our experience
Break the Habit
Our editorial assistant tries
hypnosis
Most of what I've heard about
hypnosis borders on urban legend. But
after friends told me I had to stop grinding
my teeth when annoyed, stressed, or con
centrating, I decided to test the party stories
by finding a National Guild-certified hypno
tist. The hypnotist said she helped clients
break compulsive habits—like my teeth
grinding—and addictive ones, like smoking.
So when she told me that a single hour-long
session would probably break my habit, I
made the $100 commitment and booked
an appointment for the next day.
After reviewing the causes of my teeth
grinding, the hypnotist suggested a less
destructive outlet for my stress, namely
twitching my toes. Since my dental destruc
tion was a “subconscious decision,” she
would access my subconscious, make a
few suggestions, and—voila!—turn me from
Pac-Man to Twinkle-Toes.
The hypnotist turned on some soothing
music and asked me to lie back in a reclin
ing chair. I then closed my eyes and, at her
request, visualized myself on a beach,
comfortable and at peace. My subcon
scious was ready to be addressed.
Unfortunately, so was my need for sleep.
My dreams about the Boston Red Sox
were interrupted when I awoke to the
hypnotist’s continued suggestions to my
teeth and toes. I also heard pages turning,
as if she were reading from a book. Not
encouraging.
Shortly after she told me to open my
eyes, the session was complete and I
forked over my payment. Up to that instant,
hypnosis had seemed like a waste of time—
but I haven’t ground my teeth since. My
friends believe I was hypnotized, but I think
my subconscious just can’t bear to spend
$100 without seeing results. Money makes
people do strange things: could five twen
ties carry hypnotic power?
-Topher Bordeau
What office item can you not
live without?
My tape dispenser. (Who besides me tapes things together anymore?)
—Justin Cerilli, 23, consultant, Washington, D.C.
My chair—it’s hard to see anything on my desk when I’m sitting on the floor.
—Sean Kammann, 24, engineer, Princeton, New Jersey
Uniball GEL pens. The writing experience has never felt so soothing.
—Elizabeth Shorts, 23, event planner, San Diego
A radio. I need to have music playing while I’m working.
—Bree Kousky, 23, account coordinator, Seal Beach, California
www.experience.com
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calendar
NOVEMBER 2000
Maintain Focus Day
4 Q Remember, your focus
IU determines your reality.
Are you searching for a job?
Searching for an answer?
Whatever your quest may be,
stay focused.
Computer
Security Day
Q n Change your password.
UU Check for viruses. Back
up your data. Save yourself
future headache and heart
break and take care of your
little techno-buddy.
DECEMBER 2000
Reinvigorate Your
Brain by Reading
Something Day
3 As the days grow shorter,
your brain begins to hiber
nate. So start reading and get
your brain in gear. But
remember, billboards and TV
listings don’t count.
Chaos Day
t\4 Amid your seemingly
£m I chaotic life, order does
exist. Know that you are a part
of that order. Your chaos is
more structured than you
might imagine, so embrace it.
JANUARY 2001
Strive & Succeed Day
4 QYou have a dream and the
I Ugumption to make it real.
A raise? A new job? A new life?
Get out there and achieve your
goals.
Haru-No-Yabuiri
4 Q This is the Japanese day of
IU no work for the over
worked. Take off your shoes
and cuddle up with a California
roll and a bowl of miso soup.
—Eric Hurlock
SOURCE: DAILYGLOBE.COM