What is Self-Hypnosis? [how does it work and improve health?]

Are you feeling stuck? Do you spend most of your day trapped in your head due to anxiety, fear, and general lack of interest? Do you wish there was a way to break yourself out of the rut of constantly thinking about the same things all the time?

Self-hypnosis is a technique that may help transform your subconscious mind to be more productive, more present, and more aware. If done properly, self-hypnosis can be an important part of a happier life and you don’t have to hire a professional hypnotist.

This may sound strange. How can someone hypnotize themself? For human beings to reach a state of hypnosis doesn’t it require a professional hypnotherapist? Well, if you have ever meditated with the specific goal of reaching a state of deep relaxation then chances are you may have put yourself into a form of self-hypnosis.

Self-hypnosis helps you to become fully aware of your present moment and situation by putting yourself in a hypnotic state. While being “present” you repeat positive affirmations over and over again to train your brain to be fully focused on a goal. 

How Does Self-Hypnosis Work?

Self-hypnosis can be a powerful tool if utilized properly. It works by putting your inner self in a relaxed state of mind so you can be hyper-focused on a goal. This allows your unconscious mind to make decisions and take actions to reach your goal effectively.

When you are focused on what you are trying to accomplish you get closer to what you are trying to achieve.

What is Self-Hypnosis Technique?

If you are striving to get yourself into the correct mindset to achieve your goals, the self-hypnosis technique is relatively easy. It is much more than the common misconception of simply putting yourself into a trance state of mind.

Self-hypnosis techniques are much different. They are focused on creating a positive change in your life through a new state of awareness. The first step is to find a comfortable place, All you have to do is find a private place to rest, and then you can relax and go deep into your mind to set yourself on the right path to achievement.

Self-hypnosis begins with relaxation techniques.

1. Find a comfortable chair and a quiet place where you can have an open mind without interruption.
    
2. Scan your body by placing your awareness through all your muscle groups relaxing each one as you feel your body from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Creating calm feelings throughout your whole body is key.
   
3. Slowly take a series of deep breaths carefully taking in air and exhaling it out.
   
4. Begin to repeat a positive affirmation in your mind over and over again like a mantra in order to get the idea firmly planted in your brain and part of your awareness.
   
5. After a reasonable amount of time (10-12 minutes) come back to the present moment with your affirmation and goal at the forefront of your thinking allowing you to be fully motivated to achieve your goal.

What is Self-Hypnosis Used For?

If there is anything in your life that you want to change, many therapists and life coaches believe that self-hypnosis is a viable and useful way to train your brain to see things differently. Self-hypnosis allows you to change your perspective on something that has been bothering you or not serving you. 

Some of the reasons that people have used self-hypnosis in the past are:

• 1)    Quitting smoking
• 2)    Kicking addiction
• 3)    Facing fears and phobias
• 4)    Finding self-confidence
• 5)    Improving overall health by eliminating ailments
• 6)    Being able to open themselves up to being more vulnerable
• 7) Reducing stress levels with proven stress management techniques
• 8) Improve your quality of life
• 9) Sleep disorders

The above are just a few reasons for self-hypnosis. There are many more and the technique can be used for just about anything.

Does Self-Hypnosis Work?

Many people who have tried self-hypnosis firmly believe in the power it suggests. It’s beneficial to remember that only you can control your own mind. 

What self-hypnosis has done for many people according to their own accounts is that the technique was able to put them in a frame of mind that was void of any self-doubt. 

The self-hypnosis experience gave these people the power to take control of their own thoughts in order to eradicate their fears (sometimes irrational) to be able to face the life changes that needed to be made in order to become a better, healthier, happier person. 

Self-Hypnosis Benefits

The possible benefits of self-hypnosis are many. According to Psychology Today, “[Self-hypnosis] can be a great cure for stress, anxiety, and worry.” The benefits don’t stop there. 

Many people have used self-hypnosis to get healthy by using the technique to quit smoking, lose weight, and curb addictions. Beyond physical health, self-hypnosis is also used for mental health. 

If you are currently dealing with social anxiety, negative self-speak, and fear of facing truths, you can use self-hypnosis to be able to train your brains to be kinder to yourself and have more positive thoughts in order to have a more positive outlook on life. 

Self Hypnosis to Stop Smoking

There are many tricks and products in the world that help people every day in their journey to quit smoking. As we all know from the countless years of research, smoking is not a good habit to have. 

Aside from the obvious threat of developing cancer, smoking can ruin your teeth, skin, and hair. Are you willing to stop at nothing to kick the habit? Self-hypnosis has been helpful in turning many smokers into former smokers.

Through self-hypnosis, you can use your mantras to remind yourself that smoking is bad. You can tell your brain to have a certain reaction whenever you crave a smoke. 

You can have your brain hyper-focus on the bad taste that comes with smoking or you can train your brain to want to go for a walk or have a glass of water whenever the craving takes over. 

Many former smokers have found these methods to be truly effective.

Quitting Smoking and Anxiety Disorder

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the number one mental illness today. About 18% of the United States population deals with anxiety on a regular basis in one form or another. 

