Use Your Mental & Spiritual Power for Weight Loss

By: ning

The manner in which we communicate with or through the mind-body connection can be words, thoughts, ideas, and images or pictures in mind (imagination). When working with children we do not trouble them with learning the language of words like hypnosis or trance. In pediatrics we simply call it imaginative medicine. Besides, the actual words we use to describe mind-body medicine are not as important as the forces that make these methods effective; which are motivation, belief, expectations, and intention.

Mind-body medicine approaches vary greatly and allow each person to find which method(s) may be best suited for them. Some involve working with a therapist and others may be self-learned and self-directed. These include medical or clinical hypnosis, autogenic training, biofeedback, meditation, guided imagery, visualization, and neurolinguistic programming. So which one is right for you? Let's start with a description and examples of use.

Biofeedback training is a system of providing the patient with information about how their body changes in association to thoughts, ideas, and images in mind. That is, objective measurements of physiological changes are fed back to the patient so they can learn to control and train their body's responses in directions for greater health and comfort. And with repetition, they teach or condition their body to repeat these changes quickly and automatically. The types of biological information that is fed back to the patient might include muscle tension, heart rate, blood pressure, brain waves, skin conductance, blood vessel changes, and so on. As the therapist offers a variety of relaxation instructions with calming thoughts, soothing images, and encouraging words, the patient can watch the computer monitor showing any increases or decreases in muscle tension across the head, and the rise or fall of temperature in the fingers. The beauty of biofeedback training is that the individual can actually watch objective and measurable changes in their own physiology that are a result of their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

Guided Imagery and visualization are two separate but similar methods of hypnosis. Guided imagery involves the therapist facilitating a progressive relaxation of body and mind, and suggestions for the patient to allow their own images or imagination to guide them toward the method of relieving symptoms. This can also include discovering images that have a message about the symptoms or condition, which gives the patient insight, understanding and control of those symptoms. Visualization exercises include graphic or vivid images that are held in mind with the intentions for healing and comfort. And as in biofeedback training, the repetition of these exercises causes learning or a conditioning effect so that these physical changes are available wherever and whenever the patient chooses to use them.

Hypnosis is a modality of mind-body medicine. It requires no equipment, can be taught in one or two sessions, and can be used just about anywhere when needed. I tell my patients that hypnosis is a system of methods that allow mind and body to share information more effectively. One of those methods is called "trance" in the jargon of clinical or medical hypnosis; or "daydream" in common language. I see a hypnotic trance and a daydream as being very similar if not identical. For in each, the individual is conscious and aware of where they are and what they are doing, while at the same time they are wonderfully absorbed in their own thoughts and ideas. The trance or daydream-like state is only the first part of medical hypnosis and is referred to as the "induction," or getting into that pleasant state of mind. But the powerful features of hypnosis are the "utilization" of that altered state to access and communicate with the mind-body connection. Utilization involves using words, ideas, images, metaphors, and imagination to provide the mind-body with information that will cause it to produce a therapeutic or healing response. These responses can be pain relief, clearing the skin, calming the gut, lowering blood pressure, suppressing or enhancing the immune system, removing anxiety, accelerating recovery after surgery, changing behaviors, enhancing performance, and unlearning negative patterns by re-learning positive and comfortable patterns of activity within the body. Just about everyone is hypnotizable to either a greater or lesser degree. And even those with less ability can still learn to use it, but it may require more practice or working with a therapist."

Meditation is one of the best methods to take control of your own self. During meditation you will learn how to make your mind stronger. A weight lifter typically exercises certain muscles, making them stronger and stronger. Similarly someone who meditates is exercising their "mental" muscle by directing the mind away from the noise of the world outside toward the calm within. Following the meditation instructions takes a bit of effort, but that effort will be rewarded.

If anyone meditates on a daily basis, they will not only become more able to concentrate during the meditation session but also more able to put her good intentions into practice and make positive changes in their life.

It is not a question of mind over matter, or having to do anything that you don't want to do. Meditation is an activity that changes you from the inside out. Instead of forcing yourself not to eat the doughnut in between meals, the very desire to eat it will vanish. Instead of fighting with yourself to go out for a walk, exercise will become something that you enjoy doing. If you get into the practice of meditation, no one will have to twist your arm to make you live a healthy lifestyle, it will become your natural choice.

So, while you will not sweat off any pounds during your periods of meditation, the daily practice of meditation could be one of the most important parts of your effort to lose weight and live a long, healthy and happy life.