Stress
DID YOU KNOW...?
Roughly a quarter of the population will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their lives. Research by leading mental health charities suggests that in the majority of cases the underlying cause of such problems is stress! Here are just a few common causes of stress:
- Pressure to perform well
- Money worries
- Relationship problems
- Family conflicts
- Divorce
- Bereavement
- Unemployment
- Moving House
- Marriage
Such causes of stress are often unavoidable - and all too familiar!
WHAT DOES STRESS ACTUALLY DO TO US?
The precise link between stress and illness is a matter of dispute. The symptoms, however, are easily recognised. They may be grouped under two categories - Emotional and Physical:
Emotional symptoms of stress:
- Irritability or anger
- Apathy or depression
- Constant anxiety
- Irrational behaviour
- Loss of appetite
- Comfort eating
- Lack of concentration
- Loss of sex drive
Physical symptoms of stress:
- Tiredness
- Skin irritation or eczema
- Pain from muscle tension, especially in the neck, shoulders and back
- Heart palpitations
- Stomach problems
- Nausea
HOW CAN HYPNOTHERAPY TREAT STRESS?
Hypnotherapy cannot mend a relationship that has broken down beyond repair. It cannot bring a loved one back from the dead nor, on its own, can it get a person out of debt. But hypnotherapy remains one of the most effective ways of treating stress, simply because it is a relaxation therapy. The benefits of hypnotherapy may be divided into two categories: Immediate and Longer-term.
Immediate benefits:
- Hypnotic induction reduces stress in body and mind.
- Hypnosis leads to slower, more relaxed breathing.
- Hypnosis allows the heartbeat to slow down.
- Differential relaxation - tensing then relaxing muscles - reduces tension in the body.
- Physical relaxation leads to mental relaxation.
- Mental relaxation allows all those cares and worries to recede for a while.
- In this state of relaxation the therapist can introduce suggestions to prolong this state of calmness into the hours - or even days - following the session.
Longer-term benefits.
Here we have to look at the broader picture. We have to see whether your present coping strategies are simply making things worse. Does it really help to drink more or smoke more? Is binge eating or binge drinking really the answer?
Hypnotherapy can help to create better coping strategies!
- Setting aside a bit of time each day for relaxation.
- Reducing caffeine intake.
- Quitting smoking.
- Making any necessary changes to diet.
- Reducing alcohol intake.
- Addressing the underlying causes of stress.
- Reviewing any relationship issues.
- Dealing with any work related issues.
- Finding the inner strength to deal with the causes of stress, whatever they may be.
- Setting yourself realistic goals and targets.
- Managing your time more effectively.
- Increasing your confidence.
- Improving your self-esteem.
- Finding your own pathway to a happier, healthier, more relaxed way of being!
ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES.
Sometimes things happen in life which are genuinely beyond our control. But, so very often, the underlying problem is that we feel helpless in the face of circumstances which we only think are beyond our control. Hypnotherapy can show people that they do, in fact, have both the strength and the resources to make any changes which are necessary and to take a different and more positive view of those things which cannot be changed.
Beat stress. Make an appointment soon!
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