By Michele Verhoosky, CHP
Menopause is a natural progression in the natural order of things. The hot flash (or flush) is infamous as a classic symptom of menopause. When estrogen drops because of menopause the brain gets the "wrong message" and thinks that the body is too hot, creating measures such as sweating and heat loss (through the skin) to try to cool down the inside of the body.
However, the mind also has a major influence over the body and can be hypnotically trained to cool down hot flashes. You have the ability to use your thoughts and imagination to literally reprogram your body's responses. What the mind can conceive the body can achieve. Let me repeat that so it is perfectly clear: your powerful, strong subconscious mind can be hypnotically trained to cool down hot flashes and night sweats. What the mind can conceive the body can achieve.
I would like you to continue using your imagination now. I'd like you to picture yourself walking on a beautiful beach...the sugary sand is soft and smooth beneath your feet, and a cool salt-tang breeze blows gently through your hair... The sky is a beautiful sun-washed blue...the sand sugary white...the water a beautiful jeweled blend of turquoise, emerald, and amethyst while golden sunlight sparkles like diamonds on the rippling waves as they gently lap the shore...You breathe in the fresh, clean air and feel your shoulders relax, your spirits soar, and all cares and burdens just fall away—it's a picture perfect day on an absolutely beautiful beach, and there's no place else you'd rather be...
Just up ahead you notice a striped beach chair close to the water's edge, and realize that it's a chair meant just for you...With a smile and a soft sigh of utmost contentment you let yourself sink down into that striped beach chair...and find that it's the most comfortable chair you've ever sat it...perfectly molding itself to your body...letting you just sit back and completely relax...You feel the warm golden sunlight gently touch the crown of your head...a soft, loving touch... and you feel yourself starting to relax even more deeply, all your cares just melting away...You dip your feet into the cool, clear ocean water, letting the water lap gently over your toes, your instep, your ankles...like the most wonderful massage in the world...and you feel tension draining away, right through the soles of your feet...You feel so cool, relaxed, refreshed...so very comfortable... this is YOUR PERFECT PLACE...
