Feeling in control is not a familiar state of being for most people with IBS. Even when we actively work towards improving our gut health, say with a low FODMAP diet or probiotics, the possibility of random flare-ups and unpredictable symptoms is always lurking, in our minds and guts.
So for this reason, I was drawn to the theme of this session and the idea of taking back some degree of control, however briefly it may last.
Ad: This post includes references to a gifted service I received in return for my feedback and an honest review. Edit Nov 2021: Some of my latest posts and videos are kindly sponsored by Nerva. Edit May 2024: Nerva has just launched an affiliate program. I may now receive a small affiliate commission on all qualifying purchases through my links. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jump to:
Before we get into my week 4 review, If you haven't yet explored the other themes and weekly reviews I've been sharing, as I work through the Nerva 6-week gut-directed hypnotherapy program for IBS, then I recommend you start with those;
- Introduction to gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS
- Week 1 ~ Mind-gut medicine
- Week 2 ~ Inner river
- Week 3 ~ Comforting hands
This week we're talking about taking back control. I chat about pre-holiday anxiety, switching up the timing of my sessions and no-brainer money-back guarantees, let's get into it.
Taking Back Control
The theme we're focusing on this week is adjusting your dials. We are immersed straight into the scene of a control room, with multiple buttons and dials. Each one is capable of controlling our bodily functions and our sensitivity to how we experience these inner workings and signals.
Although this is not an environment I'm at all familiar with, I enjoyed the setting and the metaphors of controlling the intensity of my IBS symptoms with the flick of a switch. Something about the idea of being able to take matters into my own hands resonated with me. I'm pretty confident that this is a visualisation I'll keep returning to in the future. I feel like this idea could help with everything from period pain to anxiety.
I genuinely feel as though working through the Nerva app up to this point has helped me to take back some degree of control. This particularly applies to the niggling symptoms that have remained with me throughout the low FODMAP diet and into my personalised phase. I've always known that stress played a huge part in my symptoms. Because of this, the idea of mentally dialling down my sensitivity really works for me.
As with the pharmacy setting of session one, I much prefer the opening scene to establish the concept of the theme from the outset. I felt that this session was much more effective for me than the previous couple. I managed to find my groove much quicker in terms of picturing my surroundings. In turn, this seems to help my brain to quieten and focus more quickly and easily as I relax into the session.
One thing I especially liked was the freedom to play around with the visuals. You can conjure up anything from a sleek, modern, soundboard to a post-war bunker. All the while, still honouring the basic act of controlling and interacting with the scene before you. Mine was a cross between the psychedelic outtakes from Space Oddity and a late 90's ultraviolet DJ booth, but let's not get into my questionable life choices!
If you've tried the app I'd love to hear in the comments below if you created a modern or retro safe space for yourself in your mind's eye.
This Week Surprised Me
I fully expected this to be a challenging week as I prepared for our upcoming holiday. Wrapping up work projects, packing, excitement and pre-travel jitters usually play havoc with my sleep and stress levels. Combine this with a week of make-do eating, as we clear out the leftovers from the fridge, and I can all but guarantee a few poorly timed flare-ups.
Thanks to the Nerva app, this week was different. I pretty much sailed through, ticking off my to-do list and winding down ready for a relaxing week with family. Despite eating ALL the bread and having a mini-meltdown after discovering a kitchen weevil infestation (Bleurgh!). I felt that the usual range of symptoms that I'd expect to be feeling never really came. Other than a few more foul farts (better out than in) some mild bloating and cramping I made it through the week unscathed.
In addition to the usual pre-holiday stress, I was also dealing with the possibility of the everchanging quarantine laws and guidelines potentially playing havoc with our plans. Although this didn't happen, just having this unknown entity looming over us would generally be enough to tip my IBS over the edge. Thankfully, neither my gut nor the government interfered. By Saturday of this week, we were on our merry way 'daaarn saarf', to the Somerset/Devon border.
