Ready or not, the holidays have arrived, heralding a seemingly endless period of temptation that begins with Halloween and continues all the way through to Valentines Day. That’s four months of constant feasting! Most of us find that it’s difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle during this period and the reason is simple: the hectic pace of parties, entertaining and shopping during the holidays and the focus on creating the perfect holiday experience leads us to lose focus on ourselves and our well-being. We experience excessive stress while also forgoing exercise and/or eating balanced, nutritious meals.
The Gradual Increase Adds Up
It is generally accepted that Americans tend to gain weight during the holidays, and though statistics on the subject vary, most estimates range between 1 and 10 pounds. A study conducted by the National Institute of Health in 2000 indicated that the average weight gain was only about a pound – much less than commonly thought. Unfortunately it’s not the pound you’ll gain this year that is such a problem; it’s the fact that the weight tends to stay on and accumulate year after year …
Willpower Alone Isn’t Enough
In the face of temptation and the potentially serious consequences of weight gain, the real question is how to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many people are logically aware of the habits that will set them on the right path, and they consciously direct their willpower towards this goal. While this can have an immediate, short-term impact, willpower tends to fade before the good habits become an ingrained behavior. Only once you’ve changed your attitude about yourself and what you truly deserve in life can you make healthy lifestyle habits an everyday part of your life.
How Hypnosis Works
Hypnosis is a mindfulness technique which allows you to access your internal (subconscious) information and then to develop new, healthier ways of reacting to that information. Simply being more aware of your typical reactions and then focusing on the triggers for those reactions helps break the cycle. Hypnosis is a natural state of deep relaxation in which your attention becomes very focused. In this state, your mind (particularly your subconscious mind) is more open and responsive to problem solving and new possibilities. Through the use of guided imagery and positive affirmations you are able to focus on what you do want to achieve rather than what you don’t want – the excess weight. Hypnosis can be used as a tool to address emotional eating patterns, overall stress and to promote exercise. Of course, an added benefit of hypnosis is the exceptional relaxation experienced during and following a session.