Hypnosis for stress
Stress, also known as exhaustion syndrome, must be taken seriously. It is estimated that around 1,400 Danes die annually from stress. The WHO warns that by 2020, stress will become the leading cause of illness.
Sleep problems, physical fatigue, memory issues, unexplained sadness, dizziness, irritability, decreased libido, and increased consumption of stimulants like coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, and sugar can all be signs that the brain has been overworked for too long.
You may have been exposed to too many demands, too much work, too many thoughts, too much worrying, or personal problems, among other things.
A series of bodily reactions to prolonged stress eventually leads the adrenal glands to produce the stress hormone cortisol, which is sent back to the brain via the bloodstream. This process can contribute to brain toxicity, leading to symptoms of chronic stress.
Your body tries to communicate with you by sending signals that an overload is occurring. It is important to listen. The problem with people who have lived with stress for a long time is that they often stop listening to these signals, making the situation even worse.
In a stressful life, everything can feel overwhelming. Having a job can be stressful. Not having a job can be stressful. Being at work can be stressful, and taking time off can also be stressful.
It is crucial to change the way you handle things and learn to take care of yourself.
But first and foremost, give your body the chance to recover.
In a short time there will be a video here where I explain about stress
Through hypnosis, we uncover the root causes, clear out your emotional baggage, and provide you with tools to manage and overcome stress.
You can receive hypnosis for stress at my clinic, centrally located in Copenhagen.
READ MORE ABOUT STRESS
Hypnosis and Stress
We have all experienced stress at some point in our lives. It can be caused by our professional or personal lives and is handled differently from person to person. What one person may find very stressful, another may see as highly motivating. Problems arise when individuals perceive themselves as unable to cope with the level of stress they are facing. This can then affect both their mental and physical health.
What is stress?
Short-term stress is a natural state and is the body’s way of protecting and defending itself. Stress enables us to perform at our best.
However, a prolonged state of stress, where the body remains on high alert, can be detrimental to health. With stress, one may experience feelings such as anger, a short temper,
discouragement, sadness, frequent crying, headaches, insomnia, restlessness, and high blood pressure.
Causes of stress.
The brain cannot distinguish between real and imaginary stress; therefore, in some cases, stress can be caused by what we believe will happen rather than what actually will happen. Here are some common causes of stress:
– Major life changes
– Stressful work environments
– Constant worries
– Too little happening in one’s life
– Too much happening in one’s life
– Feeling a lack of control
– Too much responsibility
– Financial concerns
There might be a single cause for your stress, but it can also arise from a series of small challenges that have accumulated over time. This can make it harder to identify the true underlying cause. People perceive the same situation differently depending on various factors:
– Personal experiences and available resources
– Level of self-confidence and self-esteem
– Sense of resilience and emotional strength
All these factors influence whether a situation is perceived as stressful or merely challenging.
For example, some people find public speaking fun and enjoyable, while others fear the feeling of being the center of attention and show signs of stress.
The autonomic nervous system.
Stress is a psychophysiological reaction triggered in our nervous system when we experience strain, and it puts pressure on the nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system manages bodily functions that we cannot consciously control.
The autonomic nervous system is made up of two subsystems: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system controls our state of alertness and prepares us for action. It regulates the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline.
In demanding situations, your body releases “fight or flight” chemicals to prepare for a potential emergency. Noradrenaline and adrenaline increase your blood pressure, intensify sweating, and raise your heart rate. These chemicals also affect how your digestion and stomach function, as well as the blood flow to your skin.
Cortisol releases sugar and fat into your bloodstream, but it also suppresses the efficiency of your immune system. These bodily changes make it easier for you to either flee or fight. However, if this response occurs continuously, it can harm your health.
The parasympathetic nervous system.
The parasympathetic nervous system is active when we are at rest, eating, sleeping, meditating, or recovering. When the parasympathetic system is engaged, the heart rate slows down, breathing becomes deeper, and blood pressure drops.
Our ability to think creatively and solve complex problems also improves during this state.
