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Oct 05 2010
Pleasure Prescription for Better Health
Sex is not the answer. Sex is the question. “Yes” is the answer.
~Swami X
Sex is the most fun you can have without laughing.
~Woody Allen
Sex Reduces Pain
Immediately before orgasm, levels of the hormone oxytocin surge to five times their normal level. This releases an increase in endorphins, which alleviate the pain of everything from headache to arthritis to even migraines. In women, sex also prompts production of estrogen, which can reduce the pain of PMS. Just thinking about sex can help to reduce pain.
Sex Improves Intimacy
Speaking of oxytocin, this so-called “love” hormone helps us to bond, trust and build intimate relationships. Higher levels of oxytocin have also been linked to a feeling of generosity.
Sex Helps You Sleep Better
The release of oxytocin during orgasm promotes sleep. Getting enough sleep helps to maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure.
Sex Burns Calories and Keeps You Fit
Sex is a great way to exercise. A vigorous session may burn some 200 calories–about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill. 40 half-hour sessions could burn off more than enough calories to lose a pound. The pulse rate or an aroused person rises from about 70 beats per minute to 150, the same as that of an athlete at maximum effort. Muscular contractions during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax.
Another fitness benefit of sex is that it can keep you in constant awareness of your body image. If you are continually being naked in front of another person, it’s a good incentive to stay in shape.
Men’s Health magazine has gone so far as to call the bed the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented.
Sex Boosts Immunity
Good sexual health could mean better physical health. Wilkes University in Pennsylvania says individuals who have sex once or twice a week show 30% higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which is known to boost the immune system, protecting you from colds and other infections.
Sex Relieves Stress
Biological Psychology reports that frequent intercourse was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure and overall stress reduction. A study of 24 women and 22 men noted that those who had intercourse had better responses to stressful situations than those who abstained from sex. They performed better at such tasks as speaking in public and doing verbal arithmetic.
Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health
Researchers in England recently published a study of 914 men who were followed for 20 years. They found that compared with those who had sex less than once a month, those having sex twice or more per week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack or stroke by 50%.
Sex makes for a Happier Prostate
Some urologists believe they see a relationship between infrequency of ejaculation and cancer of the prostate.
A study recently published by the British Journal of Urology International asserts that men in their 20s can reduce by a third their chance of getting prostate cancer by ejaculating more than five times a week. Another study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Assn., found that frequent ejaculations, 21 or more per month, (252/year) were linked to lower prostate cancer.
Sex is a Beauty Treatment & Fountain of Youth
In a study at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, a panel of judges guessed participant’s ages. Those who looked seven to 12 years younger than their age were also enjoying sex at least four times a week, on average.
Sex raises a woman’s estrogen level, which helps make hair shiny and skin supple.
Sex also boosts production of testosterone, which leads to stronger bones and muscles.
Having at least two orgasms a week can increase your life span. Every time you orgasm, the hormone DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) increases in response to sexual excitement. DHEA can boost your immune system, repair tissue, improve cognition, and even work as an antidepressant.
Sex helps your sense of smell. After sex, production of the hormone prolactin surges. This in turn causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain’s olfactory bulb, its smell center.
Sex gives you better bladder control. Pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegels offer the benefit of minimizing the risk of incontinence. Strong muscles increase the intensity of orgasms.
Sex Improves Your Teeth (special delivery system for women). Seminal plasma contains zinc, calcium and other minerals shown to retard tooth decay. It could be a far more satisfying experience than squeezing a tube of Tartar Control Crest. Researchers have noted that etiquette usually demands the brushing of one’s teeth before and/or after intimacy, which helps promote better oral hygiene.”
Sex can enhance your sense of spirituality.
Many ancient traditions and cultures view sexuality as something sacred and spiritual. Sexual energy is unlike any other. When we merge with this power during orgasm, we are connecting to our non-physical aspects. Why do you think we cry out, “Oh God!”? According to the Taoists, since we are conceived through orgasm and orgasmic energy permeates every cell of our body, we need to feel this orgasmic energy regularly – ideally every day – to stay healthy.
Sep 19 2010
Effective Method to Control Food Cravings
A new study* conducted by Dr. Peta Stapleton and a team of researchers at the School of Medicine in Griffith University, Queensland, Australia has confirmed that Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), a form of meridian tapping, can be used as an effective way to reduce food cravings.
