Last week we tackled emotional drinking; this week it's the turn of emotional eating. This is when you're not hungry or in need of nutrition, but you're just coping with stress or anxiety by constantly nibbling away at certain foods which 'make you feel safe'. However these are often processed foods which are anything but safe in the long run. The episode seeks to help with a 'reframe' in order to give up mindless snacking.
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Original Broadcast: The Hypnotist
This episode is not about social or celebratory drinking, but it's focused on those times when you just drink on autopilot (for example, while watching television) or to calm your nerves at times of emotional stress ('dutch courage'). Adam Cox estimates that these types of mindless drinking could account for 70-80% of alcohol intake, and that they form the foundation of an addictive loop. So it's useful for those who, while they don't want to become teetotal, would rather prefer to keep their alcohol drinking for enjoyable occasions.
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Original Broadcast: The Hypnotist
This is an episode created for someone feeling out of their comfort zone after ending a long-term relationship: a situation where anxiety, fear and trepidation are commonplace. It tracks back (regresses) to very different memories as a young adult: oozing with confidence, charisma and freeness. Adam Cox then finds a trigger to harness that mindset for future-pacing into today's circumstances.
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One of the extraordinary sights in nature is starling murmurations — hundreds of thousands of birds in what looks like a co-ordinated dance, but without any central control. It can be seen as a metaphor for humanity: individual freedom means charting your own way through life, but with respect for others. As yet again we face leadership in uncertainty, politicians need to learn that we don't need them to be prescriptive about how people should live, or to run everything on their behalf. Will Andy Burnham respect individual freedom? Time will tell. Background music: 'Floating Home' by Brian Bolger. Image source: YouTube
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Original Broadcast: The Hypnotist
The law of dominant effect means you can't experience two emotions at the same time. So if you have a specific fear — in this case, of pigeons — look for disassociation to tackle the anxiety, perhaps in order to replace it by humour and curiosity. Adam Cox explains how that transition can be achieved.
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New research suggests many Brits are confused about what makes a healthy diet, with widespread misconceptions around fibre, sugar and "healthy" food marketing. The findings also reveal that while summer dieting remains common, many people continue to consume high-calorie snacks, sugary drinks and condiments, highlighting the challenge of balancing healthy intentions with everyday eating habits. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is Sarah Stannard, Health & Wellness Coach, who can explain some of the common nutrition misconceptions revealed by the research and share practical tips for making healthier choices, enjoying summer treats in moderation, and maintaining a balanced approach to eating.
Guests: Sarah Stannard
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If you feel you can't relax or enjoy yourself with resorting to alcohol, this episode could be useful to break that habit. Adam Cox uses the technique of regression to explore good times without alcohol in the past, then 'future-paces' those memories to move them into your future expectations.
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Original Broadcast: The Hypnotist
For those with long-term health conditions, any ongoing pain or emotional issues, Adam Cox puts forward some hypnotic recovery suggestions: they are not a substitute for seeing a doctor! Using multiple levels of disassociation and a metaphor based on Inception Island, a very unusual 'lake within a lake' location in Canada, he builds a recursive perspective to assist the healing process, which can be helpful alongside medical treatment.
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Losing weight can be a real struggle, but here's an approach which might be a lot more encouraging. Think of excess fat differently — as a hidden vault full of stored energy. If there was a hidden vault in your house filled with money, that would be good news; and you would no doubt be thinking about how to access it. Using this metaphor, Adam Cox encourages you to reach for your hidden vault of stored energy when you're feeling tired or in need of sustenance: how to find it, and then keep it open.
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A contradiction in terms? Counter-intuitive? Well, it could be — but there are situations where it helps to allocate your passion to what you really care about, and remain indifferent to those things which definitely don't share that priority in your life. Adam Cox uses a workplace situation to help you consider where to allocate your passion, and how to treat other matters with indifference.
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