Best of the best!
This year I was proud to receive the top spot (for the third year running!) from Three Best Rated.
It’s an absolute pleasure to be recognised for the hard work and effort I put into my business and helping my clients. You can see that my clients think that I am the best of the best by looking at their testimonials HERE.
Working over Zoom
Since the pandemic, I have been working 100% online, via Zoom.
It has worked so well, with all of my clients being happy with the service provided PLUS the fact they can see me in the comfort of their own homes, I took the decision to work online from now on. (If this changes, I will update you).
The majority of my clients were very nervous to start off with, so being at home helped them not feel too far out of their comfort zone.
CONTACT ME
If you would like more information on how I work and how I can help you, please watch my FREE Webinar.
Who is Katy Stevenson?
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Setting up for a Zoom session – 6 simple tips
How to set up for a Zoom session
We are now predominantly using Zoom for our meetings and sessions online, so I wanted to give you step by step instructions on how to set up for a Zoom session. So, have a look at the information, so that you are prepared for your next Zoom session (or Skype or Teams etc)
1. Check your lighting
Sit with your PC/Laptop etc in a position where the lighting is behind it, shining onto your face. Most people will sit with the light streaming onto their computer screen. Unfortunately however, this puts their face into shadows. Also, make sure that light is not just shining onto one side of your face, creating a shadow on the other side.
2. Remove distractions
If you have children or pets, make sure that they are out of the room so that they do not come in and disturb you. Switch your phone onto silent, flight mode, so that you do not get any notifications during your Zoom session. The last think you want is a PING or a bark when you are trying to concentrate!
3. Go to the toilet
It may sound obvious but people often forget to go to the toilet before a session, then feel too embarrassed to say anything during the Zoom session, so sit uncomfortably. Also you do not want to waste time on going to the loo during your time slot, when you could’ve gone beforehand.
4. Sound quality
Being able to hear each other clearly during the session is very important. I would recommend using headphones to that you can hear clearly and also so that you can be heard. It also reduces background noise from your home. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to go and buy some, you can use the ones that came with your phone. It’s not a necessity though, as long as you can hear and can be heard you’re all good, so if you don’t have any, don’t worry!
5. Internet signal
Do your best to make sure that you are getting a good signal. For a Zoom session to work properly, the internet connection needs to be strong. If you are sitting somewhere in your house that doesn’t get a good signal, think about moving to an other part of the house where the session will be better.
6. Background
Don’t worry too much about the background of your Zoom session, as that’s not important. If it really bothers you however, you can add a background image from the menu at the bottom left of the screen, next to “Stop Video. Just click on the arrow and it will give you the option to Change Virtual Background.
In there, you’ll have some different ones available. (In order for it to come out well, you need to have a good quality camera/device, otherwise it may not look right).
It really depends on how important this is to you though! (I did rather enjoy a recent client’s holiday picture from South Africa. As she got hypnotherapy from me, I was looking at a beautiful swimming pool, lovely buildings and a blue sky!)
I hope these tips on how to set up a Zoom Session have been helpful for you. If you haven’t already booked in to get help on releasing anxiety and regaining your confidence and self-esteem, contact me now!
Katy
free eBook on Overcoming Anxiety available here
Join my next webinar, see my website for more information.
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Tips to help you through the Coronavirus Lockdown
Some helpful tips during lockdown
The Nation is stuck indoors on a lockdown, trying to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Everyone who is not a keyworker must stay inside… but what does this mean for you?
If you are already struggling with a Mental Health issue, this may heighten your anxiety and stress levels, to become unbearable.
In order to keep your head calm and your mind busy, I have listed some activities you could be doing on a daily basis.
Most importantly though, if you are feeling overwhelmed, speak to someone! Call a friend or family member and have a chat. Allow them to lift you out of the negative mindset. If you cannot do this, call Samaritans or someone else that is there to help you feel safe enough.
Here are some tips to help you through the Lockdown.
Daily
Every morning, take a moment to do some deep breathing exercises and think about something you are grateful for. It can big as big or small as you like it to be, even just be thankful that you woke up! Set your intentions for the day. Then go and have a wash and put on clean clothes.
Dressing for the day
When you put on fresh clothes and shoes, you are telling your mind that you are ready to face the day ahead. Even putting on your make up will help you feel better. Dressing prepares you to feel ready for anything and helps you to be proactive and get things done. If you sit around in your PJ’s all day, you end up achieving very little, as your mindset says “nah, I can’t be bothered”.
Now, I am not saying that’s always a bad thing, as we all need a little down time, every now and then… but when it becomes a daily habit, that’s when it can become really negative for your mental health. There is then a stronger possibility that you may end up enhancing the anxiety and depression problems, and feel even worse by the end of the day.
Plan of action
If you have a plan of action or goal, you have something to concentrate on. The Coronavirus has us all in lockdown and nobody really knows how long it is going to last. Therefore, you have to plan your days, from a day to day and week to week basis. When you know what direction you would like to go in your mind is kept busy, and it makes the days go faster. It also gives you a sense of achievement. You could also plan what you’d like to be doing once this is all over!
