by admin | May 29, 2022 | Mind, General
Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
Recognizing and changing subconscious behaviors, thoughts and habits has become more and more popular, as people begin to realize that they have literally picked up things, which don’t really serve them. However, the quest to changing those patterns is not easy and especially if that relates to hard-wired behaviors, emotions and thoughts.
Nevertheless, the change is best induced in the proper state of mind, one that has nothing to do with your belief about situations, people, or even your own inner biology. Hypnotherapy has gained a lot of traction as a way for a person to tap into their subconscious programs… and change them!
In this article, we’re going to give you some insight on hypnosis, hypnotherapy and how you can use it for your own greater good.
What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a technique which helps you enter an altered state of mind, where you can direct your attention to specific goals or toxic thoughts and beliefs that you hold within. Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis isn’t woo-woo magic but rather a scientifically proven method for psychological intervention.
With the right approach, a hypnotherapist can help you understand yourself to a deeper extent, in what appears to be a deep meditative state. The best thing? You are actually conscious throughout the entire process meaning that you are in control.
Hypnosis & The Conscious State
Wait, what? You are actually conscious and in control during hypnosis? Aren’t you supposed to be borderline asleep? Well, not really! These are just some of the commonly asked questions so allow us to further clarify for you, what the difference is between the hypnotic-conscious & normal-conscious states.
The MAIN difference is your brain activity – In hypnosis, the brain is tuned to different brainwave frequencies, thus entering a more playful state of mind, that does not follow the main thought & emotional sequence. This state of mind gives you easy access to the subconscious and therefore allows you to more easily change thought, emotional and behavioral patterns.
What Can Hypnosis Do For You?
If you know a thing or two about the brain, you probably know that the majority of your wake time is governed by the subconscious. On there, you have a recorded version of what appears to be a reasonable picture about the world in all of its aspects, as well as your regular habits.
That story and all of its scenes are strongly supported by your beliefs about them. Hypnosis can practically tap into any existing beliefs and help you change those for the better.
For instance, through hypnotherapy, you can do the following:
- Quit smoking
- Quit alcohol
- Overcome fears
- Overcome phobias
- Overcome anxiety
- Develop discipline/motivation
Those are just a part of the things you can do with a hypnotherapist but before you rush into it, let’s discuss why that ACTUALLY happens.
The Different Modes Of The Brain
As we mentioned, in hypnosis, the brain works on different brainwave frequencies, each of which is associated with a certain state. These so called “modes” of the brain, change throughout the day and generally follow a cycle.
Let’s have a look.
Beta Brainwaves
These brainwaves are of the highest frequency and the brain is tuned to them during your wake life, as this mode makes you more alert of the environment. Think of beta as the brainwaves on which you think and do tasks in your wake life.
Alpha Brainwaves
The alpha brainwaves represent a more mellow state and you usually tap into those in the process of falling asleep. Think of alpha as the brainwaves on which you reach a more relaxed, day-dreaming state. This state is the primary goal of a hypnotherapy session, as well as meditation.
Theta Brainwaves
This third type of brainwave is of a very low frequency, where you reach a very deep, unconscious meditative state. In theta you’re usually past the conscious point and up into sleep, which is why working in those frequencies with a hypnotherapist is probably suboptimal.
Delta Brainwaves
Finally, delta brainwaves are of the lowest frequency and represent a full-blown state of deep sleep. This is a totally unconscious state, where you are in your deepest recovery, which is why it is not applicable during hypnosis.
Take-Home message
There are a number of rumors about hypnosis – Some people say that hypnotherapists can instill in their patients things against their will, but the truth is that hypnosis only works with states you can naturally tap into, while being conscious. Think of hypnosis as a playful, day-dreaming state that can help you neutrally analyze and change behaviors, thoughts and emotions.
This is perhaps one of the best approaches when you want to change hard-wired beliefs and emotions that are no longer serving you well. Have you tried hypnosis and if yes, what was your experience? Share with us in the comment section below!
by admin | May 29, 2022 | General, Life
WHAT TO DO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE
Living a quality life is about finding a way to turn things around when life gets difficult. It includes turning fear to peace, blame to remorse, diversion to clarity, and times when we can be thankful for everything right, particularly when too much seems to be wrong.
When things are difficult, it’s normal to lament or be fearful and we may make mistakes that we could later come to regret. When we get off track, though, I believe the key to living a good life is figuring out how to get back on track, through the doubts and fear. These nine questions will assist you in making positive changes in your life and improve the quality of your life if you remain persistent with them.
