Anxiety / Stress & Depression
Stress & Tension
Stress is a necessary part of our daily life - it is a normal physical response to a change of events that may uplift, threaten or upset us. Without stress we wouldn't feel the need to get out of bed, go to work or school, or even get any jobs done around the house!
Stress comes in two forms - good stress and bad stress.
Good stress is what you may experience at your favourite sporting event or party - where you are excited with adrenalin running. Your stress levels run high until the event is over, but the next day you carry on as normal, and there is no residual tension.
Examples of bad stress may be - moving house or flats; ill health; relationship problems; family issues; bereavement; bullying at school or work; losing a job or even learning a new one!
These events may eventually pass, but they leave residual tension in our mind - and in our body. Residual tension in the mind affects the thinking processes - often resulting in foggy and illogical thinking, negative thoughts, inability to make decisions and lack of concentration.
Residual tension in the body can manifest in a breakdown of bodily functions, such as the digestive system, nervous system, immune system, bowel function and much more.
Anxiety & Mild Depression
Long term effects of stress and tension on the mind, and body may therefore lead to anxiety, mild depression – or what we now more commonly term as burn-out.
Mild depression, for some, may be a down feeling, or being in a bit of a hole. For others it may be the inability to see the bright side of anything; the inability to make decisions; not feeling on top of everything - or being unable to function in day to day life.
Anxiety may present itself as one of many physical symptoms - such as tightness of chest, erratic heart beat (thumping chest), wave of heat (hot flush), shortness of breath, and panic attacks. Anxiety can also present in other ways – the need to over-work; shortness of temper; perfection – to name a few.
Over her years in practice, Sheryl has worked with many clients who reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or mild depression. Alleviating tension in the mind is one of the first steps in helping to calm the mind (see Stress & Tension).
A calm mind thinks more clearly, concentrates better, and makes decisions more effectively - and is less likely to react with fear or worry - less likely to over-think and over-analyse.
The next step in alleviating the symptoms commonly experienced when feeling anxious, or down, is to work on our self-worth and self-belief - our inner confidence and positivity. When we feel better about ourselves, we are better equipped and motivated to work on our goals - and we begin to look positively to the future. We begin to feel there is hope and purpose!
Sheryl believes in empowering clients to use their own tools to ensure that the newfound feelings of positivity and self-worth continue - and as such, teaches the skills of self-hypnosis and positive self-talk.
If you feel like you may have a tense mind, feeling anxious or depressed, contact Sheryl for a confidential, no obligation phone consultation.