I went to a Pilates class the other day, my first one in years. Towards the end, our instructor got us to practise some mindfulness by doing some belly breathing. This, she said, would reduce our cortisol levels. I immediately thought of the primitive brain and the fight, flight, freeze instinct, just two of the many interesting nuggets I talk to my clients about during their Initial Consultation.
In the world of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, we show you how to focus on the present instead of looking back at the past with regret or negatively forecasting the future. For instance, when you’re lying in bed at 1:00 AM, going over an awkward or embarrassing conversation from years ago. Or spiralling into a “what if” panic about a meeting next week.
The Cortisol Trap
Our primitive brain’s main job is to protect us and keep us alive but unfortunately, it can’t tell the difference between imagination and reality. So, whether we dwell on past regrets or worry about future unknowns, it responds in the same way. It pumps out cortisol, the main stress hormone, whether it’s a real threat or a mere thought.
And that’s not good if we do it too much, or if we suffer from chronic anxiety or stress. This is because high levels of cortisol in our system cause a whole host of issues. If we don’t control it, too much cortisol keeps us in a state of high alert. We end up with symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up around 3am and feeling on edge all the time. Or irritability, fatigue and muscle aches. Even weight gain, high blood pressure and more. As you can see, a whole lot of health issues we could do without.
Here is a short article about stress, chronic stress and cortisol that you may find interesting.
The good news is, you have the power to change the way you think by rewiring your brain!
Breaking the Cycle
The solution is to focus on shifting your attention to the here and now. Here’s why being in the present moment is so important:
- Obviously, you can’t change what’s already happened. But you can change how much time and energy you spend thinking about it. Looking back and revisiting past events often leads to feelings of guilt or shame, neither of which is good for us.
- When you negatively forecast the future, you’re essentially conjuring up problems that don’t even exist.
- The present is the only place where you actually have control. When you focus on small, positive steps in the present moment, you signal to your brain that you are safe.
How Hypnotherapy Helps
In our sessions, we don’t spend hours dissecting and analysing the past. Instead, we talk about those small steps you can take in the here and now to bring about the life you want for yourself. We also use trance, a state of focused relaxation, to help your intellectual brain take the steering wheel back from your primitive, emotional brain. You get back in the driver’s seat, if you will.
This process helps lower your baseline cortisol levels and trains your mind to respond to life in a more solution focused way. You won’t dwell on past issues or worry about the future as much. And you’ll find you notice the small wins from the present more than you did before.
Ready to Shift Your Focus?
You don’t have to stay stuck in the “if onlys” or the “what ifs”. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a collaborative, uplifting process designed to help you regain control of your life, start enjoying the life you’re living right now or even plan for a better one.
Take the first step toward a calmer, more present you. If you have any questions or would just like to have a chat because this resonates with you, drop me an email me here to see how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and I can help you too.