Ruth Fogg, a stress expert and therapist, shares her journey of how stress took over her life, leading her to specialise in stress management and counselling psychology. She explains the importance of understanding how the mind works and the power of the subconscious in managing stress. Ruth discusses various self-help techniques she teaches her clients, including EMDR, hypnosis, and tapping (EFT), to release negative emotions and beliefs. She emphasises the need to recognise and address stress before it escalates into distress, illness, or burnout, highlighting the mind-body connection and the impact of stress on physical health.

Additionally, she explains the importance of understanding the causes and effects of stress in the workplace and offers workshops to help organisations manage it effectively. Ruth stresses the need for self-care and setting boundaries to prevent burnout.

Drawing from her experience in writing books on stress management, Ruth explains how they complement her therapy and workshop sessions. She also discusses the role of organisational policies in supporting stress management and the necessity of their effective implementation. Finally, she addresses common misconceptions about stress and the mind-body connection.

Takeaways

• Stress can manifest in various forms and affects people of all ages.


• Understanding how the mind works is key to managing stress and anxiety.


• Self-help techniques like EMDR, hypnosis, and tapping can be effective in managing stress.


• Recognising and addressing stress early on is crucial to prevent it from escalating into distress or illness.


• Stress weakens the immune system and can lead to physical health issues. Understanding the causes and effects of stress is crucial for managing it effectively.


• Self-care and setting boundaries are essential for preventing burnout.


• Organisation policies on stress management need to be effectively implemented to be useful.


• The mind and body are interconnected, and understanding this connection is key to managing stress.