Tuesday 31 January 2017

Goodbye Hill Street - Hello Craiglockhart



So, farewell then Hill Street. It's been an exciting six months running my practice from the heart of Edinburgh but today I moved out to relocate my business to Craiglockhart.

From 1st February 2017, I shall be based at the Craiglockart Campus of Edinburgh Napier University.

My existing clients are happy to see me at my new premises - with the exception of one. But the reason client RC is not visiting me in my new abode is because he has almost reached his target. He targeted losing three stones in weight five months ago. Today, he has lost more than two stones and is ready to complete his epic journey on his own (although I've told him he's welcome to contact me at any time.

He has been a major success story. He has tried many methods to lose weight - all kinds of diets. Some worked for a week or two - but he then put the weight back on.

Now his unwanted habit of snacking has been replaced by healthier habits. And he looks and feels so much better.

So if you are someone who wants to replicate RC's story and lose some weight, or if you want to stop smoking, cut back on alcohol – but find your willpower evaporates after a few weeks – or if you are someone who has a phobia (for example, fear of spiders, rodents, flying) - contact me today to arrange an appointment. My website and email address is below - you can leave a message on my mobile phone at  any time, day or night.

If you would prefer a home visit, I would be happy to arrange this.

Take the first step to changing your life!

Mike Smith Cert Hyp CS

tel: 0752 135 3787 (24 hours)

email: mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk 

twitter: @smith_mgs
​ 07521353787​

After an initial consultation, we can decide together the best way to enable you to achieve your goals.



Sunday 15 January 2017

Depression Isn't Just Being a Bit Sad




Mental health issues are very much in the news at present. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has spoken about her government tacking these issues, creating a ‘shared society’ and creating a ‘fairer and stronger Britain’.

Fine words - but the more cynical among us will wonder if anything will really be done to tackle this major issue. After all, old habits die hard.

Mental health issues, including depression, affect nearly a quarter of the population. In Scotland, that is over a million people. That’s a staggering statistic. Yet, for too many employers there remains a stigma attached to mental health. How many times have you heard someone at your work – possibly your manager – sniping that so-and-so isn’t coming into work because they’re ‘depressed’? (sometimes accompanied with a gesture of tapping their fingers in the air in a derogatory fashion)

Depression is often misinterpreted as ‘just feeling a bit low’. But those who experience depression know it’s much more than that. The low mood can feed feelings of anxiety and of everything going wrong. This isn’t just ‘having a bad day’. For those who wake up feeling the same way every day, depression is something which can seem to never go away.

There can be feelings of despair, feelings of helplessness and of feeling worthless. You may recognise some of these phrases:

·         I’m just not good enough.
·         Nothing ever goes right for me.
·         I would be out of my depth.
·         There’s just no point.
·         I’m just not going to bother.

When these feelings occur day in, day out, week in, week out, it can lead to serious mental health problems.

So, what triggers feelings of depression? Everyone is different so depression can affect someone for any number of reasons. It could be due to a trauma such as the death of a loved one, the break-up of a relationship or the loss of a job. It could be an incident or situation from the past which can lie dormant for years but then suddenly rise to the surface. Or it could be feelings of guilt over something someone believes was their fault.

But feelings of depression don’t need to have a trigger. I had a client who told me he can cope better with life when he has a specific worry or concern as this issue focuses his mind and he can concentrate better. He told me it’s when things are generally going okay at work, his relationship with his partner is good and his family are fine that his feelings of depression come – his ‘dark clouds’ to quote him direct.

Then there’s the huge expectation placed on us by the nature of today’s society. In this internet dominated, instant communication, constantly demanding world there are huge expectations placed on many of us. There is huge pressure on people to be successful, to make something of their life, to develop new skills in an ever-changing world. When our phone rings we immediately answer it. We surf the net constantly, we scour social media websites often looking for recognition and approval of status. Sometimes, I think it would be good to travel back in time to a period before mobile phones and the internet, before society demanded so much from us. It seems life was so much simpler then although it probably wasn’t – it just seems that way.

When people find it difficult to cope with these demands they can feel overwhelmed and feel they can’t cope. This can be a breeding ground for depression and other mental health issues. And when they feel they are unable to seek help or perhaps don’t want to seek help for fear of being seen as ‘weak’ this can compound the issue. A feeling of being unable to cope can lead to feeling worthless and feeling fatigued. It’s much much more than being ‘fed up’.

Hypnotherapy can help to change ways of thinking. It can replace negative thoughts and habits with more favourable thoughts and feelings. Negative thinking can be habit-forming - and hypnotherapy can change your unwanted habits. It can strengthen your confidence and, in turn, increase your self-esteem. Your feelings of worthlessness will recede and gradually you will have a new view of your life.

