Stress

Work Stress Stress is part of the human make up. It has always been there since we first walked the Earth. Stress can be good for us in some situations. It can give us the enthusiasm to achieve, to be active, to compete. When we suffer from the negative kind though, it can makes us very ill.

Stress in a nutshell

Today modern life is a lot different from the way our forefathers lived. We might have more money, time off from work, etc. but the fact is we have too many things happening at once to allow ourselves to truly relax. We take our work home with us, the mobile phone and email were supposed to make our life easier, but now we are slaves to them, always contactable. Family life too has become more hectic as the availability of modern technology, travel, and activities create stress as we try to cram in more and more. If all this sounds familiar then stop and consider what stress really is..

"The effect that occurs when demands exceed the ability of an individual to fulfil them"

stressed out It's really that simple, an overload of your capability. When you are an independent observer of someone suffering day to day stress it is often easy to spot. For the sufferer though they do not even realise a lot of the time that they are in a stressful situation until it overcomes them.

Some common indications of stress are...

> Dizziness

> Increased heart rate or palpitations

> Fatigue

> Shortness of breath

> Muscle tension

> Numbness

> Chest pains

> Acute indigestion

> Tremors

> Dry throat and swallowing difficulties

> Difficulty in concentrating and short term memory loss

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy for Stress Relief

Hypnotherapy as a complimentary treatment often has no equal when it comes to relief from stress. By entering a relaxed state of mind in hypnosis the mind learns a new "feeling" and can enjoy the alternative to the frequent tense state often felt in the stressed individual.

The use of guided imagery and other therapeutic techniques can greatly help the individual return to a life of balanced stress. Learning to identify and deal with stressful demands is also part of the process.

Hypnosis brings about a calm within the mind and physiological changes in the body in a number of ways...

> Slower breathing

> Blood pressure drops to more normal levels

> Pulse rate slows

> A deep sense of inner calmness

> Increased ability to use your imagination

> Awareness of your real feelings

> Regaining the good part of your life that disappeared with stress

A simple relaxation exercise

Try this simple technique. Sit or lie down and make yourself comfortable with no disturbing sounds or distractions. Put on some low gentle sounding music if you wish. You need to teach yourself to breathe from your diaphragm or tummy area. This technique is wonderful for calming the body. It is commonly know as 7/11 breathing, and is very popular for anxiety and panic attack treatment.

Begin by consciously breathing a little bit slower. It will seem odd at first but within a few seconds you will notice a more relaxed breathing pattern. Now take a slow deep breath counting as you do so that it takes 7 seconds to fully inhale. Let the breath out slower and try to make it last for 11 seconds. Once you become accustomed to it you can almost imagine that you are breathing in a circle. Continue this technique for as long as you feel comfortable. The effect of relaxing the body also reduces the stress producing hormones.

Self Hypnosis

Self-hypnosis can have a dramatic effect on your life too. A good hypnotherapist will teach self-hypnosis to a client to empower them with a means to deal with stress and promote well-being. The technique is similar to the exercise above but with imagery and increased sensory perception. This further focuses and strengthens the mind allowing it to deal effectively with the stress triggers.

IBS sufferers in particular can help alleviate the condition through stress relief by hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis. More

You may also like to consider a course of Reiki for reduction in stress levels. Reiki is a wonderful way to relax and rejuvenate the Body, Mind and Spirit. Artt therapy offers a course of Reiki treatment or as a combination with hypnotherapy for maximum benefit.

NOTE:

Hypnotherapy and Reiki are excellent complementary treatments for stress, however you should consult your GP if you believe you have been suffering stress for a long period of time. Stress can cause or exacerbate medical conditions.