Article Written by Tanya Douglas
Hypnosis; the mystical realm of psychotherapy. The act of hypnosis is often depicted as an
inexplicable "I surrender my will" episode, where the "subject" experiences a complete absence of identity, willpower, and self-control. Dark magic, wizardry, and witchcraft; it's been called names, but rarely have we witnessed a benevolent portrait. Skepticism remains omnipresent. Indifference is not a frequent side effect: curiosity and fear tread lightly together on their dialogue path, deliberating to the limit of auto-collapse. Centuries after its established roots, hypnosis remains relatively unexplored territory for many of us as a form of psychotherapy. Lingering questions persist: Is it safe? Will I benefit from hypnotherapy? Can it alter my personality? Doubts are plenty. The least we can do before closing the door on psychological roads less traveled is to keep an open mind. And maybe, just maybe, think twice.
Hypnotherapy myths: debunked
There are myriad stigmas surrounding hypnotherapy; it is riddled with precautionary measures and exclamation marks. "Danger! You're of susceptible nature!" Be careful! Let's take a moment to indulge in some of the most popular smash-hit myths regarding hypnosis:
● You're your hypnotherapist's puppet when under hypnosis: hypnotherapy is not a
spy blockbuster where you spill top secret information after being abducted by an evil
Hypno-mastermind. Truth: you don't lose control under hypnosis. The lip-sealed brakes
remain intact. No one can force you to act or speak against your will.
● It's deep sleep: no, it really isn't. Although there are known forms of deeper hypnosis
(where the body rests), we are never deep-sleeping.
● Victim of amnesia: hypnotherapy sticks with you. We do not lose consciousness, nor
do we experience short or long-term amnesia. Awareness and hypnosis work well
together. You know exactly where you are, who you are, and what went on during your
hypnosis session.
Hypnotherapy is not a form of entertainment for the cynical; it is a clinically tested psychological treatment performed by a licensed professional that creates a safe space for communication between our conscious and our subconscious mind, just like hypnosis meditation.
Benefits of hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can benefit our overall health by suggesting relaxation and calmness in
numerous ways. We can experience changes in our emotions, thought patterns, or behaviors
through guided sessions.
Becoming a non-smoker
From antidepressants to nicotine patches, the road to smoke-free lungs often requires
otherworldly perseverance. Hypnosis, just like meditation, can rewire our brains and help us quit potentially fatal habits. There are no heavy smokers, only reluctant quitters. When it comes to addictions, the psychology behind hypnosis is pretty straightforward; 2 steps to freedom. The first one involves finding a healthy substitute. Replace a bad habit with a good one. A certified hypnotherapist would guide our subconscious toward a healthy habit instead of smoking. It could be anything from skipping rope to nibbling on a celery stick. Step two: rewire the brain via negative associations. Bad breath and pungent odor are two frequently used negative sensations when we train to associate smoking with unwanted feelings.
Relieving IBS symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a modern-age plague. The intangible culprit of psychosomatic nature is challenging to defeat. Stomach pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, backache, lack of energy - the list of unpleasantness goes on and on. Hypnotherapy is a powerful way of reducing IBS, including secondary symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and urinary issues. How does it work? By using the power of suggestion, the door to positive change opens. Hypnosis introduces progressive relaxation methods; it encourages us to accept soothing sensations and science-based imagery to fight off irritable bowel syndrome. The ones who do not shy away from non-traditional methods can benefit from hypnotherapy. (It is now the most preferred treatment for IBS, according to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Managing fears and phobias
Phobia is defined as an extreme or irrational aversion or fear of something or someone. To live in anticipation of encountering your psyche's nemesis is a life deprived of unconditional enjoyment. Most common phobias include:
● flying
● social interactions
● heights
● spiders
● snakes
● enclosed spaces
● dogs
● being alone
And, of course, death. Anxiety, accompanied by panic attacks, is yesterday's news for the
sufferers. Living with a phobia implies a lot of heavy breathing, excessive sweating, increased
heart rate, nausea, tremor, and the rest of the primal response palette. Studies have shown that hypnotherapy reduces phobia symptoms by nearly 60%, using suggestive desensitization techniques and image-based therapy. By taking us back to trace the trigger event, experience, or cause, we can make amends and rewrite the epilogue that has restricted our day-to-day lives. Moving specialists from Evolution Moving report an inexplicable expansion of hypnotherapy offices across the region. Could it be a coincidence?
Benefit from hypnotherapy by fixing sleep issues
Sleepwalking, insomnia, trouble falling asleep, nightmares. Sweet dreams prove to be an
unattainable goal for many of us. Hypnosis to the rescue. Hypnotherapy offers highly effective methods for all shades of sleep trouble, from training sleepwalkers to wake up the moment their feet touch the floor to regulating sleep patterns for insomniacs or light sleepers. Licensed hypnotherapists can also teach us a trick or two: self-hypnosis is a tremendously helpful technique that ensures sufficient sleep time during the night (especially "deep sleep").
Alleviating anxiety and depression
For many of us, Anxiety and Depression are the names of our two most loyal, trusted friends.
When negative thinking patterns, self-loathing, fear, and lethargy become prevalent in our 24-hour journey, it's time to address the culprit. Although effective, antidepressants offer no long-term solutions for those struggling with mental health. Hypnosis, just like sound therapy, invites an alternative, subconscious approach. Through relaxation techniques, hypnotherapy encourages our body's natural response through nonverbal cues. It is a potent tool for transforming negative patterns into empowering thoughts and positive behaviors.
Final thoughts
Hypnosis is all about reprogramming our minds for the better. Not for the worse, as the myths would suggest. The subconscious is there to provide us with all the necessary tools for sculpting the best possible version of ourselves. One thing we know for sure: the ones who dare to face the subconscious will surely benefit from hypnotherapy.
Tanya, thanks so much for the great information!! As always, please share this article if someone you know could benefit from it! See all group hypnosis meditations here if you think you'd like to give hypnosis meditations a try! Feel free to reach out to me if you'd like to try hypnosis meditations in a one on one setting.
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