We live in a society where great demands and responsibilities are placed on us. Today, about one in seven people are suffering from stress or anxiety at any one time in the UK. And while some people manage, more and more people are showing signs of over-anxiety, which leads to stress, which can make a significant impact on the quality of life and well being.
You may be one of those people but are now ready to explore ways of freeing yourself from anxiety and living a fulfilled and happy life, free to do things that bring you joy,
Anxiety and stress can manifest itself differently for everyone but common physical signs of anxiety or stress are:
- Racing heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Dry mouth
- Butterflies in stomach
- Nausea
- Urge to pass urine/empty bowels
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Panic attacks
- Insomnia
Common psychological signs of stress and anxiety are:
- Inner tension
- Agitation
- Fear of losing control
- Irrational dread that something catastrophic is going to happen (such as blackout, seizure, heart attack or death)
- Irritability
- Feelings of detachment
- Phobias and fears
It could be an event that is causing your anxiety, such as:
- Exams
- Interviews
- Speeches and presentations for work or occasions
- Flying
- Sports competitions
Anxiety can also manifest itself in different worries; it may be fear of being around other people, it may be anxiety in specific social situations, anxiety in your relationships with particular people at home, at school or at work.
Anxiety is a fear or concern that is exaggerated, and is out of proportion to the situation, although sometimes it may not feel like this. The symptoms of anxiety correlate with the stress response or “fight-or-flight”. This is primal response that protects you against threats in your environment, so if danger is present your body triggers a rush of blood to your arms and legs so that you can fight or run away. It is an adrenaline response that causes your heart to beat faster, pumping oxygen around your body to those parts that need it to protect you. You may feel as if you are on high alert as well, unable to calm down or relax, your mind may race unable to focus or quieten down.
It is a normal part of the human protection system to experience this fight-or-flight response, but only when there is real and present danger. To experience prolonged flight-or-flight creates feelings of anxiety. It is often rooted in a previous experience that triggered fear or in a general anxiety and worry about your situation at home or at work. There can also be anxiety without knowing what is causing it, a general feeling of anxiety known as “free floating” anxiety.
So why is it important to reduce anxiety in your life? What difference will it make to you? Research shows that prolonged exposure to cortisol and other stress related hormones can cause:
- Memory problems
- Weakened immune system
- Weaker bones
- Increased blood pressure
How can hypnotherapy help?
I will first assess your level of anxiety, look at the root cause of stress or anxiety i.e. whether it is a situation, a physical issue, a past experience or a relationship.
Then we will set a goal for how you wish to feel, how you would like to be, and things that you would chose to do in your life if you were free of anxiety. I will then work with you to reach your goals using a range of different techniques. No matter what people see me for, almost everyone has stress issues, which I work on so they become better equipped to handle normal day to day activities.
After each session you will feel more confident and more relaxed in situations that have previously challenged you. People will notice that you look different, more confident and your physiology will have changed due to the new way of thinking. Many people say that they are calmer and that they have more clarity of thought – able to make decisions more easily.
People who have experienced side effects of anxiety such as insomnia, find that they are sleeping much better and as a result are able to work more effectively.
Hypnotherapy unlocks the potential you have to break free of negative thought patterns, and to react more positively and more confidently to situations in your life that may have previously made you anxious.