Everyone gets excited at the thought of a holiday (especially in the midst of winter in the UK). Research has shown that taking time away from your usual routines whether it’s a getaway or, just doing something different, has significant physical and mental health benefits.

Amid the hustle and bustle of every day life, it can be easy to get caught up in the chaos and forget to take a step back. Holidays and time away from our daily routines enable us to reflect and recharge and to reduce stress levels, blood pressure and anxiety.

Taking a break from sources of anxiety like work, responsibilities, obligations has been proven to drastically reduce stress levels. Your brain is given the opportunity to disassociate from the triggers that normally produce cortisol (the stress hormone).

I have recently taken such a break and journeyed to Sri Lanka, where my husband was born. I have never been to Asia so it was an amazing experience and we spent two weeks touring around this beautiful country as well as resting up. What really struck me was the slower pace of life – the heat obviously contributes to this, but things just happen when they happen! It’s an acceptance, which is very different to life in the UK. We took a train from Nanuoya in the hill country to Ella, a journey that should have taken 2 hours and it took 4. No-one seemed bothered. The train stopped, people got off and wandered around – went to a local shop to buy refreshments, pineapples – children played on the railway tracks – everyone chatted. I spent the first 20 minutes looking at my watch and saying “what’s wrong – there’s obviously a problem!” but of course, there was no problem – it just happens and nobody worries about it! Eventually the train kicked into life and everyone got back on and we trundled off again. The scenery, as we went through the tea growing estates, was truly staggering and we were at the highest point in the clouds. It was quite spectacular and something I will never forget. For a country that has suffered so much, it was so wonderful to see the smiles, laughter and enthusiasm from everyone we met and connected with.

On our return to the UK, after a 12-hour flight, there was a delay at Heathrow. We sat on the tarmac for 45 minutes and pretty much everyone around us was standing in the aisles with their hand luggage looking cross and agitated. I closed my eyes and felt very grateful that I was able to embrace the Sri Lankan attitude of “it will happen in time – so just chill for now!” That little piece of Sri Lanka had stayed with me.

How Hypnotherapy can help

It’s not always possible to take a holiday, however, an hour of online hypnotherapy can give you the space to create that sense of calm for yourself. Hypnosis is extremely relaxing and restorative and will boost your emotional strength and self-belief. So, why not prioritise an hour of self-care in order to relax, recharge and regroup so that you feel empowered and ready to take on the day’s challenges.

Anyone who has ever driven in Sri Lanka will know how challenging it is. There are tuk tuks, cattle, the occasional elephant, motorbikes and dogs littering the roads. Our driver – a deeply spiritual man – was extremely calm and relaxed as he drove us safely all over the country. He mediates every day. A true example of what linking the mind and body can achieve!  So give your mind a holiday and get in touch to book in for an online session of hypnotherapy.