Jane Crowe BSc(Hons), D Hyp, MBSCH

Stress is something we all experience, it is simply our response to life experiences. A certain level of stress is positive. Our stress response, sometimes called the 'fight or flight response', causes a rush of adrenaline that can be stimulating and energising. It gives us the power to deal with the challenge. However, too much adrenaline is damaging to our health and well-being.

Whether you are facing a major crisis in your life or an unrelenting series of minor events the result can be the same. You might experience a loss of appetite, insomnia, lack of motivation, irritability, anxiety. You may feel exhausted, unable to make decisions, moody and depressed.

Physical symptoms can include:

breathlessness

indigestion

constipation

nausea

palpitations

headaches

infertility

Long term exposure to stress can seriously damage your immune system and cause:

high blood pressure

ulcers

coronary thrombosis

In an attempt to cope with the discomfort we may begin to drink more, smoke more and use drugs. We may feel too busy to relax, lose interest in looking after ourselves and become withdrawn , bad tempered and maybe angry and violent.

As soon as you identify the source of your stress you can begin to develop a strategy to cope. There are many techniques that can help, for example: relaxation techniques, attention to diet, self hypnosis. My approach to stress management aims to incorporate as many as possible in each individual case.

Two or three sessions is usally enough to get you back on track with a plan of action, feeling more positive and in control.

You can email me or call 07766 704888 for more information.


For an introduction to stress management techniques you might like to try my new '5 Steps to Deep Relaxation' CD which you can order online.

You can also complement your use of relaxation techniques with a

Reiki treatment.

Click here for more information about Reiki with me at The Vale Practice.