When we think of a situation that scares us, our feelings can so overwhelm us that we cannot imagine managing. So even before the situation is happening, we can feel overwhelmed. This is significant. Just by thinking about the situation, we can experience the situation as though it was really happening. So understanding how your thoughts affect you helps you to manage these situations. With hypnotherapy, this understanding is combined with teaching relaxation in the face of pressure. Imagining a scary situation whilst at the same time continuing to relax is effectively done in hypnosis. So in the end, the feelings associated with the situation are calm relaxation. What a relief.
As well as dealing with the emotions triggered by feared situations, we need to look at the practical side too. What can we do to make things better? If this situation really did occur, what could you do to handle it well? Getting a clear idea of the series of practical steps you could take.
Preparing in imagination means we don't arrive in difficult situations unprepared. Write up a shopping list of coping plans – all the things we could do in various difficult situations - and then in hypnosis try them out to see how they fit. Some work well, some less so. This problem-solving approach soon becomes a habit. We can try out a wide range of approaches and that flexibility itself helps us to cope better and feel confident about responding appropriately in difficult situations.
And then some things we just have to endure, and we can learn acceptance without catastrophising.
As well as dealing with the emotions triggered by feared situations, we need to look at the practical side too. What can we do to make things better? If this situation really did occur, what could you do to handle it well? Getting a clear idea of the series of practical steps you could take.
Preparing in imagination means we don't arrive in difficult situations unprepared. Write up a shopping list of coping plans – all the things we could do in various difficult situations - and then in hypnosis try them out to see how they fit. Some work well, some less so. This problem-solving approach soon becomes a habit. We can try out a wide range of approaches and that flexibility itself helps us to cope better and feel confident about responding appropriately in difficult situations.
And then some things we just have to endure, and we can learn acceptance without catastrophising.
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