Stress management
Stress is a natural component of our everyday lives. In this increasingly hectic and complex world, it can affect our general well being, health and work performance. It is therefore essential to be in possession of effective techniques to prevent or alleviate the potentially debilitating symptoms. Self hypnosis and meditation are both wonderful techniques to use, the underlying tenet and method is different but physiologically they have the same outcome with lots of research to back up the positive results. Self hypnosis tends to have a more specific outcome and contains embedded commands whereas meditation is more about detachment.
Article on How the body reacts to stress
Article on Pro-Active Health - benefits of exercise
Self hypnosis and meditation are available to individuals and in an evening class format.

Stress Management is available to individuals usually as part of broader therapy and also available in a workshop format:
Holistic Stress Awareness and Management

How the Body Reacts to Stress

Release into the bloodstream of adrenaline/noradrenalin, thyroid hormones and cholesterol. These act as powerful stimulants, speeding up reflexes, increasing heart rate, raising blood sugar levels and metabolism. The results are: increased short-term capacity and performance, boost energy supplies and sharpened responses.
If all this isn’t translated into instant action, long-term consequences can include disorders such as: heart disease, strokes and kidney damage. A disturbance of blood sugar levels can aggravate diabetes. Racing metabolism can lead to exhaustion and eventual physical collapse.

Shut down of digestive system – allows blood to be diverted from the stomach so that it can be put to use in the lungs and muscles.
Prolonged shut-down can lead to stomach and digestive problems, particularly when food is forced into an unwilling system.

Air passages in lungs dilate – allows blood to take up more oxygen, a process assisted by an increased breathing rate.
Super-oxygenated blood can lead to blackouts and upset heart rhythms.

Release into the bloodstream of endorphins acting as natural painkillers and reducing sensitivity to injuries.
When endorphins are depleted this leaves us more sensitive to routine aches and pains.

Release into the bloodstream of cortisone from the adrenal glands – shutting down allergic reactions which could interfere with breathing.
Lowers the body’s immune reactions to all kinds of infection and once immediate effects wear off, all allergic reactions can return with increased force.

Senses become more acute and mental performance improves, enhancing short-term functioning.
Above a certain limit or if prolonged, these effects go into reverse

Pro-Active Health - Regular Exercise

If you are physically fit, you can react better to stress and depression. A regular exercise program offers the following benefits:

 ·        Reduces the risk of premature death by 40%

·        Activates the parasympathetic nervous system

·        Improves cardiovascular functioning and muscle tone thus preventing wear and tear

·        Increases intake of oxygen – the fuel of metabolism

·        Lower blood pressure

·        Improved lung capacity

·        Improved blood flow to and through the brain

STAMINA:                  eg. Swimming, cycling, running, jogging, and brisk walking

STRENGTH:               eg. Weight lifting, circuit training

SUPPLENESS:            eg. Stretching, tone-up exercises, yoga. Stretching exercises

                                           Reduce tension in muscles, can be done in a few minutes and

                                           Have an immediate effect on our sense of well-being.

Although each of the three S’s are important, Stamina is the element which will stand you in best stead when it comes to facing pressure.

Finding the Time to Exercise

You need a minimum of two 20 minute exercise sessions per week (three 30 minute workouts are better).

·        Choose an aerobic exercise (from the Stamina list) that you enjoy

·        Non-competitive exercise is best.

·        Pick a set time to exercise.

·        Gradually increase exercise intensity and duration.

·        Even a little exercise is better than none.

·        Find an exercise partner.

Stress management can simply mean taking some time out for YOU - stress busters

 

Depression
Holistic therapy particularly cognitive behavioural therapy using hypnotherapy can not only relieve the symptoms of depression but greatly reduce the chances of remission because of the educational component.

Anxiety
Takes a holistic approach which usually includes cognitive behavioural therapy and management skills including abdominal breathing

Smoking cessation
Hypnotherapy has a proven success rate for smoking cessation and usually smoking stops after one session.
A typical smoking cessation consists of some pre-work, usually one meeting which is recorded - up to 2 hours.

