Pause-Take a Breath by Roseann Petropoulos

Seems many of us are experiencing PTED (Post Traumatic Election Disorder). Whether you are on the left or on the right, whatever your point of view, it is an uneasy time. As a rule, the first 100 days of any change is considered the “honeymoon phase”. A time when we embrace our connection to each other before we move forward to accomplish our dreams, our goals.  

All change does take us out of our comfort zone and this change is a rocky road for sure. Our society is divided like never before. Or is it? When we look back to the history of our country, we find the many roads that brought about change. Our founding fathers exhibited courage as they took a stand for their vision. History recalls them as an American Hero. Only a real history buff will find the back story to the actual way it was played out.

Who were the men of honor? Who played dirty?  Who followed the rules? Who questioned the rules? Who made new rules?    

Perhaps this is a wake up call to speak out. Our society has found the calm after the activism of the 60's. What is happening on the national stage is happening within each of us. We are a part of the whole. Society is stepping up in the name of democracy.

We are refusing to sit in denial, confusion, anger or despair. However, the disturbing issue is that we are out of control. Our positions carry the passionate weight of our emotions. The problem continues as we hold so tight to our views that the discussion and arrangement of the terms of transition comes to a halt. Negotiations fail and we all go back into our corners awaiting the next round in the political arena.      

On a personal level the political merry go round builds stress in our body, mind and spirit. Have you noticed any changes in your physical well-being? Are you easily irritated, fatigued, experience headaches, poor digestion, increase in blood pressure, lack of mental clarity or lost libido, just to name a few. Does any of this sound familiar?    

A meditation practice benefits everyone in managing their stress level. Just to be clear, meditation is the practice of stillness. It is not just for new age people seeking spiritual guidance through ancient rituals. Think about it, all  organized religions promote a form of prayer that in essence quiets life's drama. For those folks who never seek internal answers from a Higher Source, know that being in nature or sitting quietly in a private space relaxes the body, clears the mind and opens the flow of wellness.

For those who say, “ I cannot meditate, my thoughts never stop”. Well yes, that is a real concern. Our minds never stop. Meditation is the process of allowing our thoughts to flow. When we attach a story to our thoughts that is when we stop the process. In time, you will be able to catch yourself, stop the story and return to the natural rhythm of your breathe. It is called a practice for exactly that reason. Even the monks who dedicate their life in silence need to continue it as a practice.

Meditation is the ultimate way to stretch and strengthen our mind. It allows the expansion of our views and awareness. We as a people will be able to be more flexible, accepting, gracious and peaceful.    

Just for a moment, let us pause and take a breathe. Quoting Ghandi, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world”. Searching for the peace and harmony in our society is futile when we are not peace and harmony. True change comes from within and then we can start the negotiation process.

Roseann Petropoulos is a Certified Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. Private sessions are available to release and break the cycle of limiting patterns in life. Create the life you desire.Roseann combines her knowledge and intuitive insights offering accurate, compassionate responses to all clients. For more information: http://www.Belmarwellness.com or call for a free phone consultation 732 894-3197

Rewind Technique and You

The Rewind Technique Review

In one of my previous postings we looked at how the allostatic response of some individuals, which is the ability to calm and rebalance after stress, can become impaired and that this often leads to a wide array of physical and emotional discomforts.

One risk factor in allostatic dysfunction is when toxic memories have not been processed correctly. Some authorities estimate up to 30% of people exposed to a traumatic event will have lingering symptoms as a result and this includes 5% of men and 10% of women in the general population.

Fearful and upsetting situations activate the body's fight or flight response and the emotions take precedent over thinking so that you will take decisive action. Careful contemplation is not a good idea when being chased by a wild dog!

For some time afterwards the sights, sounds, smells or sensations associated with the hazard may for a time trigger fear.  An example, someone exposed to an explosion may panic when they hear fireworks or a car backfire.

Under ideal circumstances, eventually the memories lose their emotional charge and become part of what is known as narrative memory. You remember what happened, but it no longer bothers you that much and the memory is not readily triggered.

However for some the memories do not get past the emotional part of the brain and sort of remained trapped there.

One sign that a memory has not undergone the healing transformation is that it will seem more fresh and vivid than other recollections from that time. Maybe years or decades have passed yet it seems like the event happened yesterday or last week.

During the past year I was fortunate enough to complete a training on what is known as the Rewind Technique, which enables people to move past the effect of toxic memories rather quickly.

Although the basic premise for the method has been around for a long time, recent refinements have been made that enable it to not only rapidly resolve upsetting memories quickly but comfortably as well. In fact, a basic premise is that if the client is experiencing stress or discomfort during the Rewind Technique, the practitioner is not doing it right.

So far I have seen very positive results by integrating this method into my practice and welcome any questions you may have about it. You can connect by calling me directly at (732) 714-7040

P.S. I know that some of my readers are involved with the healing arts too. If you would like to learn more about the Rewind Course and other helpful practitioner resources, please visit, http://www.unk.com/blog/free-therapy-techniques/?6792

P.S.S. If you could use one of the links below to share this post on your social media it would be greatly appreciated and could possibly help someone struggling with difficult memories.

Full Confession: I Have a Record!

I've been wanting to tell my readers that I have a record for quite some time, but it has taken me awhile to complete it. (What kind of record did you think I had?)

The Creative Calm Self-Hypnosis Library consists of three hypnosis sessions that you can instantly download for use at home:

• You Better Sleep: your sleep quality has a direct bearing on your mental and physical well being. This track uses intentional relaxation and guided imagery to help you unwind and create a welcoming place for sleep.
• Fly Comfortably: the fear of flying often curtails people's travel plans. On this track a mindfulness-based approach is used to help you detach from fear along with traditional hypnotic suggestion and mental rehearsal. Can be used before and during a flight.
• Relaxation Training: imagine being able to control stress from within, rather than waiting for the outside world to change. Here we use progressive relaxation and hypnotic suggestion to control stress. Self-confidence is also addressed since this tends to inoculate a person against responding as strongly to stressful situations.

All tracks are accompanied by gentle ambient music that enhances the relaxation effect. The tracks are available for purchase singly and as an album through the link below. 

http://bit.ly/1LPZ8Xn