Releasing Stress with Hidden Motivators

“There are many things to consider when working with “disorderly eating & sugar addiction, so let’s collect all the motivators we can find & begin to shine light on the problems. You will find your strengths inside.” …. Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht.

We are all born with a genetic history that is passed down from our family members. In the last chapter I called this our genetic wallpaper. As we look at the baby on the day of birth, admiring how beautiful he or she is on the outside, it is important to remember that the baby also has an “inside” that will need just as much care, if not more, than the outside. If we lived in a perfect world, parents would care, as well as plan for the needs of both outside and inside needs.



Even before we wake in the morning, stress chemicals are being produced. Most of us are unaware of the amount of body tension we hold from stress. It's like putting on a stress-coat and not even recognizing the weight of it. As we get on with the day, stress mounts and then most of us tend to release it through an addictive substance such as coffee, smoking, sugaring or bingeing. Many of these substances, cigarettes for example, have multiple properties, making them even more dangerous and more addictive. The day continues in this unhealthy fashion and adding to the already present stress-related problems of the body departments and of the mind or cognitive functioning. Bedtime is the only healthy stress-release time and for most it is usually insufficient with frequent night-waking, interrupting stress-reducing dream states.

Most people who choose alcohol as their choice for releasing may begin their drinking day early as well. However, most tend to begin in the evening, or on their way home from work. Most of us are well-versed on the dangers of this habit. Alcohol is one of those substances that greatly effects others. Alcohol-related abuse is rampant, both for the spouse and children. Those who grow up in a home where alcohol problems exist tend to have difficulties throughout all stages of their lives.

While there are many happy stories of those alcoholics who became sober and stayed sober, the memories of the alcoholic times are not so easily forgotten by those who experienced them. Its not uncommon for children of alcoholics to develop their own disorderly patterns, even if alcohol isn’t one of them. There are many studies linking alcoholic households with eating disorders, addictions and other emotional disorders. If you grew up in a household such as this, even if there is a long family history of alcohol, all is not lost. You can break the pattern by building a new high-level functioning life for yourself.

WORKING WITH OTHERS

This is a good place to begin to introduce you to some of my patients and students. We can learn from a lot from reading about the experiences of others, gathering knowledge and motivating ourselves within their life experiences.

Lynn: It seems like I’ve been addicted to sugar for my entire life. In every photo I am sucking on a lollypop. When discussing my addiction with others, I’d describe my addiction to sugar like a heroin addiction and it turns out that was very intuitive of me! I¹ve never been into drugs but my birth mother was a heroin addict and almost everyone in my birth family over 40 is dealing with diabetes or has died because of it. I want to prevent diabetes from happening to me! After working online with you, I think I come from a sugar sensitive blood line. Can I prevent this from happening to my daughter, or is it impossible to alter the genetics?

KNOWLEDGE HOOK

Lynn’s question helps us to see the sugar addiction problem in different lights. She speaks of her problem with sugar, her family medical history, as well as her family addictions history. Her concern for her daughter is admirable. She has not lost hope. The good news is that as people learn to take care of their genetic “wallpaper”, prevention is indeed possible.

It is so important to clear the air here. Yes, we are born on the path of our path of our predecessors, but we are each given the opportunity to change our outer and inner experiences. Lynn does not have to be a heroin addict, nor does she have to be a diabetic. Her child does not have to experience the level of sugar addiction that Lynn is experiencing, if her child builds new choices now. This is achieved by introducing healthy lifestyle behaviors designed to meet her family and personal medical history. Lynn will need high level nutrition, a good communication system with her body, a way to manage her emotions, and a goal plan for persisting through obstacles.

Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, President & Program Designer for Sarasota Medical & Sports Hypnosis Institute located in Sarasota, FL & online at http://hypnosis-audio.com & http://www.sugar-addiction.comShe is the author of Sugar....the Hidden Eating Disorder & How to Lick It & Beyond Disorderly Eating...The Truth About Sugar, Bingeing & How to Stop. She has also written & produced +350 audio CD's & mp3's. The websites include moderated discussion groups, ezines, library & a host of other educational tools for learning Interactive Self-Hypnosis. Visit the online Boot Camp & work directly with the author. Download a free mp3 each month.