The Stanford Method of Stress Management

 

 

Approximately 40 Million American adults experience anxiety that is so persistent or excessive, at some point during their lives, that it interferes with their ability to function.  When we are anxious, tense or worried- as most of us are to varying degrees these days- stress hormones flood our bodies.   Chronic stress (where the body can no longer return to a state of equilibrium) boosts the risk of developing ailments from the common cold and gum disease to obesity, depression and heart disease.

Tolerance of stress levels differs from person to person. Some people are able to sustain a highly stressful lifestyle or adapt themselves to a series of stressful events easily. However, many others succumb more readily to a variety of stress-related illnesses and even accidental injuries.

The Stanford Method’s Stress Management Program is designed to help participants return to a state of optimal physical, mental and emotional health.  Incorporating the mind-centering practice of clinical hypnosis, a deep level of relaxation is achieved, stress hormones are reduced and healthy hormones are released in their stead.
 
Most of us think that we already know how to relax.  We might think that we're relaxing at a movie or even on the golf course.  These pursuits may be good diversions from our stressful lives but they don't achieve anything close to the deep relaxation needed for restoration of mental and physical health.

In the hypnotic state, "relaxation" means the absence of strain or tension.  Once experienced, the benefits are multiplied when a participant practices entering this state of mental and physical release on a daily basis.  (This reinforcement is one of the keys to creating long term change.)

Secondly, stress is often the result of feeling "stuck" in a particular situation.  How many times do we find ourselves really trying hard to accomplish something and yet failing miserably.  When a person thinks of his or her future in disempowering ways, they feel "stuck".  When a person continues to revisit past poor performance, they will, once again, feel "stuck".

Creating empowering beliefs will help to get us "unstuck".  Using cognitive restructuring, we teach participants to buffer the impact of the stress in their lives by thinking more rationally.  By learning to challenge negative, irrational thoughts with rational thoughts, participants are taught to steer feelings and behaviors onto a steadier course.
 
Personal sessions are customized to the clients' individual needs and are recorded on audio CD for at home reinforcement.  In our group seminars, a pre-recorded audio CD is used for daily follow up.