1. DISCOVER WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE
We can get so wrapped up in the affairs of life that we forget who we truly are. That said, we each have something special about us that no one else has. This worth stems solely from the fact that you are who you are and it has nothing to do with your achievements.
Ask yourself this; who are you when no one else is around? That you left alone with nothing but their thoughts? Essentially, it’s the best version of you when you’re being true to yourself, bound to your inner highest self, and not giving a damn about what other people think. What does your energy look like, and how does it feel to be you?
Once you get in touch with your inner energy and figure out what makes you on point, interact with this force, embrace it, and let it shine to the world.
2. PURSUE YOUR PURPOSE
Life is easier when you have a sense of purpose (Find your meaning of life). Even at the end of someone’s life, research has shown that having a project that gives you a sense of meaning gives you the feeling of happiness and content.
It keeps you occupied and engaged as well with the bigger picture grounding your focus on the most important things. According to one study, people over the age of 5o (with purposeful projects) had a longer life and feelings of content as the purpose impacted both their physical and mental health.
3. HAVE A COMEBACK STRATEGY
Last, do you have a plan for getting things back on track when things aren’t going as smoothly as you’d like? In tough times, what makes you reach out, apologize, fix ties, or find something to be thankful for?
What makes you turn it around when you’re on the verge of being irritable? What makes you change your perspective, reclaim your strength when you’re feeling down, and choose to do good in the world and your own heart? Improve your problem-solving skills and learn how you effectively fit in this world.
CONCLUSION
There’s no easy formula to create a quality life, considering your loved ones too. It’s always a work in progress and you don’t want to loosen your grip once you start getting it right.
Other stuff to pay attention to include; working hard and smart, having an easy approach towards life, doing the stuff that makes you happy, fostering healthy relationships, standing for your principles, and sticking to your values.
by admin | May 29, 2022 | Health, General
Introduction to Acupuncture
The basic principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that there are two opposing and interwoven forces within our bodies. Yin and Yang represent the entire person. In Chinese philosophy, Yin represents the cold, tranquil or passive principle, and Yang represents the active, energetic or hot principle.
So what is it and where does it come from?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest medical procedures in the world, it was first used over 2000 years ago in China. In this family of procedures, the body is stimulated, and the energy flow is balanced. Today, acupuncture is practised by hand or by electrical stimulation using tiny metallic needles placed in problematic areas.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is built around acupuncture, which is based on the belief that our bodies contain two opposing forces that cannot be separated.
By maintaining a balance between yin and yang, a healthy state can be achieved. The flow of vital energy may then be stimulated through channels known as meridians. Meridians are pathways along which vital energy flows. Around 2,000 points along the body are connected by these meridians.
Twelve main meridians and eight secondary meridians are identified. Western medicine is still unclear as to how acupuncture works, but several studies have shown that it can be effective.
Having said that, let us proceed to the next question: Does it actually work?
In the National Institute of Health’s opinion, the answer is yes. The effects of acupuncture have been demonstrated in many areas of health care. The list includes postoperative nausea, side effects of chemotherapy, osteoarthritis, low-back pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, addiction, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma. The study revealed that acupuncture was able to provide pain relief, improve function and mobility of joints due to arthritis inflammation, and served to complement standard care.
It is also commonly used in fertility and with emotional issues.
Some may doubt the effectiveness of acupuncture, but once they have experienced it, they are believers. According to some studies, acupuncture works by regulating the nervous system. Since acupuncture induces stimulation of the nervous system to produce its effect, endorphins and immune system cells are released at specific sites on the body. Acupuncture is also thought to affect brain chemistry by changing the neurotransmitters in the brain.
According to studies, acupuncture was a benefit to those taking part, and as someone who has used it, I can attest to its beneficial effects. In spite of acupuncture’s classification as an alternative medicine treatment, and despite its unknown mechanisms, treatment has been proven to aid in maintaining optimal health.
Does acupuncture have any benefits for those who are otherwise healthy?
Absolutely. Since acupuncture is based on the belief that vital energy flow must be maintained in order to remain healthy, it acts as a tool for realignment.
Despite feeling and appearing quite healthy, our vital energy flow can be out of balance. Therefore, acupuncture is as much preventive medicine as it is a treatment. Getting your meridian points checked and balanced before it needs repair is like having your car receive a tune-up.
