A Beginner's Guide to Hypnotherapy: What You Need to Know (and What You Don't)
I'm sure someone as ambitious and determined as you is blazing a trail of success, pushing yourself to become the very best version of yourself. You deserve nothing less than an extraordinary life filled with freedom, autonomy and joy - so go get it! If you're curious about hypnotherapy, yet uncertain of its advantages - don't fret! You aren't the only one.
Hypnosis is akin to the moment when your alarm buzzes in the morning, yet you don't want to get out of bed as it feels so utterly delightful. That's how hypnotic states can feel!
Hypnosis is much like visiting a calming fitness center; you remain in command throughout the experience. To ensure your utmost comfort during your first session, be sure to select comfortable clothing.
Picture for a moment that you never had the chance to exercise or play sports - not even once. You have no idea where to start, so I can understand why it could be daunting for some with zero athletic background. If this is your case, why don't you begin by running 5km? Or join a local baseball team? Even better yet: hit up the gym! With these tips in mind and determination on your side, nothing will stop you from achieving results.
If this is your first time experiencing hypnosis, the hypnotist may take extra care to help you reach that state of extreme relaxation when all you want to do is stay in bed—you'll hear them say things like...
Count backwards from 10-1
Imagine you're walking down a flight of stairs (deeper and deeper down).
Are you familiar with the muscle relaxation progression exercise? If so, then you know what I'm referring to when I say - tense your left foot and relax it; tense your right foot and release all tension associated with it; let go of any tightness in your calves, thighs, hips. This is just a small sample of this therapeutic practice.
When you enter into a trance-like state, it is possible that the hypnotist's words may become muffled as your mind begins to drift away. Although you can still move and talk during hypnosis, you will likely want to remain in this relaxed state due to its comfortability - similar to when lying on bed feels like the best thing ever!
Before starting, ask for a recording of the session; once in trance state, you won't remember what was said by your hypnotist. However, it's possible to recall themes and decisions that were made as well as strategies suggested or formulated with respect to reaching new goals. - Clients often remark that their experience with you was incredibly calming, and a week later they'll phone up sharing all of the amazing changes taking place in their life.
Just like being stuck in an office all day or driving passengers around, getting chilly is inevitable. Make sure to pack a comfy sweater and don't forget to put it on right before you receive hypnotherapy!
To avoid any potential discomfort, make sure to wear clothing that is not too tight. If you are sensitive to irritants in the air, it would be a good idea for you to leave your contact lenses at home and opt for waterproof mascara or no makeup instead of risking watery eyes.
To ensure you have the best experience possible, please avoid chewing gum and sitting with your legs or arms crossed. Doing so can restrict blood flow as if you had slept on them funny; potentially resulting in a dead arm sensation or pins and needles.
One of my favored hypnosis inductions is the SEVEN PLUS OR MINUS TWO technique; it's ideal for those who are analytical.
This induction has been remarkably successful in assisting individuals achieve their desired outcomes.
Now, give in to your laziness and just relax... attentively listening to my voice. Take a few moments to focus on the rhythm of your breathing as though you are sound asleep or pretending to be sleeping. Allow yourself time for slow, steady inhalations and exhalations
Embrace a state of repose in the chair, and utilize your imagination to envision an incredibly tranquil version of yourself. With the power of your mind, continue to build on this tranquility with every passing second until you reach maximum relaxation. Keeping your breath steady, ensure that each inhalation you take lasts the same amount of time as the last one.
As each exhalation lingers for the same duration, focusing on your breathing and becoming aware of how your head feels against the back of the chair - listen intently to my voice as inhalations gradually become shorter. As you listen closely to my words, it may happen that you cease thinking about your breath. Fear not; simply stay focused on your breathing while still lending a thoughtful ear to what I am communicating and the scientific facts behind them. There's a concept known as "seven plus or minus two" which states that most people can recall seven things at once, give or take two. As you focus on the sound of my voice, your steady breathing, and the weight of your head against the back of the chair; plus how you might appear from an outsider's perspective - that already makes four. Try to add in something more - listen carefully to what melody I'm playing in contrast while thinking about those things. Five simultaneously! See? It isn't complicated at all! Now, let's see if you can concentrate on five things while simultaneously being aware of the sensation in your feet, and maybe even acknowledging how your arms feel… that would be a total of seven perceptions! Now, take in the sound of my voice as you sink into relaxation. Feel your head rest against the back of the chair; listen to the music playing softly in the background. Visualize yourself here with me--your arms, feet resting on a footrest, and most importantly your steady breathing that slows down more and more each moment I'm curious - can you add an eighth element to your senses? Is it possible for your mind to be powerful enough to think of seven plus one things all at the same time – like, perhaps, being aware of the temperature in the room and adding yet another input? That would mean thinking about nine elements altogether – seven plus two. What do you say? Do you believe that's achievable or not?
Enhance your sensory experience by becoming aware of the way your eyes feel while considering all those other elements
Pay attention to the heaviness of your head, the sound of your breath, and any music in the background. Appreciate how you look from an outside perspective and take note of the temperature around you. Sense where your feet are resting on a footrest, recognize sensations in your arms while listening to my voice intently. Notice how relaxed or alert your eyes feel during this time as well.
Allow the weight of your head to drift away, and focus instead on deliberate breathing. Notice the ambient music in the background, as well as how you appear from an outsider's perspective. Pay attention to not only physical sensations like temperature or feet placement but also internal ones such as arm tension and voice quality. Finally observe any sensation that may arise within your eyesight . When someone is running through their thoughts in quick succession, it feels as though they are thinking of them all simultaneously - and that process is referred to as timesharing. In the world of computing, this concept holds true and has revolutionized how we interact with machines. As you try to juggle multiple tasks at once, it can be tricky to allocate your resources adequately. Consequently, some people are only able to remember five things due to their memory limitations; on the other hand, others recall nine items easily - making me ponder if your mind is functioning optimally as you grapple with these nine items.Pay attention to the weight of your head, your breathing pattern, and the music playing in the background. Notice how you look from an outside perspective as well as the temperature of room. Feel your feet on the footrest and relax into a comfortable position with your arms resting at ease. Allow yourself to listen carefully to my voice before taking time for self-reflection; Release all of your distracting thoughts and recognize what is most significant - feeling content inside! Focus all your energy on the one priority that is above everything else... which will be simple to discern since you are allowing yourself to think exclusively about only this single thing instead of nine… The paramount thought should just be how wonderful it feels when concentrating on a singular idea… Imagine how peaceful you can become now that you're mulling over how tranquilized you might like to feel...
Let go of all your worries and allow yourself to unwind; don't think about anything, do nothing, be free from expectations. Take a deep breath and just relax, there is absolutely no need for you to do anything except experience the feeling of utter peace and bliss that relaxation brings.