It seems that almost every day we hear warnings of a looming mental health crisis. Elevated stress levels appear to be commonplace and many people find themselves unable to relax. Stress itself is not bad. In fact, periodically exposing oneself to stress can actually be quite healthy. It is the uncontrolled and chronic variety that can lead to negative consequences for our health. The human mind and body have an extraordinary capacity for healing. Unfortunately, the role that emotion plays in overall health is frequently overlooked. Consider the following scenario: someone that starts to worry and continues to dwell on negative outcomes will inevitably activate the sympathetic nervous system as well as the body’s physiological stress response. While not harmful per se, uncontrolled or long-term activation of the stress response can lead to negative health consequences. Experience in clinical hypnosis has repeatedly shown that the safe release of painful or repressed emotions can help clients free themselves from the Stress Response Cycle and create the necessary conditions for mental healing. Hypnotherapy has a wide range of therapeutic applications and clinicians have been using it successfully for many issues including anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, phobias, insomnia, trauma, simple and complex PTSD, academic performance, weight management, sexual difficulties, smoking and much more! While a key benefit of hypnotherapy is the speed at which people begin to notice results, another lesser known benefit is emotional prophylaxis: the strengthening of one’s ability to cope with stress and emotional trauma. Hypnotherapy can help build up that resilience and safely release accumulated stress while also depotentiating negative experiences and healing emotional trauma. As a result, it provides a healthy and proactive form of mental and emotional self-care. While many worry about a potential mental health crisis, one simple solution may be to take a more proactive approach to our own mental health. At Innercare, we provide a variety of services, classes and workshops to help people from all walks of life reconnect with their inner self while building emotional and mental resilience. By making our minds a priority and taking responsibility for our own well-being, we become less likely to succumb to the stress and anxiety afflicting many people today. Those already struggling may consider seeking out a professional to help guide them back to health. And with so many options out there, it is worth remembering that clinical hypnotherapy is a proven, effective, non-invasive, drug-free healing alternative that has been used successfully by clinicians for decades. It could also be just the solution we need to eliminate needless suffering while helping us regain control over our own mental and physical health.