It's your age! Or is it?.....

As another year passes, is it really our years that determines how well we are?

 Many clients come to me and tell me that their problem is due to their age.  If it is a knee problem for example then I have the following story to tell them: an 70 year old lady goes to the doctor with knee pain on her right side.  The doctor says well it's your age!  She sais, well my left knee is the same age and that doesn't hurt!

Research is showing more and more that what we think, how we perceive ourselves (often based on how others see us), which is what we believe, affects our well being and our physical health. Even to the point that it affects our age.

This body - mind connection is well known in the use of the placebo effect but those of the nocebo effect are much more powerful in my view.

As the article below mentions becoming mindful not of our breathing but of our thoughts, habits and what we have accepted to be true so far without questioning is the way forward for all our health.

This is key to my Body~Mind Coaching sessions.  I ask lots of questions and offer different perspectives that make my clients think (making them more mindful) and that can help them change their expectations of how well they could really feel. The process also helps them feel physically different which can re-enforce a new belief about themselves that feeling better is possible.

Read more about the studies and the fascinating results on perceived age, eyesight, the immune system and general well being.

So you might want to ask yourself: what am I ready to question, challenge and let go of to make next year the one where you turn your life around and live to your full potential?  

If you can do that on your own that that is brilliant, if you want help with the process then contact me and I would be happy to go through it with you.  Have a happy New Year and a fantastic 2015!

3 tips for better sleep.

Good quality sleep is important to feel well and be able to function properly during the day. I hear so many people say they can't remember things, they loose their temper and even thought they don't like something, can't really be bothered to do anything to change it. These can be a sign of sleep deprivation. When you are well rested, you can think more clearly, plan you day, get things done more quickly and will feel less stressed.

Here are 3 tips to help you get better sleep:
1) Plan your food and drink intake so you are not having coffee, tea, chocolate, coke and other pick me up drinks after 2pm and eat 4h before going to bed.
2) Have a bed time routine, this will train your brain that you are going to be going to bed. Here are some ideas of what your evening could be like: Write down any unfinished business you need to attend to the next day so you can let your brain rest rather than churn over it in bed. Switch off phones, computers and tablets at least 1hr before bed time. Avoid exciting movies just before bed, watch them early and then read for example. Get changed, brush your teeth and keep lights to a minimum (ideal if you have dimmer switches or bed side light.  Do some stretching, relaxing or breathing. (not cardio exercises)

3) If your mind can't switch off you can practice 'square breathing' - breath in for a count of 4 pause for 4 out for 4 and pause for 4 so as you breath you can say in your head in 2,3,4, pause 2,3,4, out 2,3,4, pause 2,3,4, The slower you can count and keep the breathing in that rhythm the better.

This is one of the techniques I teach on my relaxation workshop (see below) and it is available on my relaxation CD designed specifically to help induce sleep.

Here is some more information that might help you:
Read more: March of the Sleep Deprived
Read more on making decisions and habits 

If you would like more help then sign up to my newsletter. You will know when the next relaxation workshop is and my next talk on Body~Mind Coaching  for stress relief using EMDR.  You can watch this video of how EMDR works.
 For one to one sessions contact me.

What are your sleeping tips?  I would love to know. You can share them anonymously in the comment box.  Look forward to hearing from you.

5 habits to help or hinder you!

 I have just read an article about the 5 habits that cause depression 

1) Waiting for pity from others and feel sorry for yourself 
2)The habit of doing unpleasant things 
3)The habit of living in the past
4) The habit to compare yourself with others 
5) The habit to consider yourself worse than others

You can replace them with the 5 good habits for well-being: 

1) Cut down on coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate and smoking as they suppress what you are really feeling and means you don't tackle the real issues that are causing  problems.
2) Eat less carbohydrates (white processed foods), have a min 12 gr protein per meal lots of veg and nothing other than water between meals.
3) Take some form of exercise every day-15min bike ride to work or a brisk walk at lunch time walk up the stairs every time rather than take an elevator will do.
4) Once a week have 90min just for yourself -a soak in the bath, read a book, go to a dance, yoga or pilates class, take time to meditate or fully relax (for help with this you could listen to my relaxation CD.
5) Treat yourself as if you were your best friend. Listen to what you would say to yourself if you were talking to your best friend about your situation.

All this will help you avoid the highs and lows of sugar peaks and help you get much better sleep, which is absolutely essential for well-being.

If you want more help, then come along to one of my talk demo's on EMDR, attend my relaxation workshop or book in for a 30 min free taster session, to find out how I could help you.

You can watch this video of how EMDR works.