Stress Management

Symptoms of Negative Stress

The symptoms of negative stress are well known to us, and include:

• Increased irritability
• Heightened sensitivity to criticism
• Signs of tension, such as nail-biting
• Difficulty getting to sleep and early morning waking
• Drinking and smoking more
• Indigestion
• Loss of concentration

As James Tighe of BBC Health points out: “Stress in itself isn’t necessarily harmful. Everyone needs goals and challenges. But too much can be damaging. In our current society, people are increasingly experiencing too much stress, or what could be called ‘negative’ stress. This is the type of stress that can make you feel overwhelmed and jittery. Stress is a well-known trigger for depression and it can also affect your physical health.”

Understanding Your Stress

There are a limitless number of triggers for stress, however the following are some of the top causes: any sort of loss, bereavement, divorce and separation, a child leaving home, long-term illness and disability, marriage, moving to a new house, beginning a new job, the holiday season, and work.

We all have a level of stress, including negative stress, which is manageable for us. This level will vary from person to person and is dependent upon a number of factors like self-confidence and esteem, stability of lifestyle and relationships, and unresolved issues from our past. So as long as we keep our stress levels below our individual limit, we are likely to be able to function effectively.

However, if we are operating at our individual limit all the time, any additional stress — even something very small — may tip the balance and move us from a position of experiencing a manageable level of stress, to a situation where we are feeling completely overloaded or out of control.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help

If you are suffering with stress that is related to a specific event like making a long journey or being particularly busy, then hypnosis and suggestion therapy could enable you to reduce your worry or anxiety and let you feel more in control. Hypnotherapy for stress management can provide you with a greater sense of self, boost self-confidence and esteem, and help you build on your belief in yourself. From hypnosis, you can create a strong visual image of yourself being calm and self-assured. Hypnosis is well documented as being wonderfully relaxing and effective at reducing stress levels.

Stress Busters

Get Your Zzz’s! You’ll be well equipped to handle chaos if you’re well-rested, and you’ll be irritable and anxious if you’re not. “Sleep is a personal thing. Some people require more than others,” Dr. Rosenberg says. Look back over your life history to see what your sleep pattern is, and stick to what makes you feel best — six to eight hours nightly keeps most adults refreshed and alert. If you can’t unwind after a hectic day, “try a bowl of oatmeal,” says Rosenberg. “It will help you feel tired.”

To learn more about the Stress Management program, call Dr. Rosenberg at (215) 782-8414 today!