Stress happens when an individual perceives some danger. The perceived stressor, real or imagined, triggers a flight-or-fight response, leading to a series of physiological changes. Cortisol floods the body which diverts blood flow to the most critical organs for survival. These essential organs are the largest muscles necessary to flee the danger. This survival mechanism has been honed for centuries. In addition it has played an important part in how we deal with stressors. This state of alertness is activated through the sympathetic nervous system. When this nervous system rests, the parasympathetic system takes over, creating a state of relaxation. It is in this state of calm that the body can regenerate.

There are two types of stress. Acute stress deals with the short-term stress bursts that lasts between a few minutes to hours while chronic stress can last months and years. Short-term stress can be positive as it helps us gather all resources in the body. The type of stress that can have the most dramatic effects on health is chronic stress.

DANGERS OF CHRONIC STRESSStress can lead to elevated levels or cortisol in the body, which causes more inflammation and accelerates biological aging through oxidative damage. The immune system can become depressed, leading to increased susceptibility to some types of infection. Long-term stress can not only impair brain function but it also can lead to burnout, where an individual feels emotionally drained, exhausted or overwhelmed.

HOW DOES HYPNOSIS RELIEVE STRESS?Hypnosis can help an individual develop physical and emotional resilience to be able to function better under chronic stress. By allowing a person to adopt more useful and better habits and thoughts, he or she can benefit from a difference perspective and see the world as half full instead of half empty. The perception of a danger or risk is enough to provoke the stress response. Hypnosis for stress relief can help reexamine the event under a different and much brighter light.