Mindpower Makes Miracles

Stress Management

By Jennifer Scott, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

Stress is a silent killer that depresses the immune system, giving a variety of illnesses and conditions a fertile ground for growth. And stress seems to go hand-in-hand with 21st century living.

In other words, stress isn't going to go away. But if you're one of those people who operate in the fast lane with seemingly no way out, my Stress Management Program is for you.

WHAT IS STRESS?

There are two kinds of stress. One is the experience of sudden unexpected change, like getting fired, ending a relationship or moving. When you have learned the keys to mastering and managing your life, unexpected stress will naturally give you a "stress jolt," but you'll be able to bounce back relatively quickly.

The other kind of stress is the prolonged and continual experience of disappointment, unhappiness, grief, financial pressures, career challenges or marital problems. And prolonged stress is where the danger really lies. Your body gets so used to it that you don't even realize there's anything wrong… until it's too late. Stress symptoms appear, but you ignore them. Eventually you get sick.

Stress has depleted all your reserves. Wherever the weakest part of your body is, disease will strike there first. Could be your heart, your lungs, your kidneys. Could even be your brain. This is why it's important to take care of your stress now before it's too late.

Once you learn how to take responsibility for your stress and learn stress management tools, you can turn your life around and feel better within days.

WHAT CAUSES STRESS?

How many times do you say things like "I have so much stress because of you," or "I can't handle my____" or "I can't take it any more!" You speak this way because you really believe that "they" are causing your stress. But this isn't true. You and only you cause your stress. Here's why:

As an example, let's take your work situation. Perhaps you dislike your job or you have to work too hard or dislike all the traveling they make you do. But you feel trapped because the pay is excellent. You need the money, you're afraid to leave, but don't want to go through the stress of leaving, so you stay. And your stress builds 'til it becomes prolonged and continual.

Now who has caused your stress?

Was it your boss or the circumstances I just described… or was it you? If you still think stress is caused by something or someone outside of you, then you're not taking responsibility for your life. And stress will kick you in the butt every day. Stress doesn't change. Only you do. And stress comes from your thoughts, your ideas and your perceptions.

HOW DOES STRESS GET TRIGGERED?

Once you perceive that you're stressed, out of control, or over the top, you trigger a mechanism called Fight or Flight. This is the God-given alert system that instructs your body to get ready for danger when your life is threatened. So if there were real danger, you would be able to create super-human energy to save your life. This graph reflects the activation of that intense energy.

Notice that even though it takes about twice as long to return to a balanced level of relaxation, within minutes you'd still be back to a feeling of normalcy.

Now look at the other graph.

If you are encountering prolonged stress, notice that your body never comes back to normal. You remain in that "Fight or Flight" state of emergency. This plays serious havoc with your health. The following Table shows some of the Mental and Physical Changes Associated with Stress:

Intense Stress	Prolonged Stress
Keyed-up Feeling Keener Senses Decrease in Memory Increase In Body Sugar and Fatty Acids Increase in Insulin Shallow, Rapid Respiration Increase in Red Blood Cells Increased Blood Flow to Heart Decreased Blood Flow to Extremities Increase in Heart Rate Increase in Blood Pressure Decrease in Rational Thinking	Anxiety Depression Phobias Bad Temper Insomnia Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hypoglycemia Diabetes Chronic Fatigue High Cholesterol Levels Migraine High Blood Pressure Heart Disease

TEST YOURSELF FOR STRESS

See if you have any of these symptoms.

__shoulder/neck muscles tight __low back discomfort __eating too fast __dry mouth __grinding teeth __shortness of breath __irritability or moodiness __increased smoking or eating __knot in stomach __indigestion __poor concentration __headaches __churning thoughts __loss of sexual interest __difficulty remembering __multiple fears or phobias __difficulty in falling asleep __butterflies in stomach __constipation __clenched jaw __sensitive stomach __nausea __pressure in temples __rapid/shallow breathing __sweaty palms __palpitations __gas __sleeping to escape __always wound up __depression __lack of self-esteem __worrying __frequently fatigued __restless movements __difficulty staying asleep __mind going blank __bad dreams __tightness in throat __cold hands __diarrhea __stomach pains __holding your breath __need for tranquilizers, alcoholic beverages __frequent colds or infections __increased perspiration __difficulty making decisions __persistent, circular thoughts __fingernail biting __talking too fast

If you want more information or a complimentary consultation, you can either e-mail me, Jennifer Scott, at jscott@jscotthypnosis.com or call me at 480 483 6941. If you will be in Scottsdale, Arizona, call for an appointment.