STRESS

Hypnotherapy is a very effective approach to relieving and treating stress. It is faster and more effective than most other therapies, including most medication , and has no side effects as opposed to most anti-anxiety medication. 

I have worked with hundreds of client who have felt a significant reduction in their stress levels, and a marked increase in their capacity to experience a meaningful connection with their lives, their work and their loved ones. A growing body of research supports the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in treating and managing stress, and ease stress symptoms, not just in the psychological sense, but also by directly influencing your body stress responses. (see end of this article for a list of stress symptoms hypnosis can effectively help with)

How Hypnosis Reduces Physiological Stress Responses

Research shows that hypnosis can effectively lower physiological markers associated with stress. In a study by Gruzelier (2014), hypnosis was found to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels—three key indicators of stress. When in a hypnotic state, the body transitions from the sympathetic “fight or flight” response to the parasympathetic “rest and digest” state, allowing for deeper relaxation and recovery. This shift helps to both significantly reduce the body’s experience of stress and protect the body from the wear and tear caused by chronic stress. (See here for a more in-depth explanation of how hypnosis works and its direct impact on the body)

In this sense hypnosis works directly on your body and its responses to relieve stress on a very primary physical level.

Hypnotherapy can also enable your to reframe your relationship to the sources of stress within your life, resulting in long lasting stronger skills to ease and relieve stress. 

Cognitive and Emotional Benefits of Hypnosis in Stress Management:

Hypnosis also helps individuals gain control over cognitive responses to stress. In a randomised controlled trial, Barabasz and Watkins (2019) demonstrated that hypnosis significantly improves emotional regulation, particularly in individuals with high stress levels (Barabasz & Watkins, 2019, *Hypnosis in the Management of Stress*). During hypnosis, the brain’s focus shifts, often allowing people to identify stress triggers and respond in a way that feels more manageable. This capacity for improved emotional regulation empowers individuals to handle stressors with greater resilience and calm.

Long-Term Benefits of Hypnosis for Stress Resilience

The effects of hypnosis on stress aren’t just temporary. A meta-analysis by Hammond (2020) revealed that people who undergo regular hypnosis sessions report long-lasting reductions in stress and an improved ability to manage stressful situations (Hammond, 2020, *American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis*). Hypnosis enhances a person’s ability to tolerate stress, supporting their mental resilience over time. Studies have found that even brief but consistent hypnosis sessions contribute to a healthier, more adaptive response to stress.

Benefits Beyond Stress Reduction

Beyond its direct impact on stress, hypnotherapy offers several ancillary benefits, including improved sleep patterns, enhanced concentration, and better overall emotional well-being. These improvements can contribute to a virtuous cycle, where decreased stress levels lead to better health outcomes, which in turn further reduce stress.

Here below are a list of stress-connected symptoms that I have worked with successfully, using hypnosis, over the years:

Physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, stomach issues, rapid heartbeat, sweating, sleep disturbances, insomnia, appetite changes, shakiness. 

Emotional symptoms: irritability, anxiety, depression, mood swings, overwhelm, restlessness, and feelings of loneliness or low self-esteem. 

Cognitive symptoms: difficulty concentrating, memory problems, racing thoughts, persistent worrying, negative thinking, poor judgment, or mental fatigue. 

Behavioural symptoms: increased use of substances like alcohol, cigarettes or drugs, changes in eating habits, avoidance of responsibilities, social withdrawal, procrastination, nervous habits like nail-biting, and declines in work performance or productivity.