Recently I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go abroad (what! I hear you say) I know, I couldn’t believe that I was actually able to leave the country and it was even a thing at all after the last two years.
It was just what I needed, time to truly kick back and to restore and renew, but it didn’t come to me without its own challenges along the way.
My primitive brain was having a field day when I got on the plane, being in an enclosed space, packed with people and noisy children some of whom were clearly overwhelmed and upset especially on the flight back as it was getting late in the day.
I am literally so glad that I had my hypnotherapist tools at my disposal, otherwise I think it would have been a rather distressing experience for me.
The sardine like space and the sheer noise and experience of being around so many people was a lot to take in and I sensed that I was starting to panic, I can always tell when it’s going to happen as I feel rather enclosed and start looking for ways to escape the situation - not great if you’re on an aeroplane.
So I firmly told my brain that NO we weren’t going to do this and that I just needed to tap into my inner calm.
After being very firm with myself I distracted myself by reading and as I had a window seat by looking out at the clouds. I also distanced myself consciously from the plethora of noise around me and created a barrier of what I was going to let myself notice.
I also started to take some conscious deep breaths, which automatically stops you tensing up and taking panicked shallow breaths.
I truly think I would have spiralled if I didn’t have the skills at my disposal and the cognition to realise what was happening. Our brains really can play some very mean tricks on us and it doesn’t mean that I’m immune being a hypnotherapist, but it does mean that I know how to handle my emotions productively.