Saturday 23 March 2013

So where does an 11 year old get the money for cigarettes?

New research says that the number of 11 to 16 year olds taking up smoking rose in 2011 to 207,000 from 157,000 in 2010.

When I put this on my facebook page the first comment I got was from a mum of 4. "Where does an 11 year old get the money for cigarettes? The answer I suppose is they pinched them from parents or older siblings or they pinched the money to buy some. Of it was their lunch money. (most of us did that, didn’t you?)

So isn't it illegal to sell cigarettes to under 18's? Yes it is - but still they get them!

But the question for me is why do kids still want to smoke knowing the damage it does? We all know someone who's suffering with the side effects of being a smoker - every child has seen someone with lung disease or cancer - if not someone they know, then someone on TV.

The answer is the same as it’s always been. It’s the answer that 95% of my stop smoking clients give. Peer pressure. Or as some people write on the questionnaire I give them "pier pressure" which conjures up a weird picture!

So what is peer pressure? It's our automatic response. The automatic response of human beings. We like to be liked. We like people who are like us. We like to join clubs. So whatever our age, when someone says "join us, we're having a good time" we join! OK not all of us – but a high percentage. And we’re more likely to join when we’re in our teens.

Most of my clients started smoking in their teens at school, at university or starting their first job. They did it because “everyone else was doing it”. Then they’re stuck. Even when “Everyone else” stops they carry on!

Teenagers have always seen “grown ups” smoking. So if you’re 14 how do you think you can look 16 or 18? Yes, do something that you have to be 16 (or now it’s 18) to do – smoke! Isn’t it the same with drinking?

Our parents do it, TV and pop stars do it – and we want to be like them!

I believe that the only way we will stop children smoking is to stop adults smoking. When TV “celebs” and pop stars take responsibility to say NO. To show youngsters that it isn’t “cool” to smoke (and drink to excess). Then we will see less young people starting to smoke.

When the government and NHS realise that they need to help people to stop smoking – not threaten them with ugly photos or blank packages. When everyone realises that they only failed to stop because they were trying methods that DON’T WORK. Then young people won’t want to smoke. There will be no point. If no-one else is doing it, if it’s not cool and doesn’t help stress (no, it really doesn’t) then there will be no point.

Until then I will be in a job. I will be helping people stop smoking. I fear that long after I am gone there will still be a need for someone to help people to stop smoking. Someone to help the 11 year olds of today when they are in their 40’s with the first signs of COPD, heart disease and cancer. How very sad.

Back to www.breakthehabit.co.uk


Saturday 9 March 2013

6 Things we Forgot about Sleeping

1. Every living thing needs to sleep.
2. Sleep is our body’s chance to repair and re-energise.
3. All living things have a body clock which is pre-set.
4. Human beings need about 6 – 8 hours sleep a night on average.
5. We cannot make ourselves sleep – force is the very opposite to sleep.

6. There can be physical, chemical and emotional reasons why me don’t sleep

All of these can be overcome because of point No.1: Every living thing needs to sleep.

So to be able to sleep “like a baby” you need to follow some simple rules, set up some new habits, follow a simple plan – and allow yourself to sleep.

I would like to share with you the answer! The simple rules to follow and a wonderful, relaxing, sleep inducing hypnosis!

If you're having problems sleeping give me a call.  You will, won't you?





Sunday 10 February 2013

Frightened? Thoughtless? Or just plain rude?



Have you ever missed an appointment – just completely forgotten about it absorbed in something else? We’ve probably all forgotten something – maybe a dentist or hygienist appointment, probably something important but not vital.

But what about those people who miss doctors' and hospital appointments? Those people who have an illness or serious problem then don’t turn up to get it sorted? Do they make you mad?

But why don’t they turn up? Is it because they genuinely forgot (possible) or changed their mind (well surely they’d cancel beforehand) or were just frightened of the prospect of the process or the outcome? Sometimes we need courage to do the things that we know we need to do, don't we?

