Stress is often described as the feeling of being overwhelmed when demands exceed one’s ability to cope, or as the body’s adaptive response to environmental changes. The stress response, a survival mechanism, was crucial for our ancestors facing life-threatening situations, preparing them to fight or flee. While modern life rarely presents such immediate physical dangers, our bodies still react to demanding situations as if facing a wild animal.
This can become problematic when the fight-or-flight response is triggered without a physical outlet. Imagine being stuck in traffic or facing workplace conflict; the urge to act is present, but fighting or fleeing isn’t viable. Repeated exposure to such situations can lead to a buildup of stress, potentially harming one’s health.
However, stress isn’t always negative. The stress response is designed to protect us, and some individuals even seek stressful situations for the excitement. The key lies in balancing stress with one’s capacity to cope. When we successfully manage a stressor, we experience achievement and growth.
Our ability to manage stress is significantly influenced by our diet and lifestyle. Consuming nutritious foods supports our body’s strength and resilience, while avoiding harmful substances like drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is crucial. Stress can stem from external sources (events or situations) or internal factors (attitudes and emotions like anxiety, guilt, and fear).
The Fight-or-Flight Response: An Ancient Survival Mechanism
The fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction to a perceived threat. Hormonal changes prepare the body to either confront or escape the stressor. This state of high alert enhances awareness but can also induce anxiety and impair concentration. Non-essential bodily functions, like digestion, slow down, leading to symptoms such as dry mouth and an upset stomach. The body also perspires to regulate temperature as energy expenditure increases.
The hypothalamus, a brain region, initiates this response by signaling the release of adrenaline, cortisol, and endorphins. Adrenaline elevates heart rate and blood flow, delivering more oxygen and glucose to muscles. Cortisol increases blood amino acid and sugar levels, aiding tissue repair and providing additional fuel. Endorphins, natural painkillers, block pain and induce euphoria, helping the body endure the stressful situation.
This ancient response remains vital in emergencies or life-threatening situations. Following the initial fight-or-flight response, the psychological reaction to the stressor depends on factors such as personality, conditioning, age, and knowledge.
Panic attacks often arise from the inability to fight or flee. When trapped in a stressful situation, anxiety escalates, potentially leading to feelings of faintness or nausea. The urge to urinate can also manifest as the subconscious mind’s attempt to escape the situation. The feeling of being trapped and the anticipation of a strong fight-or-flight response contribute significantly to anxiety.
Many individuals experiencing panic attacks and anxiety also exhibit obsessive-compulsive behaviors as a coping mechanism or control strategy.
Why Hypnotherapy Stands Apart
Hypnotherapy differs because it combines hypnosis, an altered state of mind characterized by deep relaxation, with a chosen therapy like suggestion therapy, regression, or neuro-linguistic programming.
Hypnosis induces a state of deep relaxation, which is therapeutic in itself. It promotes calmness and focus, enabling the mind to work cohesively on problem-solving.
Think of hypnosis as a computer’s “safe mode,” allowing for safe investigation and repair of malfunctioning systems. In sports, it’s like a time-out for reviewing strategy and planning a new approach.
In today’s fast-paced world, we rarely take time to de-stress, calmly assess our resources, and strategize. Hypnosis provides a safe, relaxing space to release tension and, with a skilled therapist, explore, discover, plan, and heal.
Hypnotherapy offers relaxation and teaches self-hypnosis techniques for ongoing stress management. Therapists help clients uncover repressed emotions, triggers, and outdated programming that cause anxiety and panic. Hypnotic suggestion and neuro-linguistic programming then provide new, positive programming, fostering a better outlook on life.