Live Positive Think Positive

How you look at life is a matter of choice. Say hello to positive living with these steps

An increasing number of people in the UAE are seeking advice from certified hypnotherapists to get to the bottom of many problems such as negative thoughts and feelings.

Hypnosis – believed to have been around for thousands of years – refers to a state of focused consciousness. It is described as a process where one can hear what is happening but may not want to move, leaving one in a highly suggestible state.

You can be guided into this state by a hypnotherapist who will also give you “hypnotic suggestions”.

Safiya and M.R. Hussain, a married couple who run the Orators’ Forum Institute for Human Development and Behavioural Therapy in Dubai, say such suggestions enable people to make desired changes in their life.

Hussain said some of the most widespread reasons for negative thoughts in the UAE are related to events that have caused psychological traumas, marital problems, addictions and low self-esteem.

“Hypnosis is such a normal state of mind most people usually don’t even realise they are hypnotised,” Hussain said.
“Normal, everyday hypnosis occurs when you are driving and lose track of time or when you are focusing on a book or TV programme and you don’t notice something that is going on around you.”

Eliminate negative thoughts and feelings and replace them with positive thinking by following these simple steps recommended by Safiya and Hussain:

Step 1
Try to see every problem as a challenge, and an opportunity to improve yourself. Remember, only you are capable of changing yourself, not anyone else.

The outside world will be what it is, so try to see it through a positive lens as much as you can.

Step 2
Have a contagious enthusiasm — it not only means you generate positive energy but also acquire a positive mental attitude.

Move in the company of positive-minded people. Try to stick to the changes you make.

Find out the real cause of your negative feelings and thoughts through hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, which can help you forgive at a subconscious level.

Step 3
A positive mental attitude will automatically raise your self-esteem and self-confidence, which equip you with the skills necessary to better your life.

“When you have a positive mental attitude, your physiology changes. You walk three inches taller. You will project a better image and speak with astounding impact,” Hussain said.

Step 4
Each time you leave your house — whether it is to work or to go on a trip — remember to take your positive attitude with you (along with your cellphone and laptop, of course).

Avoid those who display negative energy, as they can hold you back or drain you. If that happens, try to identify them to either help or just accept the way such people are.

Step 5

Try to stop using words such as “don’t”, “but”, “if” and “why”.

Replace these words with positive words such as “remember”, “and”, “when” and “what if”.

When you are at home, separate rooms for various self-reflection purposes such as worry, self-development and hypno-coaching.

Causes in the UAE

The most common reasons that make people in the UAE experience negative emotions are:

* Shyness caused by low self-esteem. This results in inferiority complex, social phobia and fear of public speaking.
* Sexual dysfunction.
* Marital problems.
* Poor self-image, caused by obesity or anorexia, among other reasons
* Addictions such as smoking and alcoholism.
* Compulsions – OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and/or Perfectionism.
* Feelings of anger and hatred. Jealousy, resentment, revenge, criticism or being judgmental or fearing being judged, fear, doubt or superstition.
* Psychological trauma such as childhood abuse.
* Anxiety, in the form of poor concentration, test anxiety and examination phobia.

Avoid them

Pent-up negative emotions are believed to cause conditions such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. Here are other traits that can affect, too:

* Not having a pleasing personality.
* Lack of self-discipline.
* Lacking enthusiasm.
* Not learning from defeat or failure.
* Not maintaining good health.
* Inability to control bad habits.
* Procrastination.
* Blaming others.
* Not having motives or goals.
* Stress.

Healthy steps
Control your life better by following these simple guidelines:

* Have a daily exercise routine.
* Practise self-hypnosis regularly.
* Flush out negative thought patterns from your subconscious.
* Use positive language patterns
* Feed your subconscious with positive affirmations.