STRESS
Stress can simply be described as the demands made on each of us to adapt, cope or adjust. Some stress is healthy and necessary to keep us alert and occupied. In 1980 Hans Selye, a stress researcher, named this helpful kind of stress “Eustress”.

Stress Overload
If, however, stresses are too intense, continue over too long a period, or are aimed at an over-sensitive nervous system, they can overtax that person’s capacity to adjust, causing all kinds of problems. Some of these stresses occur from conditions and experiences that are threatening or harmful to a person’s well-being. Others coincide with life changes. These confrontational conditions are often termed stressors, and can be positive or negative, happy or sad.

Life is full of stressors: loss of a loved one, a job, a possession; death of a loved one, or a close family member; problems at work, at school, in relationships; changes in financial status; moving home; getting married; having an accident, and many more. Stressors can pile up, and if we are unable to resolve them, it’s likely that our nervous system will become clogged by negative emotions, unfulfilled desires and resultant frustra­tions. These blockages will lead to a less efficient nervous system.

The mind works like a complex communication network and when blockages occur, malfunctions are a likely outcome. Messages get garbled, responses become confused and chaos ensues. In the case of a human being, this internal chaos can lead to incorrect function of organs, glands and cells. The resultant mind/body confusion often causes mental and/or physical problems.

A few examples of conditions that can be stress-related are phobias, allergies, eating disorders, sexual problems, alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, panic attacks, some forms of depression, asthma, ulcers, high or low blood pressure, some heart conditions, some skin disorders, low energy, low self-esteem and lack of confidence, stammering, behavioral problems. I could go on and on. Scientists world-wide now consider overloads of stress to be a significant factor in a large percentage of present day problems.
To live successfully, it is important that we deal effectively with each new situation as it arises. We need to identify any cause of stress and react to it in a satisfying way.

There are certain warning signs that can give you an indication that overload is imminent. These signs can include increased muscular tension, headaches, neck pain, lower back pain, teeth grinding, trembling, shaking, nervous tics and low energy. If we ignore these signs, they can eventually lead to more serious conditions such as high blood pressure, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and stomach disorders. Other signs may include fast pulse, hyperventilation, palpitations, sweating, fainting, dizziness and sleeping disorders.

Emotions, feelings and behaviors can also be disturbed, leading to poor concentration, anxiety, periods of worrying, irritability, lethargy and depression. Those nearing overload often also become more accident-prone.

Modern Life and Stressors
Modern life is often stressful. We change jobs, become unemployed, end marriages and relationships, travel further, and we live in an increasingly violent society. We also have access to world news and information from radio, TV and computer networks. At every moment, we are bombarded with advertising, encouraging us to spend more and get into debt. Stressors can also occur as a result of happy tensions such as babies being born, winning the lottery, going away on holiday, or starting a new relationship. These, and many others, can be very demanding.

Stressors can throw you off balance. Some stressors act internally, such as irrational worrying about anything and everything. Others act exter­nally, such as noisy and badly polluted environments, babies crying, nagging partners or bosses.

Due to our individual history, each of us reacts to similar situations in different ways. This also applies to the way we react to stressors: they can provoke different responses in each individual. We might even react in a different way to the same stressor at a different time.

What Is a Human Being?
As a human being you have within you a record of all you have done and all that has happened to you since you were born. If you could trans­late all of this action into true understanding, you would now be living a healthy, happy, relaxed, life free from illness, disorders or discomforts. But the chances are a thousand to one that you are not. For instance, what do you do if you have a headache? Most people take a headache remedy and get instant relief from the pain. Then, when comfortable at last, they give it no further thought. Very few people try to seek out the cause. Sometimes, of course, the cause is all too obvious, yet even then the tendency is to seek relief from the effect, rather than correct the cause.

Having spent your entire life with your present body, you should now know better. In most cases headaches are not necessary, and when sudden, unexpected pressures create one, you should know how to elimi­nate it quickly and easily, without medication. If you cannot, you do not know much about your body. You have tremendous capacities, far more and far greater than you suspect. You have taught yourself, or have been taught, certain skills in order to survive, live and even earn money. Why not use them to understand yourself?

Stress overload affects the immune system and raises blood pressure. Prolonged stressful situations can lead to all kinds of disorders and illnesses. Many of us don't realise how stressed we are until something gives - we become ill, depressed, take time off work, need medication.

A few sessions of hypnotherapy can help you release stress overload and help you regain vibrancy, better health and happiness.

Hypnotherapy is gentle, safe and painless. Making an appointment today could mean that you won't need to take time off work. It could mean that you will enjoy your job more. Maybe help you enter stressful situations comfortably and without pain.

So why wait until you feel out of control? Take charge - learn how to let go and live. Phone me at {0151} 638 6706 and make an appointment today.