A study was conducted on ninety-six overweight or obese adults. Half of the participants were taught EFT right away; while the other half did whatever they ordinarily did to control food cravings for four weeks. The “wait list” group was the control (comparison) group.
Prior to conducting the research, the subjects were given a series of tests to determine the intensity of their food cravings and measure how strong an influence food exerted over them. The researchers also investigated the degree of restraint these people showed when faced with tempting food, and the number of psychological symptoms of stress they were experiencing. Everyone in the study was measured to determine their BMI (Body Mass Index), an indication of how the body stores and distributes fat.
At the end of four weeks, the subjects were re-tested. It was found that those who had first learned EFT showed: significantly lowered food cravings; had improved significantly in the degree to which they were able to restrain themselves when confronted by tempting foods; and an improvement in the degree to which the food tempted them.
The same subjects were studied again at the end of 12 months. Demonstrating the holding power of this technique, it was noted that the intensity of food cravings and the pull of the temptation to a particular food, remained significantly improved at the end of one year in those who had been practicing EFT, Also, the Body Mass Index was also significantly reduced at the end of one year.
This study shows that EFT can have an immediate effect on reducing food cravings and also result in maintenance of these reduced cravings over a long period of time. In addition it shows that EFT impacts favorably on The Body Mass Index. The researchers suggest that EFT may contribute to the ability of weight loss/dieting programs to assist people to achieve reduced food cravings and therefore lose weight.
*This study was conducted by Stapleton, Sheldon, Porter & Whitty, 2009-2010. It was funded by a grant from the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP).
Sep 08 2010
Choose Your Thoughts…Choose Your Body
Choices you make are controlled by your subconscious thoughts and past programming. Many times, negative thoughts create negative and self-defeating actions or inactions which prevent you from achieving your full potential. These thoughts and beliefs can be changed. I’ve just created two Meditations to help you to make better choices.
Well-being makes you jump for joy!
Listening to TheMindMatters:Nourishment and TheMindMatters:Movement will allow you to relax and visit your inner space, your place of creation, where you can choose positive thoughts and emotions which will motivate and inspire you. The Meditations are a soothing and relaxing way to communicate with your subconscious mind. You are reaching the most powerful part of your mind and so, this time, you will succeed in achieving your fitness goals.
Your food choices, portions, cravings and eating habits are motivated by subconscious programming. We seek “comfort food” when we have stress or anxiety. We indulge in treats when we are lonely or bored. We crave foods for the sensual feelings we experience while we eat. We feed our emotions. We swallow our unexpressed feelings. We are weighed down by our emotional burdens. When you love and accept yourself, you are better able to express your emotions and needs. You have a healthier relationship with your feelings which creates the ability to make better choices in how you nourish yourself.
When you listen to TheMindMatters:Nourishment, you access the power of your subconscious mind, the 88% of your mind which controls your behavior. You will succeed in letting go of the unwanted excess weight and you will keep it off for the rest of your life. You will set a realistic goal and carry it out successfully. You will achieve and maintain your ideal weight, size and shape with the power of the MindBody connection. The time to start is now!
Your desire and motivation to exercise and be physically active is based on your past subconscious programming. Negative thought patterns are created in many ways. By accessing your subconscious mind, positive thought patterns can be created to replace the negative ones. You will succeed in creating and maintaining an enjoyable exercise program which will keep you fit and flexible for the rest of your long, healthy life.
When you listen to TheMindMatters:Movement, you re-program your mind to accept and be motivated by the benefits of exercise and physical activity. The benefits include but are not limited to: reduce stress; increase energy, strength and flexibility; build healthy immune system; cleanse and de-toxify; boost metabolism; tone & firm muscles; cardio-vascular health; youthful & healthy appearance; longer and healthier life.
What you tell yourself has the greatest power over your life. What you tell yourself determines what you can and can not do. Tell yourself that you deserve to have a strong and healthy body. Tell yourself that the time to start to honor and respect your body is now! It’s a choice you make.
Choose Your Thoughts…Choose Your Body
Jul 06 2010
Out of the mouths of babes…
My dear friend recently shared a story about her 3 year-old granddaughter, Tayden. One morning at 7:00 AM, the entire family went to pick strawberries (Tayden’s favorite food). Tayden would pick about half a container and then sit down and eat the entire thing. Pick another half container and sit and eat the entire thing, etc.
