Stress is the natural reaction we all have in response to pressure placed on us. Often, a small amount of pressure is beneficial to us because it makes us more productive, gives us more motivation and helps us to perform better. However, too much stress or prolonged exposure to the reaction, can make our minds and our bodys unhealthy. People react to stress in different ways; some people have a higher threshold for stress than other,. so what could be highly stressful to some people, could be bearable for others.

Too much stress is, however, bad for us because it causes physical, mental and emotional problems that build up over time if ignored. Ultimately this may lead to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. These conditions are the most common mental health problems documented in th UK. Due to the prevelance of stress in today's social environment, it is estimated that 1/4 of the population will experience some kind of mental health problem at some point in their lives.

Stress affects our body by causing us to develop high blood pressure, which can lead to serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. This is because when we are faced with a stressfull situation, our bodys release chemicals such as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These chemicals activate our 'Fight or Flight' response, which is our body's way of dealing with the situation. If the situation that provokes the stress response is something that will not enable you to escape, such as a traffic jam, these chemicals build up because they are not used by the body. This build up of adrenaline and noradrenaline causes high blood pressure, increased heart rate and increases the amount you sweat. The chemical cortisol prevents your immune system from working properly and also releases fat and sugars into your blood stream.

Some mental symptoms of stress include; anger, depression, food cravings, lack of appetite, difficulty sleeping, feeling tired and an inability to concentrate. Some physical symptoms of stress include; chest pains, dizziness, fainting spells, sexual difficulties, sweating and breathlessness.

Anything can cause stress as different triggers affect different people (typical triggers include work, relationships, moving house etc.). Somethimes just the thought of something, or several things, can bring about the stress response.

Hypnosis helps you to combat stress by teaching you relaxation techniques that you can practice at home.