A lot has changed since the onset of the first lockdown in 2020: dressing from the waist up for Zoom calls, being furloughed, fears about work, worries about the kids’ education, hanging idly around the fridge…
They all link back to one thing - the way we think, act and value the things and people around us has transformed.
Basically, mental health and well-being has become a more open conversation that people are more willing to discuss than ever before.
As The Health Foundation puts it “the psychological impact of the pandemic is still emerging. Psychological trauma can take time to reveal itself” including symptoms such as “higher levels of anxiety and depression and sustained distress or deterioration in mental health”.
Whether you look at figures from the government or studies from mental health charities, the facts are clear: mental health has sharply declined since March 2020.
What’s happened to our mental health as a nation?
For more and more of us, the pandemic has caused feelings of isolation, helplessness and raised our anxiety.
It could be that you’ve struggled to be apart from loved ones, dealing with the uncertainty of not knowing when things will return to ‘normal’ or, of course, the physical restrictions of wearing face masks and social distancing.
After all, being unable or less willing to embrace friends can easily make people feel stifled and starved of affection.
It’s not just our minds, pandemic stress affects our bodies
Stress and anxiety harm our bodies.
They cause more adrenaline to be released than is good for us. This can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels, lower your sex drive and even lead to the onset of Osteoporosis.
That’s why you need to understand the link between mental health and physical wellbeing. The two go hand in hand.
What can be done? Easy wins
A daily walk to get in touch with nature and release endorphins, a good sleep routine, regular exercise, etc. can all help - even cure you.
But if you’re here and you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’ve tried these and you still feel under intense strain and you’d like to lift it.
The good news is that I can help. Hypnotherapy is a powerful and effective medical treatment that gets to the root of stress and other mental imbalances: your mind and how you perceive the world around you.
How hypnotherapy makes a difference
We can’t control the ongoing health crisis, short of safeguarding ourselves and others, it’s bigger than us.
But what we can control is how we react to it.
That’s where hypnotherapy helps. Focusing your attention on relaxing helps you ‘clear’ your mind. Take the meaning away from your thoughts. Not letting things matter.
To use the language of the pandemic, you’re ‘vaccinating’ your thoughts against stress and anxiety.
And it’s not really just ‘you’. It’s you and me working together to get you into a better, more resilient mindset where things bother you less.
So, if you’re looking for a natural and effective way to combat stress without turning to clinical alternatives like antidepressants, hypnotherapy could be for you.
How does it work?
It’s simple.
You and I have a discussion about what’s bothering you - and what you’re comfortable exploring.
Then I hypnotise you. Don’t worry - it’s not a big deal. It’s a relaxed state. Your breathing slows and your muscles relax. You only accept suggestions that you want to. That’s it.
All you do is focus your attention on thinking clearly without the physical and mental distractions of stress.
Another way of looking at it is that hypnotherapy is a closed, private conversation between you and I, in a safe environment. You’re always in complete control and your judgement isn’t impeded by outside influences.
Whether you’re looking for more motivation to face the day or more resolve to continue living fully as we all adjust to the new year and the latest mutation, hypnotherapy is a powerful tool that we can use together to promote positivity and cultivate feelings of hope.
How do I know when to reach out?
If you’re in need of urgent medical attention, the NHS should be your first port of call and there are amazing organisations you can speak to if you’re experiencing a crisis, such as Samaritans.
However, if your problems are more perennial, say for instance, if you’re struggling to get out of bed in the morning, you’re especially irritable, or if even the most normal of tasks seems to fill you with dread, hypnotherapy can help you get to the root of your distress and dial it down.
It can be your greatest kindness to yourself - diminishing it through the combined power of hypnosis, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and encouraging words from a trusted friend (that’s me).
If you’re struggling with any of the above, please get in touch.
