NZ Hypnotherapist Justine Lette offers helping hand to deal with Coronavirus uncertainties

As the Coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, and daily stress levels rise to new heights one New Zealand hypnotherapist is doing her bit to help people cope.

Rotorua-based hypnotherapy expert Justine Lette, who owns New Zealands largest Hypnotherapy Training Organisation, Hypnosis New Zealand has released free download on her website designed to help people deal with the daily uncertainties they are facing about the virus.

Studies have shown that facing uncertainty is often scarier than facing physical pain.

The human brain over millennia has developed an aversion to uncertainty. It is a carry-over from our inherent “fight-or-flight” reaction to threat. In our constant quest for certainty in our lives, we are wired to “catastrophise” – to view a given situation as worse than it actually is.

And this leads to worry, which in turn leads to anxiety.

“For many of us who have never experienced events that have an enormous impact on everyday lives, these are unprecedented times,” Justine said. “Some people may already suffer with low-level anxiety and have found their symptoms have ramped up recently; others might be feeling new physical and psychological strains for the first time.”

The lack of answers to questions raised by the current uncertainty – “What will happen?”, “What is in the future for us?”, “What if my livelihood is threatened?” – can lead to frustration, anger and aggression.

Justine says: “Awareness is the key. It is our superpower.”
She suggests that feelings of uncertainty can be mitigated by the following:
Be conscious of the “worry story” you tell yourself – and try to distance yourself from it; Focus on breathing – take long, slow breaths; Recognise the need to rise above “fight-or-flight”;
Accept the uncertainty – and allow yourself to stop the struggle against it.

“I have spent years helping people to cope with and reduce their anxiety. The techniques I teach my clients, whatever the trigger for their condition, can also be applied successfully in this current pandemic. I’d encourage anyone who is feeling stressed or anxious, whether they are directly affected by Coronavirus or are just generally worried about it, to download my session and see if it helps.”