Maria Hancock, MH Wellbeing

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Maria Hancock, MH Wellbeing Specialist in anxiety, stress and chronic symptoms. Overcame 25 years chronic pain and anxiety. My approach goes beyond simply treating the symptoms.

SIRPA Practitioner, Somatic therapist, Hypnotherapist and Mindfulness, Health Psy MSc I am passionate about empowering others to acheive the health and life they want; and have been practicing as a therapist since 2011. I started out initially using my Psychology MSc in statistics within the public sector, before switching to a more rewarding career, helping to make a difference to people's lives as a Hypnotherapist and Mindfulness practitioner. In 2023 I overcame over 25 years of chronic pain after realising my pain conditions (diagnosed as due to physical abnormalities) were in fact due to neuropathic pathways in the brain. Cutting edge science has proven this neuropathic pain is the most common cause of chronic pain. It is caused by a combination of stress, Adverse Chilhood Events (ACEs), fear and preocupation with symptoms. I have since trained (with SIRPA) to support and advise others with chronic pain and other stress induced symptoms. I believe that overcoming my own challenges such as anxiety, trauma, insomnia, chronic pain and bereavement, helps me in supporting others. I have read widely regarding adverse childhood experiences, stress, trauma and how these all effect the health of the mind-body. I am working towards becoming a fully trained SIRPA practitioner to therapeutically help others with chronic pain and other symptoms. I combine the power of hypnotherapy, mindfulness techniques, and psychology principles to guide you towards long-lasting relief and improved well-being. I delve deep to ask not just what your symptoms are, but to ask "what happened to you?" I believe in finding the root causes of your discomfort, which may involve the past, perhaps childhood experiences, to allow deep healing, not just superficial short term alleviation. Whether it's managing stress, anxiety, overcoming a fear or phobia, healing trauma, alleviating chronic pain, or promoting overall mind-body wellness, I offer a personalised and evidence-based techniques offer a path towards a healthier and more fulfilling life. Don't let your past difficulties limit you - you have so much more potential within you. Life if too short to be wasted. Decide that today is the day to make a new start. Start dreaming about what you want to get out of life, make that first step and seek out what you desire because life does not come to you! I offer free initial consultations (bookable through my website). Please get in touch today to see how I can help.

04/11/2026

🌿 A little pause can make a big difference.

I'm delighted to share my new guided meditation: The Pause, Breathe, Feel, Reassure Practice.

I've taught it to many of my clients over the years, and it's one I come back to time and time again.

It's a simple but powerful mindful practice that helps you slow down, tune into your body, connect with your breath and offer yourself some gentle reassurance.

Rather than distracting ourselves from uncomfortable sensations or pushing difficult emotions away, we learn to pause, notice what we're feeling and allow those feelings to move through us.

This can help calm the nervous system, reduce stress and reassure the brain that we are safe.

🌿 Some of the benefits include:
• Reducing stress and feelings of overwhelm
• Developing greater self-awareness
• Helping to calm the nervous system
• Becoming more present and connected with yourself
• Building a greater awareness of your bodily sensations and emotions

The beauty of this practice is that you can use it whenever you need it.

Take a moment or two when you notice a symptom appearing or increasing, when something has triggered an emotional reaction, or when you're feeling anxious, upset, angry or overwhelmed.

You can also practise for 10–15 minutes each day to develop a deeper connection with your body and your felt sense of what you're experiencing.

✨ The new audio is available now!

You can download it directly from my website or listen on YouTube.

Give yourself permission to pause, breathe, feel and reassure. ❤️

đź’™ Pituitary Awareness Month: A little about my invisible conditionThis post is a little different from my usual, to rais...
31/10/2026

đź’™ Pituitary Awareness Month: A little about my invisible condition

This post is a little different from my usual, to raise awareness as part of Pituitary Awareness month (I'm just about in time!)

I have a condition called arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D). I was diagnosed in my 20s after suddenly becoming extremely thirsty and peeing constantly. Drinking vast amounts wouldn't quench my thirst. My doctor was baffled, my boyfriend said it was all in my head and that I was stressed (hmm, can anyone with chronic symptoms relate to that!)

Three long, thirsty months later I got my diagnosis and I was hugely relieved. It's easily treated with a nasal spray, and they ruled out a brain tumour as the cause. There is no known cause, but it's permanent.

It's a rare condition (1 person in 20k) that affects the body's ability to regulate water. My body doesn't produce enough of the hormone vasopressin, which helps the kidneys regulate how much water they retain. Without it, I lose excessive amounts of water through urine and experience intense thirst.

One of the reasons I wanted to share this is that there is still a real lack of awareness and understanding of this condition, even within the health service.

People with my condition are more at risk of hyponatraemia (dangerously low blood sodium), which can be life-threatening if not managed appropriately.

I've been hospitalised twice for this and yet, I still find myself having to explain to most healthcare professionals what my condition actually is and that drinking too much water can be fatal.

An invisible condition can be challenging enough without also having to educate the people you're turning to for medical care.

