Following the excesses of the festive season, it’s back to reality with a bump for many of us. And this leads some of us to making resolutions to stop the bad habits and to take up healthier ones.
But, as we all know, these do not always work and diets, fasting and energy drinks can also have their problems and lead to many being unhappy, anxious and stressed.
However, there are ways to stick to resolutions, according to recent research by psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire, who has carried out research into the key to sticking to resolutions, according to the BBC.
In a study of 5,000 people who made resolutions, he found that it was those with a ‘fatalistic attitude’ who were less likely to succeed and he said it was more than likely old habits will creep back in sometimes.
“Failure is the main thing that stops people. If, on day one of their diet, they raid the biscuit tin, they think ‘that’s it’ and give up. But persistence is the key. Start again the next day,” he advises.
Basically, trying to change a bad habit is a case of mind over matter and clinical hypnotherapy is the application of hypnotic techniques in such a way as to bring about therapeutic changes, says the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH).
The national body says this brought about by an external influence – the therapist – assists in activating the inner resources of a person in order to achieve realistic goals. These goals can range from quitting smoking and losing weight to dealing with anxiety, phobias and addictions.
“Hypnotherapy helps people to make changes to their behaviour,” says the NCH, adding that hypnosis is a natural state of mind and people are often surprised that they hear every word and could get up and walk out of the room at any moment.
“Unless you enter a deeper state, you may not seem any different, just very relaxed. A hypnotherapist is a guide and helps you on a journey, but the change can only be made by you. Often the realisation that you are in control, and that you can make change yourself is very empowering,” the NCH, with 1,800 members around the UK, says.
Prof Wiseman told the BBC that resolution makers should be realistic and should choose one thing to focus on rather than having a raft of goals to increase the chances of success.
“This is important in terms of knowing what prompts behaviour you want to avoid – and to help encourage healthier habits.”
“Overeating or smoking are the most common but there are many other behaviours that affect people’s lives, make them unhappy or cause a risk to their health and the health of those around them.”
The reason why hypnotherapy works so rapidly with bad habits and behaviours, adds the NCH, is because it works directly with the subconscious, bypassing the critical mind and getting to the root of the issue so that changes can be made quickly and efficiently.
If you want to ensure your resolutions have a chance of working, contact an NCH therapist near you by clicking here to use its directory. It can be a life-changer moment.