Hypnosis is a very powerful tool for re-programming your unconscious beliefs which in turn will lead to positive changes in your life. As a Spiritual Hypnotherapist, I have worked with people from all walks of life on issues ranging from health to career to relationships etc. In every case what the client perceived as a challenge in their life was the result of an unconscious belief about themselves and/or what was possible in their life.
In order to change, or cause the subconscious mind to release these limiting beliefs, we need a way to access and communicate directly with the subconscious mind. Hypnosis is one of the most powerful tools available to accomplish this.
Many people have misconceptions about what hypnosis really is, mostly as a result of seeing a stage hypnosis show, or an inaccurate presentation on tv or film. In its simpleist form what hypnosis is from a therapeutic standpoint is giving the subconscious mind positive suggestions for change while it is in a relaxed, receptive, yet heightened state of awareness.
These positive suggestions for change can come from a hypnotherapist, a hypnosis recording, or they can come from you. If you are facing a serious challenge you will be best served by seeking professional assitance. However there are many instances when you can safely and successfully use the power of self hypnosis to make positive changes in your life.
Self hypnosis is very effective for reducing stress and anxiety, as well as increasing self esteem and confidence. Self hypnosis can also be effective in improving athletic and other types of performance.
The key to self hypnosis is ensuring that your subconscious is in a receptive state to receive your positive suggestions. Often this can be accomplished by sitting in a comfortable and relaxed position while focusing on your breathing for 2-3 minutes. Once in this receptive state you can then proceed to give yourself your positive suggestions for change.
Below I have outlined the basic steps for an effective self hypnosis session.
1. Get Into A Comfortable & Relaxed Position. You can either sit in a chair or on the floor, or perhaps lye on the floor. You will discover which position works best for you. Be sure your clothing isn’t restrictive in any way, and be sure you have chosen a time when you will not be interupted.
2. Become Aware And Focus On Your Breathing. With your eyes closed simply become aware of your breathing as you breathe in and breathe out. Notice if your breathing changes in anyway. Most likely you will notice it slowing down and becoming deeper. Continue this for two to three minutes allowing yourself to release any stress, tension or anxiety with every breathe and relaxing even more as your mind becomes mentally calm.
3. Give Yourself Your Positive Suggestions For Change. Like affirmations all of your suggestions will be more powerful when stated in the present tense. For example, “I am confident in myself and my abilities” rather than “I will be confident in myself and my abilities”.
You can choose to either say your suggestions out loud to yourself, record them and play them back while you are ina receptive state, or put them on cards, and look at them one at time. You would do this by looking at the first suggestion, then close your eyes for a moment taking a deep breathe, and then opening your eyes to read the next suggestion. Again with practice you will disvoer which method works best for you.
4. Anchor The Relaxed Feeling. After you have given yourself positive suggestions for 5-10 minutes, you will want to “anchor” your positive expereince, and especially the feeling of relaxation. You can do this by thinking of a word or phrase that describes the feeling you are expereincing. Once you have this word or phrase, touch the thumb and middle finger of your left hand together, take in a slow depp, gentle breathe, and slowly exhale as you say your word or phrase to yourself.
You may want to repeat this a couple more time to strengthen the anchor. Once you have set this anchor, you will be able to re-expereince that relaxed feeling anytime you desire by touching your thumb and middle finget of your left hand together taking in a slow deep gentle breathe, and exhaling as you say your word or phrase to yourself.
5. Count Yourself Out Of Hypnosis. After you have set your anchor, its time to bring yourself full back to the present and the here and now. You will do this by making a fist with your right hand, and counting up slowly the first time from one to five, becoming more aware and alert with every count. Open your eyes on “five”. then repeat the count a couple more times quickly.
6. Drink A Glass Of Water. This is the final important step. Drinking the water will ground you more firmly in the present and will reinforce all the positive suggestions your subconscious mind received during the session.
Now that you have the basics, go ahead and try it for yourself. In the coming days and weeks, I will be exploring specific applications for Self Hypnosis, including confidence, reducing stress and anxiety, improving relationships, improving performance in a variety of areas. If you have a suggestion for a situation you would like me to cover, let me know.
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