I'm sharing this because awareness matters. Rare conditions might be unfamiliar to many people, but that doesn't make them any less important. Better understanding can make a real difference to the care people receive.

đź’™ If you've never heard of AVP deficiency, I'd encourage you to find out more.

The Pituitary Foundation has some really helpful information about the condition.

The Pituitary Foundation

Are you the person everyone relies on? 🌿The one who keeps going, gets things done and looks after everyone else, even wh...
21/10/2026

Are you the person everyone relies on? 🌿

The one who keeps going, gets things done and looks after everyone else, even when you're running on empty?

Perhaps you're a perfectionist. You find it hard to say no, feel guilty putting yourself first, or have a nagging feeling that whatever you do, it’s never quite enough.

These patterns often develop for a reason. Maybe you've learned to keep the peace, be the good girl, meet high expectations or make sure everyone else is OK.

But what happens when we spend years pushing through, putting our own needs last and pushing uncomfortable feelings aside?

Living with ongoing stress can affect our nervous system, creating sleep or digestive issues, tension, and so on.

For some people, these patterns may contribute to persistent symptoms such as sleep problems, fatigue, headaches, chronic pain... .

This doesn't mean you've caused your symptoms, or that it's all in your head. Your pain is real, and it's not your fault.

But understanding the connection between our nervous system, emotions and learned patterns can open up new possibilities for healing.

I know this personally. After more than 25 years living with chronic pain, discovering the mind-body approach changed my life. It helped me understand myself differently and find a way forward I hadn't previously thought possible.

Now, I help others explore this approach with compassion, curiosity and an understanding that we're all different.

Healing isn't about blaming yourself or finding yet another thing to fix. Sometimes it's about learning to listen to yourself, feel safe enough to be who you are, and offer yourself the same care you give so freely to others.

❤️ You matter, too.

Does any of this resonate with you? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

If you're living with chronic symptoms and curious about the mind-body approach, you can find out more through the link in my bio.

Isn’t it interesting how going on holiday can be both exciting AND anxiety-provoking? There’s the flight, the queues, th...
13/08/2026

Isn’t it interesting how going on holiday can be both exciting AND anxiety-provoking?

There’s the flight, the queues, the pressure of getting there on time, security, packing, passports, making sure you haven’t forgotten anything…

Then you arrive and there’s the heat, mosquitoes, sunburn, unfamiliar food and water, different routines — and perhaps the pressure to have an amazing time.

You're in an unfamiliar place, a different bed (and does the hotel look as good in real life?)
And if you’re travelling with other people, you’re suddenly spending much more time together than you normally do.

And for those living with chronic pain or other symptoms, there can be another layer of anxiety:
What if I’m in pain on holiday? What if my symptoms stop me enjoying myself?

Sometimes we can put so much pressure on ourselves to be symptom-free that the holiday itself becomes something to fear.

Because it’s completely normal to feel some anxiety about going away.
You don’t have to make those feelings disappear.
Notice them. Allow them. Be compassionate with yourself.

If symptoms show up, you don’t have to panic or see them as a sign that something is wrong. You can remind yourself: I’m okay. I’m doing my best. I can take care of myself.

Think about what will bring you comfort. I take my own pillow and a lavender spray so my bed feels more familiar. As an introvert, I need time alone, so I love getting up early to take a walk by the beach by myself.

And remember, a holiday doesn't need to be perfect to be enjoyed. đź’›

What do you find stressful about holidays?
.. And if you have anxiety or other travel related fears, reach out for help. I just had a wonderful session today with a client who came to see me about her fear of flying. She’s now exited and looking forward to her trip after just 3 sessions, plus is confident if any anxiety appears, she has the tools to cope.

See link in bio for my website and to book a free discovery call.

What if your symptoms are real and FEEL physical but the solution is not in your body?The brain and nervous system are c...
27/07/2026

What if your symptoms are real and FEEL physical but the solution is not in your body?

The brain and nervous system are constantly monitoring what is happening in and around your body.

When the brain perceives threat — whether physical, emotional or related to learned associations — it can create very real physical experiences.

Think about butterflies in your stomach when you're nervous or blushing when you're embarrassed. These symptoms are not imaginary. They are real physical responses.

The same brain–body mechanisms can create symptoms such as pain, fatigue, stomach symptoms, dizziness, tinnitus and many more.

Understanding this is not about dismissing symptoms or saying they're “all in your head.”

It is about recognising that the brain is powerful — and that it can create and/or perpetuate symptoms.

Recovery is possible.

It may involve reducing fear, updating the brain's predictions, developing self-compassion, gently increasing activity and addressing underlying stressors.

Your symptoms are real. And change is possible. đź’› I know, as I overcame 25 years of chronic pain!

Save this post if you need the reminder that understanding your symptoms does not mean dismissing them.

Could your symptoms be neuroplastic? 🤔Many people are told their chronic pain or persistent symptoms are due to structur...
21/07/2026

Could your symptoms be neuroplastic? 🤔

Many people are told their chronic pain or persistent symptoms are due to structural abnormalities.

