This month, I did something I hadn’t done in over a decade - I went on a holiday completely on my own, without my partner or children.

It felt strange at first. After years of being immersed in family life, the idea of being truly alone was almost unfamiliar. Yet, as the days passed, I realised just how much I needed this space. I am deeply grateful for the support I received that allowed me to step away, even for a little while, and gift myself this opportunity for rest, reflection and renewal.

This wasn’t just a holiday. It was an act of self-love, self-compassion and a much-needed reset for my mind and body.

We often hear about (and even talk about) the importance of taking care of ourselves, but actually giving ourselves permission to do so can be one of the hardest things. In our busy lives - juggling work, family and countless responsibilities - our own needs tend to get pushed further down the list.

But stepping away, even temporarily, has emotional, psychological and physical benefits that are profound:

• Emotionally - I found myself reconnecting with feelings of gratitude, joy and peace that can sometimes get buried under day-to-day stress.  I rediscovered 'me'.
  
  

• Psychologically - Giving my mind space away from routines and expectations allowed me to process, heal and imagine more freely. I could feel my internal "stress bucket" - the term we often use in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy - slowly emptying, leaving me lighter and clearer.
  
  

• Physically - Despite a packed schedule, the rest I had brought a new kind of energy. I slept better, moved more naturally and felt my body responding to each day's tasks with improved ease and comfort and even, gratitude.
  
  

As we teach in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, when our stress bucket overflows, we struggle to cope effectively with life’s challenges. Taking a break, even a small one, is like creating a release valve - allowing built-up tension to escape and making room for fresh, positive energy.
This time away has helped me reset that balance.

I have returned feeling recharged, motivated and more deeply committed to giving my best to my clients, family and friends.

Importantly, it has also reminded me that taking care of myself isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Moving forward, I am going to prioritise my own wellbeing with even greater compassion. This is not selfish; it is essential. By nourishing ourselves, we are better able to nourish others.

If you are reading this and feeling your own stress bucket getting heavier, I invite you to consider:
What small act of self-care could you allow yourself this week?

Remember, it doesn’t have to be a week away - even small moments of self-love and care can make a powerful difference.

You deserve it.

With warmth,
Leela
Inner Nest 🥰

29/04/2025

Overwhelmed? Do you feel stuck in patterns of stress, negative thoughts or habits that hold you back?

#Hypnotherapy can help.

Hypnotherapy is a powerful therapeutic approach that uses hypnosis to unlock the potential of your subconscious mind, where lasting change begins. Contrary to myths, it’s not about losing control—it’s about gaining it, empowering you to take charge of your thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

According to Hammond (2010) and other studies, hypnosis is a powerful tool for tackling a variety of challenges. From insomnia and anxiety to managing chronic pain, IBS and ulcers to easing prenatal anxiety and postpartum stress, hypnosis helps clients find relief and balance. It’s also effective for overcoming fears of medical or dental procedures, making daunting experiences feel manageable and calm. Hypnotherapy empowers clients to take control of both physical and emotional hurdles.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Hypnotherapy begins with a relaxed and focused state known as trance, where your mind becomes more open to positive suggestions. During a session, your hypnotherapist will guide you into this state through calming techniques such as breathing or visualization. Once deeply relaxed, you’ll explore unhelpful thought patterns and reframe them into healthier, more empowering beliefs—all while remaining fully aware and in control.

This gentle yet transformative process helps you tackle challenges like:

• Anxiety and Stress: Find calm and clarity amidst overwhelming emotions and sensations.

• Sleep Problems: Improve sleep quality and overcome insomnia.

• Breaking Habits: Free yourself from habits like Doomscrolling or overeating.

• Confidence and Self-Esteem: Feel more empowered in your daily life.

• Phobias and Fears: Manage fears - from public speaking to flying.

Hypnotherapy + Solution-Focused Therapy: A Powerful Approach

At Inner Nest, we integrate Solution-Focused Therapy into hypnotherapy sessions. This approach helps you focus on solutions, not problems, by uncovering your strengths and setting clear, achievable goals. Together, we’ll build a brighter future, one step at a time.

Ready to Transform Your Life?

Whether you’re looking for relief from anxiety, better sleep or simply a fresh start, Inner Nest is here to guide you. Book your consultation today and take the first step toward lasting change.

*A Note of Gratitude*

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey that inspired this post. Your insights and input were invaluable in shaping this content and I’m deeply grateful for your support. Your willingness to share has helped me create something meaningful and I couldn’t have done it without you.

Warmest thanks,

Leela

References:

Hammond, D.C. (2010). Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 10(2), 263-273.

Montgomery, G.H., & Schnur, J.B. (2010). Hypnosis for pain control in clinical practice. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 52(2), 113-130.

Palsson, O.S., & van Tilburg, M.A.L. (2015). Hypnosis and guided imagery treatment for irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63(1), 1-24.

Van Dyck, R., Gutiérrez, O., Hanna, R., & Viechtbauer, W. (2016). The effectiveness of hypnotherapy for the treatment of psychosomatic disorders: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64(1), 65-85.

