The fact is a small amount of stress is good for us. It helps to motivate and focus us on achieving a goal or target. The problem is, we were never designed for chronic stress. Actually, we evolved to use the stress response to survive. The thing is we no longer live in caves and we are not running away from saber-toothed tigers, so really it is more a hindrance than a help.

When we are under stress our bodies actually think it is under attack and as a result it goes into something we call the fight, flight or freeze mode. Our body then releases lots of different chemicals, such as adrenaline and cortisol. These are chemicals that get us ready for action. When this happens the body naturally diverts blood to certain muscles and shutting down other bodily functions, like our digestion. So when we are stressed and that stress becomes chronic, it can affect us by causing things like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), skin irritations and an increase in weight around our tummy area. This increase in weight has a knock on affect in causing increased rates of heart attacks, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Stress is also an increasingly common trigger for migraine headaches, anxiety and depression.

How can we break the stress cycle?

More often than not we tend not to deal with stress until it becomes overwhelming. However, if we learn certain tools and strategies to help us deal with stress right away, we can feel better and improve our health. “By learning to reorganise the thoughts and feelings of stress early, you can break the stress cycle before it starts”.

The following strategies can help:

1. Setting limits on technology

In this constantly busy world of ours it is easy to be jumping from mobile phones back to computers, checking emails, messages. Set yourself a time when you turn it all off to let your mind wind down.

2. Avoid stimulants 

When you are stressed, your body becomes naturally stimulated to go into fight or flight, so reducing things like coffee and alcohol will help reduce the stressed state. Drinking plenty of water keeps you hydrated and helps reduce the stress levels.

3. Go for a walk

Step outside and get some fresh air. Research shows that walking can reduce stress hormones, boost your feel good endorphins and help to take your mind off your worries.

4. Try a bit of self-meditation

Take yourself away somewhere quiet for five minutes and allow yourself to just focus on your breathing  and allow yourself to be in that moment.

5. Allow yourself downtime

These days if we are not busy all the time, we think of ourselves as being lazy. In fact, downtime eases the sense of being overwhelmed and it gives our brains time to make new connections that help us provide solutions, rather than focusing on the problem.

6. Being able to say no 

Sometimes we need to just say no and not feel guilty.

7. Gaining a good night`s sleep

Allow your body and mind to relax before going to bed. Create a wind down routine. Perhaps like taking a warm bath, listening to music or reading something light to assist your drifting off.

Hypnotherapy is a very effective method for dealing with stress. It helps you understand and manage your emotions in positive ways to help relieve stress. It can assist you to communicate better, overcome challenges and negative thoughts. It can help you to have clarity and develop new, healthier ways of thinking and feeling. By doing this you can learn to cope with the stresses that life brings.