About an hour into this, Tayden had probably eaten 2 or 3 containers of strawberries. Her mom said, “Don’t you think you have had enough?”
Tayden shrugged. Clearly, it was hard to think of ‘enough’ strawberries. How many would that be?
So, her uncle asked, “Well, how does your belly feel?”
And she replied, “Oh, my belly is full. But when it’s good and my BRAIN wants to keep eating, it just doesn’t listen to my belly!”
How often have you continued eating after your belly was full? You ate because it tasted so good or because you were happy or bored or lonely or tired or angry. Are you listening to your belly? Is your brain (your thoughts) fully aware of your body and your physical needs? Or are you ignoring it?
In order to create and maintain excellent health, your mind-body connection should be fully engaged and in working order. If you need a tune-up, I can help you to access the power and make the connection. Choose your thoughts. Choose your body.
Jun 24 2010
Your Genes are a Blueprint
Cell biologist, research scientist and former Stanford medical school professor, Dr. Bruce Lipton, author of Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles, says that our genes are nothing more than a blueprint. He states that our thoughts can activate changes in the activity of the cell membrane, and thus alter our health and our life. In fact, he states bluntly that by changing our subconscious programming we can influence cell membrane function. Lipton says, “Genes are remarkable molecules, but they are only blueprints that are activated by signals from the cell membrane”, and therefore, “we are not victims of our genes, but masters of our fate.”
This research about the processes by which cells receive information may radically change our understanding of life. It shows that DNA is controlled by environmental signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our subconscious mind in the form of positive and negative thoughts. The cell’s membrane, Lipton says, is where “consciousness and matter interact”. Considered to be a major breakthrough in cell biology and quantum physics, this research shows that our bodies can be changed when we change our thoughts.
The mystic healer Edgar Cayce once said, “Remember that thoughts are things, and as their currents run, they can become crimes or miracles.”
If our genes are a blueprint, our mind is the contractor. What kind of a body have you built? Are you healthy? Are you physically fit? Is it time for a re-model? I can help you to access your most powerful tool…your subconscious mind. Are you ready to do some trance-formational work? It all begins with a thought. The Mind Matters.
Apr 19 2010
Imaginary Surgery
Mind over matter strikes again! ABC news recently reported a story about people who were hypnotized to imagine they had undergone gastric banding surgery. Very promising and sometimes stunning results were achieved. The mind doesn’t know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. Hypnosis and imagery once again prove to be powerful healing tools.
Would you like to let go of some extra weight? Why not try an alternative to expensive, invasive and drastic surgery? You can enjoy the same benefits from the results of the procedure by imagining that you are more satisfied with smaller portions; making better food choices; becoming slimmer. Use the power of your sub-conscious mind to achieve your success!
The time to start is now. Call Patricia@ 805.279.1551 to set an appointment.
Feb 02 2010
Research on the Effectiveness of Hypnosis for Weight Loss
Hypnosis Over 30 Times as Effective for Weight Loss
Investigated the effects of hypnosis in weight loss for 60 females, at least 20% overweight. Treatment included group hypnosis with metaphors for ego-strengthening, decision making and motivation, ideomotor exploration in individual hypnosis, and group hypnosis with maintenance suggestions. Hypnosis was more effective than a control group: an average of 17 lbs lost by the hypnosis group vs. an average of 0.5 lbs lost by the control group, on follow-up.
Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.
Two Years Later: Hypnosis Subjects Continued To Lose Significant Weight
109 people completed a behavioral treatment for weight management either with or without the addition of hypnosis. At the end of the 9-week program, both interventions resulted in significant weight reduction. At 8-month and 2-year follow-ups, the hypnosis subjects were found to have continued to lose significant weight, while those in the behavioral-treatment-only group showed little further change.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1985)
Hypnosis Subjects Lost More Weight Than 90% of Others and Kept it Off
Researchers analyzed 18 studies comparing a cognitive behavioral therapy such as relaxation training, guided imagery, self monitoring, or goal setting with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis.
Those who received the hypnosis lost more weight than 90 percent of those not receiving hypnosis and maintained the weight loss two years after treatment ended.
