Would a week in the sun make your life seem a million times better? Not everyone will say ‘yes’.
Clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist Celia Griver says that for some people, the idea of jetting off on a sunshine break—or even just packing up the car for a British staycation—is enough to bring them out in a cold sweat.
She told the Daily Mail that it’s not uncommon for people to suffer a mental health wobble when it’s time to start relaxing, and it’s not always just because they’re worried about getting on a plane.
‘For many people, holiday stress begins way before they even get to the airport,’ she said.
‘Holiday anxiety is not just down to fear of flying, although it plays a part,’ she said, adding that forgotten passports, worries about food or arguments about plans ‘can bring up resentment or fear.’
Holidays—despite their association with gorgeous scenery, lazy days relaxing in the sun, enjoying bucket list activities and discovering new favourite dishes—come with a deep pressure to relax and have a good time.
‘For many people this is the antithesis of how they live their lives, and this pressure alone can trigger anxiety,’ Ms Griver said.
‘By the time they go on holiday, many people are in burn out from the demands of modern life, and they can’t simply “turn off” the symptoms, thoughts and feelings associated with the condition.
The pressure to ‘have the best time’ can cause untold stress (file photo)
‘Many are already mentally and physically depleted by the time they arrive at their holiday destination making it harder for the nervous system to rest and recuperate.’
Ms Griver added that another element of pressure comes from how we are ‘bombarded’ with images of people having a perfect holiday, on social media and in adverts, from the moment the Christmas season has come to an end.
‘Added to this, the cost of two weeks in the sun is a significant investment for many people,’ she said. ‘This piles on more pressure to have an amazing time.’
Once away, this pressure continues, often manifesting as a need to feel like they must have an amazing time and more fun than they did on their previous trip, which can be intensified if travelling with children.
Trips with extended family can also prove to be a challenge, as without the usual distractions or coping mechanisms, existing problems can flare up.
‘Holidays often bring extended families together in unfamiliar environments and this can reignite old family roles, patterns, unresolved conflicts and resentments from the past,’ she said.
And while familiarity can breed contempt, fear of the unknown can bring its own dramas.
Ms Griver said: ‘For many people the idea of leaving their comfort zone is what triggers anxiety.
Holiday anxiety often begins before people even get to the airport
Being bombarded with ‘perfect’ holiday images can have a huge negative effect
‘Holidays are usually something enjoyable, but, the change in routine and lack of familiarity can be unsettling.
‘It can leave people feeling out of control and anxious – fearing change, not being able to speak the language or the unknown.
Often sleep will be disrupted as people travel across time zones or travel in the middle of the night.
‘New beds, heat, unfamiliar food or crossing time zones can lead to over or under stimulation of the nervous system creating increased anxiety.’
She added that other fears can be related to terrorism or being caught up in protests of political unrest.
So what can be done to make sure your excess (emotional) baggage isn’t spoiling your annual chance to indulge in some RnR?
Ms Griver says she uses hypnotherapy to uncover the underlying patterns beneath holiday anxiety—and help her clients see that time away from their routines are just another life experience.
She explained: ‘It’s not about not wanting to go on holiday, but rather holidays become a trigger for the unhealed stress patterns from the past.
‘Hypnotherapy can help people to understand and release these triggers, calm the nervous system and approach holidays differently.
Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool to help people to change their expectations around holidays.
‘It can help people to step back and let go of what has happened in the past and move forward to have the holiday they want.
‘This can release the pressure and to realise they don’t have to enjoy every minute of a holiday and to just see it as another experience in life.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .