If you’re in the midst of de-cluttering your life but you’re finding things are just too much and getting on top of you, the key is to prioritize. Make lists of what needs to be done and when. That way you can see everything written down and this alone will begin to reduce your stress levels as you put in place a plan of action, seeing that things are do-able. Hypnosis can help in many ways to reduce stress and anxiety during this time, and it has a lot to do with your breathing. Taking deep breaths is so helpful, it can regulate your heart, and get it back to a normal, steady rhythm. A helpful breathing technique, and an easy one to remember, is called the 7/11. This is when you breath in for a slow count of 7 and exhale, through your mouth, for a count of 11. As you’re doing your deep breathing concentrate on saying some calming thoughts to yourself as well, things like:
- I am safe
- This feeling will pass and no harm will come to me
- I will soon be calm
- I will get through this
What’s important to realize is that whenever you start to feel anxious or stressed your only job in that moment is to keep yourself as comfortable as possible while those feelings pass. And they will pass. Fighting against the stress and anxiety only makes them stronger, so just accept in that moment that you are feeling anxious and stressed. Your body is in fight-or-flight mode and your heart is pumping quickly so that oxygen can be delivered to your muscles. Adrenaline is flowing through your body but it’s not being used, that’s why you may feel your muscles trembling because they’re ready to take action. Whenever you feel this way you can physically try to shake out the tension. Find a quiet place where you can shake you arms and hands back and forth for a few minutes, this can help to release the tension. If your muscles feel sore and cramped during this time the best thing to do is to get your body moving by stretching your body, very slowly and calmly, stretching all your muscles which will help them become less tense.
These are just some of the techniques I help my clients with who have stress and anxiety issues. Learning to regulate your breathing can be so beneficial and important, and is worth trying while you begin to de-clutter your life… and help you to stop procrastinating too!
