Do you suffer from stress overload? Find it hard to relax and unwind? Do you get overly anxious?
Then perhaps it’s time to learn how to manage stress – or get rid of it altogether – and to understand your anxiety so that you can control those waves without drowning.
In primitive times, people relied on the instinctive “fight or flight” response to real or perceived attack or threat for their very survival. When this is triggered, a specific sequence occurs which releases adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream, a response that originates in the hypothalamus area of the brain. Various physical changes occur in the “fight or flight” process: the breathing rate increases; blood is redirected to limbs and muscles; and our senses are heightened. Both physically and psychologically the body prepares to flee from danger or fight for its life.
When wild animals threatened cavemen, it was an invaluable device. But in today’s world, the same “fight 
or flight” reaction is triggered by stress: impossible demands and deadlines; frustrations caused by traffic jams or airline delays; and the general pressures of day-to-day living. While short bursts of adrenaline are good for the body, the prolonged release that our modern-day life causes is detrimental to our wellbeing.
The heightened senses mean that we may over-react to comments or situations, mis-reading signals or information. Our unconscious goal is short-term survival, “fire fighting” as we go. And when we can’t fight the fire any more, we burn out.
Stress affects people in different ways, from circulatory and cardio-vascular problems to a breakdown of the immune system; from chronic fatigue to pain in joints and muscles. Stress-related illness is on the rise as the pressure to perform and succeed becomes part of daily life.
The hypothalamus, the gland that produces the “fight or flight” response, also produces the relaxation response. Self-hypnosis is a very effective way of accessing that relaxation response which helps you to manage stress and induce the many benefits that come from that deep state of relaxation.
So relax, take a deep breath – it can all be under control!
Give me a call on 01444 459 433 or 07597 020 512 or complete the email form on the website.
I live in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, and I work from Vinings Natural Health Centre, also in Haywards Heath.
I look forward to hearing from you!