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Relaxation

Steps to Overcoming Dread: Calming Your Mind and Building Resilience with Self-Help Techniques

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.

Transforming Fear: How to Rewire the Amygdala

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.

Tackling Anxiety in the Workplace: Practical Solutions

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: Approaches and Expectations

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.

Developing anxiety reducing habits.

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.

How does stress coaching work?

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?

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

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?