Blog | Sophie Shaw Hypnotherapy and Wellbeing | Norwich

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Aaaand Breathe - Three Simple Breathing Exercises to Control Your Anxiety

Aaaand Breathe - Three Simple Breathing Exercises to Control Your Anxiety

What does anxiety feel like? A sick feeling in the pit of your stomach; heart beating too hard or too fast; brain fog and confusion; snapping at people even though you don't mean to; feeling judged - these are some of the most obvious signs that you're anxious or under stress. You might notice other things too - a clenched jaw, tension in your body, tight fists or sweaty palms, for example. Something you might not be consciously aware of, however, is your breath, and how it c

Am I Still Working During Lockdown?

Am I Still Working During Lockdown?

"I assume you've stopped working for now?" No! I just received an email asking for advice on working with me after lockdown ends, assuming I had stopped for the duration. Not at all! In fact I'm seeing some of the most beautiful and profound transformations by working with people online. My clients are sleeping better, feeling brighter, regaining their confidence, experiencing hope for the first time in years, getting stronger and feeling like they're coming back to life agai

How to Self-Heal With Reiki

How to Self-Heal With Reiki

How are you getting on? As this thing goes on and on, I find that my emotional 'first-aid kit' is more important than ever. Keeping in touch with my spiritual side, connecting with people who support me emotionally, reminding myself of my true inner nature - these are the things keeping me grounded. As well as simple things, like getting outside, being creative, eating well and sleeping properly - it's real back to basics stuff, isn't it? One thing that supports me powerfully

Big, Beautiful, Exciting Change!

Big, Beautiful, Exciting Change!

Honestly, I usually resist change - I like things settled and familiar, thank you! If you know me, you know that there are some things that I've done the same way for YEARS, like wearing the same familiar old (black!) jumper, and having the same morning routine. Yes, change can be super-uncomfortable - and if you're even a little bit prone to anxiety (yup!), then it's really challenging - what if the change is a change for the worse? 😨 But - the absolute essence of life is c

Feel Better in under 10 minutes

Feel Better in under 10 minutes

Life is noisy and complicated - there are ups and downs and good bits and really horrible bits. In the moments when we feel overwhelmed - by stress, grief, anger, worry or pain - it can be really hard to see a way out. You may have had long sessions of talking therapies - and at the time you may have found it really useful - but here in this moment it doesn't seem to help much. Why is that? Don't get me wrong - I'm a fan of talking therapies. As a Hypnotherapist, I truly valu

What's in Your Emotional First Aid Kit?

What's in Your Emotional First Aid Kit?

I'll bet, like most people, that you've got a cupboard or a drawer where you keep all the things you need for health emergencies - plasters, painkillers, cough syrup, bandages, and so on. You're ready to deal with cuts, bumps, bruises, rashes, headaches, temperatures and more. You've probably got your doctor's number ready in your phone, just in case. But what do you have ready for an emotional emergency? It's so weird that we are prepared for most minor health problems and m

Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish

Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish

Self-care - or lack of it - is one of the most common issues I see in my clients. Far from being a so-called 'selfish' act, it is actually one of the most powerful and loving things you can do for your family, your friends and your community. How so? I'm the first to admit that I don't always practice what I preach when it comes to self-care. It took me until my forties to finally get serious about looking after myself. I'm a single mum, and like most other parents, my focus

Top 3 tips to relieve your anxiety

Top 3 tips to relieve your anxiety

Anxiety is no fun. It robs you of the joy of the present moment - it sends you forwards into 'what might happen if...' Or, worse, back to the time when that thing happened... Ugh. If you live with anxiety, worry, or stress on a regular basis, then you know what I'm talking about. You struggle to make decisions in case you choose the wrong thing. You second-guess everything you say to people in case it's taken the wrong way. You can't relax around other people, because you wor

Born anxious? This can set you free.

Born anxious? This can set you free.

Sometimes I think I was born anxious. See this pic of me in the cute headscarf? I’m about 3 there - and I’m wearing the scarf because I’d pulled out most of my hair. I didn’t even know there was a word for this until about 10 years ago, when I was watching an episode of Frasier (it’s an anxiety disorder called trichotillomania). I pulled out my hair if there was the least little bit I could get hold of and I ended up with bald patches that made my school life... interesting.

The healing power of gratitude

The healing power of gratitude

When I was a kid, I was told to 'count my blessings'. Did I actually do it? Well, no - I was too busy wondering why my brother got two Mars bars and I only got one... BUT - if I actually had... Cicero said: "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." He argued that gratitude gave rise to hope, kindness, courage, patience, generosity and wisdom. So is it possible that simply by practising gratitude, we could be happier, better people? As it t