University of Connecticut, Storrs Allison DB, Faith MS. Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytic reappraisal. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1996;64(3):513-516.
Hypnosis More Than Doubled Average Weight Loss
Study of the effect of adding hypnosis to cognitive-behavioral treatments for weight reduction, additional data were obtained from authors of two studies. Analyses indicated that the benefits of hypnosis increased substantially over time.
Kirsch, Irving (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments–Another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519.
Hypnosis Showed Significantly Lower Post-Treatment Weights
Two studies compared overweight smoking and non-smoking adult women in an hypnosis-based, weight-loss program. Both achieved significant weight losses and decreases in Body Mass Index. Follow-up study replicated significant weight losses and declines in Body Mass Index. The overt aversion and hypnosis program yielded significantly lower post-treatment weights and a greater average number of pounds lost.
Weight loss for women: studies of smokers and nonsmokers using hypnosis and multi-component treatments with and without overt aversion. Johnson DL, Psychology Reprints. 1997 Jun;80(3 Pt 1):931-3.
Hypnotherapy group with stress reduction achieved significantly more weight loss than the other two treatments.
Randomised, controlled, parallel study of two forms of hypnotherapy (directed at stress reduction or energy intake reduction), vs dietary advice alone in 60 obese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea on nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment.
J Stradling, D Roberts, A Wilson and F Lovelock, Chest Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK
Hypnosis can more than double the effects of traditional weight loss approaches
An analysis of five weight loss studies reported in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 showed that the “… weight loss reported in the five studies indicates that hypnosis can more than double the effects” of traditional weight loss approaches.
University of Connecticut, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 1996 (Vol. 64, No. 3, pgs 517-519).
Weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized
Research into cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments established that weight loss is greater where hypnosis is utilized. It was also established that the benefits of hypnosis increase over time.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1996)
Showed Hypnosis As “An Effective Way To Lose Weight”
A study of 60 females who were at least 20% overweight and not involved in other treatment showed hypnosis is an effective way to lose weight.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1986)
Nov 23 2009
Sweets or Self-Hypnosis?
Breaking the Emotional Eating Cycle
Are you reaching for cookies or ice cream when you feel lonely, stressed or upset? There is a biological reason we reach for sweets when we’re feeling low. Elizabeth Somer, R.D., in her book Food & Mood says “The very taste of something sweet on the tongue immediately releases endorphins, our body’s natural morphine-like chemicals that can produce feelings of euphoria and satisfaction.”
In Calm Energy: How People Regulate Mood with Food and Exercise, Robert Thayer, PhD., a psychology professor at CSU Long Beach, says he believes the key to breaking the emotional eating cycle is finding some way to deal with stress.
Self-hypnosis may be the answer. When you are in the hypnotic state, you experience a sense of calm and well-being. The body naturally produces endorphins. Self-hypnosis can help you to imagine your ideal self, to experience your ideal body, and to create the mind-set which will assist you in achieving that image of yourself. Like meditation, this process involves concentration on your breathing. Focused breathing has a stronger effect on emotional change than any other function of your body.
Like any new skill, the degree of success one achieves with self-hypnosis conditioning is determined by the amount of practice time involved. I have found that once a person is conditioned to the hypnotic state through hetero-hypnosis (induction by another person) it is far easier to achieve the self-hypnotic state.
If you would like to learn self-hypnosis techniques to achieve your ideal body or your ideal life, I can help.
Nov 23 2009
Hurried Woman Syndrome
It is estimated that about 60 million women suffer from the symptoms of Hurried Woman Syndrome. Dr. Brent Bost of Texas coined the phrase to include women between the ages of 25 and 55, and often with children between the ages of 4 and 16, as being most affected by this syndrome. A stressful career or burdensome responsibilities can all contribute to making the symptoms worse.
These avoidable stresses are those that often come from busy lifestyle choices and a hectic schedule. Chronic stress causes a chemical imbalance which causes fatigue. It also causes an increase in appetite which causes weight gain which causes more fatigue and the cycle continues.
Hypnotherapy can help with the three major symptoms of Hurried Woman (or Man!) Syndrome: Fatigue or Low Mood, Weight Gain and Low Sex Drive (libido).
If you suffer from any or all of these symptoms, give yourself permission to stop the cycle. Slow down. You’re worth it!