Monthly Archives: November 2013

Almost before we consciously register a note, scents have the power to evoke another time for us, another way of being. I have long since stopped wearing perfume, but every time I smell anything by Estee Lauder, I can immediately identify it, so strongly have their fragrances been linked to memories of my maternal grandmother and her sisters – all women who were very influential in my upbringing. The link exists exclusively of any liking or not – even the perfumes I actively dislike are immediately and paradoxically associated with feelings of being cared for.

To support our contention that guided imagery makes a huge dent on insomnia and general sleep insufficiency, we went looking on Amazon for feedback.  There were 40 comments posted under Healthful Sleep, and almost all were extraordinarily positive.

Here are a few, and then we’ll rest our case!

I keep my iPod and headphones by my bed. It almost always works the first time -- sometimes I listen to it twice. The music is beautiful. After a full-body calming it is a bit groovy with the gentle guardians but occasionally it's the guardians part that does the trick. Thank you for a wonderful product.

Positive Trends for Hypnosis

Researchers from the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital and The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, conducted a literature review of studies in the efficacy of hypnosis for the treatment of severe, pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum).
 
They searched databases from Cochrane, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and Web of Knowledge databases. A total of 45 studies were identified, and, of those, six fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
 
Studies were reviewed for study design, methodological quality, intervention and outcomes. Methodology between the studies differed but all reported encouraging positive outcomes.

This question gets answered, but also propelled a refresher look at the data bases to see if recent research reveals any new solutions to this age-old problem, which usually strikes pregnant women between weeks 4-16, from the sudden influx of hormones.  Those new studies can be found on our Hot Research page.

Question:
BR, got any suggestions for nausea/vomiting from morning sickness during pregnancy?  I could use some.

Best,
Jana

I’ll bet many of you have seen the much discussed article in the New York Times on the research that shows how helping people with sleep deprivation, through cognitive behavioral techniques, also helps them with depression.
 
The reverse causal connection has been common knowledge for some time – that one of the results of being depressed is disordered sleep – either too much or too little.
 
So it’s interesting to see that fixing sleep problems can also do some fixing of depression.
 
Very good news, because there are plenty of simple, effective ways to improve sleep. (Don’t take my word for it – check out the feedback on guided imagery for sleep over at our Inspiring Story page!)  Depression is a tougher nut to crack.

We love that you love our new Holiday Gift Guide, compete with bargains, gift ideas and goodies, but if you haven’t placed your order yet, be sure to do it soon, because the special packs and bargains are only here for the 2013 holiday season.
 
We are excited about our holiday offerings and the 2013 Health Journeys Holiday Gift Guide, and we know you are finding it helpful in choosing unique gifts for everyone on your list, including you. We had such fun here as we put together the special holiday packs and chose descriptive, festive titles for them, like our Kids Relaxation Station, which is suggestive of a magical holiday train ride. We are equally delighted to offer our Introduction to Meditation, because one of the best presents you can give is the gift of presence. Check out all our holiday packs and special offers in our gift guide (specials are also available in our online store at www.healthjourneys.com).

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore investigated the efficacy of adding qigong to a residential treatment program for substance abuse.
 
Qigong, which blends relaxation, breathing, guided imagery, inward attention, and mindfulness to elicit a tranquil, healing state, was introduced into a short-term residential treatment program.  At first clients chose to participate in qigong meditation on a voluntary basis during their evening break.  Later they chose to participate in either meditation or Stress Management and Relaxation Training (SMART) twice a day as part of the scheduled treatment.

Weekly questionnaires were completed by 248 participants for up to 4 weeks, to assess changes in treatment outcomes.  Participants in the meditation group were also assessed for quality of meditation to evaluate the association between quality and treatment outcome.

A friend found this encouraging message about using guided imagery for help with chemical dependency posted at a website called How Cocaine Destroys Lives for people seeking recovery from cocaine use. 

It’s in the context of a review of our CD for Alcohol and Other Drugs, and it’s the kind of comment you love to hear, because it’s the best possible outcome - that the imagery is not just helping with the substance abuse (although that by itself is fine with us), but with larger issues and attitudes as well.  

So thanks, A. Baranowski, wherever you are, for your hopeful words and kind assessment!  

p.s. I‘m glad you don’t think I’m a silly person!!  Same backatcha!!  We all wish you continued success and joy. 

He or she writes on November 6, 2010:

“I am currently withdrawing from several medications. I have found that this CD is having an impact on parts of my life I never thought related to any drug, alcohol, recovery-related “problem.” 

I am sleeping better, having some incredible experiences while listening, crying a lot, (don’t be scared!!) ..yet, finding that this clears out a lot of things I have been avoiding for years. I am feeling good, open, willing to move on afterward.

“About one or two days into listening, I woke up feeling so great, and great in a way I don’t remember for many, many, many years; in fact, so long ago as to almost have been forgotten. But, that “ability” was still there.

“Belleruth Naparstek has a voice that I trusted and relaxed to immediately – hence the crying. The music is fabulous!! I go to some wonderful places, dig way, way back to feelings of goodness, strength, vulnerability, and have had some unexpected experiences.

“Also, I visited her website, and I really like her attitude and common sense about some of the things people have asked her there. She is not a silly person!!

“Anyway, highly recommended. Listen, relax, enjoy, and be well!”

Dear Belleruth,

I suffered two big traumatic experiences at a very young age.  My father died when I was two, my mother when I was eight.  

My brother & I went to live with my mom's sister, my aunt & my uncle.  For the most part, it was a good experience, although she was young & having children of her own.  I quickly became the babysitter, maid, nanny, as she worked part time.  

Jealousy set in as I was in high school and was more involved in sports & school events and a boyfriend.   I married early and have a wonderful marriage and 3 great boys of my own now - the twins are seniors.

My aunt & uncle divorced about 4 years ago and my aunt wanted me to take her side.  During that time she blew up at me and one of the many harsh things she said to me was that she only raised me because "My mom didn't have enough guts to stick around & raise me herself". 

Hello again and hooray!  It’s soon to be Thanksgiving, my all time favorite holiday.

I love the way the whole house smells delicious and family and friends can kind of laze around and watch football, and keep going back to the fridge to eat more, sharing juicy bits of personal information between bites, at their leisure.   

To me, there’s something very permissive and forgiving about Thanksgiving…. maybe because it’s not a religious holiday, so whatever inherent tensions, guilt, divisions, crankiness or resentment that are normally embedded in those issues just aren’t evoked.