.png){kind=logo}
Feeling burned out and overwhelmed as a millennial professional in the Toronto area?
You're not alone, and you're in the right place to find real solutions to your stress. Mental health is a familiar topic for me. Growing up in the Toronto area, I too had a plethora of mental health challenges and was in and out of the “system” many, many times. The mental health issues of Canadians have been steadily increasing since covid. For example, in any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness and by the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have - or have had - a mental illness. Unfortunately, the burden on the health care system has become quite substantial and access to quality care quickly is very difficult as anyone familiar with the Ontario medical system can attest. A 2022 report from CMHA indicates that 43% of people are finding it difficult to access mental health services. Thankfully, hypnotherapy is one of the fastest growing alternative therapies in Canada and those facing long wait times for help are increasingly turning to this modality. In 2018, I left Canada to Asia to enrich my understanding of these alternative practices to aid in my own healing journey. 7 years later, I am fully healed as well as being an established somatic coach. I was surprised at how equally unexpected and enriching that journey has been and I’m happy to share my experiences closer to home. This article highlights the mental health problems faced by professionals in Toronto and why they are turning to alternative modalities.
Stress Levels in Toronto
Toronto is no exception to this and experiences higher than average stress levels. Approximately 24.2% of people in Toronto reported that most days in life were 'quite a bit' or 'extremely' stressful, whereas 29.8% reported the same for most days at work. Contributing factors include a dense urban environment, work cultures, reduced access to care and a relatively absent support system for those in need. Having grown up in London Ontario, we used to readily recall feeling the difference in the pace of life everytime we went to Toronto. Interestingly, in a conversation with my Mother the other day she said, “Toronto just isn’t what it used to be.” Referring to the fact that society at large has become more stressed, and unwell.
How Hypnotherapy Can Help
Interested in turning to an alternative modality of healing? A lot of people are unsure of the “science” that backs up this modality. But statistics don’t lie: The global hypnotherapy market was valued at USD 12.16 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.3% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is largely driven by increased awareness of hypnotherapy’s effectiveness in treating various conditions, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and pain management. I have already written extensively about the benefits of hypnotherapy and how it can help, but in brief it can be used to help the following issues:
Chronic pain conditions
Stress & Burnout
Depression and lowered mood states
Behavior change
Healing anger & rage
Issues around abandonment
Clarity and life purpose
Making major decisions
Cessation of old habits
Pain moderation
Skin conditions, such as psoriasis
Improved sleep
Energy clearing
Enhanced performance
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety
Depression, eating disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Hypnotherapy is a very effective treatment and technique which can help you improve a variety of things in your life. The process is very simple: A practitioner will guide you into a state of deep relaxation commonly known as “trance.” While in this state, access to the unconscious mind is open and various techniques and strategies can be used to process and release stuck emotions, change perceptions, modify behaviors and create new habits. Fundamentally, hypnosis can help rewire the brain through the process of neuroplasticity and thus create lasting and meaningful change. The process is entirely safe and you are in control the entire time. Sometimes, I even refer to it as “meditative healing” for some of my clients.
Western Modalities vs. Hypnotherapy to Deal with Stress
People ask me, what is the difference between conventional therapy and hypnotherapy? Below is a general summary comparing Western therapy and hypnotherapy in addition to how my use of hypnotherapy in my coaching practice more specifically helps high performing and high achieving millennial professionals.
Western Therapy:
Approach: Includes traditional forms of mental health treatment like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, and medication.
Focus: Addresses mental health issues by exploring thoughts, behaviors, and emotions through talking, reflection, and structured exercises.
Techniques: Often long-term and analytical, focusing on conscious mind processing and gradual behavioral changes.
Effectiveness: Proven effective for a wide range of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. However, progress can be slow, and outcomes vary based on the individual.
Common Settings: Hospitals, clinics, private practices, and telehealth.
Hypnotherapy:
Approach: Combines therapeutic techniques with hypnosis to access the subconscious mind, allowing for deeper exploration of emotional and behavioral issues.
Focus: Aims to resolve issues by reprogramming subconscious beliefs and responses, helping clients manage stress, anxiety, pain, and more.
