What Is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a deep and relaxing state of mind that is similar to the way we feel when we’re just about to fall asleep or when we’re daydreaming. We don’t actually fall asleep during hypnosis but because we’re more relaxed, our conscious minds are at peace and our subconscious minds become more alert and focused. Working with the subconscious mind gives us a much greater susceptibility to positive suggestions. Used in this way, hypnosis is a very effective way of making contact with our subconscious mind to help reveal things our conscious mind may not even be aware of and to help heal and deal with our problems.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis by a therapist to treat a wide range of psychological and medical problems. It is often used when conventional methods of healing have failed and, in the hands of a qualified therapist, is a safe and natural alternative that does not have the harmful side effects of some conventional medicines. The benefits of hypnotherapy can be long lasting and even permanent.

A hypnotherapist will work with a client to help them to reprogramme their subconscious mind to accept new and more positive suggestions about their health, behaviour and more.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

The state of hypnosis allows clients to become relaxed and at peace. Breathing becomes slower and deeper and the pulse and heart rate slow down. And when we’re in this relaxed state, we’re less aware of the aches and pains in our bodies, and less aware of the intrusive thoughts of our conscious mind. And while we’re completely relaxed we’re given ‘instructions’ which go straight to our subconscious mind which can help us to achieve whatever our desired state is. This can be anything from giving up smoking, to weight loss and addressing health issues.

What Issues Can Hypnotherapy Help With?

Although hypnotherapy can benefit almost any situation, it is commonly used to achieve a feeling of well being which can help clients with: Personal development, lack of confidence and self-esteem, realising potential, achieving goals and more.Unwanted habits and addictions, such as smoking, overeating, alcoholism etc.Anxieties and panic attacks.Fears (fear of public speaking, flying, examinations etc.) and phobias.Relationship issues.Anger management.Health issues.

And much more... If you decide to use hypnotherapy, then check with your chosen therapist and see if they specialise in a particular area. Some do, and one of these may be more helpful to you.

Common Concerns About Hypnosis
Some people are worried that they may ‘lose control’ during hypnosis and that the therapist may give them suggestions they won’t feel comfortable with. Firstly, we never lose control. And especially not during hypnosis. Our minds are even more alert and awake than normal, we just feel very sleepy and comfortable. It’s the same with meditation. Your mind will always be in control of the situation and alert you if anything uncomfortable happens and you will always ‘come back’ at the end of a session, no matter how deep you feel you’ve been.

And secondly, therapists have undertaken to use their work to benefit clients and would never suggest anything that would harm a client. And of course, it’s up to you to talk to the therapist first and decide if you get on well with them and trust them. Hypnotherapists are just like any other section of society, they are just ordinary people. Some you will like and some you will not. Talk to your chosen therapist and see how you get on with them before your treatment.

Another area of concern for some people is whether nor not they can actually be hypnotised. Well, almost everyone can. Even if they think they can’t. Of course, a lot depends upon your willingness to allow the therapist to hypnotise you and the trust you place in your therapist is a major part of this.

And it doesn’t matter how ‘deep’ you think you may have gone during hypnosis either. A lot can be achieved even during a very light trance. I’ve heard of clients who don’t feel that they’ve been hypnotised at all but have achieved wonderful results. Again, this is down to the way the individual therapist works.

What Is Self-Hypnosis?

If you’ve neither the time nor money to find or visit a therapist, you can also learn to do it for yourself. Self-hypnosis can be used for all the same problems and symptoms as hypnotherapy, but do be aware that if you have serious problems, you should visit a professional therapist for help.

To hypnotise yourself, first decide on what area of your life you want to improve and generate images in your mind of success in that field. What would success look like to you? Now create a short affirmative statement which tells what you have achieved. When you’ve done this, find yourself somewhere quiet and private with a comfortable place to sit or lay down. Now allow yourself to relax as completely as you can, and when you are very relaxed, bring your images to mind, and mentally repeat your affirmative statement over and over again. When you feel ready, imagine yourself ascending into normal waking again and suggest to yourself that you will feel alert, happy and refreshed when you open your eyes. Then, when you’re ready open your eyes. You can do this every day until you feel you’ve accomplished what you set out to do.

If all of this seems too much of a bother for you, you can always use some of the pre-prepared programmes available on the Internet these days. These will gently guide you into a deep state of relaxation and suggest positive outcomes. Some of the ones on this page are excellent for doing this and you can find more by doing an Internet search.

Whichever way you decide to go with your hypnosis, I wish you happy outcomes!

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