How can you protect yourself against Stress and Anxiety?
One of the biggest killers today is Stress – unresolved stress – the kind of stress that goes on and on with a feeling of being unable to cope and can result in high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, ulcers and cancers.
We all have a pretty good idea what causes stress. In the daily hurly-burly of life there are many things that can frustrate and worry us. Work load, commuting, relationship problems, money worries, world events and the negative news constantly being pumped at us on TV, can all make us anxious, sad, depressed and even fearful. If we take these things to heart, they can result in stomach pains, elevated heart rate, sweating, broken sleep and the urge to try and find some comfort by excessive eating, drinking or smoking.
The effect on our bodies is to increase the production of the stress hormones, cortisol, cortisone and adrenaline. We become even more anxious, jittery, worried and don’t know which way to turn.
Hypnotherapy will show you how to deal with stress, how to eliminate serious stress-producing situations and how to use “normal” mild stress as a stimulus to help you achieve your goals safely and serenely. Relaxation and meditation techniques will ease away stress and replace it with feelings of energy and well-being.
Rest and recuperation are very necessary for both body and mind. A “power nap” after lunch or 20 minutes meditation can revitalize you for the rest of the day. Just getting out of your workplace for 10 minutes in the fresh air during the day will help to rid you of stress. Listening to soothing music will relax you and ease away the tensions of the day. Soaking in a hot bath in an evening works wonders for tired bodies and getting a good night’s sleep will restore your body to full vitality for the next day.
Nutrition is important also. Feed your body correctly with the right nutrients, natural supplements, herbs and organic foods and these will effectively strengthen your brain and protect you against mental wear and tear.
However, if you are not yet ready or in a position to take advantage of hypnotherapy treatment, what else can you do in the meantime, in addition to the recommendations above, to ease your stress and bring a state of calm and peace into your life?
The following is a perfect relaxation technique designed to manage stress and bring about an immediate state of calm.
First of all sit in a comfortable chair and relax. Don’t slouch, just sit upright with your back against the chair.
Cover your eyes with the palms of your hands and take 3 or 4 long slow breaths in and out. Close your eyes and lower your hands to rest in your lap or on your thighs.
Now with your mouth closed breath in through your nose to a slow count of 1-2-3-4-5.
Feel your stomach and chest rise as you breath in, but don’t strain to fill your lungs.
Pause for just a second and then slowly breath-out through your nose to another slow count from 1 to 5. Repeat this deep breathing for as long as is comfortable, keeping your eyes closed and simply following the way your breath flows in and out through your nose.
Don’t think of anything, don’t think of nothing. Some thoughts will flit through your mind, just observe them and let them go. Concentrate on your breath and in a very short time you will feel a sensation of calmness and peace. Your heartbeat will gently slow down a little. Your muscles will relax and your nerves will be soothed. There will be sounds around you and thoughts passing through your mind, but just ignore them and bring your concentration back to your nose and your breath. After five or ten minutes bring your focus back to you state of being and feelings. Notice how your inner-being has calmed down, notice the stillness in your body and notice how your breathing has moderated. You are now in a state of calm relaxation. When you are ready, count from 5 to 1 and open your eyes
What you have done is introduce yourself to the centuries-old practice of Meditation. This breathing meditation is called Vipassana and was developed by Buddhist monks hundreds of years ago. It works just as well today in calming the stressed mind.
The more you practice this technique the more your body will respond and you will develop a new pattern for dealing with stress and anxiety in your day to day life. Before long you will have a calm resilience and a happier attitude, improved physical well-being and better breathing patterns. You can teach this technique to anyone, including your children, to instil positive calm and stress relief.
If you are suffering stress and anxiety now, find out more about hypnotherapy for stress and anxiety attacks and receive your FREE 15 minute consultation with Roland. You will be amazed at the difference hypnosis will make to your life!