Hypnosis and exam anxiety

Please help your children prepare for their exams by following the steps below:

1. Get them to do deep breathing 6 times before they start to study and, before they start their exam, do it again. It only takes a minute!
2. Visualize themselves taking the exams and feeling relaxed and passing.
3. Encourage them, but remind them that at the end of the day, no matter how they do, they are still loved for their hard work and life goes on. It is just a grade and we have millions of successful entrepreneurs and famous world figures who didn't do well on an exam but succeeded in life. The grade does not reflect how good they are as individuals.
4. Take regular breaks and do some exercise during their day.
5. Eat well and drink water.
6. Make sure they study in a pleasant, comfortable place, and sitting in posture friendly chair.
7. Remind them they have a choice to go into the exam stressed out or feeling positive and confident.
8. Let them know it is normal to be a little "nervous about their exam", but it is better to use the word "excited about their exam" – much more positive.

Happy revising!

Imagination: the best confidence booster of them all

by Marygrace Anderson

There is one thing all parents would agree that their kids excel in over themselves – Imagination. Kids have wonderful and brilliant imaginations. The only trouble is when their imaginations start focusing on their fears versus their strengths. This can lead to phobias, sleeping problems and anxiety. So what can you do to help your child?

There are a few things, but one I recommend is, at night teach them to put a bubble around themselves and visualise how they want to feel. So for example, if they are having trouble sleeping, do the following steps: Have them rub their hands together quickly.

Next, have them take a deep breath. As they exhale, have them imagine a protective bubble surrounding them so nothing can get in and they will sleep all night with beautiful dreams. (You can put the bubble around them as well for extra strength if they want you to but make sure you rub your hands together too for good energy – and partly for dramatics). Then starting with your hands together over their heads, pretend to be forming a bubble around them. Ask them for suggestions on what can go into their bubble to give them strength, protection, or comfort.

For more help or information on hypnotherapy, contact Marygrace Anderson on 07931 547414 or go to www.mghypnosis.co.uk.

Our ever-changing world and how it is changing our children

by Marygrace Anderson 

I took a Masterclass on Working with Children. The interesting topic was current conditions hypnotherapists are getting requests for - by parents - to help their children. Five years ago, the topics were bed wetting, fear of the dark and general anxieties like separation and sleep issues. While those are still common, we now see Children for Attention Deficit Disorder, bullying, vocal and motor tics, compulsions and ritual behaviour bordering on OCD behaviour.

So the fascinating question is; “whose problem is it?” Is it the parent overreacting or a serious problem for your child? How do you know? Every case is different but the two key questions are: is it affecting your child’s health (how long has it been going on) and is bothering them? If it’s not bothering your child, I wouldn't worry about it. If your child is miserable or worried and wants help, that is when you should take action.

Just like an adult, your child needs to want to receive help before they can make changes. Things you can do at home to help:

• Do positive visualisation with them
• Fill in a progress chart or a note book/journal (depending on age)
• Say coping statements with them in the present tense. (I am calm and confident)
• Give positive reinforcement when they make progress
• Find distraction tasks when they think or perform the undesirable pattern
• Have them talk the problem out loud to a puppet or family pet and see if they can explain the problem and possible solutions to solve it. Think of as many as they can and then choose the best one they like.
• Make it a game! See how long they can go without the worry or compulsion and beat their time next time.

If you have any questions, you can contact Marygrace on 07931 54 75 14, by email at mghypnosis@aol.com or visit the MGHypnosis website.