Can you Hypnotise Yourself? The Power of Self-Hypnosis!

 Whenever I tell people that I’m going to teach them self-hypnosis as a part of our work together they often look puzzled .

Can you hypnotise yourself?

Well, yes - and it’s a huge part of what I do.

Self-hypnosis is a powerful tool that has been gaining popularity for its ability to help individuals improve their mental well-being, overcome obstacles, and enhance their overall quality of life.

If you're looking for a natural, scientifically-supported way to tap into the immense potential of your mind, self-hypnosis might be exactly what you need.

What Is Self-Hypnosis?

Self-hypnosis is a deeply relaxed state of focused attention, where you guide yourself to tap into your mind. 

In this state, the brain becomes highly receptive to positive suggestions, and it’s possible to shift old patterns of thinking, behaviour, and emotional responses.

Unlike the dramatic portrayals in movies, self-hypnosis, just like any hypnosis, is not about losing control or being "put under" a trance. 

It’s actually a state of heightened focus and concentration, where you remain in full control and awareness, yet the mind becomes more open to constructive changes.

The Science Behind Self-Hypnosis

Self-hypnosis has been studied extensively, and the scientific evidence for its effectiveness is compelling.

Research has shown that it can have a profound impact on both the mind and body. When you enter a relaxed, hypnotic state, your brain waves shift from the active beta waves to slower alpha and theta waves, which are associated with deep relaxation, creativity, and heightened suggestibility.

Some of the key scientific findings include:

1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that self-hypnosis can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress by promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system.
2. Pain Management: Research has demonstrated that self-hypnosis can be a highly effective tool for managing chronic pain, particularly in conditions like fibromyalgia and lower back pain. It can reduce the perception of pain by altering how the brain processes pain signals.
3. Improved Sleep: Studies show that self-hypnosis can help with sleep disorders by promoting relaxation and reducing mental chatter, allowing individuals to fall asleep more easily and experience deeper, more restorative sleep.
4. Behavioural Changes: Self-hypnosis has been used to help people quit smoking, lose weight, reduce unhealthy habits, and break free from self-limiting beliefs. The mind is incredibly powerful in making lasting behavioural changes, and self-hypnosis taps directly into this resource.

Why Should You Use Self-Hypnosis?

There are countless benefits to incorporating self-hypnosis into your life, and they extend far beyond relaxation. Here are just a few compelling reasons why you should consider using self-hypnosis:

1. Mental Clarity and Focus: Self-hypnosis allows you to clear mental clutter and gain clarity. It helps you focus your mind on specific goals, which can enhance your productivity and decision-making.
2. Emotional Healing: It can aid in releasing emotional blockages, trauma, or negative beliefs that may be holding you back. By addressing these at the subconscious level, self-hypnosis can help you experience emotional freedom and healing.
3. Improved Confidence: By programming your mind with positive affirmations and beliefs, you can improve your self-esteem and confidence, helping you navigate challenges and embrace new opportunities.
4. A Natural Alternative to Medication: Many people turn to self-hypnosis as a natural alternative to medication for anxiety, stress, pain management, and even insomnia. It’s a drug-free method that can have long-lasting, positive effects.

What Can Self-Hypnosis Help With?

Self-hypnosis can be a powerful tool for addressing a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical issues. Some of the most common problems that self-hypnosis can help with include:

•  Stress and Anxiety: Self-hypnosis can help reduce stress by calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation.
•  Pain Management: It’s often used to alleviate chronic pain conditions, migraines, and post-surgery discomfort.
•  Weight Loss: By addressing cravings and emotional eating patterns, self-hypnosis can help you make healthier choices and break free from emotional eating habits.
•  Smoking Cessation: Many people have successfully quit smoking with the help of self-hypnosis by reprogramming their minds to reject the desire to smoke.
•  Sleep Disorders: Self-hypnosis can promote deep relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
•  Phobias and Fears: It’s also used to help people overcome phobias such as fear of flying, spiders, or public speaking by rewiring the brain’s response to these triggers.

A Simple Self-Hypnosis Exercise You Can Try

Now that you understand the power of self-hypnosis, let’s try a simple exercise that you can use to help you relax and improve your focus. This is a basic relaxation exercise, ideal for beginners.

The Deep Relaxation Self-Hypnosis Exercise:

1. Find a Quiet Space: Sit in a comfortable chair or lie down in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
2. Focus on Your Breathing: Close your eyes and take a few deep, slow breaths. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly. With each breath, allow your body to relax further.
3. Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Start at your feet and work your way up through your body, tensing and then relaxing each muscle group. Begin with your toes, then your calves, thighs, abdomen, hands, arms, shoulders, neck, and face. As you tense each muscle group, hold the tension for a few seconds, then release it, letting go of all the tension in that area.
4. Deepen the Hypnotic State: To deepen the relaxation, you can use a counting method. Slowly count down from 10 to 1, telling yourself that with each number, you’re becoming more deeply relaxed and focused.
5. Visualise a Peaceful Scene: Imagine yourself in a place that makes you feel peaceful and calm—perhaps a beach, a forest, or a garden. Picture the sights, sounds, and smells of this place, immersing yourself in the experience. Let your mind focus on the positive feelings this place evokes.
6. Positive Affirmations: Once you are deeply relaxed, repeat a positive affirmation to yourself, such as:
•  "I am calm, confident, and in control."
•  "I am fully relaxed and at peace."
•  "My body and mind are in perfect harmony."
7. Return to Full Awareness: After spending a few minutes in this deep state of relaxation, slowly bring your awareness back to the present moment. You can do this by counting up from 1 to 5, telling yourself that when you reach 5, you will feel fully awake, alert, and refreshed.

How Can I Learn More?

For the very best results with self-hypnosis, I recommend a short package of hypnotherapy sessions where you discuss your needs and goals.

From here we can put together some bespoke exercises which we can practise together and then take away with you to practise and use at your own convenience.

The more bespoke your self-hypnosis is - the clearer you are with your goals and desires and the more successful your outcome will be.

By regularly practicing self-hypnosis, you can tap into the power that resides within you and create lasting transformation in your life.

Remember, like any new skill, self-hypnosis takes practice and a bit of learning at first, but with time and patience, it can become an invaluable tool for creating a healthier, happier, and more empowered you.

I will be covering the basics of self-hypnosis in my free 4 day challenge The Empowered Body January 6th-9th. You can join here: The Empowered Body Challenge