Hypnotherapy can take away unwanted feelings and help you run your life the way you want to. Through carefully created, bespoke scripts devised by a fully qualified hypnotherapist, it can replace your negative habits with positive ones. You are not ‘put to sleep’ like hypnosis stage shows. You are awake and fully aware at all times. You are in control and you will never do anything you don’t want to do.

If you are experiencing any of the above feelings and are looking for a holistic approach to resolving your unwanted habits, please contact me on the contact details below to arrange a consultation meeting. I will answer any questions you may have and you can then decide if hypnotherapy is for you. Many people have contacted me and have changed their lives for the better.

You can too!

tel: 0752 135 3787 (24 hours)

email: mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk 

twitter: @smith_mgs 




Saturday 14 January 2017

What They're Saying About Mind Generating Success

“I’ve lost two stones in just four months. Hypnotherapy has changed the way I think about food. I no longer eat when I’m not hungry. When I have supper at home I quite often don’t finish what’s on my plate. My wife wonders what she’s done wrong but she’s done nothing wrong. It’s just I’ve reached the point I don’t need to eat just for the sake of it.  It’s the same when we’re out for a meal. The waiter will come over and ask if everything is okay. I say ‘of course it is. It’s just that I’m no longer hungry. And, no, I don’t want to see the dessert menu!’

‘Hypnotherapy has changed my outlook on food. I no longer have an inclination to eat chocolate just because it’s there.’

‘I must say Mind Generating Success has been brilliant and so supportive. If you’re like me and are serious about losing weight – and nothing else has worked – try hypnotherapy. It really does work’
Client RC, Edinburgh

‘Hypnotherapy is braw! I used to snack all day at work and when I got home after work I would choose the lazy option and phone for a pizza or a fish supper. I don’t any more, not because I’m forcing myself not to – it’s just I no longer want to. My food habits have changed and even when less than helpful colleagues at work bring in bacon rolls for everyone I find I don’t want one – despite the aroma of bacon filling the room.’

‘I’m consciously not weighing myself but I know I have lost weight because my clothes are too big for me. More importantly, the way I think about eating has changed and it’s changed for good. Hypnotherapy has definitely changed my life for the better.’
Client RN, Midlothian

‘I had an eating disorder for thirty years. I had seen psychologists and specialists and nothing worked. Until I saw Mike at Mind Generating Success. Hypnotherapy has worked after just four sessions. My disorder no longer affects my life in the way it did before. My friends are astounded by the change in me. I can’t thank Mike enough.’
Client TF, Edinburgh

‘I’ve smoked for twenty years and it’s been a habit I couldn’t break. I have tried nicotine gum, patches, the lot. Nothing worked. I went to see Mike at Mind Generating Success more in desperation than expectation. After one session of hypnotherapy my urge to smoke decreased remarkably. Although Mike told me one session is often enough, I opted for a second session - and I haven’t looked back. It’s been astonishing and people can hardly believe it when I tell them. The cost of two sessions is less than £200 - and when you consider I was spending not far off of £3,000 a year on fags then it’s money well spent. And, of course, there are the obvious health benefits of no longer smoking.

If you’re serious about giving up the ciggies, you should definitely contact Mike at Mind Generating Success’
Client NP, Midlothian

'Hypnotherapy has done wonders for my self-esteem, particulary at work'
Client JL, Leith

If you are someone who wants to lose some weight, stop smoking, cut back on alcohol – but find your willpower evaporates after a few weeks – or if you are someone who has a phobia (for example, fear of spiders, rodents, flying) - contact me today to arrange an appointment. My website and email address is below - you can leave a message on my mobile phone at any time, day or night.

Fees are: £60 per session. For smoking cessation it’s £95 – this is usually done over one or two sessions.

Consultation meetings are £10 – and if you decide to proceed with hypnotherapy this is deducted from the cost of your first session.

If you would prefer a home visit, I would be happy to arrange this subject to a suitable environment free from distraction.

Take the first step to changing your life!

Mike Smith Cert Hyp CS 
tel: 0752 135 3787 (24 hours) 
email: mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk 

twitter:@smith_mgs
  
Mind Generating Success – from 1st February 2017 based at the Craiglockhart Campus of Edinburgh Napier University.



Thursday 12 January 2017

Mind Generating Success Moves to Craiglockhart




From 1st February 2017, Mind Generating Success will function from within Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart Campus.

Based in the west of Edinburgh, the campus is situated in a residential area to the south-west of the city. Access is by the following modes of transport:

By bus
Several Lothian Buses services from the city centre stop close to the campus:
  • Services 36 stops within the campus itself at bus stop "Napier Craiglockhart Campus".
  • Services 4, 10, 27 and 45 stop on nearby Colinton Road at bus stop "Craiglockhart Campus"
By bike
Edinburgh is home to an expanding network of cycle paths and covered and secure bike storage is available at the campus. The City of Edinburgh Council publishes useful information on planning cycle routes within the city.