What can you do?
Anything you’ve never had the time to do before is a good start. The possibilities are endless. From tidying out a room, cupboard or bookshelf to learning a new skill.
If you are able, do some exercise every day. Whether it be joining in on an online exercise class (there are so many, you can Google or YouTube them), to going for a walk or bike ride, whilst we are still allowed. Even tending to your garden if the weather is nice.
I have started teaching my kids to play the guitar and we are doing arts and crafts. We are also learning to speak Spanish, using a very easy to use website, called Duolingo.
If this is not for you, try painting. (I do painting by numbers, which is great for people with talents elsewhere who still enjoy the process). Or even some yoga, which is great for the body and mind and can be as strenuous as you like!
Minimise the news!
If you are constantly watching the news, all about the coronavirus, you may end up in a heightened state of anxiety. Keep your news updates to a minimum if you can. The same goes for social media. If the groups or people you follow are very negative or are talking about the Coronavirus or politics all the time, and that gets too much, think about stepping back from it for a little while.
Daily contact
If you can, do your best to contact someone every day. This will keep you in contact with the world, so that the isolation of the Lockdown period is not too overwhelming.
Use the time to contact people that may be in your thoughts but you’ve not spoken to for a while. It’s good to talk! If not on the phone, then there are plenty of social media apps you can use.
When you are feeling overwhelmed
There may be times when it all just gets a little too much for you and you are not coping. These are the times when you need to do some self-care.
- Doing some breathing exercises, will help you calm your mind and settle your feelings back to being more relaxed again. Have a look at some of my breathing exercises on my YouTube videos HERE.
- Have a cup of tea or a drink of water and do nothing for 20 minutes.
- Read a book and distract yourself.
- Think about a time that you were really happy or relaxed. Imagine yourself back there and soak up the positive feelings it evokes.
- Watch a relaxation video HERE.
- Have a nice relaxing bath or shower.
- Go for a walk and make sure to LOOK UP, taking in the sights, taking deep breaths of fresh air.
- Join a group of friends in a quiz or daily online activity.
- Tidy up, it will help you feel less anxious!
- Remind yourself that this is only temporary, things will get better.
Get some direct help from Katy
Katy Stevenson is a wife and mother of 2 young boys. She’s been a practising Hypnotherapist since 2009 and loves to help people to release their anxieties quickly, and help them regain their confidence and self-esteem.
If you’d like to have a chat with Katy about having a 1 to 1 session and releasing your anxious thoughts and feelings, for good, then get in contact with her now.
Obviously, during the Coronavirus pandemic, appointments are online only. Katy uses a secure online service, called Zoom, which is a private and secure meeting room, similar to Skype.
To book a free telephone consultation, please go to her online diary here. https://calendly.com/katystevenson/strategy-call
You can also watch her free webinar HERE, to find out more about Hypnotherapy.
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6 Ways to stop worrying what others think about you
6 Ways to stop worrying what others think about you
Do you spend too much time stressing and want to stop worrying what others think about you?
It may seem like human nature but should we really care what other people think? I mean, Mrs Doyle over at number 49 may keep peering over her bins at you on a Thursday morning but does it really matter?
If you think about it, honestly and truly, what is the actual impact of her not liking/disapproving of you? How do you stop worrying?
Firstly, as long as you are not bellowing S Club 7 songs out at the top of your lungs and resurrecting dead cats with your voice at 2 am, then it’s all OK. Worrying about other opinions of you seems to be rife nowadays, so what can we do to change this behaviour?
Here’s 6 ways to stop worrying what others think about you
- Don’t try and please everyone, it’s impossible! You could be the greatest, smartest, funniest person ever, and there will still be people that dislike you, for their own reasons. Usually jealousy but it could be that you remind them of someone from their past that did them wrong. It’s not your fault, so let it go.
- Other people’s opinion of you is none of your business, so mind your own – this is one of my favourite quotes as it’s so true. Other people aren’t living in your shoes, they aren’t paying your bills, so why should you care what their opinion of you is? Their negativity is their problem, not yours, so let it go.
- Stop paying attention to other people’s opinion of you – they are probably a whole lot less interested in you than you realise. If you are too busy concentrating on what they are thinking about you, you are missing out on living your life.
It’s also quite satisfying to not care whether they like what you are wearing today, for example. Not caring shows confidence and confidence is empowering. People are generally more drawn to confident people, so hold your head up high!
- Focus on you – if you refocus the energy you’ll stop worrying and concentrate on improving yourself. Imagine how productive and empowered you could become!
So take a deep breath and focus on what you want to achieve, today/week/month, then do it. Satisfying yourself with achievements is beneficial to your own well being and you’ll be far too busy to worry about what others think of you.
- Get some rhino skin/new friends – The more sensitive you are to things, the more upset you’ll be. Start off pretending you are not over sensitive, and practise daily. You’ll become stronger and more able to let go of your sensitivity and keep it for when it’s required.
Remember, when people put you down, it’s often a reflection on their insecurities. “Normal”, nice people don’t go around insulting others. Choose your friends carefully. If they are the type to put you down all the time, are they even worthy of being your friend?
