We have all been awed by the rescue of the twelve Thai boys from a cave in Chiang Rai in Northern Ireland. This is a truly wonderful story, tinged with sadness due to the death of a Thai diver in the course of the rescue attempt.

Seeing them in their hospital beds looking well and happy and talking about their favourite foods is a delight, it’s something which seemed impossible a week ago.

The boys still have to recover their strength and adjust to normal life again after such a traumatic ordeal. However I was interested to read that their coach had trained as a monk and kept the boys going by meditating with them as well as helping them to visualise being rescued, seeing their families once again and remaining strong.

These techniques are very similar to hypnotherapy as in essence what happens in a session is that the body and mind are encouraged to relax (similar to meditation) then to focus the mind on what the person really wants to achieve, imagining what this will feel, look and sound like.

It’s not rocket science but these sorts of techniques can be incredibly powerful in encouraging a positive mindset which was what the Thai footballers needed to keep them strong.

Best wishes,
Wendy x