Overcome anxiety, stress and depression with NLP

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” - Leo Buscaglia

Don't worry, be happy, stay calm - there are countless day-to-day expressions which encourage us to be stress-free. But, in today's busy, busy world with so many demands on our time and multiple responsibilities, it's sometimes hard to do.

We face potentially stressful situations every day, from edgy interactions at work to tense scenarios in our private lives.

21st-century stressors can take many different forms, from information overload and digital nightmares to conflicting priorities, financial worries and even, very commonly, the pressures of driving on our complicated and congested roads. Unresolved issues; things we choose to ignore, bury or skirt around, can also fester and reveal themselves in anxiety, stress and depression.

Sometimes we can just deal with these stressful situations with no harmful impact on our mental health. And, of course, there is also such a thing as 'positive stress’, which we often use in a work situation or to spur us on during a project. However, problems can arise when stress becomes negative (when we feel we can't handle it).

It throws us off balance, impacting our health and well-being and all areas of our lives. If stress is prolonged, it can cause issues around duration and quality of sleep, weight gain, digestive problems and many other symptoms. Typically, stress can be damaging to the heart, affect memory and can also cause havoc with our relationships. Anxiety, stress and depression are closely related and often interlinked and can develop into physical depression if left unchecked.

According to Anxiety UK, 40% of incapacity worldwide is due to depression and anxiety.

Statistics show that, in the UK, 6 million people are affected (approximately 3 million with depression and 3 million with anxiety). This shockingly high statistic represents almost 10% of the overall population of the UK. However, the good news is that there's a lot you can do to prevent, manage and resolve anxiety, stress and depression.

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) can help us to uncover and understand the root causes of anxiety, stress and depression and identify changes that need to be made. It could be anything from dealing with fears and phobias and negative beliefs to resolving issues from the past or worries about the future.

Working with an NLP coach will allow you to really get to the bottom of underlying issues so that you can manage your life more resourcefully and move forward. Valuable NLP techniques will introduce you to new ways of thinking, which in turn, will bring balance to your life.

If anxiety, stress or depression is something you struggle with, try these tips to get you back on track:

Exercise and physical activity

Known to improve mood and increase endorphins in the system, moving your body can benefit your mental health as well as your physical health.

Regular sleeping pattern

Keeping to a regular sleep pattern - and ensuring you are getting enough sleep each night - can reduce negative feelings and worry.

Be mindful

Oodles of research shows that mindful activities can help with anxiety and depression. Whether it’s mindful colouring, going for a walk in the fresh air or some other form of self-care, these can be really stress-relieving after a long day.

Yoga

Well know for preventing and reducing stress in the long and short term, yoga, pilates or tai chi can create a timeout in our busy schedules. You could try a group class or practise in your own home with the guidance of an online video.

Meditation

This can be a really powerful way to gain control of physical tension and find inner peace.

Relaxation

Can calm the emotions and clear the mind. Relaxed people are more creative and can solve problems more easily, seeing things from a different perspective.

Stop and ask yourself

If a stressful thought occurs, first ask yourself whether it's true. If it isn't, let it go and if it is, ask yourself whether the thought is helpful? From here you can decide on a strategy to deal with it.

Write it down

Make a note of things that are bothering you. Often, when you actively address problems, research issues and brainstorm solutions - it can help in itself. If daily problems are really getting you down, consider setting aside a specific time when you can think about them. In this way, you can compartmentalise so that you can get on with your life for the rest of the day.