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

Testimonials 

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