At its root, HR stress is often caused by one simple thing.
You’re always being pulled in different directions.
Talent comes and moans and complains to you.
You’re answerable to senior management - and when the two are incompatible: Boom! You’re the perfect storm.
HR leaders are uniquely placed inside daily operations to see and feel all the stresses and strains and try to help answer external business concerns so the company grows.
And think how that plays out. Staff are either relieved to see you, or know what a call from HR means. It gives you a split personality - if you’re not careful.
You also have to be wary of:
- Fatigue
- Burnout (If you are married or have children, your likelihood of experiencing burnout is even higher)
- Work-life balance (you get staff complaining to you about this, now look after yourself)
- Lack of support from management (you can’t be seen to taking ‘sides’)
- Managing too many projects and demands.
Also, a study found that HR is one of the most stressful professions out there, with 79% of respondents saying that their job negatively impacted them somehow.
So do you suspect you may be suffering from HR burnout? Here are some signs to look out for:
- Cynicism or persistent negative feelings about work
- Irritability or mood swings at home or work
- Constant fatigue
- Trouble focusing, low motivation, or you know you’re not doing your best work
- Projects or problems seem too overwhelming to face
- Work feels like a waste of time
- You feel like your work isn't valued
- Most days at work come with a negative feeling: dullness, overly stressful, or unhappiness
So what can you do? Quite simply what you do for all the employees you look after. Look after yourself.
This is my cue. You need to change the way you think, feel and act.
And that’s what Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is all about
How does Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy work?
Okay, so my official title is a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist. But first and foremost I’m a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) - hypnosis is just one of many techniques used in CBT and the one I favour to ‘land the message’.
CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
Most commonly for anxiety and depression, but it can also be useful for other mental and physical health problems.
How CBT works
CBT is based on the idea that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a negative cycle.
I aim to use CBT to help you deal with overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller parts.
This way it’s easier to change your negative patterns to improve the way you feel.
What we’re doing is looking for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.
Uses for CBT
CBT has been shown to be an effective way of treating a number of different conditions.
Work-related I can help with:
- Pressure and resilience
- Assertiveness
- Bullying
- Low self-esteem
- Imposter syndrome
- Not feeling good enough
- Public speaking
- Managing others
I can also help if your work has led you to develop the following:
- eating disorders – such as anorexia and bulimia
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- panic disorder
- phobias
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- insomnia
In effect, what I’m looking to do is help you cope better with their symptoms. I want you to lead as normal life as possible. Not be as bothered by your thoughts.
What happens during your CBT sessions?
Ideally, I like to see you once a week.
We'll work together to break down your problems into their separate parts, such as your thoughts, physical feelings and actions.
So you and I can then analyse these areas to work out if they're unrealistic or unhelpful and to determine the effect they have on each other and on you.
Then, you and I work out how to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
Now, over to you. It’s what you do/practise between our sessions in your daily life - your brain re-training - that determines how quickly and effectively you change for the better in your everyday life.
And what exactly will we agree you do between sessions? It could be as simple as a daily thought diary (how you’re thinking, feeling, acting and what are the triggers), going for a run - seriously, the difference is powerful, and role-playing to name but a few.
Where CBT really makes a difference
It can save you money. CBT can be completed in a relatively short period of time compared with other talking therapies. As long as you commit to change and do the brain re-training between sessions you shouldn’t need me for too long.
It’s practical. You can use CBT in everyday life long after the treatment has finished.
It’s all about you. CBT focuses on your capacity to change yourself.
All you need to make CBT work
Commitment. Believe in the process. It’s also what I’m here to help you with. Just like a teacher does for a pupil, or a coach with an athlete.
Consistency. Come every week. Let your learnings build week after week. Attendance is in itself a good habit you’re forming.
Confrontation. Face your emotions You may experience initial periods where you're anxious or emotionally uncomfortable. Don’t worry. I’ll help you.
Who am I to talk about CBT?
I’m James Thomas a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist. I use hypnosis, amongst other techniques, to apply CBT to deal with your stresses, anxieties, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, PTSD, overeating, low self-esteem, eczema, and anger, to name but a few.
I cover Yorkshire and Lincolnshire with rooms in Leeds, York, Lincoln and Louth.
You can get in touch with me at jamesthomas@thegentlemind.co.uk or call 07787563099.