By train
Slateford station is just under a mile from the campus, while Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket stations are situated in the city centre. From Edinburgh Waverley, take a Lothian Buses 4 or 10 from Princes Street or a 45 from North Bridge; from Haymarket, take a Lothian Buses 4 from Dalry Road.

By car

Please note that on-campus parking is strictly by permit only, with limited on-street parking available in the surrounding area.

Whether you wish to stop smoking, lose weight, increase self-confidence or overcome a phobia, take the first step by contacting me today.

Phone or text me on 07521 353 787 (24 hours) to arrange a date and time for a consultation meeting. Alternatively, email me at mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk.


Tuesday 10 January 2017

Mind Generating Success Moves to Craiglockhart

From 1 February 2017, Mind Generating Success will be moving to a new location. I'm delighted to announce I shall be seeing my clients at the Craiglockhart Campus at Edinburgh Napier University. 

Car parking aplenty! The campus is served by Lothian Bus routes 10 and 36. 

Wednesday 4 January 2017

Lose Weight Without Dieting


Image - junglegym.com

It’s that time of the year. Christmas and New Year have taken their leave and the new working year has already begun for most of us. And if you’ve lost count of the amount of times someone has said ‘What day is it today?’ ‘I found it hard to get up this morning’ or ‘I keep putting 2016’ then, be re-assured, you won’t be alone. But the most frequently heard saying will be ‘I’ve eaten too much at Christmas – but the diet starts tomorrow!’

If you've ever tried and failed to lose weight before then you probably know just how frustrating it can be - especially when feelings like stress, low self-esteem and boredom are also issues and can act as an all-too convenient excuse.

There’s a cycle people can fall into e.g. overeating, feeling guilty and dieting again. Then celebrating a small weight loss by ‘treating’ oneself to a cake or chocolate bar and the whole process is triggered again.  Does this sound familiar? Known as 'yo-yo dieting' this cycle can make weight loss difficult to sustain.

There is, however, a holistic method to lose weight that doesn’t mean sticking to a strict diet or counting the calorie intake of every single thing you eat. What’s more, it’s a method that has worked for many of my clients, one of whom has lost two stones in just four months. The method I’m referring to is hypnotherapy.

So, I hear you ask, how can hypnotherapy succeed where all other methods have failed? A good question, I grant you. However, part of the answer is simple really. While diets, nutrition plans and targets focus on what you eat and how often, hypnotherapy changes how you feel about what you eat. Oh yeah, I hear you ask, perhaps cynically? Well, I can understand your cynicism but read on…

In your calorie-controlled diet you have a piece of fruit as part of your lunch. You might eat this piece of fruit and think ‘this isn’t going to sustain me, I really could do with a chocolate biscuit’. Hypnotherapy can teach you to enjoy the piece of fruit and not give any consideration to the chocolate biscuit. Hypnotherapy can change your thinking patterns and gain you control over thoughts about other foods in a way that doesn’t get you down or frustrate you.

Any hypnotherapist worth their salt will tell you everyone is different. People will have different reasons for wanting to lose weight. Depending on their reason for wishing to lose weight and information provided during the initial consultation session, suggestions for weight loss may include:

·         Visualising the body you want

·         Imagining how you will feel with your new look and, as a consequence, new health.

·         Imagining yourself reaching that goal effortlessly. No pills, just mental thoughts.

·         Seeing how much you will have improved from when you begin hypnotherapy.

·         Imagining how energised and confident you will feel.

·         Realising, through hypnotherapy, that the more you exercise, the endorphins physical activity release means the more you will want to exercise, the easier it will become to do so.

·         Whenever you get the urge to eat something unhealthy, or eat when you're not hungry, imagine not reaching your goal and think about how that will make you feel.

Visualisations like these – and there are many possibilities - are designed to empower you so that you can take control of your choices. With weight loss hypnosis, you will learn to enjoy the taste of healthy food and stop craving sugary, fatty foods which you already know are unhealthy for you but you fall to temptation anyway.

Hypnotherapy will help you earn to enjoy your body and not see it as a source of anxiety. By this, I mean not have feelings of guilt.  By tackling those deep feelings that form the foundations of your eating habits, hypnosis for weight loss can help you adopt a healthier lifestyle. And the satisfaction this brings can establish a happier mind set for you – and who doesn’t want to be happier?!

Hypnotherapy can work in weight loss by targeting the unconscious mind with powerful suggestion techniques. This begins with the hypnotherapist inducing you in a wholly relaxed state. You’re fully conscious throughout but your relaxed state will be conducive to suggestions made by your hypnotherapist.

These suggestions will help you develop a positive relationship with food and exercise. The aim of hypnotherapy for weight loss is to make you feel confident about your body, change any negative thoughts about eating and help you lose weight responsibly without impacting your emotional well-being.  

Do I need to lose weight?
Some people are adamant they need to lose weight - whether they're overweight or not. The truth is, a lot of people are unhappy with the shape and size of their bodies, regardless of whether or not they need to lose weight. Signs you are overeating include:

o    You think you are so hungry you eat too quickly and don’t really taste the flavours in the food or notice your body signalling that it is full.

o    You always eat everything on your plate even if you are full. How many times have you said during a meal ‘I’ll never manage this’ – but do, so as not to waste food. This feeling may be traced back to your childhood when parents said you had to eat what was on your plate.

o    You eat when you are bored or lonely.

o    You eat when you are upset, feeling down, or had a bad day.

o    You eat to reward yourself (i.e. I've done so well at the gym, I deserve this chocolate bar).

Body confidence
Clearly, if you are overweight, it’s important to lose weight for health reasons. But there’s also the confidence factor. Body shape and size is linked with the idea of beauty and people are constantly looking for 'quick fixes' to cut corners. Diet pills, rapid weight loss diets and gruelling (and potentially harmful) exercise regimes are some of the methods people use to try to lose weight. Have you tried any of these? Did they work? If so, did the effects last? I’m thinking probably not as you wouldn’t be reading this if they had!

Hypnotherapy for weight loss can help. I’m not saying it’s a miracle cure – you need to want to lose weight in order for hypnotherapy to have a chance of working.  If you’re unhappy with the way your body looks, you need to first change your mind. You must ask yourself - why am I unhappy with my body, and why can't I lose weight?

Why can't I lose weight?
Many people try and fail to lose weight for a number of reasons. These reasons are often unconscious, making it hard for us to overcome them. Hypnotherapy for weight loss aims to expose these reasons, allowing you to finally break through barriers that may have been preventing them from losing weight for many years.

Okay, I want to know more. How does hypnosis for weight loss work?
In a world where there are drugs for almost anything, hypnotherapy for weight loss is a completely natural technique. The beauty of it is you are in charge. Your mind, your efforts, your willpower. With the guidance of your hypnotherapist, you can achieve your wish to lose weight, maintain the weight loss and thereby become fitter, healthier – and happier.

Hypnotherapy is becoming increasingly accepted by health professionals and people all over the world are finding it a beneficial means of maintaining a healthy weight in the long-term. Now, I’m not saying there aren’t cynics. Of course, there are, as there are in any walk of life.  Many people are still unsure about what hypnotherapy involves and how it works.  What you should know is:
    v.        You are in control throughout the process

    v.        You won’t be asleep

    v.        You won’t be told to do anything you don't want to do

    v.        You won’t have your memory erased

    v.        You won’t be forced to reveal your deepest darkest secrets. 

    v.        And, rest assured, despite what you may have seen in television shows such as ‘Back in the Room’ you definitely won’t be doing anything you’re not aware of. So, no prancing across the room thinking you’re a chicken…

What happens during hypnosis for weight loss?
Think about a football player. He/she wants to achieve much in the game but how they do depends on how they are coached. Think of me as your coach. The process starts when I guide you into a state of deep relaxation.

Once your body and mind are in relaxation mode I will be able to access your unconscious mind (the part of us that works all the time but that we're not necessarily aware)

Carefully worded scripts, tailored to your needs, are used to explore your reasons for overeating and suggest new ways of thinking through visualisations. Rest assured, at all times, you have the control to reject any suggestions you don't feel happy with.

Over a period of time - and a series of weight loss hypnotherapy sessions - you will learn how to replace your negative habits and eating patterns with positive ones suggested by me.

Will hypnotherapy for weight loss work for me?

Well, that’s the $64,000 question (that’s not my fee, by the way!) The answer is – we won’t know until you try it! I’m not saying hypnotherapy is a miracle cure. It doesn’t work for everyone. That’s not much of a sales pitch, I hear you cry. But I’m not going to mislead you. What I will say is the process of talking about developing good habits and getting rid of bad habits should help plant a new level of awareness when it comes to food and exercise – and, if everything else has failed, it’s worth considering.

Interested? Why not contact me for a free consultation? After this, we can decide together the best way to enable you to achieve your goals.

Mike Smith Cert Hyp CS 
14-18 Hill Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3JZ

tel: 0752 135 3787 (24 hours) 

email: mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk  

twitter: @smith_mgs 

Home visits available