Hypnosis Cardiff Online

Stress is something most of us experience from time to time. A certain amount of stress can be useful, helping us respond to challenges and get things done. However, when stress becomes persistent, overwhelming or difficult to switch off, it can begin to affect both mind and body.

You may notice that you are constantly worrying, struggling to concentrate, feeling irritable or unable to relax. Physically, stress can contribute to headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems, a racing heartbeat and disturbed sleep. The NHS recognises that prolonged stress can affect how we feel, think, behave and function physically.

For some people, hypnotherapy can provide a valuable way of learning to manage stress and develop a calmer response to life’s pressures.

What happens when we are stressed?

When we feel under threat or pressure, the body activates its natural stress response. Hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol prepare us to deal with a perceived danger. This is sometimes described as the “fight or flight” response.

This reaction is perfectly normal and can be extremely useful when we genuinely need to respond quickly. Problems can arise when the stress response remains switched on for too long.

You may find yourself constantly thinking about work, relationships, money, family responsibilities or what might happen tomorrow. Even when the immediate problem has passed, your mind can continue going over it.

Over time, this can create a cycle of tension, worry, poor sleep and exhaustion.

How can hypnotherapy help with stress?

Hypnotherapy can help by teaching the mind and body how to move away from that constant state of alertness.

During hypnosis, attention becomes more focused while the body can become deeply relaxed. This provides an opportunity to practise a different response to stress. Instead of automatically reacting with tension and worry, you can learn to recognise those feelings and develop a greater ability to remain calm.

Therapeutic suggestions and guided imagery may be used to reinforce feelings of calmness, confidence and control. With practice, these responses can become increasingly familiar.

Hypnotherapy is not about losing control. In fact, one of its potential benefits is helping people feel more in control of their thoughts, emotions and reactions.

Breaking the cycle of stress

Stress can become self-perpetuating. You may feel tense because you are stressed, then become worried about feeling tense. That worry creates further tension, which makes it harder to relax.

Learning relaxation is therefore an important part of managing stress.

NHS guidance on stress and relaxation recognises that relaxation techniques can help reduce physical tension and calm the body’s stress response.

Hypnotherapy can provide a structured environment in which these skills can be learned and practised. Rather than simply being told to “relax”, you are guided through a process designed to help your mind and body experience relaxation.

For many people, this can become a skill they continue to use long after the therapy session has finished.

What does the research say about hypnosis and stress?

There is published research investigating the use of hypnosis for stress reduction, although it is important to present the evidence realistically.

A 2017 systematic review examined nine randomised controlled trials involving 365 participants. Six of the nine studies reported significant positive effects from hypnosis on stress reduction. However, the researchers also noted that the studies were generally exploratory and had a high risk of bias, concluding that further high-quality research was needed.

More encouraging evidence came from a multicentre randomised controlled trial published in 2020. Ninety-five people experiencing increased perceived stress were allocated either to a five-session hypnotherapy programme or to an educational control group. After five weeks, the hypnosis group reported significantly lower stress levels, and the improvement remained evident at 12 weeks. Improvements were also found in perceived stress, quality of life and self-efficacy.

Research into hypnosis and anxiety is also relevant because chronic stress and anxiety frequently overlap. A 2019 meta-analysis examining 15 studies and 17 trials found evidence supporting the effectiveness of hypnosis for reducing anxiety symptoms.

Learning to respond differently

One of the most useful aspects of hypnotherapy may be helping someone change their response to stressful situations.

Life itself cannot always be changed. Work pressures, family responsibilities, financial concerns and unexpected events are part of life. What can sometimes change is the way we respond to those circumstances.

Hypnotherapy can help you develop a greater sense of calm and resilience, allowing you to step back from automatic reactions and approach difficult situations with a clearer mind.

It may also help with associated problems such as difficulty relaxing, poor sleep, muscle tension and persistent worrying.

Is hypnotherapy right for stress?

Hypnotherapy is not a magic cure and should not be presented as a replacement for appropriate medical or psychological care. If stress is severe, persistent or affecting your ability to cope with everyday life, it is important to speak with your GP or an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

For someone who wants to learn how to relax more deeply, reduce the impact of stress and feel more in control, however, hypnotherapy may be a useful option.

The aim is not to remove every source of stress from your life. Instead, it is to help you develop a calmer, more balanced response to the pressures you face.

Sometimes, changing the way we respond to stress can be the first step towards feeling like ourselves again.

Supporting research and published articles

• Group hypnosis for stress reduction and improved stress coping – Randomized Controlled Trial — BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2020.

• Hypnosis in patients with perceived stress – A systematic review — BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2017.

• The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety – A Meta-Analysis — International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2019.

• The Efficacy, Safety and Applications of Medical Hypnosis — systematic review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials.

• NHS – Stress: Symptoms, causes and getting help — practical information about stress and available support.