Techniques: Uses trance-like states to relax the conscious mind, making it easier to address deep-seated fears, trauma, and unwanted habits.
Effectiveness: Can lead to faster results, especially for conditions like phobias, anxiety, depression, PTSD or pain management. Effectiveness varies based on the individual's receptiveness to hypnosis, the relationship to the practitioner and the goals of hypnosis.
Common Settings: Used in both traditional clinical settings and private practices, often in conjunction with other therapies.
In summary, while Western therapy focuses on conscious cognitive and behavioral changes over time, hypnotherapy accesses the subconscious for potentially quicker resolutions to specific issues. Both have their merits, depending on the individual's needs and goals.
Specific Outcomes You Can Expect as a Busy Professional from Hypnotherapy Sessions
In my work as a somatic performance & wellness coach, it’s my goal to help my clients live more stress-free, emotionally fulfilled and purpose driven lives. Hypnosis has proven to be an excellent additional tool to not only reduce anxiety, depression and stress but also increase self-worth, connect with higher states of consciousness, improve creativity, forgive people, reduce shame, transform moods and take specific actions towards goals.
Also in the after-math of these session clients have reported:
Enhanced focus and productivity at work.
Better sleep quality and relaxation.
Increased self-confidence and resilience in stressful situations.
Greater clarity in life
Improved sense of calm
More self-love
Increased empathy and compassion
More alignment with thoughts, words and actions.
Techniques Used in Hypnotherapy for Stress Management
Hypnotherapy employs several techniques to help reduce stress by promoting relaxation, addressing the root causes of anxiety, and helping individuals develop better coping mechanisms. Here are some of the most common hypnotherapy techniques used for stress reduction:
Progressive Relaxation: Guides relaxation through the body, easing tension and promoting calm.
Guided Imagery: Helps clients visualize peaceful scenes, shifting focus away from stress.
Breath Control: Teaches slow, deep breathing to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.
Post-Hypnotic Suggestions: Implants positive cues to trigger relaxation during stressful situations.
Ego-Strengthening: Boosts self-confidence and resilience to better handle stress.
Anchoring: Associates a word or action with calmness, so it can be activated when needed.
Mindfulness-Based Hypnosis: Encourages awareness of stress without becoming overwhelmed by it.
Cognitive Restructuring: Reframes negative thoughts to foster a more positive outlook.
Regression Therapy: Explores past experiences to resolve emotional roots of stress.
Self-Hypnosis Training: Teaches clients to independently use hypnosis for stress relief.
These techniques help manage stress by promoting relaxation, changing thought patterns, and building resilience.
Finding a Hypnotherapist Specializing in Stress Management for Millennial Professionals & Entrepreneurs
The most important component of hypnosis, coaching, or any kind of therapy is the relationship you have with the practitioner, coach or therapist. Everyone is going to resonate with a different energy or personality, so it’s important that you shop around. Ideally, you are going to look for someone with experience, certifications and some testimonials but also a speciality area of practice. For example, I work with high-achieving millennials and entrepreneurs who are seeking increased states of well-being, harmony and mental clarity.
My primary focus is on increasing positive emotional states, processing stuck emotions, and optimizing the mind and body for improving performance. Other hypnotherapists may have a more extensive background and training in mental health and deeper clinical applications for specific issues.
Hypnosis can be a highly effective tool for busy professionals, helping them manage stress, increase productivity, and improve overall well-being. Here’s how hypnosis can be used in their daily lives:
1. Stress Reduction and Relaxation
Benefit: Hypnosis can help busy professionals unwind, promoting deep relaxation and reducing stress levels.
How: Through guided relaxation techniques, hypnotherapy helps professionals enter a calm mental state, allowing the subconscious to release tension. This can reduce anxiety and provide a mental reset, which is vital for handling work pressures effectively.
2. Improving Focus and Productivity
Benefit: Hypnotherapy can enhance concentration and mental clarity, making professionals more focused and productive.
How: By using positive suggestions during hypnosis, individuals can reprogram their subconscious to eliminate distractions and maintain sustained focus on tasks, leading to better time management and increased efficiency.
3. Enhancing Confidence and Overcoming Self-Doubt
Benefit: Many professionals face imposter syndrome, fear of failure, or self-doubt, which can impact their performance. Hypnosis can boost self-esteem and self-confidence.
