get out of proportion in the middle of a sleepless night.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Now, hypnotherapy isn't a magic wand. You won't be able to lose weight unless you change what you eat or take more exercise, preferably both. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help you find the motivation for making the necessary changes. It is a modern research-based combination of psychotherapy techniques and hypnosis, aimed at encouraging you to focus on how you want things to be. We avoid problem-talk and instead help you to visualise your preferred future. There's a huge difference between saying 'I don't want to binge on a whole packet of doughnuts' and 'I am going to eat healthy and nutritious food'.

Hypnotherapy can help you address the underlying stresses that get in the way of you making appropriate choices around food and exercise. But it can only help if you make an effort to do something different, so be prepared for change. And be prepared for steady, sustainable weight loss, rather than a quick fix. By dealing with the underlying issues that get in the way of managing your weight, you'll feel motivated to make more helpful choices about food and exercise.

Please also contact Debbie for Anxiety, Motivation, Confidence, Phobias, Blood pressure, calmer Childbirth and much more.

deborahpearce.co.uk

Therapy of the Month - Counselling

Gillian Perrow is a trained Relate Group Leader, Family Counsellor and Therapeutic Mediator. She shares a Group Practice in Somerset with six other practitioners called Relationship Somerset. She runs her own practice from the Health & Wellbeing Centre, where she is also Director and Chair of the Trustees. She has been involved with  self-development of both herself and others for over 30 years.

Gillian is committed to Continuous Professional Development and she attends conferences and training days regularly, to keep up to date with new developments in the field. She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and she adheres to their code of ethics. She is committed to working for the client’s best interest; practising confidentiality, having a transparent working contract and promoting the client’s right to make their own decisions.

Services Include:

Ø Couple Counselling

Ø Family Counselling

Ø Individual Counselling

   COUNSELLING CAN HELP WITH:

• More intimate and satisfying relationships
• Greater sense of self-worth and self-awareness
• Increased confidence and self esteem
• Feeling calmer and more relaxed
• Better communication skills
• Develop healthier patterns of relating to others

Whatever your problem, you really don’t need to feel alone.

CONTACT:

Gillian Perrow

Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre
Hanover House
Chard Street
Axminster
EX13 5DZ

Phone: 01297 32530
Mob: 07877 721297

www.axminstercounselling.co.uk