Self-Hypnosis For Positive Change
By Kevin Linehan
This month’s column is dedicated to self-hypnosis. Through the process described below you will be able to make the positive changes that you desire in your life. I’ll briefly review what is needed to make it work, two ways for you to begin today, and the components of a self-hypnosis session. I’ve also included some basic goal setting information as well as information on how to create the affirmations that will be suggested during your self-hypnosis session.
In previous columns I have described what is needed in order for hypnosis to be successful. The same two requirements, desire and belief, are also in play for self-hypnosis. Desire means that you personally want the change to occur. Using hypnosis to quit smoking because your spouse wants you to quit will not be effective. Quitting so that you will live to see your new child or grandchild grow up and get married will create powerful personal desire. The belief that is needed is in terms of the affirmations you suggest to yourself while hypnotized. If you currently weigh 190 pounds it may be difficult to see yourself at 130. However if you believe you can limit your intake to 1200 and walk for 15 minutes extra each day you will get to 130 pounds over time.
There are two basic ways to self-hypnotize. The steps are the same for either method and are shown later in this column. Basically you can hypnotize yourself in a fashion that resembles meditation. The second (and easier) way is to create your own personal tape or CD. This method will allow your conscious mind to focus even more so the suggestions and affirmations are more easily accepted.
The components of self-hypnosis are listed below with a brief summary of each. These are very simple to construct and if you email me at kevin@ontrachypnosis.com I will send you sample scripts of an induction, a deepener and an emergence script for you to use to create your own recording. The last component, affirmations, are specific to the change you desire to make. See further down to learn how to create effective affirmations.
Induction – This is the process of putting yourself into hypnosis. In many cases it is combined with a progressive relaxation of the body. Focusing the conscious mind on the task of relaxing allows hypnosis to occur.
Deepening – This is optional. The purpose of deepening is simply to relax even more and go further into hypnosis. The depth of hypnosis is not critical to accepting direct suggestions in the form of affirmations once you pass into the hypnotic state.
Affirmations – Once you have achieved the hypnotic state you can suggest to yourself the affirmations that support the change you believe and desire.
Emergence – This is simply the process of coming back to normal awareness. If this step is skipped you will emerge on your own in a few minutes.
Before starting you should have a good understanding of exactly what you want to achieve with hypnosis. Creating a goal and writing it down is the effective way to do that. Goals that are “SMART”, Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-bound and written down will be achieved. While goal setting is not the purpose of this column keep in mind that a realistic goal is one that you can believe now. Perhaps you don’t believe that you can be rich (yet), try breaking down the goal into smaller bites; you may just be able to pay off that credit card by the end of the year. Once achieved this proof is all your mind needs to believe in even bigger goals.
A suggestion in the context of self-hypnosis is simply feeding your subconscious mind positive affirmations so it can begin to support your desired change. There are some important factors to consider in designing your affirmations such as keeping them simple, in the present, positive and realistic. They also need to be dynamic enough to keep you motivated. When stating affirmations repeating them often will help the subconscious mind accept them.
You’re on your way! Feel free to send email if you have questions or would like to receive the scripts mentioned above. Also, the certified hypnotherapists at OnTrac Hypnotherapy conduct very affordable self-hypnosis classes each month. The October class is on Saturday the 23rd. Space is limited register by 10-15 to hold your spot! Call 603.362.8868 for more information or to sign up.
As a change of pace from the columns written to date, next month I will look at one of the most fascinating uses of hypnosis, Past Life Regression.
