Sites to Seek; Hypnosis Links

First, a quick update on how I'm doing with my hypnosis CD's. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and get routine blood work done once every 3 months. Last week it came back that I am anemic (iron deficiency), which is pretty common for people with an autoimmune illness like myself, but I want to make an experiment out of this too. So I am going back to using the "healing guided imagery" CD in Dr. Weil's Mind Body Tool Kit because it had healing suggestions, including increased blood flow and healthy blood cell formation. I go back in to retest my blood work for iron levels next week and I am curious if my levels will increase with the help of the CD.
Now onto helpful and useful tips and links about hypnosis:

Free hypnosis scripts. You can record your own voice, which works great for self hypnosis, using these scripts for ideas and guidelines. http://www.choosehypnosis.com/scripts.htm
Related to this, is self-hypnosis MP3 downloads. This is super convenient and sites like Amazon have them- very easy to find.

Milton Erickson is the godfather and one of the founders of mainstream hypnosis. Ericksonian hypnosis scripts are the best and most useful- far above and beyond others. They are clear, thoughtful, unique, and I hate to say this, for fear of scaring anyone off, but there is a lot of wordplay invloved that tricks you into learning lesson or breaking a habit. Sometimes just reading them can make you reflect deeply on certain issues you need to resolve. These links include books- some I have read and recommend.

• http://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Therapy-Psychiatric-Techniques-Erickson/dp/0393310310/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5
• http://www.amazon.com/Hypnotherapy-Scripts-Neo-Ericksonian-Approach-Persuasive/dp/0876305478

This link will take you to "Hypnodude" a username of an individual who is well-versed in everything hypnosis. I have been following his article site for quite some time and there are other useful articles on related topics such as Reikki. http://hubpages.com/profile/hypnodude scroll to find hypnosis articles.

Other good sites:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy
• http://hypnoticadvancements.com/index.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_H._Erickson

The 2 products I have used for my self hypnosis experiments:

• http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Andrew-Weils-Mind-Body-Tool/dp/B00185VKP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1281944112&sr=8-1-catcorr
• http://www.amazon.com/Self-Hypnosis-Kit-Discover-Hypnotherapy-Improve/dp/0670865303/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281944347&sr=8-1

One last note on the products I used; Dr. Weil's is spoken by a man. Some people, including myself, prefer a woman's voice for relaxation. The other product is a great starter kit- book and general relaxation hypnosis CD- not too expensive either. However, another consideration is the speaker, a woman, but she has a strong English accent. Take your preferences into consideration before purchasing a self-hypnosis CD. Enjoy!

Simple Buzz

This is almost my third week using a self-hypnosis tape for healing and relaxation. This last week I started a new cd because the other one was difficult. Let me explain that, I felt like I was working when I should be relaxing. My last post I said the cd involves healing statements and suggestions even down to the cellular level, but it became labor intensive. I did not feel relaxed and since my only chance to listen to the cd is at night, I would rather listen to something relaxing before bed. I just got a simple cd to guide me into my happy place and let me veg out in lala land- isn't that what we all want to do, legally of course.

So here's what's cool about hypnosis. Any of you who may be anxious or doubtful about trying it. My first time, and sometimes now and then this still happens, it feels like being buzzed off good wine or even a little "drugged". It is a great, relaxing feeling.

Another interesting tidbit I've learned about hypnosis is you get to know what is causing your issues. For example, you want to lose weight so you go purcahse a weight loss hypnosis cd or any weight loss product and it may not help. Why? Because your weight isn't really your problem, maybe it is stress, anxiety, abuse, etc. So if you have a weight problem or even an illness (as in my case) don't go buy products aimed at that- self hypnosis works on a subconscious level and even an illness stems from that level. I figure by dropping the healing cd and doing the relaxation cd instead, I will be working on the cause (stress) of my illness and not the illness itself.

Today's Lesson: I think it's counterproductive to concentrate and work on our issues, but helpful to work on the cause of our issues. Sometimes we need to take several steps backwards and figure out the cause but it is easier to do that once we give up focusing on the problem itself. Stress is sually the culprit of a lot of issues that plague people. Hypnosis is a cure and really easy too- you must commit for 30 days at least and listen to the cd once a day- that's it.

We'll see how it works out...see you next Friday.

What is The Self-Help Project?

"Freakishly Resilient" describes the self-help industry (Forbes.com, 1-15-09). What industry has not been effected by slumps in the economy? As if you couldn't guess by now- of course! The self-help industry. So how does someone help themselves? I don't know, but I'm going to find out.

If anyone needs help, it's me. I've been in transition the last few years: from single to married, from not mother to new mother, from career woman to stay-at-home mom, from "normal" to dealing with a recent chronic illness diagnosis (Rheumatoid Arthritis). Needing to redefine who I am would be an understatement. At this point, if I were to write a self-help book, it would be titled "What Not to Do; and Other Stupid Stuff."

Even though I consider laughter a cure-all, I am searching for something more- plus Adam Sandler hasn't delivered in his last few movies. I am willing to venture far outside my logical boundaries (and comfort zone) and what I was taught during my academic days of strict research psychology. I will look no further than the self-help industry for a me make-over.

I am enlisting the help of an industry that requires no evidence, no research to support their claims, and no quality control- even you can write a self-help book. In fact, I haven't seen much of my Chihuahua lately so I think he's been writing one entitled "Own You Owner; Take Back the Leash and Be Your Own Boss".

On a side note: I do find it humorous that if you look up "Self-help" on Wikipedia.com, a comment box at the top of the page states "This article has multiple issues". Seriously? Too funny!

This is my quest to test various self-help strategies, techniques, and advice. I will be testing a new self-help technique every 2 months and giving weekly updates on my blog, beginning with:

~ Self-hypnosis CDs. Actually, I was trained in hypnosis 13 yrs ago but never pursued it. I believe it is beneficial with follow-through and that's what I plan on doing. Average results seen in 30 days and I am trying it for 60.

~Dr. Andrew Weil; 8 Weeks to Optimal Health. I want to revive my eating regimen and Dr. Weil gets a lot of credit in his area of expertise.

~Spiritual or Religious program

~ Meditation. I would self-diagnose me as borderline ADD and I have a 2 year old so I may need some medication before my meditation.

~ Daily self-affirmations and nightly gratitude journal. This should be an interesting one for me since I would otherwise label self-affirmations as fluff talk or conversations Martha Stewart has with herself while watching re-runs of her own show.

more to come....suggestions welcome....