With today’s busy lifestyles and the relentless demands on our time through work, social media, family and friends, it is no wonder more and more of us are succumbing to stress and stress related illnesses. We all know that remaining is a stressed state or even continuous low-level stress is not good for our mental or physical health.

Lately I am coming across so many people that are describing a level of stress that is making them feel like they are ‘burning out’. Overwhelmed with everything that they have to get done every day as well as making sure everyone in their immediate circle is happy. The brain goes a bit foggy, lacking clarity and focus, short term memory becoming sporadic. The day feels like you have not accomplished much even though you have worked hard to get everything done. The body is responding with gut spasm or pain, muscles are aching, head pounding and sleeping well is becoming a distant memory. Perhaps your blood pressure has become elevated or your appetite increased or decreased and you are constantly exhausted. Does this describe you?

There is much advice out there on how to manage your stress levels from meditation to medication. The most important thing that you can do for yourself is to sit quietly and tune into your body, how does it feel? Where? The human body has everything it needs to repair, re-balance and restore if we just take a little time to listen to what it is telling us.

Boundaries. Perhaps it can be something like creating that space or time for yourself which means examining your boundaries, what or who are you allowing close to you that is causing stress and why? Are your boundaries too fluid allowing people to place too much demand on your time? Are you always giving to others and leaving yourself out in the cold?

Learning to say ‘No’. We have all heard the buzz words “time to say ‘No’”. This is not always easy especially if we think this may upset somebody or cause friction. How about saying something like ‘I will need to check my diary and get back to you’ or just ‘I will need to get back to you on that’. Sometimes honesty is best and just say ‘Usually I would just dive in and say ‘yes’ but I am becoming more mindful of the stress this is placing on me. So on this occasion I need to say no’.
Try having a family meeting and discussing your need for space, free time and spontaneity and together come up with a plan where certain members of the household can take on some of the everyday chores which would actually help everyone to have some free time at the end of the day, to be present with what really matters to them. Remember: you are not the general manager of the universe, stop trying to do everything! It does take a little practice but the results will be worth it.
Try meditation walking. If you find sitting quietly meditating or chanting not your thing or you are a stressful fidget here is a great alternative. This is not just a casual stroll down the road. It is usually done much slower than normal walks, and involves either coordination with the breathing, or specific focusing practices. If your mind is agitated, or your ability to focus is weak, walk very slowly, until you can stay in the present moment with each step. Focus on your breathing and how your body is moving with each step that you take. The activity of walking in itself, brings several health and well-being benefits. It is great for anxiety relief, stress management, and for calming down any emotional agitation you may be experiencing.
Find a creative outlet or exercise activity that you can enjoy on a regular basis. Such activities allow you to take your thoughts off of demanding situations. Sometimes the activity just gives a person time to refresh and gain mental focus and clarity. Being creative or doing something that is creative doesn’t have to be complex. As long as the outlet is outside of your general activities. Being stressed can take a dramatic effect on your mood and energy. If you participate in creative activities during those down times, you’re likely to increase your emotional stability. This comes from the reflection time that occurs while focusing on the activity.
A day off tech. Try to have at least one day in the week where you limit your access to social media, emails, DMs from Instagram or PMs from Facebook and even texts. You will be surprised at how much free time you suddenly find on your hands to go off and do something relaxing or away from your usual environment. And those emails and messages can wait a day, THE WORLD WILL NOT STOP. Sooo liberating!

So those are just a few suggestions that you can begin implementing yourself. Maelo Therapies has also started a monthly group stress hypnotherapy session where you can just lie back and relax while your subconscious takes on healthier coping mechanisms. If the class is marked as full, I will add another date so just ping me an email to let me know you would like to come or require further information. Alternatively, if you feel your stress is something that requires one-to-one therapy, please contact me for a chat.

Bad habits typically form to manage stress, overcome anxiety or promote relaxation.

Habits are hard to break. We all know this, whether it’s struggling with the latest diet, or unable to resist the pull of social media instead of interacting with those around us or working on a project or deadlines. Choosing to act differently under stress can be especially difficult in today’s world with cigarette additives, refined sugar, take-aways designed to make us crave and ingest to the detriment of our health. Each time we reach out for something to soothe ourselves, every time we take this action we reinforce the learning, to the point where it becomes automatic. This is how habits are formed.

Habitual smoking, excessive drinking, abuse of drugs and overeating are four of the primary ways that people attempt to self-medicate to feel better. Biting nails, picking at skin, hair pulling are other habits sometimes used as a means for regaining a sense of control or to get noticed in those who feel abused or neglected. Bad habits also form as a means of self-punishment in a child who feels guilty, ashamed, or worthless.

Not all bad habits involve using physical substances or doing bodily harm. Procrastination, obsessive compulsive behavior and chronic negative self-talk are examples of bad habits that do emotional harm, damaging self-esteem, while attempting to stave off fear, prevent failure, or dissolve guilt.

Breaking bad habits with EFT is a fast, safe and effective approach. Hypnotherapy is another excellent way to help your subconscious take on healthier coping mechanisms. Mel has had a lot of experience in assisting clients with cravings and other unhealthy habits.

Client A constantly craved nachos with all the trimmings. Mel had her bring the whole kit and caboodle into the clinic and got her to construct her plate of nachos exactly as she would at home. Using a special technique with EFT, Mel assisted this client to completely break that craving which was all connected to a certain ongoing negative emotion that the client had been subject to for many years Months later the client reported that she no longer suffers from this craving.

Client B could not resist chocolate and knew that this had got out of control. Mel got her to bring her favorite chocolates in to her appointment. Once again using EFT on the craving the client was surprised at what was holding this craving in place. As a child from a large family she was neglected when it came to having the necessary love and attention to thrive. She would look forward to receiving her monthly pocket money for her chores as she would buy chocolate, go off to her favourite place and sit peacefully enjoying the sweet treat which made her feel good. Her subconscious began to automatically connect feeling good with chocolate and every time she felt low, sad or alone she would go straight for the chocolate. In finding the root cause of the craving this client was able to move forward without the need for chocolate to help make her feel better and no longer subject to the cravings.

Do you have an unhealthy or bad habit that you know needs addressing? Why wait? Act now and contact Mel for a chat on how she can help you.