“It’s already known that chronic stress can affect our health adversely in many ways. What is not so well known is that it can also lead to premature ageing and the health problems that are associated with getting older.”
“Latest research suggests that these age related diseases occur at different rates in different individuals, and ‘psychological distress’ appears to be an important factor in how quickly the onset of these diseases occurs.”Stress brings about imbalances in the body, such as high cortisol, glucose and insulin, and low growth hormones, and these may lead to unwanted responses in our bodies, potentially impairing the normal cell ageing processes.
Premature ageing can also occur as a result of a lifestyle that includes the sort of behaviours that we associate with stress, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, a high fat diet and sleeplessness. These have all been linked to DNA damage due to a process called oxidation. Claire remarks,
“It doesn’t sound great, does it? But the good news is that these ageing mechanisms can be reversed.”
“Research suggests that individuals can help themselves by reducing their perceptions of stress, along with increasing healthier behaviours, such as sleeping better, drinking less, and stopping smoking. These changes may promote subtle but important improvements in premature cell ageing.”“In addition, hypnosis may contribute to stress reduction and health promotion. A study in 2010 showed that during and after a hypnosis session, heart rates were reduced and breathing rates were lower. So the state of relaxation induced by hypnosis could well be beneficial and lead to stress reduction, thereby minimising the risk of premature ageing.”
Solution focused hypnotherapy (SFH) can help people manage their stress levels. SFH is a modern research based combination of hypnosis and psychotherapy, which promotes relaxation and helps clients to make beneficial lifestyle changes.
The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy’s (AfSFH) primary aim is to promote the benefits of the Solution Focused approach to improving mental well-being, thereby helping to ensure the public are more aware of this valuable resource.
Oxfordshire Hypnotherapist, Penny Ling is an executive member of the AfSFH and is very enthusiastic about the efficacy of SFH in the management of stress.
“We know that too much pressure can lead to stress and a range of physical and mental health problems, including, it now transpires, premature ageing. Stress affects the way you think, feel and behave, impacting every area of your life at any age. Hypnotherapy offers powerful techniques and strategies to enable you to deal with stress, helping you to think and behave in a more positive way, and that has many health benefits”.Penny explains how it works:
“We encourage clients to focus on how they want things to be. We avoid problem talk and instead help our clients to visualise their preferred future. By encouraging clients to think and express themselves positively, we can help to improve their response to life’s stress."Penny is a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist practising in Faringdon Oxfordshire. Call 07508 658934 now to book a free consultation, or visit www.pennyling.co.uk. To find out more about the Association, visit www.afsfh.com
References
Broadbent E, Kahokehr A, Booth R J, Thomas J, Windsor J A, Buchanan C M, Wheeler B R L, Sammour T, Hill A G (2012) A brief relaxation intervention reduces stress and improves surgical wound healing response: A randomised trial Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity 26:2, February 2012, 212–217
Epel E (2009) Psychological and metabolic stress: A recipe for accelerated cellular aging? HORMONES 2009, 8(1):7-22
Gidron Y, Russ K, Tissarchondou H, Warner J, (2006) The relation between psychological factors and DNA-damage: a critical review. Biol Psychol 72: 291-304.
Toussaint O, Michiels C, Raes M, Remacle J, 1995 Cellular aging and the importance of energetic factors Exp Gerontol 30: 1-22.
VandeVusse L, Hanson L, Berner M A, Winters J MW (2010) Impact of Self-Hypnosis in Women on Select Physiologic and Psychological Parameters Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing Vol 39:2, 159–168 ****ENDS****
Note to Editors: For more information about the AfSFH, visit www.AfSFH.com or contact:
Debbie Pearce Tel: 01404 813388 / 07939 840788
Email: dpearcehypno@gmail.com
Or
Nicola Griffiths Tel: 01285 821019 / 0773 866 5172
Email: Nicola.griff@btinternet.com
