Why Stress Management Is Important

Stress is the underlying cause of many illnesses, both major and minor. Physicians and mental health experts agree that stress reduction techniques can prevent many illnesses, and disorders, as well as increase a patient’s ability to heal following the development of a variety of health problems.

The human response to stress is triggered within the brain, producing chemical and physical changes throughout the body, which affect every aspect of it’s functioning.

During times of intense stress the brain’s production of such chemicals as Dopamine, Epinephrine, and Norepinephrine increase, causing the distribution of larger amounts of these Catecholamines throughout the body.

The increase of the presence of these chemicals produces physiological changes such as increased heart rate, and blood pressure, increased cell reproduction, and suppression of the immune system.

Over time, unmanaged stress can lead to the development of ulcers and other digestive problems, heart disease, even heart attack and stroke.

The immune’s systems ability to fight off infection and disease is inhibited, allowing for the onset of various illnesses and viral infections. Additionally, the development of chronic conditions such as Diabetes and Asthma, have been linked to stress.

Stress is also related to many mental and emotional disorders, such as Depression, Anxiety, extreme Phobias, and panic attacks. The “Fight or Flight” instinct triggered by the brain during times of extreme stress is also related to the on-set of these chronic mental health conditions.

Learning to manage stress in healthy ways can help reduce the chemical changes occurring within the brain and body, thereby improving both physical and mental health.

Hypnosis And Stress Management

Part of a plan for Stress Management may include either hypnosis or self-hypnosis, as a way to reduce and eliminate the symptoms of stress. A person under hypnosis is experiencing a trance like state, which allows them to enter into either the “theta” or “delta” states of consciousness.

These states are the equivalent of either light or deep sleep, and allow for the hypnotized person to experience an “altered state” of consciousness.

Hypnosis can be effective in managing stress, whether the state of hypnosis is assisted by a licensed Hypno-therapist, or whether the state is induced by the person entering into the hypnotized state.

Since many people are uncomfortable with the idea of being hypnotized by someone else, self hypnosis is often used as a part of a stress management plan.

In order for self hypnosis to take place the individual must be in a comfortable position, and be free from outside distractions. The individual should begin with some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, followed by releasing any tension in the muscles, one at a time, beginning with the feet and toes, and proceeding over the entire body.

When entering into a self hypnosis state the person is simply allowing the subconscious mind to take over, while the conscious mind enters into an “altered” or “quiet” state of being.

In order for self hypnosis to be effective, the conscious mind should impart a “purpose” or “intent” to the subconscious, before the actual hypnotic state is achieved.

It is also important to set a time limit on the hypnotic state, generally 15 to 20 minutes. The subconscious mind will respond to the suggestion, and cause the individual to return to the normal state of consciousness at the prescribed time.

Addressing Anxiety And Worry In A Stress Management Plan

Anxiety and worry are common sources of stress. Financial problems, health issues, family concerns, and a realm of other situations, can create an unhealthy amount of stress, when not addressed in a healthy manner.

A person may choose to cope with these types of situations in a variety of healthy or unhealthy ways. From denying the problem altogether, to attempting to “run away” or “hide” from the problem, an individual’s unique set of coping skills can either increase of decrease the level of stress they experience.

Denial is a common form of coping that many people employ to deal with life issues. Typically denial is a “coping skill” used by people in situations which present an unbearable amount of stress.

This may happen in alcoholic families, domestic violence relationships, even in people facing severe illness or death. A person in denial simply says “Everything is fine” and “Nothing is wrong.”

Attempting to run away or hide from a stressful life event is evident in those who use drugs or alcohol to “escape”, as well as those who simply “avoid” the problem. The individual who works too much, or the teenager who stays away from home for days at a time, are people attempting to escape the problem.

Procrastination can be a sign of worry and anxiety. Fear of “what will happen” if the person does face the problem, can lead to “putting off the inevitable.” This type of behavior also contributes to stress, as the unseen and unknown are often larger, in the mind, than in the situation.

Facing things head on may be difficult, but it is the healthiest way to handle situations that create worry, fear or anxiety. Getting answers, instead of speculating, and addressing problems, instead of denying, hiding or running away from them, is the only way to reduce the stress caused by these types of situations.

Visualization Techniques For Stress Management

Visualization techniques have been demonstrated to improve physical and mental health, speed the healing process, and effectively manage pain. They can also help prevent illness, reduce stress, and increase an individual’s overall health and well-being.

Different visualization techniques can be used in the treatment of stress, and stress related illness. For general Stress Management, begin by identifying where in the body you feel the stress. Do you have muscle tension in the back and neck? Is your stomach “knotted”? Do you experience a dull or throbbing headache? Different people experience stress in different ways.

Once you have identified where in the body you experience stress you can use visualization techniques to reduce the stress, as well as the physical symptoms and effects you experience while under stress.

One useful visualization technique involves placing your hand over the affected area of your body. Breathe deeply, with your eyes closed. Feel your heart rate slow to a calm and steady pace.

Visualize the stress in your mind as an image, with size shape and form. It may appear as a black ball which is located in the area of your body that you feel stress.

It may also appear in another form, such as a square, circle, rectangle etc… As you concentrate on the image of the stress (which may or may not be accompanied by physical pain) visualize (or picture yourself) moving the image.

It may not happen right away, but keep working at it, until you can get the image to move. Even the smallest movement is an accomplishment. As you begin to be able to move the image, be aware that you have control of it, and more importantly, know that IT does not have control over you.

Visualize the image that symbolizes your stress moving further and further away from its original location, until eventually you are able to remove it completely from your body.

Another technique along this same line is to visualize the stress you are feeling, and imagine that it is getting smaller, and smaller. Eventually the image will shrink to a tiny spot, and then disappear all together. This technique is very powerful in helping to manage the physical symptoms that result from stress.

Who Can Benefit From Stress Management

Everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do, can benefit by having some plan in place for the on-going management of stress. The common myth, that unhealthy stress and the need for appropriate management of that stress, is primarily reserved for those who work in the most stressful environments.

High powered executives and those who are in positions which carry a heavy amount of responsibility are only a small portion of the population who could benefit from a stress management program.

Let’s face, stress is a part of everyone’s life. Whether you are a high powered executive, or a stay at home mother, situations are sure to arise in which the stress of your individual life will increase, affecting the way you feel, think and act. Having healthy way of coping with stress can make a difference to overall state of well-being.

Doctors, lawyers, nurses, waitresses, bartenders, business owners, even college students and elementary school children face their own unique brand of “stressors” every day.

From the doctor who must face the loss of a patient, to the waitress who must deal with cranky, complaining customers; even the third grader, who is faced with a battery of assessment tests, stress is a part of everyday life.

There are many forms of stress management, from physical exercise to visualization techniques. A stress management program can include a hot, steamy bubble bath, or a long, luxurious massage.

It can also include incorporate such techniques as acupuncture, acupressure, meditation, hypnosis (or self hypnosis) relaxation techniques and a realm of other programs or activities, uniquely tailored to fit the individual undertaking a stress reduction program.

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