I was out with a friend the other night who was telling me about arranging a minor knee operation. She’d told the doctor her holiday dates and asked for the referral to the specialist to avoid those dates. When she got home from her holiday there was a letter waiting for her – for an appointment a few days earlier! When she rang the hospital to re-arrange she said they were very sharp with her as she had “missed” her appointment. So either they hadn’t read the doctor’s referral properly – or the doctor had forgotten to give the holiday dates! Either way my friend became “the one that misses appointments” and when she finally got to see the specialist this is what he said to her “oh yes, you’re the one who missed her appointment.” As you can imagine she was upset and annoyed at the inference! She certainly wasn’t one of those people who just doesn’t turn up!

Last week I had a client who just didn’t turn up. She needed the appointment in that she needed to change some of her habits. She even confirmed the appointment by returning a questionnaire to me. Then she just didn’t turn up. She left me with a 90 minute wasted space in my diary. Other clients are coming next week who could have come to solve their problems earlier if she’d have cancelled earlier. But who has really lost out here? She has. She may have just decided not to bother – yet she really needs to make changes. She may have been frightened of the process or the outcome. Either way she has lost the opportunity to change. And I find that sad. Don’t you?  Sometimes we do need courage to change things that need to be changed!

back to www.breakthehabit.co.uk


Tuesday 5 February 2013

The problem or the side effect? which is worse?

What's worse? The problem or the side effects of the drugs used to treat the problem?


I often see clients for stress, anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Most of them are already on a drug. But they're still suffering! A pain-killer will kill the pain but an anti-depressant won't kill the depression. It may cover it up; make it a bit easier to live with. But it won't cure it. You still have to find the "cure".

The listed side effects of many drugs may add to the feelings of depression – effects such as insomnia and weight gain, headaches and nausea.

So if you’re starting to get stressed or anxious - or if something has happened to you – or around you – that is affecting your wellbeing get help fast. First try relaxation CDs, yoga or if you enjoy it, go to the gym. Talk to a friend or trusted family members. Then look for a therapist. PAY. It will be worth it. Talk to your doctor about therapy – but go for the drugs last.

I can’t promise you anything – but hypnotherapy and NLP techniques are fast and effective. My clients will tell you their stories.
www.breakthehabitstress.breakthehabit.co.uk





Motivation to change (part 2)

So once you've decided to make changes in your life how do you keep motivated?

1.  Remember the pain
2. Get support
3. Make the future "the carrot" big and bright and very compelling.

How much money will you save?  How will you spend it - holidays? clothes? cars? houses? How much better will you feel?  What clothes will you be wearing?  What will you be doing? 

All of these "carrots" or "towards motivations" will keep you moving towards your goal - a happier, healthier YOU!

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Getting the motivation to change!

How do we motivate ourselves to change?

Imagine you're sitting next to an iceberg (or maybe you're standing outside smoking a cigarette on a freezing cold, windy day!)  Now as you imagine this...you can imagine it getting colder and more unbearable....and there will be a point where you just want to MOVE! get away from the iceberg, get back into a nice warm building!

THIS IS THE POINT where you're ready and motivated to change!

We call it "away from" motivation!  If you like you can call it the "stick".  It's too painful to stay where you are so you move...

Now if you're a smoker the motivator could well be the freezing cold - or the cough - or the realisation that you're wasting your time, your health and your money!

If you're overweight maybe the pain is greatest when you can't get your favourite trousers on?  Or maybe your knees hurt?  Or your kids tell you you're fat?

When this pain is great you'll start moving towards the change!

If you're not there quite yet then just imagine what it would be like in a year's time if you don't make the changes?  How "cold" will you be then?

Tomorrow we'll talk about "towards" motivation and the carrot!

www.breakthehabit.co.uk


Sunday 27 January 2013

Clear your cupboards, free your fridge, refresh your freezer

Coming soon!

In a first session with a client for changing eating habits and/or weight loss we always talk about healthy foods, additives, sweeteners and how to clear the cupboards of foods we simply don't need!

Well very soon we're going to be bringing this advice into your kitchen!

Yes - we'll not just teach you how to clear your cupboards - we'll help you do it!  We'll sort, sift, organise and clear so that you can eat the foods your body needs - and nothing more!  We'll help you to remove temptation!

Would you like advice while you're shopping?  We'll even come to the supermarket with you!

It's new - it's different - and it will help you get the changes you want even quicker an easier than before!

If you'd like more information about this super new service give me a call! 01133801758