How hypnotherapy can help us to exercise and lead healthier lives

How do you feel about exercise? You may enjoy it, or you may hate it. You may think that it is something for other people, but not something that you would do. If you’re anything like me, P.E. at school left me feeling that I was no good at sport and that put me off exercise for a very long time.

Although always a physically active person, I got into exercise and fitness relatively late in life when it was something that I had to do as part of my rehabilitation from major spinal surgery, then again a few years later when recovering from a knee operation. Now, knowing what I do about my body and how to look after it, there is no going back. Exercise is an integral part of my life. If I can do it, so can you.

There’s no time like the present

Public Health England has published a press release which confirms that “being obese or excessively overweight increases the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.” (Public Health England, 25 July 2020). Based upon clinical data, the report does not suggest that people who are overweight are at greater risk of contracting COVID -19, but that they are at greater risk of developing complications, becoming seriously ill and being admitted to intensive care, in comparison to those with a healthy body mass index. A good reason to try to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Given the current situation, probably one of the best things you can do for your health is to engage in regular exercise. Being physically active, fit, and healthy also helps the immune system to function more effectively and efficiently and that surely is something to aim for. 

Look after your body and your mind

Exercise is also a great way to manage stress and look after your mental health. The wonderful thing about exercise is that it releases chemicals within the brain that help us to feel positive, uplifted, and motivated. These chemicals (neurotransmitters) include endorphins, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, all of which play an important part in regulating mood. Exercise has numerous benefits for our physical and mental health. Here are just a few of them: 

• Exercise is a great way to reduce anxiety, depression, or low mood. 
• It can help you to feel better about yourself and may help increase your self-esteem.
• It can improve your brain function and mental alertness.
• Exercise can help you sleep better.
• It can provide an opportunity to get out of the house and connect with other people, and can lead to increased motivation and a sense of well-being.
• It helps to maintain physical health including a healthy immune system.
• It can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers,  and dementia.
• It helps maintain mobility and independence into old age.
• There is scientific evidence that team sports, cycling, aerobics and going to the gym are associated with the biggest reductions in the number of days that people experience poor mental health.

Need I say more? As we get older many of us learn not to take our bodies for granted. Things that were once easy become challenging and who would want to go into old age with pain, disability, or more serious conditions, that possibly could be avoided? 

There’s something for everyone

I always recommend exercise to my clients. I suggest trying to identify some form of exercise that you find enjoyable. You wouldn’t want to do something that you don’t enjoy after all, although it can be fun and interesting to try different activities, especially if you don’t know where to start.

Contact your local gym or leisure centre to find out what is available in your area. Given the range of different forms of movement and exercise available nowadays, from yoga to Zumba, spin classes to weight training, there’s something for everyone. 

Hypnotherapy can help you to get fitter and healthier

As a clinical solution focused hypnotherapist, I take time to get to know my clients, explain to them how their brain and mind works in ways that are helpful, but sometimes become a hindrance. I help my clients to define, clarify and fulfil their intentions, aspirations, and goals. I do this by working closely with each person to break these down into small, manageable, and achievable steps. 

Negative thinking about any situation, including exercise and leading a more healthy lifestyle, can be re-framed from an “I can’t do this” attitude, to an “I can try this” attitude, until we eventually reach the stage of “I can do this!” 

Using the power of the subconscious mind through hypnosis and positive visualisation helps re-wire and train the brain to focus on the solutions that we want in life. Helping people to find and maintain the motivation to achieve their personal intentions and aspirations, is at the heart of my work and something that brings me immense personal satisfaction.

Always seek medical advice if you have not exercised before and if you feel unwell.

Tracy Daniels, HPD, DSFH, MNCH Reg. CNHC Reg. CPCAB Adv.Cert. Counselling, B.A.