 Your Magic Mirror
It has been long known that a vividly imagined experience stimulates the same nerve and brain fibers that would be employed in carrying out the actual activity.
Similarly, findings from scientists who study the brain tell us about fascinating cells called mirror neurons. These cells become active when observing the behaviors and responses of others and it is suspected that they play an important role in our acquisition of new skills and in learning how to socialize appropriately.
This is why it is very sound advice for say a golfer to watch videos of a top player he or she wants to emulate. We learn by observation and imagination as well as by consistent practice.
Its also been said that we should pick our role models carefully because we will unconsciously pick up on their traits, both negative and positive.
Now sometimes you encounter situations where there is a lack of good external role models. Imagine the person who has decided to eat healthy but works with people who think the super-sized fast food meal is the greatest invention since the wheel.
Or the individual who has recently quit smoking who is married to someone that continues to smoke and has the childish attitude "well, something has to get you."
Luckily there are some tools you can use to help you swim against a negative tide.
First there is the use of self-hypnosis and autosuggestion, where you deliberately program your unconscious to stay on the healthy path.
Another less known method is called the Mirror Technique. I first encountered it in Claude Bristol's classic "The Magic of Believing" (Pocket Books, 1948) and given what we now know about the workings of the mind, it is definitely a keeper.
What you do when you need encouragement is to find a mirror that you can see yourself from at least the waist up.
Take a few slow deep breaths to center yourself.
Stand tall and confident with your shoulders back. A confident posture breeds a confident mind.
Look intently into your own eyes and tell yourself out loud that you are without question going to succeed at what you have set out to do. Make sure your body language conveys the message as well as your words-a bit of an acting job is needed.
For obvious reasons the Magic Mirror technique should be done privately as it will definitely seem odd to an outside observer.
Make sure your tone of voice and choice of words convey a sense of resolve and confidence. A couple of sample dialogues.
Smoking Cessation: "You absolutely do have what it takes to be a healthy non-smoker for life. If other people choose to endanger their health with smoking that is their mistake not yours. You are done with that nasty, filthy habit, period!
Someone who has fallen off the healthy eating wagon. "You are an adult and 100% responsible for your eating habits. Being thin and healthy is definitely worth some effort. Now get back on track immediately."
The Magic Mirror technique can also be used to practice being assertive in anxiety producing scenarios.
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 Spring Hypnotic Special
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 May 2010 NGH Chapter Meeting
The Greater NJ Chapter of the National Guild of Hypnotists will be meeting Wednesday, May 19 at the Galloping Hill Inn in Union, NJ.
The featured speaker will be Patricia Pederson, ND, and her presentation will be "Healing Takes Many Forms," examining the use of herbs, muscle testing and spirituality.
These meetings are open to interested members of the public as well as a certified hypnosis professionals. To register please call Dr. Gatto at (908) 964-4467.
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