Self Hypnosis

Are you aware that there is a simple process you can follow that:

• Helps you prioritise your day
• Boosts your energy levels
• Prepares you for important daily events
• Improves your confidence and self esteem
• Improves your memory and speed of recall
• Lowers feelings of stress

Typically, those people who regularly practice self hypnosis, achieve these benefits.

Increasingly people who practice self hypnosis are finding that they are managing to do more and are spending less time doing it.

All of us naturally experience trance states daily. Every time we realise that we have just driven for fifteen minutes without being aware of the route we have taken, we are noticing a trance state. Every time we are so engrossed in a book, or a television programme that we fail to hear someone saying something to us – we are in a trance state.

Neuroscientists have found that the brain processes in a different way in hypnosis. As the process starts there is more left brain activity and as the process continues the left brain activity becomes inhibited and there is evidence of increased right brain processing. Our brain waves move from Beta, the normal waking frequency, to Alpha, allowing access to the subconscious. This has the effect of decreasing anxiety and stress and also allows a high degree of focus.

Self Hypnosis acts as an amplifier and is highly effective at priming the subconscious mind to your inner wishes and thoughts. Once primed, the subconscious mind is capable of simultaneously problem solving – whereas our conscious thinking tends to be consecutive and therefore more limited and slower. There is the added bonus that 20 minutes of self hypnosis on a train or plane can leave you feeling like you have had a night’s sleep.

How do you do it?

Find a place where you will be undisturbed and decide how much time you wish to ‘relax’ for. Some people find it helps to visualise the time that they wish to wake up. They then wake automatically at that time. Others may choose to set an alarm.

• Sit or lie comfortably, with hands and legs uncrossed.
• Then count down from 10 to 1.
• Count each descending number to coincide with an outbreath, or even every other outbreath.
• With each descending number become one tenth more relaxed. Ten percent more relaxed with each descending number.

When you reach the number one and you are very relaxed, allow your mind to range over the day ahead, noticing how you want to be and what you want to achieve. Or just enjoy the relaxation.

When your allotted time is up, you begin to count up from 1 to 10. At the count of ten, you are fully awake and alert again and ready for the day ahead.

Each time you do this, it becomes quicker and easier to do and rapidly becomes a part of the day that you look forward to and value. You will soon begin to notice your day running more smoothly, and a feeling of being more organised and calm.

How much to do it?

If you imagine a piece of cloth that you keep dipping in dye for a period of time, then taking it out to dry in the sun, the longer you leave it in the dye and the more frequently you do it, the stronger the colour stays.  Real advocates say 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Others more practiced at it can achieve a similar effect in just 5 or 10 minutes.

When to do it?

Ideally before you start your day, or even in the train going to work.  Some people pull their cars over onto the verge and do it there. And again at the end of the day to integrate your thoughts and prepare yourself for constructive sleep.

Enjoy