Does Self Hypnosis Work?
By Susanna Sweeney, MSC, MBACP, CHT
To answer the question: “Does self hypnosis work?” I want to come at the topic from a slightly different angle.
Because, you see, here is the truth, which you may find surprising.
Whether you know it or not, you already practice self hypnosis every day. And, does this self hypnosis work? You bet it does.
Let me explain.
Do You Ever Notice how you Talk to Yourself Internally all day?
The Tone of Self Talk
How we talk to ourselves internally impacts strongly on how we feel about ourselves. For example, when we talk to ourselves in a caring and compassionate way, this has a consoling effect, whereas if we talk to ourselves in harsh, critical tones, negative feelings will result.
The Content of Self Talk
The content of the internal dialogue also has an important role to play in what we focus our minds on.
For
example, you can focus on a goal, say on how to improve your life in
some way. Focusing on a goal brings positive energy with it, and
combined with a positive attitude towards yourself which brings forth
positive emotion, this can propel you into a state of high motivation,
dedication and achievement.
On the other hand, one could focus on
failures of the past, on disappointments or hurt. This will bring forth
negative feelings, and if this persists over a long period of time can
potentially undermine one’s way forward.
Does Self Hypnosis Work? The Impact of Self Talk on the Mind
I am not saying to avoid negative feelings altogether, not by any means.
Feelings of grief, sadness, anger, disappointment and hurt are part of
life, they are part of what makes us human. However, and this statement
comes from my own personal experience, one can get stuck in negative
emotions. Some people use the disparaging term ‘to wallow’.
If
this is something that happens to you, you are not on your own. Many
people are prone to that. Somehow, humans have a tendency to focus on
the negative rather than the positive. Psychologists are speculating
that focusing on the negative may be a survival instinct.
Using Self Hypnosis for Positive Change
- But what if you could change negative thinking and adopt a positive change focus instead?
- What if your dreams could come true?
- What if your goals were in much closer reach than you ever dared to think?
If you want to go beyond survival, if you want to change your life and move forward, you can consciously chose to cultivate a focus on positive feelings and positive goals. You can use self hypnosis for self improvement to deliberately bring forward the focus on the positive, taking charge of your inner dialogue.
So, Does Self Hypnosis Work?
Self hypnosis, self help hypnosis or auto suggestion are the names commonly used for a wide variety of self hypnosis techniques- techniques designed to harness your subconscious mind via different routes. Throughout the process of self hypnosis you act as both client and hypnotist.
These techniques can be very powerful. Will they work for you?
There is no reason why they wouldn't if you are prepared to put in the work. The simple rule of thumb is that the more you practice, the more you are going to get from self help hypnosis.
However, here is the caveat. To make self hypnosis work for you, you must understand and accept the following:
- Self hypnosis is not magic
- Your problems won’t disappear overnight
- It will take time to reach your goals
- You can make this work if you practice regularly (preferably daily) and keep at it over some time
- Expect to see incremental change over time
The Uses of Self-Hypnosis
There is no limit to the uses of self hypnosis. Whether you practice yourself or attend a practitioner, you can use hypnotherapy for change in virtually any area of your life. You can achieve your goals through self hypnosis such as:
- You can use self hypnosis to stop smoking, or you can use self hypnosis for weight loss.
- You can use self hypnosis for confidence.
- You can use self hypnosis for self esteem.
- To rid yourself of anxiety, check out self hypnosis for anxiety.
- To get rid of the symptoms of depression, check out self hypnosis for depression.
- You can also use self hypnosis for success of any kind.
- Self hypnosis for wealth is a recent and growing development in the self hypnosis field.
Overall, the sky is your limit as to the goals you want to set yourself, but do look out for some common mistakes in goal setting and the benefits of self hypnosis in achieving your goals.
Does Self Hypnosis Work for Pain Control?
Believe it or not, self
hypnosis has been used for pain control for some two hundred years, for example in dentistry,
even instead of an anesthetic during major surgery and in childbirth hypnotherapy where it is leading to a better birthing experience for mothers.
Reports are that self hypnosis for pain does not work for
everyone, but for many people it does. This article written by a
neuroscientist gives a great overview of these types of uses of self
hypnosis.
What if you can't get Self Hypnosis to Work for you?
Some people find it hard to get going with self hypnosis. Check out my article on overcoming challenges with self help hypnosis, you might find an answer in here as to how you can overcome the obstacle that's presenting itself.
There is a chance also that you may have to remove some underlying issue, such as the imprint of a trauma that's holding you back, before you can fully make self hypnosis work for you. If you have a feeling this may be the case you would be well advised to work with a practitioner first to get the support and guidance you need.
The practitioner can help you clear your issue with suggestion hypnosis or regression hypnosis and can set up a self hypnosis program with you that will work for you. For example, they can help you formulate the right auto suggestions for you, and giude you to use the right auto suggestion techniques.
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A good place to start practicing self hypnosis techniques first before infusing them with images regarding your specific goals, or changes that you want to make in your life is with relaxation techniques. Find a sample relaxation script on this page that you can start using today.
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Auto Suggestions
In this article, find out the history of auto suggestions, the science behind them and how you can use them to your advantage to change your life.
In this article, find detailed instructions on how to design, administer and troubleshoot your auto suggestions successfully so that you can use them to change your life.
I hope this article has helped answer the initial question: Does self hypnosis work?
Now, it's your turn. Give self hypnosis a go and form your own opinion. Let our community know how you are getting on in the comments underneath.
Here is to your success and well being!
Regards,
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About Me | Contact | Privacy Policy | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
Hello Venturer,
Welcome to my Online Hypnotherapy Clinic.
I am Susanna Sweeney, accredited psychotherapist and hypnotherapist.
I have been helping people to overcome their blocks and move forward for 30+ years.
Along the way, I have fallen in love with hypnotherapy.
Please note that any content or advice provided here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.
Always consult your doctor before starting any health regimen.
Outcomes of hypnotherapy vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.
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