WHAT IS STRESS?

The stress response of the body is somewhat like an airplane readying for take-off. Virtually all systems (eg, the heart and blood vessels, the immune system, the lungs, the digestive system, the sensory organs, and brain) are modified to meet the perceived danger. Short term or Acute Stress is the reaction to an immediate threat, commonly known as the fight or flight response. The threat can be any situation that is experienced, even subconsciously or falsely, as a danger.

Under most circumstances, once the acute threat has passed, the response becomes inactivated and levels of stress hormones return to normal, a condition called the relaxation response however, modern life poses on-going stressful situations that are not short-lived and the urge to act (to fight or to flee) must be suppressed. Stress, then, becomes chronic or long term.

Stress results from any event or situation that places physical or psychological demands upon you. When stress occurs, complex physiological reactions occur that prepares the body to either fight, flight or freeze. These prehistoric responses of fighting, running or just playing dead are practical solutions to physical danger and threats to life. They are not, however, the most suitable response to the pressure of deadlines, presentations, arguments, relationship difficulties or other events of modern life.

•  The physical effects can be - Trouble with sleeping, loss of appetite, digestive problems, headaches, nausea, neck and backache, muscular tension and lethargy.
•  The behavioural effects often show up as - Absenteeism, increased dependence on drugs, tranquillisers and alcohol, lack of motivation and commitment, more aggressive than normal and more prone to accidents.

•  The emotional effects can show up as- Panic attacks, short span of attention, irritability, bouts of depression, mood swings, no motivation, lack of confidence and self esteem at a low ebb.

There are many things that can help us to deal with this pressure, and that is to learn from the experience, to overcome the challenges and pressure of life and adapt to change. Psychological problems are best solved with psychological responses, and one way to do this swiftly is with hypnosis.