Individuals in stress management coaching often experience heightened self-awareness regarding their stress triggers and coping mechanisms. They actively learn and practise new stress-reducing techniques, explore their values, examine their thought patterns, and develop interpersonal skills. While initial discomfort may arise, the focus is on gradual progress and self-compassion as they work towards a more balanced and resilient life.
A stress therapist is a trained professional who specialises in helping individuals understand, manage, and reduce the negative impacts of stress in their lives. They utilise a range of evidence-based techniques and tools, tailored to the client’s specific needs, to promote well-being, improve productivity and relationships, and support a life aligned with personal values. Their role involves assessment, psychoeducation, teaching coping strategies, and providing a supportive environment for clients to develop resilience and regain control over their experience of stress.
Amygdala-based anxiety originates in the amygdala, the brain’s emotional processing centre. It can manifest as sudden, intense anxiety with strong physical symptoms and a perceived lack of clear triggers. Identifying this type of anxiety involves recognising these characteristics. Management strategies focus on directly influencing the amygdala through techniques like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, exercise, exposure therapy, relaxation practices, prioritising sleep, and self-soothing techniques. These approaches help to retrain the amygdala and reduce its reactivity to perceived threats.
Feelings of dread often involve activation of the brain’s threat system (amygdala) and an overwhelmed cortex, accompanied by negative thinking patterns, anticipation of threat, and negative self-talk. To overcome dread, techniques such as CPR for the Amygdala (combining self-havening and brain games), self-havening alone, challenging negative self-talk, practising mindfulness and acceptance, focusing on solutions, ACT-based defusion, applied relaxation (breathing), cultivating self-compassion, and the LLAMP approach can be effective. These methods work by calming the nervous system, redirecting attention, creating psychological distance from negative thoughts, promoting self-acceptance, and shifting focus towards positive possibilities and values. Consistent practice and patience are key to building resilience and reducing the impact of dread.
How to rewire the amygdala involves leveraging the brain’s neuroplasticity through various techniques that promote new, calmer responses to triggers. Individuals can employ self-help strategies such as conscious self-talk, neuroplasticity exercises, “CPR for the Amygdala,” positive mental rehearsal, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, trigger identification, creating positive associations, setting achievable goals, self-havening, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits. For more intense or complex anxiety, or for specific techniques like exposure therapy, Havening applied by a practitioner, EMDR, hypnotherapy, and neurofeedback, seeking guidance from trained mental health professionals is crucial. The key to lasting change lies in consistent practice and a commitment to creating new experiences that teach the amygdala that it is safe.
Solutions for anxiety at work involve understanding your triggers, challenging negative thinking, developing coping skills like mindfulness, relaxation, assertiveness, and problem-solving. Taking action through gradual exposure and seeking support from colleagues, supervisors, or professionals (such as an anxiety specialist) are crucial. Prioritising self-care, setting boundaries, and focusing on solutions rather than solely on the causes of anxiety are also key components in managing workplace anxiety effectively.
Anxiety treatment options include a range of approaches such as SFBT, ACT, NLP, medication, and other therapies and techniques. SFBT focuses on solutions and building on existing strengths. ACT aims to accept unwanted thoughts and feelings and commit to valued actions. NLP seeks to reprogram the mind using specific techniques. Medication can be effective when integrated into an overall treatment plan. The choice of treatment depends on individual preferences, the nature of the anxiety, and the guidance of a mental health professional.
A coach can assist in developing reduced anxiety habits by providing tools, techniques, and strategies to help individuals understand and manage their anxiety. Coaches can help clients become more proactive, rather than reactive, in dealing with their anxiety. Here’s how a coach might facilitate the reduction of anxiety habits: Understanding Anxiety: Coaches help clients understand… Read More »Developing anxiety reducing habits.
Stress coaching helps people understand and manage their stress to improve their quality of life. Here’s a comprehensive look at how stress coaching works: Identifying and Managing Stress: A stress coach helps clients identify their stressors and develop coping mechanisms. Clients are encouraged to confront, not avoid, situations that trigger their anxiety. This approach allows… Read More »How does stress coaching work?
We all know about habits however we tend to think of them in the bad things they do for us. Habits are just automated thinking. Things were done so often it becomes automatic or semiautomatic to do them. Habits can be good as well. Think of cleaning your teeth, it takes little thought to… Read More »Habits to Develop to Overcome Anxiety
Clients sometimes ask me how much sleep they should be getting. What they’re really asking is “How little sleep can I get away with?” Here I want to look at the question from a different perspective. What do you gain by having ‘enough’ sleep? Then, how much is that for you? Studies have shown that… Read More »How Much Sleep Do You Need?