Effective Stress Management
There are many ways of dealing with stress. Most stress management techniques work to a degree though they tend to fall into the cognitive category, offering temporary relief. Though it can be effective it tends not to address the underlying problems associated with stress and focuses mostly on its symptoms and not its causes.
Stress In Our Bodies
The negative effects of stress on our bodies is well documented. The stress response was intended as a survival mechanism to react quickly to life-threatening situations, but much of the stress we face day to day is actually not life-threatening.
When the stress response is triggered the body shuts down functions which are deemed non-essential. The body does this to activate the fight, flight or freeze response. When this happens the body diverts the flow of blood to large muscle groups.
The reproductive system, the immune system and the digestive system are all put on hold to save energy. The stress hormones of Adrenaline and Cortisol are released into the bloodstream.
Negative Effects of Stress on The Body
Some of the most damaging side effects of stress are:
- Increased risk of chronic diseases: Chronic stress has been linked to a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This is because stress can increase inflammation, damage DNA, and weaken the immune system, which can all contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
- Mental health problems: Stress can also have a negative impact on mental health, leading to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and burnout. Chronic stress can also contribute to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals who have experienced traumatic events.
- Physical symptoms: Stress can manifest in physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal problems. Chronic stress can also lead to chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Impaired cognitive function: Chronic stress can impair cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making. This can affect performance at work or school, and can also contribute to mental health problems.
- Sleep problems: Stress can interfere with sleep, leading to problems such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Chronic sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on physical and mental health.
Overall, the damaging side effects of stress can be wide-ranging and significant. It is important to manage stress through healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, meditation, and social support, to mitigate these negative effects. If you are experiencing chronic stress or stress-related symptoms, it is important to seek support early.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) & Hypnotherapy for Stress Reduction
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy are two separate therapeutic approaches that can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps people identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior, while hypnotherapy is a technique that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to help clients achieve a state of heightened suggestibility, where they can better access and address subconscious beliefs and emotions.
When used together, CBT and hypnotherapy can be more effective than either approach alone for a few reasons. Firstly, hypnotherapy can help clients enter a relaxed state where they are more open and receptive to the cognitive restructuring and behavioral change techniques used in CBT. This can help them better absorb and integrate the insights gained during CBT sessions.
Secondly, hypnotherapy can help clients access subconscious thoughts, beliefs, and emotions that may be contributing to their mental health challenges. These underlying factors can sometimes be difficult to access through talk therapy alone. By combining CBT with hypnotherapy, therapists can help clients identify and address these underlying issues more effectively.
Finally, hypnotherapy can help clients develop greater self-awareness and self-control, which can be particularly helpful when working to change negative thought patterns or behaviors. By improving clients’ ability to control their thoughts and actions, hypnotherapy can help them better implement the strategies they learn during CBT sessions and maintain their progress over time.
Overall, while CBT and hypnotherapy are effective therapeutic approaches in their own right, combining them can offer a more comprehensive and holistic approach to mental health treatment.
How Hypnotherapy Helps Manage Stress:
Hypnotherapy can be a useful tool for managing stress by helping individuals access the subconscious mind and reframe negative thought patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to stress.
- Relaxation: Hypnotherapy can help clients achieve a state of deep relaxation, which can help reduce stress and tension in the body. By inducing a state of relaxation, clients can also learn to release physical and emotional tension and achieve a greater sense of calm and well-being.
- Identifying and reframing negative thought patterns: Hypnotherapy can help clients identify negative thought patterns that may be contributing to stress, such as negative self-talk or catastrophizing. Once these negative thought patterns are identified, the hypnotherapist can work with the client to reframe these thoughts into more positive and helpful beliefs.
- Developing coping strategies: Hypnotherapy can help clients develop coping strategies to manage stress, such as deep breathing, visualization, and mindfulness techniques. These coping strategies can help clients feel more in control of their stress response and reduce the negative impact of stress on the body and mind.
- Resolving past traumas: Hypnotherapy can help clients address and resolve past traumas that may be contributing to stress. By processing and resolving these past traumas, clients can experience greater emotional stability and resilience, which can help them better cope with stress.
- Improving self-esteem: Hypnotherapy can also help clients develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence, which can contribute to a greater ability to manage stress. By developing a more positive self-image and a greater sense of self-worth, clients can better cope with the challenges of life and stressors that come their way.
