If you are the point of your life when you finally admit that you are an alcoholic, you are ready to begin the journey toward recovery. This addiction is nothing new. Unfortunately it is rather popular considering there is an estimated 140 million alcohol addicts in the world. So, there has been a considerable amount of thought and experience when it comes to treating alcoholism and helping a person stay sober for a very long time. In fact, over the years I have met numerous people who have been successful and not touched another drink for years – if ever again. Treatment options vary. The abstinence-with-support 12-step program promoted by Alcoholics Anonymous claims to be quite successful. Medically supervised programs – which may be the only correct option for those with very serious physical alcohol problems – typically use medications to wean a person off their habit and assist...

When I work with bodybuilders, I teach them the relationship between how they conceive the shape of their body and how it actually is. Going further, I show them how by changing their mental image of their body, they can actually accelerate improving their strength, building up muscle mass, and burning off fat. Even though most people are more concerned about losing a few pounds and improving their physical fitness and not winning a bodybuilding competition, these lessons may very well apply to them as well. The brain maintains a map of every organ and cell of our body. When we are ill, a change in our body, such as what happens during an infection, will cause suffering. However, our mind also affects our body. In the event of feelings of elation, fear, or arousal, our body will react. Please note, however, that your body will react equally when you are responding to a perceived...

Reading comprehension involves a person’s ability to rapidly translate perceptions in to the how and why of meaning. It also refers to their ability to recall information when needed. Hypnosis can help a person significantly improve in both areas. One of the main obstacles to comprehension – and reading speed as well – is a person’s stress level. In order to comprehend fully, the associated areas of the brain must be activated. However, during a high stress period, this is difficult as problem solving and survival-related areas of the brain are rightfully considered more important. By deliberately deciding to relax the brain, such as can be done with meditation, mindful breathing, and self-hypnosis, the stress-related areas of the brain are calmed, which provides an opportunity to activate the areas, which are more important to reading comprehension. Hypnosis also serves a role...