Learning Curves

Researchers have discovered why we choose certain foods when we are feeling bored, stressed or lonely, and are most likely to succomb to comfort eating.  Their findings show that we are drawn to foods that remind us of happier times, often related to childhood, in a subconscious effort to re-experience those good feelings.  Unfortunately, these comfort foods are often calorie-laden, tend to provide only a temporary mood lift and can completely sabotage a diet.

What is needed then is an alternative, calorie-free way of accessing those happy feelings whenever a craving for comfort food arises.  And here it is - 'Anchoring'.

Remember a time when you felt really happy; it might have been a childhood experience - perhaps you were playing on a beach, or having a special family picnic.  Whatever the event was, re-experience it now in your mind.  'See' again everything that was going on around you at that time.  That's right.  Now 'hear' again whatever sounds were going on around you at that time.  Good.  And there might have been a smell or taste associated with that memory - if so, re-experience that too.  Fantastic.  Now notice how you are feeling, and then increase the intensity of this happy feeling, as if you're turning up a 'feel-good dial'.  And you might notice that you're smiling now.  You might even have a huge grin on your face!  That's right.

And when this fabulous feel-good feeling is at a peak, press together a thumb and finger for a few seconds, as if you are capturing the feeling, then release it.  Congratulations!  You have just set an anchor.  Repeat the whole process twice more, using the same memory and the same thumb and finger.  Now we'll check it out.

Think of a chore that you need to do, which you dislike doing.  Imagine that you are grudgingly about to start it and notice how you feel.  Now trigger your feel-good anchor by pressing together the thumb and finger that you've set it on and notice how you feel now!  Different?  Perhaps even a glimmer of a smile?  Well done, your anchor is working.  Use it whenever you feel a need to change your state of mind and enjoy...................

Di McLanachan is a Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, Hypnotherapist and best-selling author of 'NLP for Business Excellence'