Treatments
Multiple approaches are necessary when it comes to stress treatment.
It’s important to lower the stress level in the body to shift out of the “fight-or-flight” state. Hypnosis is a highly effective tool for establishing and restoring calm in the body, which is one of the first steps in stress treatment.
Following this, there is usually work to be done regarding how the stressed individual handles and perceives problems and challenges.
Stress is often accompanied by a flood of thoughts, meaning that the focus tends to be in the mind rather than the body. It’s crucial to work on shifting this focus. There may also be an excessive need for control, along with an increased focus on “doing” rather than “being.”
Hypnotherapy helps identify the root causes of behaviors that contribute to a stressed state.
Stress is a dangerous condition that negatively impacts both the body and mind.
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are effective tools for addressing the underlying causes of stress. They act as a form of first aid for stress relief.
Emotional changes.
There are a range of emotions you might experience when you find yourself in a demanding situation. These include frustration, fear, anger, depression, and anxiety. The unfortunate aspect of these emotions is that they can amplify each other, potentially leading to physical symptoms. Extreme anxiety, which can be triggered by stress, may cause headaches, heart palpitations, and dizziness. These symptoms, in turn, can make you feel even more stressed.
Behavioral changes
When you become stressed, your behavior may change. For instance, you might become indecisive, defensive, or withdrawn. Sleep problems are also common. It is typical to have a “short fuse” because the entire system is in a state of heightened alertness, making it easy to slip into physical or verbal aggression.
Talking about stress is crucial. In Denmark, 430,000 people—about 10-12% of the population—experience symptoms of severe stress.
Around 300,000 Danes suffer from chronic stress,
and every day, 35,000 people are on sick leave due to stress. Stress-related issues result in approximately 1,400 deaths annually. The economic cost to society is significant, with an estimated 14 billion DKK spent each year on sick leave and healthcare expenses due to stress. (source: Stressforeningen.dk)
INNER AND EXTERNAL VALUES - TIPS FOR HANDLING STRESS
Inner and outer values.
Many Danes are on sick leave every day due to stress, which is costly for both the individual and society.
When experiencing stress, it’s the right time to reassess your values.
What is truly important in life? How important is your job? How important is your health? How do close, personal aspects compare to external ones?
Ask yourself these questions and pay attention to which part of you is answering. The stressed part (the “engine”) typically prioritizes work above all else, viewing everything through a work-related lens.
Are you in the right workplace? While stress is internally generated, it can also be significantly influenced by a poor work environment or a boss who expects you to be available around the clock.
You might find that you thrive best in calm surroundings, being most creative and productive there, yet you work in an open office with constant noise and distractions.
Being unemployed, with all the worries and thoughts it brings, can be just as stressful as being employed.
At this moment, it might be hard to see any alternatives to continuing with your current actions and approach. You know it’s unhealthy and counterproductive, but you feel trapped in the cycle of stress.
You need help shifting your focus.
Hypnosis can help you break out of this hamster wheel, providing a sort of reset that allows you to deeply reconnect with your inner calm.
TIPS FOR HANDLING STRESS.
Set realistic goals and lower your ambitions.
It’s important to celebrate what you accomplish rather than criticize yourself for what you haven’t achieved.
As anthropologist Susanne Ekman said:
“People want to be a super career star during work hours and a Buddhist in their free time. A more realistic approach is to scale back a bit on both ends, but it’s hard because then you don’t get to be fabulous all the time.”
Prepare yourself as best as possible for stressful situations.
Create an overview and be realistic when planning. Prioritize your tasks and leave room for unexpected events.
Focus on one thing at a time.
View changes as positive opportunities rather than threats.
Don’t worry about things you can’t control.
Maintain a balanced diet.
Exercise regularly.
Aim for6-8 hours of sleep per night.
Seek support from your surroundings—family, friends, and professionals, including hypnotherapists.
WATCH A SHORT FILM ABOUT TRAUMA IN THE BRAIN (STRESS) - in Danish
during stressful/traumatic events.
