Jenks Hypnosis and Training Center, LLC

805 N. Fir, Jenks, OK 74037    (918) 298-6884
Located in Jenks, America, near the heart of south Tulsa





The Good, The Bad And The Stressed

Are you stressed? Well Duh. Did you know, if you didn't have any stress, you'd be a veggie?

If we all have it and it can't be avoided, why is it such a big deal? Well I'm glad you asked 'cause I have a really good answer. First of all, there is a difference in good and bad stress. In an emergency situation, it's stress that drives the quick, unthinking reaction that can save your life. It's the adrenalin rush - the fight or flight response. It's ingrained in us pre-birth. All living creatures have this response. In small doses, it can be a good thing. In unrelenting doses, it is a very bad thing.

US companies, large and small, spend about $300 billion (yes billion with a b) annually on stress and stress related issues. Stress affects Worker Compensation claims; it skyrockets health insurance costs; it is the number one cause of absenteeism, and employee turnover. According to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA., 80% of all health care dollars are spent on stress and related issues. And that is a very large can of worms.

Stress exerts excess pressure on the heart leading to heart disease. Heart disease causes depression. Depression increases stress. What a vicious cycle! The scientific and medical communities are just now recognizing what hypnotists have said all along. There is a mind body connection.

People who are stressed are more prone to accidents (there go the worker comp rates and health care costs). They are more likely to become addicted to drugs (both legal and illegal) and alcohol (that drives up the absenteeism, employee turnover and unemployment rates). They suffer a higher number of heart attacks, migraines, nervous breakdown, depression, eczema, dermatitis, unreasonable fears, sexual disorders, obesity, bulimia, cancer, insomnia, strokes, fibromyalgia and a whole host of other ills.

Nutrogena, a leading pharmaceutical company, reports Americans purchase 33% of all anti-anxiety medication world-wide yet we comprise less than 5% of the world population. That is approximately $2.3 billion annually on just one small piece of the stress pie.

What causes this unrelenting stress? Well it could be something as benign as your mother-in-law coming for a three month stay. More likely it's unreasonable expectations, yours and others. You feel overwhelmed and unable to meet them - can't even come close! Women are particularly prone to unrelenting stress. It's the Superwoman Syndrome. A perfect house, perfect children, perfect cook, perfect wife, perfect mother, perfect corporate worker. (Not gonna happen!) Men feel the pinch, too. The drive to get ahead, plugging away in the job they don't like, feeling pushed beyond their capabilities, compelled to land the perfect job (which is never the one they have), be the perfect provider, perfect dad, perfect husband. (This isn't gonna happen either.)

All in all, bad stress is a nasty little devil. Come back next month and I'll tell you how hypnosis can help you deal with it.

The Good, The Bad And The Stressed - part 2

Last month we talked about stress, that nasty little devil. We are conflicted with our values, over committed in our jobs and over obligated in our lives. We strive to control situations we have no control over. We worry over and try to control our children, grandchildren, parents, spouses, co workers, boss. We either have too much time or not enough. We flounder in a pool of emotions that has no bottom. No place to stand and no side in sight.

Ok, I'm stressed. So, what do I do with it? I'm glad you asked, because that is the whole point. It's what we're doing with all this stress that's our biggest problem. And what is it we do? Nothing! Instead of dealing with our stress, we stuff it - in our minds, our hearts, our stomachs, our legs, our hands. When the body gets full, it begins to rebel and we get sick. Instead of taking action, we just plod along believing we have no other option. We think we have no power to make a change. We feel locked in, caged, with no way out and no way up.

Oh, what I need is a vacation! (Oh, no stress there. Where do you go? How will you get there? How will you pay for it?) What I need is . . . no that's illegal. What I need is . . . ah, that's addictive. What I need is . . . is . . . I don't know what we need!

What you need, first of all, is a good, long, deep breath. Stress is exacerbated by low blood oxygen. When we're stress, we forget to breathe deeply. That is why most smokers think cigarettes relieve stress.

What you need next is some peace. Close your door. Close your eyes. Tune out the world for 5 minutes. You'd be surprised how much better you'll feel.
What you need now is to:
1.Learn to say NO
2.Learn to let go
3.Learn how to give yourself permission to be less than perfect
4.Learn how to relieve your stress with exercise
5.Learn to relax

Oh. Is that all? Well, Lady, that's easier said than done. Not necessarily. This is where I come in. Hypnosis is an excellent tool to help relieve stress. Does that mean you'll be in my office every time your stress meter goes off the chart? Nah. We'll teach you self hypnosis. We can teach you some relaxation techniques to keep your stress under control - a sort of mini vacation with no costs! We can help you discover healthy, alternative ways to deal with stress and keep the unrelenting flight or fight response under control - no matter what or who they are. (Can I stop your mother-in-law from staying three months? No, but I can help you deal with it.) Is this the only answer? Now you know me better than that! Of course it isn't. But it is one of the most effective answers.

Now, take a deep breath. Breathe out slowly.

Shalom!