Overall, hypnotherapy can be a helpful tool for managing stress by promoting relaxation, identifying and reframing negative thought patterns, developing coping strategies, resolving past traumas, and improving self-esteem. It is important to note that hypnotherapy should only be administered by a licensed and trained therapist.
Hypnotherapy & Counselling for Stress Management
Sessions are offered in-person for those living in Adelaide or Online if preferred. Therapy includes enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy eCBT, Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy helping important messages hit home within the subconscious mind, allowing for positive shifts to take place.
Book A Consultation Today
Sessions are available In-person for Adelaide residents (Payneham, SA) or Online for interstate or international clients.
Please note that every booking will receive a video call link for your convenience, in the event either of us are required to self isolate due to Covid related incidents.
About CBT, Psychotherapy & Hypnotherapy
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT?
CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle.
CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT typically includes these steps:
- Identify troubling situations or conditions in your life. …
- Become aware of your thoughts, emotions and beliefs about these problems. …
- Identify negative or inaccurate thinking. …
- Reshape negative or inaccurate thinking.
The problem with using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a single therapy is that our thoughts and emotional responses to troubling situations are stored within our subconscious mind. This means that we need to access the subconscious mind in order to effect any significant changes to subconscious programming. And it is for this reason that CBT is only one part of the solution.
So how do we gain access to the subconscious mind? This is where hypnosis comes in.
What is Hypnotherapy and how does it work?
Hypnotherapy or hypnosis uses guided relaxation, concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness that is sometimes called a trance state.
Hypnotherapy is not mind control, nor is it a zombie-like state; contrary to how it might appear in the movies and stage hypnosis. In fact, it is just the opposite; you are more in control of your mind by activating your choice to set aside the judgments and sensory reactions of the conscious mind and enter a deeper state of concentration and receptiveness.
It is important to mention that you are in-control, can hear everything that is being suggested AND can bring yourself out of hypnosis at anytime.
For Hypnotherapy to work effectively, your own self-will and eagerness to allow yourself to enter into a comforting state of receptivity with the intention of allowing positive changes to occur in your subconscious mind is essential.
Hypnosis is a state you are guided by your therapist to create for yourself. When you are in the receptive state of hypnosis new suggestions are offered to your subconscious mind. It is important to remember, that these new suggestions should be created collaboratively between you and your therapist.
As it is one of the primary roles of the subconscious mind to protect you, this means that only beneficial suggestions will be accepted. It is comforting to know that we all have this inbuilt safety mechanism within us.
What is Psychotherapy and how does it work?
Psychotherapy recognises the lasting impact of past events that were traumatic for you on some level. The focus of psychotherapy is on compassion, listening and understanding rather than making a diagnosis.
Psychotherapy can be a powerful, life-changing experience which can help you overcome social or emotional challenges, and fulfil your potential.
A well trained psychotherapist can support you to:
- Express your feelings and process them in a safe and supportive relationship.
- Gain deeper insight into the issues you face.
- Talk about things in a confidential environment that you might not feel be able to discuss with anyone else.
- Find better ways to cope with feelings and fears.
- Assist you to make positive changes in the way you think and behave that will improve your mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Improve relationships in your life, including with yourself.
- Make sense of any clinical diagnoses you have had by understanding what has happened to you.
- Heal from trauma.
- Learn to communicate better and tolerate differences in yourself and others.
Psychotherapy can help you with:
- Anxiety and panic attacks.
- Feelings of overwhelm like you can’t cope.
- Dealing with stress or recovering from stressful situations.
- Lack of confidence low self-esteem and lack of self-worth.
- Coping with the effects of abuse, trauma and PTSD.
- Depression and sadness, loneliness, regret, grief or emptiness.
- Anger management and extreme mood swings.
- Difficulty making or sustaining relationships, or repeatedly becoming involved in unsatisfying or destructive relationships.
- Sexual problems.
- Difficulties coming to terms with losses such as bereavement, divorce, unemployment or feeling a lack of purpose or direction in life.
- Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.
- Self-harm behaviours such as cutting, burning, biting or scratching the skin, pulling out hair, hitting oneself, or repeatedly putting oneself in dangerous situations.
- Obsessive and compulsive behaviour OCD
- Fears and phobias such as:
- Acrophobia: fear of heights.
- Pteromerhanophobia: fear of flying.
Claustrophobia: fear of enclosed spaces. - Entomophobia: fear of insects.
- Ophidiophobia: fear of snakes.
- Cynophobia: fear of dogs.
- Astraphobia: fear of storms.
- Trypanophobia: fear of needles.