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The Science of Hypnosis for Managing Chronic Stress


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We hear a lot about how stress impacts our health, but what if you’re dealing with stress every single day? That’s when stress becomes chronic, and it can start to affect everything—your mood, your sleep, and even your physical health. Hypnotherapy offers a scientifically-backed approach to managing chronic stress, and today, I’m going to explain how it works and why it’s so effective.


How Hypnosis Affects the Brain

When you think of hypnosis, you might picture something mysterious, but really, it’s all about getting your brain into a deeply relaxed state. During hypnotherapy, your brain slows down into what’s known as the theta brainwave state. This is the same state your brain is in when you’re in deep meditation or just about to fall asleep. In this state, your subconscious mind becomes more open to suggestions, and this is where the magic happens. Where we can introduce positive, calming suggestions, helping reduce the production of stress hormones like cortisol.


Scientific Evidence Supporting Hypnosis

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You might be wondering, “Does this really work?” The answer is yes! Research from universities like Stanford and Harvard has shown that hypnotherapy can reduce stress levels by up to 30% in patients dealing with anxiety. It’s not just about feeling calmer in the moment; it actually changes how your brain and body respond to stress over time. In one study, people who underwent hypnotherapy showed improved emotional regulation, which means they were better able to handle stressful situations without getting overwhelmed.


Rewiring the Stress Response

Here’s the thing, when you’re stressed, your body’s fight-or-flight response kicks in, flooding you with adrenaline and cortisol. This is useful if you’re running from a bear, but not so much if you’re stuck in traffic or dealing with a difficult work project! Hypnotherapy helps to rewire that response. Through regular sessions, your brain learns to respond more calmly to stress triggers, and over time, those automatic stress reactions start to fade. It’s like retraining your brain to stay calm under pressure.


Long-Term Benefits of Hypnotherapy

One of the best things about hypnotherapy is that its effects are cumulative. With each session, you become more resilient to stress. Think of it like building a muscle—the more you work on it, the stronger it gets. So, while hypnotherapy can offer immediate relief, it’s the long-term changes that really make a difference. You’ll find that you handle stress better, sleep better, and feel more in control of your emotions.


If you’re dealing with chronic stress, hypnotherapy offers a powerful and science-backed solution that goes beyond surface-level relaxation. By accessing your subconscious mind and retraining how your brain responds to stress, hypnotherapy can help reduce cortisol levels and create lasting emotional resilience. The more you practice, the stronger your ability to manage stress becomes. It’s not just about immediate relief—it’s about creating long-term change.

Hypnotherapy is an investment in your mental and physical health, offering a natural way to manage chronic stress and prevent it from taking a toll on your well-being. If you’re ready to take control of stress and build lasting resilience, hypnotherapy could be the perfect tool to help you on that journey.


 
 
 

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Teresa Saunders Clinical Hypnotherapist

Disclaimer:
Teresa Saunders is a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and a registered member of the New Zealand Association of Professional Hypnotherapists (NZAPH) and Allied Health Aotearoa New Zealand (AHANZ). Hypnotherapy is a recognised complementary therapeutic approach that may assist with a range of emotional, behavioural, and psychosomatic challenges.

Hypnotherapy is not a replacement for medical or psychological diagnosis or treatment. Clients with diagnosed mental health conditions are advised to consult a registered medical or mental health professional. Hypnotherapy may be used as part of a broader, integrative approach to care.

While many clients report positive outcomes, results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. No claims are made to diagnose, treat, or cure medical or psychological conditions in a conventional medical sense.

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© 2025 Teresa Saunders

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