MENTAL HEALTH

The mind and body are connected, and our emotions, thoughts and memories stimulate chemical responses. While a happy memory creates a pleasant feeling, so can an unpleasant experience cause our body to replace chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphins with adrenal and cortisol hormones. By understanding how we respond unconsciously to such triggers, we can change our response for better outcomes.

This is the first in the series of three articles, where we discuss different types of approaches that psychologists and hypnotherapists may use to help their clients in achieving their goals, and assisting them in their journey to health.

Stress and different stressors, positive or negative ones, permeate nearly every moment of our lives. Certain levels of mental or physical stress create resilience, growth and development. Does this mean that stress is good? Yes, but there is a limit and that limit depends on an individual. Having too much stress and for long periods of time is what should be avoided, and this is what many of us are not able to always control successfully.

Depression affects millions of people worldwide and can interfere with mood, sleep, motivation, dietary and eating habits, energy levels and other biological functions, depending on the severity and the individual. It’s important to know that anyone at any time can feel “low”, however, that does not necessarily mean that we are depressed.

Hypnotherapy is becoming a popular way to help with issues such as depression, weight loss, smoking cessation and different phobias. However, most people are unsure of the process involved. Today we take a look at what the therapy entails and how to best prepare for the sessions.