Relax and enjoy a stress free Christmas

NHS research shows that in the UK anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems, with the majority of cases being caused by stress. Cases are set to soar as the recession bites and Christmas rapidly approaches. However, there is some good news! If you're starting to feel the strain, you can learn to lower your own stress levels with some simple relaxation techniques, helping you to feel calmer and more energised in your daily life.

Your world doesn't need to change to start this process, but your reactions to difficult situations will change, enabling you to make more calm and rational decisions, gaining a more balanced perspective.  Using relaxation techniques will start the process of reducing and removing the build up of stress chemicals that can go on to cause illness and poor health.  Periods of energy expenditure in turn require periods of rest and recuperation.  We can get used to being stressed and not actually realise just how stressed we are until we do start to relax.

Exercise is a great stress buster as we know but if you don't feel that you have time, even a 10 minute brisk walk can help. If anything is on your mind stopping you from getting to sleep, simply writing it down can help the brain to process it and ''put it away'' until it is needed again.

2 Simple techniques to help you de-stress and relax

WHEN YOU FEEL YOURSELF GETTING UPSET OR ANXIETY RISING... put the palm of your hand flat against your tummy.  Take a slow (count to 5) deep breath in through the nose, hold for 3 seconds (counting in your mind) and then breathe out slowly again, but through the mouth.  Repeat this at least 4 times or as required.  Notice how much calmer you already begin to feel.  Use this any time, anywhere!

The next technique must be done only when you can relax completely and quietly, but done regularly it enhances feelings of calm and peace.  Before you go to sleep at night is a great time.

In a quiet and slow paced voice in your head, say to yourself, with breaks of 2 to 3 seconds between each instruction:

Now I relax my eyes (close them )..... now I relax my eyebrows..... now I relax my jaw..... now I relax my tongue..... now I relax my neck..... now I relax my shoulders..... now I relax my arms..... now I relax my chest..... now I relax my stomach..... now I relax my thighs..... now I relax the fronts of my knees..... the backs of my knees..... now I relax my calves..... now I relax my ankles..... now I relax my toes......

 Pause for a few moments..... notice the feelings of relaxation..... notice the slowing rhythm of your breathing..... and go through the whole process again if you need or want to.  This seems a very simple technique but I can assure you that the more your practise it the more you will realise its benefits.  It is also used regularly at the start of a hypnotherapy session for relaxation.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help With Stress

If problems seem overwhelming and you are not sure where to start in dealing with them, then hypnotherapy can be a great source of help and guidance.  We all worry and have certain levels of stress but when this becomes excessive, the mind is overdoing its job and causing the body and mind harm.  Solution based Hypnotherapy can give you the tools to take control of your own life and wellbeing.  It can help you redefine problems as challenges, and working with your subconscious mind can help you find answers, always using positivity to help you make changes.  It gives you the motivation to find solutions as the subconscious becomes trained to block negativity, enabling it to make positive progress with any issues. 

Hypnotherapy can help remove blockages that may be stopping you from moving forward in life as well as building confidence and self esteem.  The mind is train ed to shift from the negative to the positive, having an overall benefit to body and mind.

Sara Agombar trained for 3 years to Practitioner level with the highly recognised London College of Clinical Hypnosis. She is also a Full Member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis and works in accordance with their high ethical code of conduct.  To find out more about the many benefits of hypnotherapy, contact the clinic on 01202 725090.