- The Law of Attraction – if you concentrate and focus on bad things, you’ll notice them happening. When you stop worrying and shift your focus onto positivity & thanking the Universe, you are more likely to get positivity back. I’ve tested this on many occasions and it’s definitely worked.
I personally like to thank the Universe for 3 things, first thing in the morning. It sets up my day and allows me to focus on what’s good in my life. The happier I am, the less other people’s negativity will affect me, as I’m happy within myself, it makes me feel stronger.
I hope this helps some of you to stop worrying so much.
Of course not everyone will agree with what I’ve written but that’s okay, I don’t really care!
Good day to you all, and keep on smiling,
Katy x
Katy Stevenson
Clinical Hypnotherapist
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What is Hypnotherapy and why the hell do I need it anyway?
HypnoTHERAPY
There’s a lot of misconception around hypnotherapy and it’s benefits, thanks to TV’s depiction of hypnosis for entertainment.
Most people attribute it to making a fool of yourself in front of people. However, stage hypnosis is for the entertainment of others. This is very different from Hypnotherapy (the clue is in the word) THERAPY!
So what is hypnotherapy then, I hear you ask?
Well, it’s a way of helping people make changes in their lives, which they may have difficulties doing for themselves (with no chicken clucking involved at all!)
You see, our subconscious mind is geared into protecting us and sometimes it can get a little over protective. For instance, if you had a car crash, you may develop a fear of cars. This is your subconscious minds way of stopping you from being in another crash, clever eh?! Although it thinks it’s doing the right thing, it’s obviously very unhelpful for the person.
Getting hypnotherapy can allow you to make the changes from a deeper level, which you may not have any control of yourself.
What happens during a session?
I would have a chat with you about your particular requirements from the sessions. We would then have a discussion, followed by the hypnotherapy. This part is where you can get comfortable, then you go into a state of hypnosis. (Have no fear, this just means a nice relaxed state in order to speak directly to the Subconscious Mind, bypassing the critical, Conscious mind). Most people really enjoy 20 mins of relaxation whilst the change work is happening. Hypnotherapy can be really effective and change your future for the better.
A good point to remember though is that Hypnotherapists don’t have a magic wand!
So expectations need to be set over what can actually be achieved. If you want to lose weight or stop smoking, for instance, if you don’t put in any of the work yourself it’s unlikely to help.
Hypnotherapy a collaboration between you and your therapist, this what makes it achievable.
If you’d like some help from Katy Stevenson, Hypnotherapist, you can contact me via my website www.hypnofife.co.uk, email; katy@hypnofife.co.uk or visit my Facebook page @hypnotherapyfife.
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Case study – John X
Read how hypnotherapy helped John be free from anxiety and depression.
Off work
John had been off work for 4 months. He couldn’t go in anymore as he felt everything was getting on top of him. His anxiety and depression was crippling him. He wasn’t able to think straight on the job and so he went to the doctor.
The doctor offered him anti-depressants but he didn’t want to take medication. He had heard of so many people getting trapped on them for years at a time, that wasn’t an option.
So he sat and waited it out.
The anxiety and depression sat with him.
Things got worse.
He became more stressed, frustrated, angry, lost and highly anxious. He fell out with his wife and he couldn’t deal with the kids. The house got messier and on top of him but he didn’t have any energy to deal with it. He tried but it was so exhausting. Depression zapped his energy.
He wanted to be free from anxiety and depression but he didn’t know how.
Eventually, he took up someone’s suggestion to try hypnotherapy
He searched through the internet, looked through all the testimonials and then found me.
After just the first session his mindset changed dramatically. The hypnotherapy and things I had taught him had totally clicked and he went home and found the energy to do some of the things he’d been putting off.
By the second session I could visibly see the difference that had been made. He was far more upbeat and determined to get his life back. Following on from this sessions he took back up some of the hobbies and activities he had previously loved but hadn’t had the energy or inclination to do.
By his third session he had made the decision to return to work the following week and was looking forward to it. He was buzzing as he was really beginning to feel like his old self again.
On the fourth and final session, he told me about his first week back at work. Things had happened but they just didn’t get under his skin anymore. He dealt with things in a totally calm manner and really felt like he was back to his normal relaxed, happy self again.
He never though it would happen but here he was now, free from anxiety and depression!!!
We said our goodbyes and we both felt that this had been a life changing experience for him.
Bittersweet
It’s always sad for me to say goodbye as I felt like I had gotten to know him well and helped him through his darkest times. However, I know that what I have done is given him his life back.
He may come back for a relaxation session in the future, like a mental massage, to keep him grounded and his brain in tip top condition. (Choice, not a necessity).
Almost all of my client’s go through the same process, coming in with the life sucked out of them and end up feeling on top of the world again!
Do you want to feel better again?
If you feel like John did and want to completely change your life around, get in touch with me. I can help you.
Hypnotherapy really does work. Read here for more information on how I can help YOU.
Get in touch for a free chat to discuss things further.
07967587033
www.hypnofife.co.uk
Facebook: @hypnotherapyfife or Katy Stevenson’s Hypnotherapy
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