Marlborough Magazine December/January Edition | Page 54

WELCOME TO the diary of a hypnotist EACH MONTH, WE WILL SHARE A STORY OF STRUGGLE AND TRIUMPH THAT MAY RESONATE WITH YOU OR A LOVED ONE, AND INSPIRE THE WILL TO STRIVE FOR BETTER WELLBEING. Christmas in Paradise There is no doubt that Marlborough is a sort of paradise – the sea, the mountains, the wine and the food... However, within our Garden of Eden lurks a serpent that occasionally emerges around Christmas time. When I was strolling through Farmers at the beginning of November, and I heard Christmas carols trilling over the speaker system, it brought to mind a story from last Christmas. Normally when we think of Christmas, we think of holiday, family, food and drink, a time of fun, maybe at the beach. We forget the stress that Christmas can cause if not managed according to our means and our emotions. So, last December, when Belinda asked to see me for anxiety due to Christmas, I was wondering what the problem might be. And there we were! It was a problem many families must face: a new relationship. Belinda was happily involved in a new relationship, and all (well, nearly all) was well in her world. Belinda was a gentle soul, whereas her partner, David, was a great extrovert and not given much to introspection. So when it was suggested that David’s two adult daughters and their two boys should come and spend a couple of days with them over the Christmas period, Belinda descended into a whirlpool of anxiety. She had met the daughters, one of whom was friendly and kind, as was her boy. But, the other daughter was a bully. As was her son. And although his daughter was now adult, she still resented the fact that her parents had separated, and was nasty and controlling around Belinda. Belinda knew that she could do nothing right. She would be criticised for every meal, every move, every word. It was easy to understand why she was so anxious. And she knew she would get little support from David, as he could really not understand the problem, and would simply tell her to stand up for herself. She was further worried that the boys would be bored, which could easily result in intolerable and uncooperative behaviour. When she came to see me to talk about the stress and anxiety which was causing her so much grief, I asked her what her ideal outcome would be. Not surprisingly, knowing that the visit was only for a few days, not a lifetime, she wanted to remain calm and allow the nastiness and the criticism to just wash over her. However, this was something that she had never managed on previous occasions. After her session, I asked her to give me a call after Christmas to tell me how it had gone. What a happy call! Not only the huge relief that Christmas was now over, but that she had managed it beyond her wildest dreams. She told me that after her visit to me, she felt calm and focussed and was absolutely determined to take control over the situation, and not be overwhelmed by David’s family. So, after some thought, she had realised that one way to manage the situation was to set up an environment for the boys in which they would be stimulated, and not bored. So she came up with the idea of setting up a ‘cave’ tent for the boys and left ‘treasures’ concealed around the garden. It turned out that not only did the boys not grumble about not being on Facebook or playing games on their phones or tablets, but they had great fun seeking out the treasures, which they kept finding in unlikely spots throughout the three days. Belinda made simple meals, and organised trips to the park and the beach. She made sure there was no time for nastiness or criticism, or, if there was, she just let it go, and the days went by wonderfully well. At the end of the holiday, she was exhausted, but happy! So, Merry Christmas from Ntrance! Have a great break if you are taking a family holiday, If not, make sure you find time for rest, family time, fun and enjoying the best that Marlborough has to offer. Give Chris a call today to take control and change your life. Cinnamon House An eclectic mix of old and new Explore the mix of antiques, collectables and new exciting trends Owing to client privacy and confidentiality, the client’s name/s in these articles are changed. Ntrance Hypnotherapy Ntrance wishes you all the best for Christmas and the New Year Chris Steadman CERTIFIED VIRTUAL GASTRIC BANDING PRACTITIONER HNZDACH (Hypnosis New Zealand Diploma in Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy) SPMHNZ (Member of Hypnosis New Zealand) p. 021 671 195 . e. [email protected] . 475 Brookby Rd, Hawkesbury CAPITAL NTRANCE WELLINGTON Call Daniel on 021 203 3374, or [email protected] to make your appointment An extensive range to suit the conservative spender to the extravagant. We have treasures for lovers of all things interior. • Vintage Industrial • French Shabby Chic • Lighting, Lamps • Mirrors • Fabulous Fabrics • Exclusive wallpapers • One off WOW & Quirky pieces • Have your own furniture reinvented Simone is in-house on Mondays for personal shopping and interior inspiration 32 Park Tce, Blenheim | P: 027 285 1381 | Open: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-2pm