hypnotic

As you know, I will try anything to reduce/eliminate allergies. I had come to a kind of understanding with my seasonal allergies: cut waaay back on the gluten, and use a neti pot, and I'm golden. Then, it started to rain. And rain some more. And more, and more. And I discovered that I have some heinous post-rain allergies (molds?), and my current methods weren't working. After going through the whole killer sneezing every morning, Hoover dam of congestion every day thing, I decided to get even further out there.

I went and saw a hypnotist. For realz. As always, I bring you what it was like. We had a "phone consultation" first - talked about what was going on with me, what I hoped for, etc. I liked our vibe, so I made an appointment with her. Her office is very low-key. We sat and talked a little more, then I hopped up on a covered massage table. She tucked me in with pillows, an eye mask, and a blankie. (Honestly, I'd go again just for that treatment!) She turned on a CD of a deep, deep tone and started talking. Here, things go a little fuzzy, to my mind - I fell asleep, but apparently, not entirely. After about half an hour (I think?), she brought me out of the state and left me to put myself back together a little. We sat and talked again and she walked me through a self-hypnosis exercise to "reset/reduce" sneezing and congestion (it's basically a visualization.)

And, I've been using it for weeks. I can't say that my congestion is miraculously gone, it's not. BUT, when I get into my sneezing fits - I can self-hypnotize, do my visualization, and stop the sneezing. This is a big, big deal. My allergy sneezing leaves me wiped out, and can get so bad that I feel like I can't leave the house. So, the sneezing is way down - a wonderful thing! Although I can't completely eliminate the congestion, even that I feel like I can dial back. (And that might just be my perception, but in a way, who cares? I feel a lot better!)

So, there you have it - another "out there" idea for your anti-allergy arsenal!