The new self-help path to eternal happiness

When it comes to a new pill, herbal cure, vitamin supplement, slimming shake, body-toning aid or hair loss cure, I am the manufacturer's dream.

Anything that I can take three times a day after meals to improve my memory, or spray up my nose to prevent colds I'll give it a go.

So if a gadget comes along that claims to “spring clean” my mind, well, hand me the mop and duster.

Well not exactly, because this new, miracle, can’t-live-without survival tool comes in the form of a rubber band worn round the wrist.

Manufacturers of the “Snapaband” promise just slipping on the innocuous looking green bracelet will free your mind of thoughts such as “I’ve got too much to do”, “I’m too fat”, and other “mind chatter”.

This is the best news I’ve had all month. I have nothing but these thoughts, I rejoiced at the prospect of  swapping the angst-filled tempest which rages through my head with a  tranquil sea of serenity - hoorah.

Believe me I’ve tried to reach this personal Nirvana through more means known to man, beast or the Dalai Lama.

I have “stopped worrying and started living” - for the time it took me to put the book down before I started worrying again.

I have felt the fear and done it anyway – only to end up scared and in a state of panic, wishing I had't done it.

I have drifted off to sleep with Paul McKenna in one ear and self-help queen Louise Hay in the other telling me the world loves me and I deserve to be happy - only to wake up bloody miserable.

You name it, I have read it, watched it, bought into it and almost paid to have it hypnotised into me by a sari-wearing Guru in the back streets of Golders Green.

So when this little beauty was handed to me by a colleague, who feeds me a constant supply of new remedies and health elixirs, I snapped it on quicker than you can say “I am beautiful and I am loved”.

Now, the secret is I have to recognise my negative thoughts, shouldn’t be difficult I am awake after all, then pull the band and allow it to snap back sharply against my wrist.

This, I am told, will stop these mischievous mind gremlins in their tracks and allow the flow of positive thoughts thus instantly improving my self-esteem, career and health.

Brilliant – all three areas are in desperate need of a workout.

The firm says constant negative thoughts  become beliefs and eventually mould your life around them,  on a serious note I do actually believe this.

Founder  Paul Stonehouse said: “Many of my clients find they are stuck in habitual ways of thinking about situations or relationships which can make it very difficult for them to be at their best.

“Snapaband offers them a simple and effective method of making those changes.”

The band comes with a little book of instructions and a cardboard carrier like a glasses case.

They are not cheap at £8.50 plus VAT (I know what your thinking) and come in a variety of colours – mine is green.

I do tend to lap up anything that promises it is going to change my life for the better, fill me with confidence and allow my every wish to become a reality but there is usually a little more effort needed than the manufacturers let on.

But, I am going to approach this as I have all my self-help missions,  with an open mind and with the full belief my life is about to dramatically change for the better.

Watch this space for my progress.

It’s time to banish the evil negative thoughts holding me back and making me doubt myself at every turn, oops, there I go again....hold on.....SNAP.