So get yourself booked in and prepare to rev up that amazing engine of yours
Disclaimer Note: It’s important to note though, that just because something is natural does not mean zero risk. While many Chinese Therapies are very low risk there still may be complications, contraindications and contra-actions.
The internet is full of information on how you can cure yourself with natural remedies, Chinese medicine and more, but we recommend that you seek out a Qualified Natural Health Practitioner, Chinese Medicine Practitioner or TCM Doctor or Acupuncturist expert and always consult a Doctor before trying any new things. Never stop taking any prescribed medication without speaking to your health practitioner first.
by admin | Apr 15, 2022 | General, Health
How To Train Smart
“Hey bro, I found this sick Dwayne Johnson workout on the internet and I’m about to try it out today, I’m so pumped!”
If you’ve heard this in the gym, odds are you’ve stumbled upon someone who does not really know what to do with their training plan and is, well, experimenting.
Which is not bad, really!
However, much like anything, training is precise mathematics and you need to understand each variable and factor affecting the end result and create your plan based on that. And so, if you are over those celebrity workouts and are ready to get in the best shape of your life, keep reading!
Training Fundamentals
To find out what the best training regimen for you is, you have to first and foremost understand the backend of your workouts.
A workout can be measured using 3 main variables:
- Intensity
- Volume
- Density
Essentially, intensity shows how close you are to your maximum strength capabilities – The heavier the weight, the higher the intensity.
Volume measures the total amount of weight lifted in kilograms or pounds – To calculate volume, you take the working weight and multiply it by the number of sets and reps (100 kg x 10 reps x 2 sets = 2000 kg total volume)
Density measures your volume, relative to the total time needed for its completion including rest times, and is measured in kilograms per minute (i.e 2000 kg volume completed for 2 minutes would be a density of 1000 kg/minute)
Ok I’m Confused, Why Do I Need This?
Understanding the different training variables presented above is essential for being able to create the correct training stimulus. Let’s have a look at the variables and how you can set them up for certain results.
Intensity
The level of intensity, or in other words, how close you get to your maximum strength capabilities, will determine the recruitment of muscle fibers, as well as the stimulus for certain adaptations. (i.e strength gains, bulk muscle growth)
| Intensity (%) |
Description |
| 0-35% |
This is the warm up zone, you don’t want to be here for too long if you’re trying to grow muscle! |
| 40-60% |
On here, more and more muscle fibers get recruited – This is a good zone to go through before your heavier working sets |
| 65-80% |
This is the intensity zone where you can do moderate to heavy weight sets for 6-15 repetitions, until failure.
Focus on this zone if you want bodybuilder-like muscle growth! |
| 85-100% |
In this intensity zone, you can do 1-5 repetitions with a really heavy weight.
This is known as the powerlifting zone and mainly results in maximum strength gains.
If you are training in the bodybuilder intensity zone, do include this powerlifting one every now and then. |
Volume
One of the interesting things is that in terms of muscle growth, it doesn’t really matter if you will train in the 65-80% intensity range or the 85-100%, as long as volume is equated.
However, the 65-80% range allows for greater volume to be put out, more easily, due to its less strenuous nature. Below is a volume cheat sheet, which can help you determine the number of sets depending on your training experience.
| Training experience |
Volume (per muscle group, per week) |
| Beginner/novice |
~5 Challenging Working Sets |
| Intermediate |
~10 Challenging Working Sets |
| Advanced |
15-20+ Challenging Working Sets |
Note that a “challenging working set” implies a working set that is taken close to failure (1-4 reps in reserve).
What About Density?
Though many people pay attention to the weight (intensity) and the number of sets and reps (volume), no one really cares about density.
And let us tell you this – Density is important when you are trying to achieve the highest volume of greatest quality possible in your workout, because density is dictated by rest times. For instance, if you do a set of 5 reps using 100 kg and only rest 1 minute, odds are that you will only get 3-4 reps on the next set.
On the other hand, if you take 2-3 minutes of rest between each set, you will be able to sustain sets of 5 and thus, your quality volume will be greater. Spread that density, both in your workouts and in your entire training plan!
Here’s a rest times cheat sheet:
| Intensity |
Rest Times |
| 0-50% |
1 minute |
| 60-80% |
2-3 minutes |
| 85-100% |
4-15 minutes |
Take-Home Message
On the back end of your workouts, are different ratios of the 3 main training variables which we discussed in this article.
Now that you have an idea about these training variables and how their different ratios create different end results, let’s hop onto part two of this article series, where we’ll talk about understanding your goals and actually creating the training plan!
See you there.
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