Waterford Hypnosis Blog

Thursday, 18 September 2014

Stress and Hypnosis Part 2 - Your Stress Response and How You Can Manage It

"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another"

William James

Welcome to the second part of my blog on Stress and Hypnosis. In this blog I am going to discuss the principle of one of my favourite books 'Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers' (The Acclaimed Guide To Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and coping') by Robert Sapolsky. This will give you an understanding of stress. In the 2nd part of the blog I will be showing you what you can do about it.

The main concept of the book is that us humans are more likely to get ulcers than Zebras. Why? Because for animals like Zebras, the most upsetting things in life are 'acute physical crises'. An example would be when the Zebra gets chased down by a Lion - endangering its life. This is an extremely stressful event, that requires immediate physiological adaptations if the Zebra is going to live. That the human body's responses are brilliantly adapted for handling this sort of an emergency. However every day worries emotional problems and social disruptions, e.g. a row with a family member, losing a parking spot, paying the mortgage, etc., can lead to sustained psychological stress. And if someone spends months on having anxiety over some emotional problem (most of which will most likely never happen) this might very well lead to illness. When we sit around and worry about stressful things, we turn on the same physiological responses as that Zebra running for it's life - but they are potentially a disaster when provoked chronically.1

A large body of evidence suggests that stress related disease emerges out of the fact that we over activate our 'physiological system' that was meant to function and respond to 'acute physical emergencies', rather than worrying about mortgages, relationships, promotions, etc. In the 1930s scientist Hans Salye observed that his lab test rats had peptic ulcers, enlarged adrenal glands and shrunken immune tissues, caused by, he found out, by just chasing the rats in order to inject them. He basically discovered that if stressors go on too long they can make you sick, or at least have the potential to do so.1 The stress response (the 'flight or fight response' described in part 1 of this series) is activated, not only in response to emergencies but in expectation of them. In other words constant worrying and ruminating over ones problems = Chronic Stress.

It is also important to understand the concept of 'Homeostasis' - the idea that the body has an ideal level of oxygen, acidity and temperature that it needs; and when something in the outside world (a 'Stressor') knocks you out of that homeostatic balance, the stress response is what your body does to reestablish that 'homeostatic balance'. Activated long term, the 'stress response' can be more damaging than the stressor itself and lead to the stress related diseases and complaints (described in part one of this blog series).

Okay so this is all very interesting I hear you ask, but what can I do about it? The answer is lots! Equipped with the proper knowledge and tools, you can cope with and manage both the 'Stressors' and your 'Stress Response'.

EMPOWER YOURSELF

There is hope! We can start by changing the way we cope with/manage the 'stressors' and our own 'stress responses'. Once we do this we empower ourselves in so many ways. Studies have shown that having more responsibility, a different perspective, and control in your life helps. The good news is that my Reduce Stress Hypnotherapy program covers all aspects of reducing and managing stress :)

Responsibility

Most people are struggling in their lives because they are so focused on the 'effect' and as a result they continue to place responsibility outside themselves, instead of taking responsibility for their thoughts, emotions and behaviours as the actual cause. You can reclaim responsibility for your life and once you take ownership of the fact that you are responsible for where you are now and where you go from here. This change of mindset is highly empowering because then you know you can create a new effect, that can take your life in a positive direction. If you really want to change, the mere act of booking my hypnosis program will do wonders. This is because the change has become important enough to you that you are already half way there! You have taken responsibility for your success!

A Different Perspective

It is important to find ways to view even the most stressful of situations as holding the promise of improvement. Stand back from your problems and see the bigger picture. We all can make mountains out of molehills. A change of perspective can make a big difference, and hypnosis is a great tool to help one change perspective. Hypnosis can provide a platform for that change of perspective.

Control

People who cope with stress successfully tend to seek control when it comes to current stressors, but do not try to control future events that are uncontrollable and do not try to fix things that are not broken, or control things that have already some to pass. They can do this by controlling their thoughts and emotions. Hypnosis will communicate the subconscious mind which can help to create new neural pathways to positive states and feelings of being calm, relaxed and in control, all of which will help you to cope and manage each and every 'stressor' in your life.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog and have learned a little more about Stress and Stress Management. Please join me next time for my part 3 of my series on Stress and Hypnosis when I will be going into detail of the different techniques, such as a 'Simple Breathing Exercise', 'Mindfulness', 'Self Hypnosis' and 'Anchoring', that I use as part of my hypnotherapy program, to put YOU in control of not only your 'Stressors', but your 'Stress Response'.

