Since time immemorial, people have come up with natural remedies to help with various diseases and conditions. Unfortunately, this cure does not work. Modern medicine has helped explode these age-old myths of cures that don’t work, as well as bolstering effective treatments.
An alternative treatment method is the use of hypnosis.
Now, when you first hear the word hypnosis, you might pull back a memory from what made hypnosis pop culture. Unlike the movies, hypnotism is more than making someone bark like a dog or duck like a duck.
Below, let’s examine what hypnosis is, its place in modern medicine, its benefits, and how you can hypnotize yourself.
What is hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
As already established, hyped movies that hypnotize swing the pendulum and cliche ‘you’re falling asleep now’ quotes off.
So what is hypnosis?
According to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, hypnosis is a method of relaxing, concentrating intensely, and focusing on achieving trance or heightened awareness. While hypnotized, your attention is so focused on one object or another that you don’t notice what’s going on around you.
Self-hypnotism is a technique where you hypnotize yourself by putting yourself in a trance. This process is also known as hypnotherapy. Through hypnotherapy, you can reprogram your brain to acquire certain habits or new habits of nature.
Although hypnotherapy sounds like a complicated process, it is simple, and with proper guidance, you will learn to self-hypnotize.
What are the benefits of hypnotizing yourself?
Before learning how to self-hypnotize, you must first learn the benefits you can experience through this process. Some of the scientific benefits of hypnotherapy include; (Related reading: Want to know if self-hypnosis really works? Take this test.)
1. Self-hypnosis can help you sleep better and longer
Most previous studies looking to investigate the effects of hypnotherapy on sleep, focused on how long or how little sleep people were able to do after hypnotherapy. While the results were impressively positive, they did not provide any indication of sleep quality.
In one study, however, Swiss researchers sought to measure sleep quality after hypnotherapy. The study attempted to monitor participants’ brain activity after hypnosis. Women who were thought to benefit more from hypnotherapy experienced better sleep – up to 80 percent better than those who did not have hypnotherapy.
These findings are of significant importance and value for people who have difficulty sleeping.
2. Hypnotherapy can help you calm down
When most people start stressing, they often start overthinking. You can be stressed by anything from getting your exam results, giving a presentation at work or even your health. Overthinking won’t help you do much. Fortunately, the power of self-hypnosis can help you learn How not to overthink everything.
Related reading: Learn how not to overthink everything in 5 easy steps – Opens in new tab
Research shows that hypnotherapy can help you control the thoughts that stress you and reframe them in a positive way. This will help you retain your thoughts and gain knowledge How to stop your brain from overthinking.
In one study, hypnotherapy was proven to help with stressful processes like childbirth (CNN: HypnoBirthing: Relax During Birth?).
3. Hypnosis can help hot flashes
The study was conducted in women who had at least 50 hot flash episodes in a week. The women underwent five hypnotherapy sessions per week. The results of this study were a reduction in the frequency of hot flashes by an astounding 74%.
Other health benefits include experienced forms of self-hypnosis;
- Reduces Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms by 71% (American Psychological Association)
- Hypnosis calms nervousness
- Hypnotherapy helps balance your hormones
- The process can help you quit habits like smoking
Related reading: 13 Valuable Self-Hypnosis Benefits You Need to Know – Is hypnosis real? | The science behind hypnosis – Opens in new tab
How do you hypnotize yourself?
To many people, self-hypnosis not only seems complicated, but many also consider it a dangerous and unsafe procedure. However, hypnotherapy is a simple process, and when followed intensively, you can enjoy the above benefits.
Here’s a simple three-part process to help you hypnotize yourself.
Step 1: Keep it simple
Many times, people try to overcomplicate the process. However, you should keep it as simple as possible; This will help you maximize results.
Start by deciding how long you want the session to take. Ideally, when starting out, you can self-hypnotize for a few minutes and then steadily increase it.
For example, you can start with a ten-minute session.
Then, you want to set an objective. What do you want to achieve from a hypnotherapy session? Have a specific idea of what you want to work on.
For example, you can self-hypnotize to relieve stress or feel more relaxed.
Check these out Guided self-hypnosis recording
Step 2: Put yourself in a trance
The easiest way to go into trance is to start by focusing on your breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Although it sounds like a simple process, it is very effective.
However, no one can force you to self-hypnotize. If you do it out of your own will, you have to realize it and put a lot of effort into making it happen.
One way you can use to go deeper into your trance is to imagine yourself walking up a flight of stairs. Count each step you take from one to ten. With each number, allow yourself to feel more comfortable. As you climb the 10th staircase, feel the peace and tranquility surrounding you.
As you go through the steps above, you may be aware of the changes, whether you are or not, allowing your unconscious mind to guide you through the process.
Step 3: Relax and transform
Now, you are in a deeply relaxed state. At this stage, you don’t have to do much. You have already given your unconscious mind marching orders; Now, you have to trust the process.
You may experience a sinking or floating sensation. Some people feel like they are sitting or lying down. Don’t let this alarm you; This is the experience your mind chooses; Let it work its way out.
Ultimately, hypnotherapy is a process that can not only help you relax, but also help you with pain, addiction, or even health. As you continue to practice self-hypnosis, you will become better at it and the results will become more apparent. However, if you notice that you are suffering from stress, IBS, or any of the other conditions mentioned above, it is recommended that you visit a health professional.
Check out our recommendations atHypnosis and Self-Hypnosis Bookshelf”- Opens in new tab
Image discussed by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