I'd intended to listen to the app whilst travelling, as a passenger, not the driver obvs. Unfortunately, in a silly packing frenzy, I'd put my headphones away out of reach. By the time we arrived at our destination, unpacked, and chilled out with family, the night was getting on.
This meant that it was the first time I'd ended up listening to the app right before bed. I was a little bit worried it would leave me feeling a bit too buzzy for sleep. There was also a possibility that I'd fall asleep during the session but neither of these happened. Eventually, I listened to the full audio at 10.30 pm, the latest session I'd had so far. I was lying comfortably in bed and then went straight into a blissful sleep once it had finished.
The following morning I listened to the app shortly after waking at around 6.45 am. I didn't notice any adverse effects to drastically changing the timings of my sessions. It also didn't seem to matter that I'd listened to them twice within an 8-hour window.
No Brainer Money-Back Guarantee
One of the most significant things about this week is that we've reached the turning point of the typically elusive "money-back guarantee".
I don't know about you but my inbox is bombarded daily with all manner of special offers, must-haves and FOMO finds. All boast a free trial and a watertight money-back guarantee. Usually, on closer inspection, they end up in the trash as I see right through their meaningless sales pitch.
Now that I've reached the four-week mark in the Nerva app I can say with absolute certainty that the money-back guarantee that they offer really is a no-brainer. With full access to four out of six weeks of the program, you'll be more than confident that it's working for you before you need to make your informed decision as to whether or not to claim your cash or continue.
Not only is this something that doesn't genuinely happen in the world of money-back guarantees, but it's also something that would NEVER occur when visiting a medical professional, dietitian, hypnotherapist or taking expensive medication for ANY reason.
Just think about how much time and money you've already spent, or may potentially spend, in your search for wellness:
- Private appointments with medical specialists
- Parking, petrol, travel, unpaid time off work, childcare expenses incurred to attend in-person appointments
- Medication and medical procedures
- Supplements, teas, probiotics, fibre, enemas, etc
- Specialist food products
- Apps and books
- Research, reading, planning and prepping
Now tell me honestly, how many of those have worked as expected or offered you a full refund in lieu of effective results? I'm willing to bet not many. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that gut-directed hypnotherapy is a standalone replacement for any of those things. However, if you're already invested in tackling your IBS, and you can afford it, then it really can't hurt to try.
I noticed improvements in the frequency and consistency of my bowel movements within the first few weeks of beginning the sessions. Without a doubt, I'm certain you'll know by this stage of the program if it's right for you.
The only thing you need to be aware of is that the money-back guarantee is only valid for payment through the Nerva website. Nerva does not offer it on in-app purchases or upgrades. They do make this clear on their site but I'm not sure how obvious it is when upgrading via the app. If you're at all unsure follow my step-by-step sequence below to get 10% off and you can't go far wrong.
Ground control to Major Tum… Over and out.
Nerva Audio Clip
Listen to a short clip from session 4 to get a feel for the Nerva IBS program.
Please note: You will not be hypnotised by listening to this brief clip. This audio has been abridged to give you a general feel for the narrator, tone and pace of what to expect from the Nerva app.
Visual Inspiration Gallery
To help get you in the mood and stimulate your creativity I've gathered together some images that might be helpful for you for this session. These are just a starting point and are an expression of what comes to my mind as I listen to adjusting your dials. You are encouraged throughout the sessions to explore and visualise whatever you like, in your own unique way.
Photo source via Unsplash
Credits: 1: Patryk Grądys, 2: Katya Austin, 3: Gabriel Küenzi, 4: Alen Rojnic, 5: Thomas Kelly 6: Alex Brisbey, 7: Max, 8: Bank Phrom, 9: Joseph Pearson, 10: Jonathan Hanna, 11: James Owen, 12: K8, 13: Romina Veliz, 14: Tim Arterbury, 15: Peter Palmer, 16: Leo Wieling, 17: Dylan McLeod, 18: Nick Nice, 19:Sergey Svechnikov, 20: Grooveland Designs
10% Discount Off Nerva App
If you like what you've heard so far and you're keen to try out Nerva for yourself then you'll be pleased to hear I've managed to organise a little discount for you. But just before you go ahead and invest in the app for yourself I think it's only fair to tell you that I've been gifted free, full access to the Nerva app by their community manager.