How: Hypnosis can help professionals change negative self-beliefs by reinforcing positive self-images and affirmations, empowering them to take on leadership roles or new challenges with confidence.
4. Managing Public Speaking Anxiety
Benefit: Public speaking is a common source of anxiety for professionals, but hypnosis can help alleviate these fears.
How: Through visualization techniques, hypnotherapy can help individuals imagine themselves speaking confidently in front of an audience, reducing nervousness and improving their performance.
5. Developing Better Work-Life Balance
Benefit: Hypnosis can assist in creating mental boundaries between work and personal life, preventing burnout.
How: Hypnotherapy can reinforce the importance of self-care and balance. Professionals can learn to manage their time more effectively, prioritize personal time, and let go of work-related stress when the day is over.
6. Enhancing Decision-Making Skills
Benefit: Quick and sound decision-making is crucial in high-stress environments. Hypnosis can help clear mental blocks that impede judgment.
How: Hypnosis taps into the subconscious mind, allowing professionals to access their inner wisdom and make decisions with greater clarity and confidence, reducing overthinking.
7. Improving Sleep Quality
Benefit: Sleep is essential for productivity and health, but busy professionals often struggle with insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.
How: Hypnosis can help individuals relax their minds before bed, reduce racing thoughts, and establish healthy sleep patterns by reprogramming the mind for restful sleep.
8. Breaking Negative Habits (Smoking, Overeating, etc.)
Benefit: Hypnotherapy can be used to address bad habits like smoking or overeating, which professionals may turn to in response to stress.
How: Hypnosis helps access the subconscious mind to break the emotional connection to these habits and instill healthier coping mechanisms.
9. Boosting Creativity and Problem-Solving
Benefit: For professionals in creative fields or those needing innovative problem-solving, hypnosis can help enhance creativity.
How: Hypnosis can encourage out-of-the-box thinking by freeing the mind from rigid thought patterns, allowing professionals to approach problems from new perspectives.
10. Time Management and Goal Setting
Benefit: Hypnosis can improve time management skills and help professionals set clear, achievable goals.
How: By visualizing success and prioritizing tasks during hypnosis, professionals can develop a focused, organized mindset that aligns their actions with their goals.
Incorporating hypnotherapy into your routine can help manage stress, improve mental resilience, and maintain balance in high-pressure work environments, ultimately enhancing both personal and professional outcomes.
Conclusion
As mental health challenges continue to rise in Toronto, there is hope for those seeking an alternative approach. Millennial professionals and entrepreneurs are a unique group with a specific value set and view of the world which makes working with someone like myself more effective and efficient. There are plenty of therapists, coaches and practitioners who utilize hypnotherapy in their practices so don't hesitate to start researching and making a short-list of who you’d like to work with. Don’t be afraid to shoot them an email or give them a call. If you’re looking to achieve better results in your personal and professional life without the burnout, then feel free to reach out here for a discovery call and see if we are a good fit.
How I Can Help
As a millennial myself, I relate very strongly to the common challenges faced by those in my generation. That’s why I’ve devoted my life to helping and would like to offer my years of experience in this field of work for the right clients, ready and willing to make a change. Millennial high-achieving professionals often face significant pain points, including burnout from overwork, driven by the pressure to excel and maintain a fast-paced career. They struggle with work-life balance as they juggle demanding jobs and personal aspirations. Many experience stress and anxiety linked to constant performance expectations and career advancement. Additionally, they often grapple with financial pressure due to student debt or the desire for financial stability. Lack of purpose or fulfillment in their roles can lead to disengagement, as they seek more meaningful and value-driven careers. I have been there, and done that for all of the above and would happily be your partner in helping you create a more meaningful and purpose driven life. Interested in exploring how hypnotherapy & somatic coaching can help you? get in touch.
Disclaimer: The above article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author. It is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute psychological or medical professional advice. I don't diagnose medical conditions, nor do I interfere with any treatments given by your medical professional.
If you already are under the care of a doctor or under medical treatment, follow the advice and treatment recommended by your doctor. For any medical emergency, please call relevant authorities.
Comments