That’s a lot of people. If you are dealing with anxiety, you are in good company and part of a large group. Many people who are managing their anxiety do so with self-hypnosis. Very much in the same way as quitting smoking, you can train your brain to react to your anxiety in a healthy way.

When many people are hit with a wave of anxiety, fear takes over causing mental and physical paralysis. These reactions can be detrimental to getting ahead in life and being able to fully be a part of society. 

Some people’s anxiety can be so crippling, it’s hard to hold down a job. With self-hypnosis, if you are dealing with anxiety you can find ways to overcome your anxiety in those moments when it seems there is no hope.

By introducing the mantras and positive affirmations that remind you that you are safe, you are in control, and you are confident can help trigger your subconscious to feel at ease and not succumb to the general effects of anxiety. 

Self-Hypnosis for Pain Management

Many people fear pain management due to the use of opioids in helping soothe pain and keep the body moving and operating like normal. For those who want to manage their discomfort, self-hypnosis is a method that can help you feel better without the use of medication.

Whenever you feel a pain coming on, or if you have chronic pain, you can use your awareness to lean into the pain and get through it. According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Studies show that more than 75% of people with arthritis and related diseases experience significant pain relief using hypnosis.”

Self-hypnosis can help you communicate to your brain that you are not in any real pain at all. By doing relaxation exercises that help you scan and feel all the muscles in your body, you can begin to feel more connected to your body as opposed to feeling your body is working against you. 

By coming together with your physical being through the repetition of speaking the mantras, you will begin to help your body manage the pain without medication. 

Self-Hypnosis for Sleep

Chronic insomnia can be detrimental to your overall health. Lack of sleep can cause a person to be easily distracted allowing them to make mistakes, get hurt, or fall asleep while driving. 

Research done by doctors from the Department of Neurology at the Oregon Health and Science University found that 58% of participants in a test group were able to sleep better through hypnosis. 

If you’re unable to effectively and naturally fall asleep there are a few nighttime rituals that you can perform to get yourself into the head space to fall asleep fast.

1. Make sure your space is quiet where you can fully relax.
   
2. Close your eyes and concentrate on switching off and programming your brain to start the process of falling asleep.
   
3. Listen to relaxing music or dim the lights to set the mood for your brain.
   
4. Once you are done with your affirmations, go to bed and quietly drift off to sleep. 

A lot of times, our brains just keep working and going and are unable to rest. A little bit of focus right before bedtime will enable your brain to concentrate on turning off instead of staying on deep in thought.

Self Hypnosis for Personal Development Healing

Some say self-hypnosis is the ultimate personal development tool. While I agree with that thought in general there is a good amount of training and learning that needs to be put forth to achieve the results you are looking for via self-hypnosis.

Self-Hypnosis YouTube

There are always experts at the ready to help you find the self-hypnosis method that is right for you and your condition. 

Outlets like YouTube offer dozens of videos by self-proclaimed and fully accredited experts who can help you choose the proper affirmations for hypnotizing yourself into good health. 

Simply search the channels for what ails you along with the words self-hypnosis. You can find a ton of videos that will start you on your way to better understanding yourself, your condition, and the right mindset to get yourself back on track and back to your life.

Self-Hypnosis Books

Many advocates of self-hypnosis have taken to publishing their techniques and thoughts on how you can hypnotize your way to better physical and mental health. 

Some of the more popular books on the market are Instant Self-Hypnosis by Forbes Robbins Blair, Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis by Melvin Powers, and The Everything Self-Hypnosis Book by Rene Bastaracherican. 

There are many more books out there that are more specific to what you may be looking for, but a simple Internet search or Amazon search will yield the results you are looking for. 

It never hurts to get the opinions and ideas of some of the experts on the topic. 

Apps for Self-Hypnosis Apps

There’s an app for that. There’s an app for just about anything in today’s world and self-hypnosis is not an exception. 

Guided hypnosis apps can give you the skill necessary to learn how to hypnotize yourself safely and without obstacles. As with most things in life, self-hypnosis is a practice, and a part of our daily routine. 

Best Self Hypnosis App

Just like how many people have used meditation as a part of their daily habits, self-hypnosis is the same. One of the more popular apps is HypnoBox. 

This particular app has received great reviews and basically works as a build-your-own experience where you can choose from a variety of topics that suit your needs. 

Self-Hypnosis vs Meditation

Many may read this and ask, “What’s the difference between self-hypnosis and meditation?” Great question, and here’s the answer: mediation asks that you clear your mind while self-hypnosis asks you to focus your mind. 

What does that mean? Well, here’s another simple answer. In mediation, you are asked to free your mind and relax. Meditation can be the emptying of the mind to get clarity and feel free. 

On the other hand, self-hypnosis asks your brain to remain focused on certain thoughts in order to keep the brain active and thinking in a more positive manner.

Self-hypnosis has been proven to be effective and a safe method for helping you get healthy and feel great. Although it may not be for everyone, it is always a safe bet to do some research first before attempting anything. 

Always check with your own doctor or medical professional first before trying anything that may have a deep and long-lasting effect on your overall health. 

There is a wealth of valuable information on the internet about the practice of self-hypnosis. Read as much as you can and remember you can always reach out to an experienced hypnotherapist for help if needed. Self-hypnosis may be what you are looking for in your journey for good health.