This access is in return for honest feedback about the product and a review. That's it, no B*S, no funny business, no scripts, no specified number of posts in strategic places. Just an introduction to a potentially life-changing treatment for IBS and an honest account of my experience.
Edit: As of Nov 2021 I have worked on paid sponsored posts like this one in partnership with Nerva. I know some people can feel a bit icky about these things so I just want to tell it like it is.
Please make sure you pay attention to the sales process below BEFORE you use this affiliate link to claim your 10% discount.
- When you click the discount link you'll see a welcome page. You'll then be guided through several multiple-choice pages like the ones you see below. Don't worry it only takes a few minutes, there are multiple-choice questions interspersed with short advice pages. This section is designed to assess your IBS symptoms and see if gut-directed hypnotherapy is right for you. Be as honest as you can. I don't think there are any wrong answers here but I've not purposely tried to test the system. It's possible that, as with a low FODMAP diet, the program may not be suitable for everyone.
2. At the end of the assessment, you'll be shown a summary of your answers and asked to enter your email. This next bit is VERY IMPORTANT. Once you've entered your email address continue to be guided through the flow. Click on the buttons at the bottom of each page, until you reach the sales page. Do not click directly through to the sales page from the email you receive from Nerva. Doing this may take you to the full price sales page. Depending on the current pricing of the app you will be directed to either the 10% discount (which clearly shows the usual price and the discount you've received) or the current sales price, whichever is the lowest. If you're not sure you're seeing the lowest price available please contact Nerva before proceeding with your purchase.
3. This process also works if you've previously signed up for an assessment. You may have given your email and created an account but not gone on to purchase the app. You just need to click the, "I already have a profile" link at the beginning of the workflow. If you completed the Q&A's before then you'll just see the last few screens before being taken to the discounted sales page.
4. Another crucial thing to point out is that the 4-week money-back guarantee is only valid if you purchase through the sales flow I describe. This is done directly from your phone, tablet or pc on the Nerva website and not via the app store. It's possible to download the free 7 day trial of the Nerva app directly from the app store and upgrade to full access within the app without ever having visited the Nerva website. Unfortunately, if you do it this way, you won't get the discount. You also won't be able to claim the money-back guarantee if you decide the program is not right for you. This detail is not specific to using the discount code, it always applies to the sales process. Nerva blames this on the way that in-app purchases are controlled by the app stores. Don't say I didn't warn you.
5. At the moment I haven't been given a cut off date for sharing the discount. I'm only mentioning this because if it's the first time you've heard about the app then you're probably not ready to get your money out just yet. Over the coming weeks, I'll be sharing my thoughts, insights, experience and sneak peeks into the app. At this point, I think it's safe to tell you that you can follow along, learn more about the app and not risk missing out on the discount. If this changes I'll update this post and let you know asap pinky promise.
For all the official information about the Nerva app head over to Mindset Health. The team at Mindset Health continue to improve and update the app based on user feedback. This means that changes may occur to the program over time. Some aspects may differ from my experience and may no longer be as described.
Stay tuned over the coming weeks as I delve deeper into the app. I'll update you on my weekly progress and share my thoughts and sneak-peeks into each session of the program.
Michelle xoxo
Sponsored Post Declaration
Ad: This post includes references to a gifted service I received in return for my feedback and an honest review. Edit Nov 2021: Some links to my latest posts and videos are kindly sponsored by Nerva. Qualifying purchases made through my affiliate links may result in me receiving financial compensation. I appreciate your choosing to purchase through my links and support the work that I do in this way.
Sincerest thanks to the team at Nerva for allowing me to share my honest thoughts without attempting to interfere with the content.
Reviews are based on my experience of the app in Sept 2020. The program, sessions, app structure and pricing are subject to change at any time without notice and may not be as described here. Please see the official Nerva website for the most up to date information and pricing.
Comments
No Comments