Reset and re-balance - uncomfortable zone

The most uncomfortable things in life are also a time for learning what is acceptable to us, what we need to change about ourselves and in our lives. I am thinking here of situations such as redundancy, bereavement, divorce & other major life-changing incidents. 

Letting go of repressed emotions will help with coming to terms with a change to our lives. We can begin to uncover and discover who we are in our newly adjusted life. It requires patience, understanding and acceptance that we often don't give ourselves time for, or other people have vested interest in us - friends/ family etc.  There is no timescale on adjusting to a change, however, if you're not really coping months down the line and relationships with friends and family are being affected, perhaps it's a valid time to seek help. 

Why not plan a session with a friendly coach counsellor? You may be surprised at what you find and can start to change how you see and feel about things. Reset and re-balance. 

See:
http://www.angiegiles.co.uk/
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG. 

Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or call Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping people achieve their potential at work, in life and finding greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

loose strands and transformation

I was thinking of how transformation in one part of our lives influences other areas too. Our life and world is made up of individual strands combined together.  

Hidden strands exists that we choose to leave out of the story we tell ourselves (and we hide this from others too, whether consciously or unconsciously). If we become aware of what that hidden part is, when a change happens, it can help us to navigate our way through the choppiest seas of life. A vulnerable, loose strand can be better managed if we accept it and know it. 

Whether your change is a career, moving home, marital status or a loss or bereavement, change can feel scary, and at the same time, I've worked with many people who have made successful transitions in their lives. They've gone from uncertainty, fear and worry towards a happier and more accepting place. 

If you want to have a chat about transforming your life, please call or email me. I'd love to hear from you.    

See:
angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG. 

Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or call Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping people achieve their potential at work, in life and finding greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

Seeing beyond fear

How do you see beyond fears that might otherwise hold you back? 

I'm curious to know what fear stops you from doing? 

If it has stopped you from asking for help, tell it to stop. 

Trust that you will lead yourself to what you need and when you need it.

  

How do you cope with unexpected change?

The ups and downs of life and work can be just like a rollercoaster at times. There might be a feeling of safety and peace as you glide upwards and the views at the top seem breathtaking, only the direction suddenly changes, so you go hurtling downwards with the inevitable twists and turns that happen along the way. It can be exciting for a short time and some people thrive on the adrenaline-filled rush of rollercoasters. If there are several events or situations that happen it can feel a whole lot different, too much stress over a prolonged period. How you cope is often dependent on your upbringing and also on how many of those other stressors there are in your life at the time.

Some people get to the point of not quite knowing how to cope with the upheaval and stress that change brings. If there is one thing that changes in life and work have taught me, it is there is no one solution to each and every person's circumstances when it comes to change. What I do know is that from my work with clients, change can be unsettling. Too much change leaves some with a feeling of having the ground taken from beneath them. I say there are no rights or wrongs to how you deal with change. I do suggest feeling what you feel and allowing time to 'grieve' the loss that often goes with a major life or work change.

One thing that can happen when someone is under pressure is to turn to unhealthy coping strategies. This could be to drink, over-eat, under-eat or take recreational drugs. Forgetting about problems for a while is the aim, but there are consequences on your body and health as well as on your relationships. Find other ways to let your frustration or hurt out. You could go for a walk, run, cycle, read, talk to a trusted friend. You could write down your thoughts and feelings (just for your eyes) so that they stop spinning around your head. Get to bed early and eat healthily and regularly.

If you can, do your best to let people know what you want at a particular time. It is your responsibility to say what you need rather than expect people to read your mind. If you want time on your own, that's OK. Explain your need for a bit of quiet and reflection so you can come to terms with the changes you are facing. If you need to surround yourself with people to help you through it, that's OK too. Try to be explicit about your needs with those who care about you. Other people may not know quite what to say or do to support you if you are going through a major life upheaval. Their need may be to give you a hug when it is the last thing you need right now. Allow them the chance to support you in a way that you will appreciate by telling them as clearly as you can. They do care and you can help them to help you.

Change is inevitable with home, life and work not staying still. Things move on. You can choose to see a change as an opportunity. Once the initial shock and disbelief have worn off, things will begin to fall into place: acceptance. The change could direct you in a new, positive direction. You could start to feel excited about the next twists and turns and highs of the rollercoaster of life and work, still to come.

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich. Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping other people achieve their potential at work and in life and achieving happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

Employment gains - or weighty issue?

I recently wrote about the job search blues and the challenges facing those seeking work. But what of those actually in work and facing tough times? In this article I'm focusing on the issue of weight and discrimination at work. 

Employment can sometimes be clouded by more issues than the printer breaking for the 12th time in one day! It can also be a place where personal issues, like weight, can affect someone's chances of keeping their job and enjoying being at work. What of those people who had been affected at work because of their weight?
A recent study in the US (of nearly three thousand people) found that those who were overweight had faced employment discrimination of one type or another. 

The areas of discrimination can be things like being the target of negative humour and negative comments from co-workers and supervisors, and being treated differently because of weight, not being hired, being denied promotions, or even being fired because of carrying excess weight.
The survey participants classed as 'overweight' responded being 12 times more likely to have been discriminated against. Those classed as 'obese' were 37 times more likely, and 'severely obese' respondents were 100 times more likely than normal-weight respondents to have said they had faced employment discrimination. In this study, women were 16 times more likely to report weight-related employment discrimination than men.  What a horrible thought. Because weight is viewed in such a negative way, even if you are the most talented person in your company, you may at worst face losing your job because of your weight. 

I always thought that to keep a job there were some basic steps. Turn up on time, remember to work hard, achieve or exceed objectives and (usually), be part of a team. I hadn't considered that being a 'normal' weight was going to be one of those steps! Well now we know differently. 

If things go wrong at work, usually a plan is drawn up to sort it. There are also steps to take when it comes to improving our health and particularly to weight. We know we should eat healthily and be active. Sometimes it takes a bit more than knowing it though, doesn't it? If you want to move towards making a change in eating habits, plucking up the courage to seek help now may help you toward a healthy career, as well as a healthier lifestyle.  

I deal with the whole issue, not just the weight, it's about the person too.  If you think you would like to know more about making changes to your lifestyle, I'm here to help. 

About the Author: Angie loves helping other people achieve their potential at work and in life and achieving happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques. Based at the Norfolk Clinic (Complementary Healthcare Centre), 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.  Tel: 07773 610816 or email info@angiegiles.co.uk 

Suspending beliefs

Is 2012 your year for change? I can help you!
It could be wanting to stop an old habit, increasing confidence levels, dealing with anxiety or looking to make changes for a healthier, happier future. Making that decision is what matters, so well done if you've already started or decided to go for it! Sometimes having someone outside of your usual friends and family can make the process that much easier.  Of course the most important person to achieve what you want, is you, isn't it? I pay attention to that and give you the support you need to make the changes you want, at the pace you want.     

Branching Out

Here I am, back on the 'nature' trail again!


Eric Hoffer was known to say "my writing grows out of my life just as a branch from a tree."  I liked this quote.  I can relate to my experience as a therapist and to my life in much the same way. 


What expression or quote do you relate to - for your life and experiences? Do add a comment and let me know.

Rules for living, love and lifestyle?

I came across this today. I think it's wonderful!

The Dalai Lama's Instructions for life ...

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

Follow the three R's:
- Respect for self.
- Respect for others.
- Responsibility for all your actions.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Spend some time alone everyday.

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

Be gentle with the earth.

Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

By Dalai Lama XIV

Dreams being woven

'We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing' (Louisa May Alcott)