Citations:

Sapolsky, Robert M.., Why Zebras Donlt Get Ulcers' (The Acclaimed Guide To Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and coping') THIRD EDICTION (2004), St. Martins Griffin Publishers

My name if Trevor Eivers and I am based in Waterford, Ireland. I am a Certified Consulting Hypnotist (since 2010) with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest hypnosis body in the world with over 14,000 members in 83 different countries worldwide. I am also a Certified NLP practitioner. I love my job in which I help everyday people with everyday issues. Contact me at 086-8211677 or check me out online at waterford-hypnosis.com or Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trevor-Eivers-Hypnosis/177881245578285

Thursday, 7 August 2014

Stress and Hypnosis Part 1 - Good Stress, Bad Stress and the Dangers

Welcome to the first of a five part series on 'Stress and Hypnosis'. Over the course the series I will be having a look at the dangers of stress - especially 'continual' stress, while giving some tips and recommendations on how to manage and reduce stress. Join me over the next few blogs as I have look at why, in a five year period my 'Reduce Stress and Increase Confidence' program has become my most popular hypnosis program. In the current economic climate negative thoughts are abound caused by money, work, etc., and many stresses often result. Studies have shown that 75% to 90% of all doctor's office visits are related to stress.

The good news is that I will be showing you that everything is not outside of your control and how you can gain control of your thoughts and emotions; How hypnosis can help reduce the chances of health risks, emotionally, mentally and physically, so that you can live a fuller, a richer and a more expressive life. And finally how you can increase the effectiveness in which you cope with the stressful world that surrounds you. Even though I cannot snap my fingers and make your problems go away, I can help and show you how to be more resourceful to meet any challenge that may come your way.

There are two types of stress - 'good' and 'bad' stress. Yes amazingly sometimes a small amount of stress can actually be good! This stress, called 'Eu-stress', helps us learn new things, adapt to change and engage in creative thinking. We all experience good stress on a daily basis. An example of good stress is the stress that it makes us aware of danger - yes good stress can literally save your life. 'Eu stress', pronounced YOU-stress, is a term coined by endocrinologist 'Hans Selye' who studied the impact of stress on the mind and body. Eu comes from the Greek meaning well or good and suggests that there is indeed such a thing as healthy stress.

excited, thrilled, proud, resilient, determined, fulfilled or in a state of flow. Distressing and tough circumstances can also lead us to experience healthy eustress – as we learn to cope and develop greater strength, determination and courage - See more at: http://www.thecoachingtoolscompany.com/eustress-stress-we-may-need-more-of/#sthash.9niutjBY.dpuf

Eustress, pronounced YOU-stress, is a term coined by endocrinologist Hans Selye who studied the impact of stress on the mind and body. Eu comes from the Greek meaning well or good and suggests that there is indeed such a thing as healthy stress. - See more at: http://www.thecoachingtoolscompany.com/eustress-stress-we-may-need-more-of/#sthash.9niutjBY.dpuf

However, 'bad stress' can kill you. Here is why this is so: The human bodies 'stress' reaction, "The flight or fight response" is inbuilt into us to protect us. The almost primeval instinct that thousands of years ago protected us from danger. But when it is constantly on alert, this 'continual stress' can have a severe impact on our health. Science is now coming to understand the vastly complex connection of our biology and our emotions, the endless ways in which our thoughts and feelings both reflect and influence the events in our bodies. The understanding is that extreme stress can adversely affect us. In short - stress can make you sick - and even kill you. In fact many of the damaging diseases of today can be either caused by or made far worse by stress. The long term activation of the stress response system - and the subsequent over exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones - can disrupt all of your bodies processes. There is a good reason that 'stress' is sometimes referred to as 'the silent killer'.

Here are some of the risks and dangers of bad stress:

- Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: Heart disease, cancer, lung aliments, accidents, liver cirrhosis and suicide.

- Stress can lead to 'hair loss' - can being up to three months after a stressful event.

- Stress can lead to high blood pressure and chest pains.

- Stress alters the neuro-chemical makeup of the body. This can for example affect fertility in a female, as it effects the release of the human egg, while also causing the uterus and fallopian tubes to spasm, all of which of course affect implantation. For males, stress can lower sperm count and cause erectile dysfunction. In fact stress many account for 30% of all infertility problems.

- The stress hormone 'cortisol' causes abdominal fat to accumulate and enlarges individual fat cells, leading to what is commonly known as 'diseased fat'.

- Stress worsens (and in many cases causes) 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome' (IBS) a condition that irritates the large intestine and causes constipation, cramping and bloating.

