Stoptober was introduced in 2012 to encourage smokers to stop smoking for 28 days. The evidence suggests that if you stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to stop for good. Stoptober has become an annual event. It is estimated that there are around seven million adult smokers in the UK […]
It is estimated that 68% of men and 58% of women in the UK are either overweight or obese. There are significant health implications of being obese, these include increasing the risk of; type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, some types of cancer, and stroke. There is often a psychological impact of obesity, with overweight […]
There are a number of reasons why people develop driving nerves. Often they can be result of being involved in a car accident or know someone who has been in a car accident, or even watching a car crash on TV.
It is estimated that around 1 in 4 adults in the UK are obese. Obesity is generally defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above. It is important to seek medical advice if you are obese and struggling to lose weight as it may be an indication of an underlying medical […]
It is estimated than around 1 in 3 of us are struggling with our sleep, with many people developing poor sleeping habits. It is important to seek medical advice if you are struggling to sleep as it may be an indication of an underlying medical problem. There are significant health problems associated with regular lack […]
There are times when all of us need to boost our confidence. Confidence gives us that important belief in ourselves, which enables us to perform at the best of our ability. Real confidence is generally developed by experience. Self-esteem and self-efficacy feed into confidence. People with high self-esteem accept and value themselves, whilst people with […]
This article appeared in My Weekly Special. Prolonged stress has significant health problems, such as; high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and heart problems. What steps can you take to reduce your stress levels?
This is an article I got published in Pain Matters magazine. Hypnotherapy is one of the best-known complementary therapies, but, it is also one of the least understood. Hypnotherapist Stephen McMurray explains how it works and how it can be used in pain management.
Recent research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that hypnotherapy was an effective treatment for people suffering with depression. Hypnotherapy works at the subconscious level to offer positive suggestions to boost moods and break negative thinking patterns, making people feel better.
Needle phobia is thought to affect at least 10% of the population and is when people have a fear of a medical procedure that involves needles or injections. For many this is related to a fear of seeing blood, or simply thinking about the injection. Which may make them feel faint. Often needle phobia has […]
Stephen is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society and a member of the British National Register of Advanced Hypnotherapists.
