There are many among us who suffer in silence from a variety of issues such as anxiety and panic attacks. There are others who are unable to live life to the fullest because they are being inhibited by fears and phobias.
Educators are not exempt as there are those of us who struggle with these psychosomatic and psychological conditions. If we are to be honest with ourselves, seeking professional help might be just what’s needed to help us get better.
Russell Hemmings is a world-renowned Clinical and Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist. He has garnered global success and recognition for his work, in particular with his unique weight loss therapy, the Advanced Hypnotic Gastric Band. He has been featured on the BBC, MBC Dubai, Studio One, RTL Germany and in Japan as well as in the national and local press.
The fifty-three year old native of the UK has been offering help to clients in the UK, Dubai and Singapore for more than ten years. His clinics are known to provide a safe, professional and confidential environment for clients.
His agenda is simple. He is here to help you. No hidden tricks. No mysteries. Just the assurance that you will get an explanation of what the process entails, how it works and how it will benefit you. Let’s take a moment to get to know Mr Hemmings a little better.
Who was your favourite teacher and why?
My favourite teacher was my English teacher Miss Moore. As a child, I was always looking for ways to explore the world creatively. She taught me how to harness that effectively. I love reading and that’s down to her. It allows you to open doors into other worlds; past, present and future. There’s nothing like the feeling of getting lost in a good book to fire up the imagination. To me, the ability to read is one of the most important gifts you can give a child.
Give three tips for educators who are experiencing difficulty in balancing work and home life?
I totally understand how difficult it is being a teacher, because many of my clients work in that profession. The workload can be intense and also that sense of responsibility for young people’s futures can weigh heavy on the mind. So my three tips for putting balance back in your life are:
- It’s important to plan your free time into your schedule. Be really strict about this, because work can consume your time. Tell yourself ‘I’m going to work for three hours here and then take two hours to spend on myself and my family.’ It’s important to see ‘me time’ as productive time. Anything that helps to recharge your batteries will mean you are more effective in the classroom.
- Value the restorative properties of good quality sleep. Stress is the enemy to sleep. If you find yourself unable to drift off because a thousand things are playing on your mind, then it’s a good indicator you are suffering from stress. Deal with it head on. Take a step back and look at how you can make positive changes to alleviate stress. Often people say to me ‘I can’t do anything. I’m trapped in this lifestyle.’ This simply isn’t true. Everyone can make small changes and they all add up.
- Value your health and fitness levels. It’s so easy to let this slide when you’re busy. If you’re not fit and healthy, energy levels plummet. When you’re in a demanding profession like teaching, this can make the job much harder. Good physical health has a very positive impact on your mental well-being. It is vital that both of these are strong.
Do you have a philosophy that you use to guide some of the key decisions that you make? If yes, what is it?
My philosophy is you can never stop learning. You can take something new from any situation. I learn a lot about what makes people tick from my clients. I love the idea that you can learn until your very last breath and that every new piece of understanding builds layers and adds depth. I would hate to think that I could never feel a sense of awe and wonder again, so when I’m making key decisions that principle always guides me. I ask myself…what’s this going to add?
What was your last luxury purchase?
I have to admit to a penchant for nice watches… so my last luxury purchase was another very fine timepiece to add to my collection!
What gadget can’t you live without?
Not sure if this is actually a gadget… my treadmill! I find it a very easy way to keep fit and also I love it because I do some of my best thinking when I’m pounding out the Km’s on it!
What do you do for fun? Why?
Well, I don’t get too much free time. I am also writing a book right now, that accounts for a fair amount of my ‘free’ time. However, I like to practice what I preach, so for me relaxation time is always fun. I enjoy spending time at a great health spa, eating good food and sharing excellent company!
What is one of your proudest achievements to date?
I’m lucky enough in my profession to watch personal transformation on a daily basis. Helping people overcome their issues and move forward is immensely rewarding. However, I am particularly proud of the work I do with children. One young man, Joe Thompson, definitely sticks in my mind. He was trapped in UAE, because of his fear of flying and his parents were desperate to get him back to the UK, so that he could return to school. They had exhausted every avenue of help and given up hope. Their plight actually became a world news story. When I read their story, I knew I had to offer help. After a number of successful sessions with me, I personally escorted Joe and his dad back to the UK and he is now happy to be back at school. I love a challenge and when people say something can’t be done… I like to prove them wrong!
For more on Russell Hemmings and his ground breaking work visit his website: www.russellhemmings.co.uk
By Carolyn Lee