I was told my knee pain was due to wear and tear and my arm pain was due to stenosis, but this wasn't true.

The way to find out if symptoms are due to neuroplasticity (ie changes in the brain and nervous system) vs tissue damage is by assessing how your symptoms behave.

There are certain patterns that neuroplastic pain and symptoms often follow. In this carousel, I've shared just 5 of the many key signs I look for when assessing whether someone's symptoms may be neuroplastic.

✨ You don't need to tick every box. Even recognising ONE of these signs can be an important clue.

If this sounds familiar, I have a FREE 5-minute Neuroplastic Symptoms Self-Assessment on my website to help you understand your symptoms.

đź’š Comment **TEST** below or send me a DM, and I'll send you the link. Or head to the website via the link in my bio.

I'd love to know—which of these signs resonated with you the most?

07/07/2026

Have you been wondering whether your symptoms might be neuroplastic?

Are you living with chronic pain or other persistent symptoms and you've been told it's just "wear and tear." Do the symptoms behave in strange ways, leaving you wondering whether they're really being caused by something physically wrong in your body.

I share 5 of the things I look for when helping people work out whether their symptoms are neuroplastic.

These 5 things are based on the criteria that I, along with other SIRPA and PRT practitioners, use to help determine whether someone is likely to benefit from this approach.

The good news is you don't have to answer "yes" to all of them. Even one "yes" can be a strong clue.

1: Your symptoms began during, or shortly after, a particularly stressful period in your life.

2: Your symptoms shift from one part of your body to another, sometimes within hours.

3: Your symptoms have spread over time to different areas of your body.

4: Your symptoms tend to appear after an activity, rather than during it.

5: Your symptoms reduce or even disappear when you're doing something enjoyable, when you're distracted, or when you're simply not thinking about them.

If you recognise yourself in one or more of these, there's a good chance your symptoms could be neuroplastic.

My full test has a much bigger list of other indicators to look out for.

If you'd like to take the FREE 5 minute test, just go to my website or message me below and I'll send it you. In the next video, I'll explain why these signs matter and what they tell us about how the brain and body work together.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Take my FREE test here: https://mhwellbeing.co.uk/

6 Proven Benefits of Spending Time in NatureIn our fast-paced world, stress and anxiety are common. Fortunately, one of ...
28/04/2026

6 Proven Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

In our fast-paced world, stress and anxiety are common. Fortunately, one of the best ways to reset your mind and body is simple and free: spending time in nature.

1. **Lower Stress Levels**: Nature reduces cortisol, helping you shift from stress to calm. Even a short walk can feel like a reset.

2. **Emotional Balance**: The quiet of natural settings aids emotional processing, leading to greater grounding and resilience.

3. **Improved Mood**: Time outdoors is linked to lower anxiety and depression, enhancing overall mood. It's not a replacement for professional help but a great complement.

4. **Clear Mental Clutter**: Getting away from screens allows clearer thinking and creativity—solutions often come during a walk.

5. **Physical Health Boost**: Time outside improves immune function, sleep, and lowers blood pressure, especially combined with light movement.

6. **Gentle Movement**: Activities like walking and cycling release endorphins, enhancing mood and physical well-being.

You don’t need hours to benefit; even a 10-minute park stroll works. Consistency is key!

The healing power of nature!Nature exposure can reduce pain (even if it's just a picture)A large 2026 meta-analysis (loo...
24/04/2026

The healing power of nature!
Nature exposure can reduce pain (even if it's just a picture)

A large 2026 meta-analysis (looking at 62 studies across 4,000+ people) found that:

Nature exposure led to a small-to-moderate reduction in pain. In practical terms, that translated to about a 1-point drop on a 0–10 pain scale on average

This included real nature, images, videos, and soundscapes, so you don't even need to be outside!

So yes, something as simple as looking at a calming natural scene can have a measurable effect.

It’s not just distraction—it changes the brain.

More recent neuroscience research goes a step further. In a 2025 brain imaging study:

People experienced less pain while viewing nature scenes

Brain scans showed reduced activity in pain-processing regions

The effect was linked to changes in actual nociception (pain processing), not just mood or placebo

In other words, nature doesn’t just distract you from pain—it can dial down how strongly the brain processes it.

So go get outside and enjoy nature's free healing benefits.
My favourite place is by the sea. Where is yours?

Happy Earth day people! And it's my birthday - how awesome to share it with earth day.I celebrated by going to Brighton ...
22/04/2026

Happy Earth day people! And it's my birthday - how awesome to share it with earth day.

I celebrated by going to Brighton to shop, and I had to sit on the beach for bit to get my toes in the sand and listen to the waves.
Bliss.
By myself, so I could go at my own pace (ie very slow, as I um and ah over which one to buy).

Now home, and dinner out with my family (that part is definitely better shared, as long as they don't share my pudding).

What is your perfect way to enjoy your birthday?

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