Testimonials 

“…. I am doing really well the majority of the time. I have most definitely moved on and up from the place I was at the beginning of our sessions. I feel very relaxed, open and content with myself. It has taken a long time to realize that my disorder is not in control of me but I am the one who makes the choices as an adult and not as a vulnerable, emotional child. This has been my latest light bulb moment that ‘I am writing my own book’ I do not have to take on the beliefs and emotions of those who were around me as a child, I can strive to be the best person I can be without any reference to the past.

You have definitely opened up a new door for me in my world. I see things very differently from before. I never believed in angels before I met you, now I most definitely do. I feel my angel with me, when I lose my way I ask for help and strength and I always get it. If I feel I am reverting back to my old habits, which has happened on a couple of occasions, I ask for guidance or a new piece of learning and it always works. I suddenly feel better, turned on again to what I am achieving and some positive message will come into my thoughts, then I move on

It has not all been easy, I have to keep working on myself everyday to move onwards and strengthen my spirit, if I let it go for a few days the old habits and self criticism and old beliefs creep back in. Although I now know how to deal with it. My vision and self belief has changed so much sometimes I cry, but it is tears of joy not sadness anymore and I have you to thank for that (and myself of course).

I am entering the 10K this year to fulfil a dream I’ve always had. Before it would have been to stop my eating disorder now it is to see myself at the starting line of the run with everything behind me and hopefully to finish! Using food to fuel my body not to eat away my feelings, knowing that my angel is with me every step of the way. The only way I can describe the way I feel inside is a solid column of light and energy with no cracks that leak away losing energy. If here is a leak at any time it s quickly healed and the balance is restored.

Thanks again Vicki for your help in making me believe in myself and showing me a new way in this world. I certainly wouldn’t be at such great place in my life without your help”. T 2001 (Age 25)

Presenting problem – bulimia

Treatment – Mnemodynamic psychotherapy 6 sessions

 

“Thank you for helping me. I have been dry for 18 nights, I am trying for 28. I have only had 8 wet nights since I saw you 8 weeks ago (3 in the first week). Thank you.” M 2002 (age 8) – who continued to improve and stay dry.

Presenting problem – bed wetting

Treatment – hypnotherapy, 1 session and a personalized audio tape.

 

“….the midwives all commented on how calm she (the baby) was during the labour, especially considering the length of it. ….because I was so calm and had no pain killers. I have to admit I had a great support team but am still proud of myself….I am still using the hypnosis to help myself sleep but also just to relax when she is up all night…Thank you for all your help. I am sure it would have been a lot harder to endure without it”. R March 2002

Childbirth where chemical pain management not an option.

Treatment  - Self hypnosis and pain management with husband present- 4 sessions

 

“Just a quick note to say thank you so much for your help. I had my talk on Tuesday (3.12.02) and it went very well. My teacher couldn’t believe I ever had a problem. He thought I was a very confident speaker and it gave me no bother, even though I had potential for lecturing! NO CHANCE! Although I do feel a lot more comfortable than before and it’s all thanks to you! Will be sure to recommend you to others”. H – student.

Presenting problem – anxiety on public speaking

Treatment – hypnotherapy 2 sessions.

 

“I want to thank you very much for the part you played in helping me to achieve a successful outcome to my course.  You gave me one of your meditation tapes and it did just what I needed at the time I needed it. I had the final exam at the weekend and I passed it and was told then that I had also passed the written papers I had sat the previous month.  A wonderful end to what has been quite a tough year's course”. M. March 2003

Presenting problem – exam nerves.

Treatment - audio tape for relaxation.

 

“I'm now a happily married lady. It's all thanks to you remember. You were the one who taught me that I had to start living for me. Thank you”. F. 2003

Presenting problem – general difficulties and unhappiness

Treatment – Mnemodynamic psychotherapy 8 sessions over extended period.

 

Good afternoon - I hope you are well. I feel great at the moment and have done for the past couple of weeks  - a large part of this I believe is down to you and the meditation tapes I've been listening to, so huge thanks to you from me ! It has been a great help to me at a very difficult time indeed, you are streets ahead of the Albyn hospital. Thank-you very much for all your help again, it was great! J 2005 (48)
Presenting problem – stress

Treatment - audio tape for relaxation and active listening 2 sessions