- Stress can lead to chronic insomnia (caused by the hyper-arousal of the body's stress response system).

- Stress weakens the body's immune system.

Therefore it is essential to take steps to control your stress. As a Consulting Hypnotist I help my clients focus, programming and reinforcing healthy habits with hypnosis, so as to help reduce and prevent the harmful results stress can cause.

I really hope that you enjoyed the first part of this series and found it informational. Tune in again soon when I will be discussing how important it is to have a positive 'thought process' and how that leads to putting you in control of your feelings and emotions. I will also be showing some easy, safe and simple ways to reduce stress, that literally everyone can learn and use. Everyone can benefit by reducing and managing their 'bad' stress. My Hypnosis Stress Reduction-Confidence Building Program is 3 sessions over 3 weeks and costs 195 euros.

My name is Trevor Eivers and I am based in Waterford, Ireland. I am a Certified Consulting Hypnotist (since 2010) with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest hypnosis body in the world with over 14,000 members in 83 different countries worldwide. I am also a Certified NLP practitioner. I love my job in which I help everyday people with everyday issues. Contact me at 086-8211677 or check me out online at waterford-hypnosis.com or Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trevor-Eivers-Hypnosis/177881245578285

Friday, 11 July 2014

Hypnosis and Fears

Welcome to my 17th blog post. Wow time has flown since I started this blog in April 2013. It just shows how many things hypnosis can be used for; when I am just getting around to talking about 'Fears' now, which is the third most common reason people book an appointment with me. Fears are quite common, with people coming to see me for help with a 'fear of spiders'; 'fear of flying'; 'fear of dogs' and even 'fear of having a fear'! Some famous people even have debilitating fears including Dutch footballer Dennis Bergkamp (flying); Blink182 drummer Travis Barker (flying); Nicole Kidman (Butterflys) and Johnny Depp (Spiders), to name a few.

None of us are born with 'fears' (except the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises). Fears are actually something that we 'learn' (usually from parents) and take on as we grow up and experience life. Last Halloween for example, a group of children knocked on my door playing 'trick or treat'. They were wearing the scariest masks you ever seen .... and I answered with my 6 month old daughter in my arms, and unlike me, who for a split second was admittedly taken aback by very real masks of werewolves, witches and Jason from Friday the 13th!, my daughter playfully attempted to grab the masks that they were wearing, while wearing a big smile. No fear at all.

Unfortunately we pick up a lot of fears from those people that influence us at that very suggestible age between 3-10. A few months back I witnessed one of my family members screaming 'SPIDER! SPIDER! SPIDER!' in the presence of her little son, who looked very afraid. At that point I stepped in and told him that 'the spider was lost' and 'he is much more afraid of us than we are of him', and 'shall we bring him home to his mommy and daddy who will be worrying about him?' I then proceeded to get an empty glass and a piece of paper and, gently removed our eight legged friend from the wall and placed him safe and sound out in the back garden. All the while the fascinated little boy, following me to see what I was up to. A few weeks passed and I then heard back that all of a sudden it seemed that for the while it seemed like this little boys mission to save spiders!

In saying all that above, it might surprise people that on most occasions I do not do an age regression back to the (usually uncomfortable) situation in which a person picked up a fear. Instead I help people detach from the emotions of their fears, making them seem insignificant. Just thinking about it differently in the present moment. Helping people to have a new automatic way of thinking and therefore feeling. Change is permanent because it happens at the subconscious level. I also teach my clients techniques like 'mindfulness' and a simple 'breathing exercise' to help them be in control in any vulnerable situations. Even using a hypnotic induction like 'progressive muscle relaxation' will help my clients to take control over their bodies. Whatever technique I use, they usually see a dramatic improvement in their ability to function and think regarding the fear situation.

It is important to note though that we all have fears at some level and sometimes they serve a purpose and keep us out of harms way. However the key is that fear should be our 'servant' and not 'our master'. In many cases I am not looking to remove the fear completely (although if that happens great!), but instead to reduce it, by 20% or up to 80%, sometimes more. For someone with a 'fear of spiders' for example, I am not asking them to go to the pet shop

and buy a pet tarantula once the session is finished. What is important is that the majority of my clients notice that they are less fearful and can control their thoughts and emotions. What's important is that we have utilized the trance state to address their fear.

My 'Hypnosis for Fears' program consists of 3 sessions and costs 195 euros.

Well folks that is all for this time around. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog and please tune in soon for my 18th blog post.