We are going through uncharted seas at this moment in time. Many people have already lost their jobs due to the effects of Covid-19 and millions of others face an uncertain future because of the virus. How are we going to cope?

With the situation as it is many people are bound to be more anxious, and this is perfectly normal, so accept the fact anxiety has increased. It's a natural response and we shouldn't add the fact to our worries. Also try to avoid worrying about things we can't control. There's no point and it will only add to our anxiety. This article gives more advice and is well worth reading.

If you need help coping with uncertainty or any other issue for that matter, I can help. Feel free to get in touch and find out more.

So, at long last, the High Street is opening it's shops. We still have to social distance and be prepared to wait in queues, but it's a beginning. How many of you are waiting until the crowds die down? How many of you are still anxious about going into a shop, or even a busy High Street again?

​It's only natural if this is the case. After all, Covid-19 is still here, it's still a threat and it's still a worry. Yes, the number of affected people has reduced, as have the number of deaths, but it's still here. So, how are you going to cope?

If you think of something too much it can start to become an obsession. Then the obsession can become a fear, then the fear makes you feel restrictive and the obsession widens. Put simply, overthinking is not a good idea. Face the facts.

Rules are in place so follow them: Wash your hands. Be mindful of keeping the 2 metre distance when out. Wash you hands. Don't touch anything if you don't need to. Wash your hands. Wear a mask when shopping if you can. Wash you hands. Wipe down anything you buy with a disinfectant gel where possible. Wash your hands. One thing is for sure, when we come out of this everybody will be thinking of personal hygiene  much more than they ever did before, and that's not a bad thing.

If you need help coping with the changes forced upon you please look for help. There's no need to suffer as there is plenty of help out there. If you think I can help you then please contact me by email (alanwoollard@merryfield-hypnotherapy.co.uk) or mobile (07718975185) and please leave a message if I don't answer. I WILL get back to you, but only if you leave a message asking me to do so.

Take care (and wash those hands).

This article was originally posted on Merryfield Hypnotherapy

In this interesting report scientist say that your personality is a factor to how you age, and indeed how long you live. 





​How we interact with people is very much based on who we are as a person, so working on improving our personalities can only be good for everyone.

Please do get in touch if you would like some help for something you would like to work on. I can do sessions over the phone or on video-link. 

So, as the Coronavirus, or Covid-19 to give it's official name, continues we are witnessing panic from some members of the population. This is causing many to start stocking up on 'essential' products which only encourages more people to do the same. We are wired to copy others if they are doing something different. If a group of people run past you looking scared, automatically your fight,flight,freeze part of the brain takes over, and you join in with the panic. But you don't have to. This article helps explain why we react in a similar way in a crisis and ways you can stay calm so you don't join in. The more calm people there are around the more people will feel calm.

Feed the fear or feed the calm. you decide. 

If you are struggling to stay calm and need some help in coping, please get in touch.

This article was first posted on Merryfield Hypnotherapy.

With today's world of instant communication it's no wonder so many people are having confidence issues. Within seconds of posting a picture or a comment online a response can be given, and we always take more notice of the bad comments than we do the good. 

This article helps you understand why we act this way and suggests methods that may help you deal with it better.

But, I'd like to ask a question; Should we stop caring what people think about us? 

I don't think we should. We just need to be better at whittling out the ones that matter and the ones that don't. What I mean by that is, if someone you love or trust says something to you that you don't like, then I think we SHOULD take notice of what is said. As these are the people that are saying these things for a reason other than just because they think it's fun! They are trying to tell you something, something they think is important, and I believe this is when we should listen and discuss. All the nasty comments by people we don't know or don't care about can be put in the bin and forgotten about. It's just bullying and we don't want to encourage them by giving them a reaction they can play you with. 

Confidence is the key. If you are confident with your own self, with whom you are and what you represent then you will be able to deal with the bullying types with ease. Equally you will be able to deal with the constructive criticism from someone who has your best interest at heart. 

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is brilliant at helping you improve your confidence. The process can help you understand why people have said what they've said, and be able to deal with it without letting it get to you. It can help you find out who the true you is, understand what you're good at, as well as finding out what you could improve on.

If you need help with your confidence please get in touch via the email or phone number above or via the contact page.

This article first posted on Merryfield Hypnotherapy.

There is a lot going on at the moment. What with the Coronavirus, the crazy weather and the ongoing Brexit uncertainty, let alone what may be going on in your personal life. 

We need to find a way to cope and this article talks about being real about how you feel. A lot of us hide how we feel, or pass off a "How are you?" question with an "I'm fine thanks" when, in fact we are not fine. 


There's nothing wrong with saying how you feel, and there's nothing wrong in feeling the way you do. What is wrong is not talking about it to someone.

This doesn't mean we should offload everything onto anyone who asks us how we feel and nor will being miserable all day because we feel miserable help either. It's more about recognising things are not the way you want them to be, and then doing something about it. 

If you feel low, admit it. Even just to yourself. Then do something about it. Change something. Talk to someone who you trust. Book an appointment with your doctor or call 111 and talk to a health professional for advice. Call a friend. Put some music on that makes you smile. Go for a walk in the park. Restart an old hobby. Take your dog for a walk or stroke a cat. Push yourself to do something. Remember, if you change nothing, nothing will change

Be real about how you feel, don't lie to yourself about your emotions, do something that helps.
​
​This article first appeared on Merryfield Hypnotherapy.

This video is from the excellent Uncommon Knowledge team and helps explain depression. Hypnotherapy can help with this so please get in touch if you need some help with this debilitating condition.

Sleep is important, as we all know. We need sleep to feel energised the next day and to help our bodies repair and recover. 

Sleep is also important for brain health.

In this article, (posted on wired.com) the statement “Sleep is actually a very distinct function” resonated with me strongly. I remember when I was recovering from my stroke that I needed plenty of sleep. I understood sleep was important to enable my damaged brain learn to cope and start rerouting signals around the damaged area. I embraced sleep and accepted its purpose.

​
It has also been suggested that people who have long term sleeping problems are more at risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other brain based diseases.

Are you having problems sleeping? Hypnotherapy can help. Please get in touch to find out more.

This article was first published on Merryfield Hypnotherapy. 

This time of year it's very common to feel overwhelmed.

It could be due to how much was given to you during the festive season or it could be to do with how much YOU gave. Quite often it can be due to financial worries, after spending more in December how can I pay the bills in January?


This article from the Havard Business Review gives helpful tips that can assist you with coping better during this time.


​
One of the tips is to Challenge your assumptions. It explains that by focusing on failure this only helps you feel worse and by doing so it could be easy for it to spiral out of control and lead you into a full anxiety attack or depression. 

This is where Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) is so good. SFH helps you focus on the solution instead of the problem. It helps you come up with a plan to help move forward instead of staying where you don't want to be. It helps you see hope instead of despair. 

If you feel you need some help and you think SFH will help you, please get in touch.

Happy New Year.

This article first appeared on Merryfield Hypnotherapy 03.01.2020