NLP and Fertility

17/02/2011 by admin.

I have recently been using NLP (neuro linguistic programming ) to help me lose weight and have been really impressed with how effective it is a re-programming my brain to approach eating differently.

I did not realise immediately that it was NLP I was using, until I was chatting to my hairdresser at my last visit, and casually mentioned that I was using a hypnosis cd to help me lose weight post christmas, and that it was working ! She them smiled and said ‘Oh you are using NLP. I am training to be an NLP therapist’. We then chatted animately for the next couple of hours about NLP and while I was there I suspect she tested her powers on me, as I had the very bad habit (which I had had for about 10 years) of using my laptop while exercising on my exercise bike  She suggested that I might get more from my workout if I was not surfing the net at the same time. And do you know I have not done so since that appointment . The powers of persuasion. An added bonus is my back has also been much better, which I think may be due to my better posture while I am on my exercise bike.

Anyway I digress. The reason I am writing today is that many cases of infertility or subfertility are unexplained and in these cases NLP may have a positive role to play. The power of the mind to affect our health has been well documented, and the role stress plays in our fertility has also been well documented.

The defintion of NLP according to Wikipedia is

NLP is a controversial approach to psychotherapy and organizational change based on “a model of interpersonal communication chiefly concerned with the relationship between successful patterns of behaviour and the subjective experiences (esp. patterns of thought) underlying them” and “a system of alternative therapy based on this which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to change their patterns of mental and emotional behaviour”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuro-linguistic_programming

Whoo thats quite a mouthful, lets see if we can simplify it

Here is my definition of NLP as I understand it (please correct me if I’m wrong)

NLP is an alternative therapy based on reprogramming your mind, thoughts and words for success.

How can I learn NLP techniques ?

• NLP book
• NLP audiotapes or cds or via a download on your ipod
• NLP workshops
• from an NLP practioner

I have been using a book that I borrowed from our local library (Hypnodiet), which came with an audiobook on cd, which I loaded on to my ipod. I have found the audio very effective, and listen to it every morning before getting out of bed. Once I reach my target weight (nearly there), I should only need to listen to it once or twice a week or as required, if I feel myself slipping back into my old self defeating habits.

How can NLP help my fertility ?

1. In cases of unexplained infertility there may be a lot of stress which can iteself impair conception. Trying to conceive itself can be very stressful, and many couples feel pressure for it to happen quickly. There are many cases of couples with unexplained infertility trying for a long time without success and yet conceieving when they give up trying, take a break from trying or are referred for IVF. Using NLP techniques can help to relax the mind and body and prepare for natural conception and may remove some psychological barriers to conception that we are only recently beginning to recognise & understand.
2. NLP can be very helpful to couples going through IVF. Anyone who has been through IVF will tell you how stressful it is. Manageing the stress of the IVF process is very important and NLP as well as many other alternative therapies can help. NLP  for IVF would focus on keeping an open mind, visualising success and learning relaxation techniques as well as helping to cope with the bumpy ride.
3. NLP can be useful for couples who are trying again either after miscarriage or a failed IVF attempt when the pressure to succeed may seem all the more intense.

I am not an expert on NLP, and have only recently learned some of the techniques. I am hoping to learn a lot more about this interesting subject, as I have always believed that the mind plays an important role in our health & wellbeing.

If you are an NLP practitioner or have used NLP to help you either with fertility or other issues, then please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you. You can either leave a message in comments or e-mail us.

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