Chill Out on National Awareness Day

More than 13 million working days are likely to be lost to stress-related illnesses this year. Stress management has never been more important than it is today. According to recent research by insurance company Axa, stress levels have doubled in the last four years.

National Stress Awareness Day is on Wednesday November 2nd, and it aims to bring down the nation’s stress levels, with a special emphasis on wellbeing and resilience at work.

What happens when we feel stressed is that our body’s natural protection response kicks in – the flight or fight response – pumping us full of “stress” hormones. If this physiological response is triggered over prolonged periods it can be dangerous in the long-term.

Stress can destroy relationships, careers and long-term health, as well as hitting the British economy hard. But it doesn’t have to.

So how can we avoid or reduce stress? And what should you do if you are suffering?

As a cognitive hypnotherapist, I help people with a number of ways to combat stress.

We all respond differently to stress, and stressful situations can produce a wide range of reactions in people, such as sleeplessness or anxiety, or becoming dependent on alcohol or cigarettes for instance. Some people struggle with it more than others – so the important thing is to understand why we feel the way we do.

The first thing I do is get to the bottom of why someone is suffering. Then I can address that specific issue and help to reduce the stress in the long term. People are often surprised at how quickly they can learn to control or overcome the stressful feelings they have – and therefore stop the harmful effects of those feelings.

Cognitive hypnotherapy uses a whole range of therapeutic techniques that can bring relief from stress – even in people who have been suffering all their lives.

National Stress Awareness Day is an opportunity for us to recognise how stress is affecting our lives, and to take action so we can all chill a little.

Jenny Amir is a cognitive hypnotherapist who holds clinics in Wimbledon and Central London. For further information see:http://www.hypnotherapistforhealth.co.uk 
National Stress Awareness Day http://www.isma.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-day