Vickers, A., & Zollman, C. (2001). Hypnosis and relaxation therapies. British Medical Journal, 323(7323), 1072-1076.

27/01/2025

As we welcome 2025, it's a time to reflect on new opportunities and nurture positive habits. Whether you’re starting fresh or seeking sustainable ways to build resilience and calm, every small step toward well-being is a victory.

At Inner Nest, we focus on empowering you to find balance and peace—from improving sleep to managing stress and unlocking your inner potential. This year, let’s embrace growth and cultivate a life filled with joy and purpose.

Wishing all my wonderful clients a serene, fulfilling and empowering 2025. You’ve got this!

✨ Lots of Love, positivity and care!! ✨

05/01/2025

Cheetahs and human minds may seem like vastly different subjects, but there are some interesting analogies that can be drawn when comparing them:

1. Speed and Efficiency

• Cheetahs: The cheetah is the fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds over 60 mph (97 km/h) in short bursts, making it a highly efficient predator in terms of speed.

• Human Minds: In today's world, our minds operate with remarkable efficiency in processing information. Modern technology, particularly through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, has allowed us to make decisions and process data at incredibly fast rates, somewhat akin to a cheetah’s quick sprint when pursuing prey. This efficiency is crucial in our fast-paced world, where quick thinking and decision-making are key to success.

2. Focus and Specialization

• Cheetahs: Cheetahs are specialized hunters, relying on speed rather than strength. They focus intensely on their prey, using a burst of energy to chase it down in a short time.

• Human Minds: Humans also specialize in specific tasks, particularly with the help of technology. In fields like technology, finance or science, people have become experts, concentrating on specific domains. We can quickly narrow down vast amounts of information to focus on what’s most relevant, similar to how a cheetah focuses on catching its prey.

3. Adaptation and Learning

• Cheetahs: Over time, cheetahs have evolved to become faster and more efficient hunters, adapting to their environment for survival.

• Human Minds: Similarly, human brains are highly adaptable. It's called Neuroplasticity. With access to vast amounts of information and learning tools, our minds are constantly evolving to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. This adaptability is crucial as we continually improve our knowledge and skills, much like how the cheetah's evolutionary adaptations optimize its hunting strategy.

4. Energy Management

• Cheetahs: Although cheetahs can sprint at high speeds, they do so in short bursts to conserve energy, ensuring they don't exhaust themselves before reaching their prey.

• Human Minds: In a similar way, our minds need to manage cognitive energy. With the constant influx of information and demands on our attention, humans have learned to work in focused bursts, using strategies like the Pomodoro Technique or task prioritization to maintain productivity without burning out. 

5. Sensory Perception and Decision-Making

• Cheetahs: Cheetahs have incredible vision, which is key to tracking and catching their prey. Their acute sense of sight allows them to make precise, fast decisions during a chase.

• Human Minds: Our brains are similarly adept at processing sensory input, especially in today’s world where we are bombarded by visual and auditory stimuli. The ability to filter and focus on what's most important is key to making fast and accurate decisions in both daily life and work environments. With the help of technology, our sensory perception can be amplified (e.g. using augmented reality or data visualization tools), much like the cheetah's sharp vision helps it in a chase.

6. Quick Reactions to Changing Environments

• Cheetahs: In the wild, cheetahs must react quickly to changes in their environment, whether it's a sudden shift in their prey's movement or a potential threat.

• Human Minds: Similarly, in today’s fast-paced world, human minds must adjust quickly to shifting contexts, whether it's a change in the workplace, societal changes or unexpected global events. The ability to think on one's feet and adapt to new information quickly has become essential, much like how a cheetah adjusts its strategy mid-chase.

7. Prey and Information Processing

• Cheetahs: Cheetahs hunt for specific prey, filtering out distractions in the environment and honing in on the most promising target.

• Human Minds: Humans today constantly filter vast amounts of information. The brain is faced with an overwhelming amount of data, whether from the internet, social media or work. It has to prioritize what's most relevant. Like a cheetah hunting for the most vulnerable or viable prey, our minds focus on the most important tasks or information.

8. Sustainability and Burnout

• Cheetahs: While cheetahs are incredibly fast, they cannot sustain their speed for long, which is why they rest after a sprint to recover.

• Human Minds: In the modern age, our minds too can only sustain high performance for limited periods before they need rest. Long-term mental health and cognitive performance depend on balance, rest, and recovery, akin to how a cheetah must take time to recuperate before it can hunt again.

In essence, the cheetah’s remarkable ability to process and react swiftly to its environment can be compared to how our minds have to function in the modern world, with all the information processing and constant adaptation to an ever-evolving landscape.

To let our minds flourish, it's important to take care of them—just like a cheetah needs rest after a sprint, we need balance, rest and self-care to perform at our best.

 🧠🌟 #MindAndNature #CheetahMindset #SelfCare #MentalWellbeing  🌟🧠

4/12/2024