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 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 a high degree of 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