Anxiety is a perfectly normal physical response to unfamiliar, stressful, or dangerous events and we all feel anxious at some point throughout our lives.
Anxiety can help us to be alert and responsive to situations, but if those feelings become more frequent and intrude into your everyday life then you made need to seek professional support.
There are different anxiety related disorders such as:
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Post-Traumatic Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic Disorder
These disorders can originate from specific events or develop over time, but anxiety disorders occur when you suffer significant distress which can affect your ability to function in some or all areas of your life.
How can hypnotherapy help with anxiety?
- Hypnotherapy can help you to relax your mind and body. If you suffer with anxiety, it may be difficult to relax day to day, but many people find it easier to let go and recharge during a hypnosis session.
- Hypnosis is like the REM sleep we experience when we go to sleep. If you are having difficulty sleeping or your sleep is interrupted, you may not get much of this kind of sleep. During hypnosis you can process and file information so you can think more clearly.
- If you are feeling incredibly stressed anxiety can increase too. By lowering stress, you can lower your anxiety levels. Hypnotherapy can support good sleeping habits, lower blood pressure as your breathing becomes deeper and more regulated and allow you to release tension from the body.
- Our brain is designed to look for dangers and negative situations. This is because our brain is designed to keep us alive and by noticing threats it does just that. Because we always searching for negatives in our lives, we sometimes consciously have to look for the things that are good or going well in our life. During your sessions you will be encouraged to think in a more positive way and this gratitude can carry into your every day life.
- As mentioned previously, our brain is more receptive to positive messages during hypnosis. You may be reminded of a time when you overcame challenges in the past and be given the time and space to problem solve with a sense of clarity and build resilience.
Three practical tips to reduce anxiety.
By combining practical exercises with your hypnotherapy sessions, you can reduce the impact of anxiety on your life. Here are three simple ways to decrease anxious feelings:
- Drink less caffeine. When you drink caffeine your heartrate and blood pressure can increase, you may experience insomnia, increased anxiety symptoms and increase headaches. All these symptoms can mimic or induce anxious feelings.
- Move your body. When you are anxious, you are in a state of fight or flight. By moving your body, you reduce the stress hormones in your body, such as adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine. It also helps to rid the body of any ‘nervous’ energy.
- Surround yourself with loved ones. When you surround yourself with family and friends, the support system provided has shown to reduce anxiety and stress.
Although hypnotherapy is not a magic wand, it can be an immensely powerful tool to help you overcome anxious thoughts and feelings and to take back control of your life. If you would like to find out how hypnotherapy can help you, click here to book your free consultation.