“How do I hypnotize myself?” or “Can I hypnotize myself?” is a question I am often asked. The answer is yes, you can learn self hypnosis techniques. As I know many people would like to learn how to do hypnotherapy at home, you can even learn hypnosis in your home using this article.
Self hypnosis can provide many of the benefits of regular hypnosis. It is possible to learn hypnosis at home and be able to hypnotize yourself.
If you feel stuck, or unable to move forward in a particular area, self hypnosis may provide the breakthrough you need. Self hypnosis techniques can change your attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. It can also alter bad habits and increase your self-esteem.
Some people view the ability to self hypnotize as a lack of control or awareness, but it’s actually the opposite. Hypnosis involves a high degree of concentration and control.
When you hypnotize yourself, the resulting state is similar to a meditative state, but with a different purpose. Meditation is about emptying the mind. Self hypnosis is about putting new thoughts and ideas into the mind. Self hypnosis can be easier than meditation for some people. Those who tend to have a hard time quieting their mind may find it easier to do self hypnosis as you will be constantly thinking.
What is self-hypnosis like?
Self-hypnosis is similar to regular hypnosis, but instead of listening to someone else, you are self guiding. You are also giving yourself the command to enter into “deep sleep”. Hypnosis is not like falling asleep, you are awake and aware. However, you can use this relaxing technique before bed to help with falling asleep if you have sleep problems.
The hypnotic state is very relaxing, and can help with your stress. You can use it to feel better at any time of the day or night.
Benefits of learning self hypnosis
No matter who you are, learning self hypnosis can have several benefits. These benefits make learning the skill worth the time and practice.
Learning self hypnosis is a safe and effective
There are professionals trained in the use of hypnotherapy, but you can achieve some of the benefits of hypnosis on your own. However, you should seek out professional assistance when necessary. This is especially important when you are dealing with mental health issues. In these cases, you should contact a hypnotist who is also a licensed, mental health therapist.
Learning self hypnosis helps to alter your beliefs and habits
Hypnosis is an effective way of altering your beliefs and habits. Research shows that self hypnosis is effective in changing beliefs and habits. Sometimes it’s not our drive to succeed that makes change difficult, but our beliefs about ourselves or our negative habits. Self hypnosis can help change the beliefs and habits that are no longer useful or healthy for us.
Learning self hypnosis is cost-effective
Hypnosis with a trained hypnotist is an excellent method of change, but sessions can be expensive. This is especially true if you want to be hypnotized multiple times a week. Self hypnosis is cost-effective because it is free. Once you learn it, weather on your own, or form a certified Hypnotherapist, you can use it as often as you want for free. This allows you to use self hypnosis as needed, and save the issues that you have a hard time working with on your own for the Hypnotherapist. You can even practice self hypnosis daily.
Learning self hypnosis can help you sleep
One very effective use for self hypnosis is getting to sleep easier. Many people have insomnia or trouble sleeping. You can use self hypnosis before bed to get to sleep quicker and easier. You can allow yourself to drift off to sleep while hypnotized and will wake up naturally in the morning. If you fall asleep in hypnosis you will not wake up still hypnotized.
Learning self hypnosis is safe and simple if you follow these steps:
1 – Realize that it takes time to learn self hypnosis
If you are learning to hypnotize yourself on your own, and not from an instructor it may take some time. Learning to relax and concentrate takes practice. If you meditate, you already know this. It won’t take years to learn self hypnosis, but it might take a month or two to see good results.
2 – Sit in a comfortable position with your feet flat on the floor
In order to do self hypnosis, you must be comfortable and able to relax. The best way to sit if you are just learning, is to sit on a comfortable sofa or chair with adequate back support. Sit all the way back in the chair and place your feet flat on the floor. If you’re able to sit in a meditative position for long periods of time and be comfortable, a full-lotus position can be effective. Avoid positions that will allow you to fall asleep unless the purpose of the hypnosis is to fall asleep at the end. You cannot give yourself suggestions if you are asleep. Also avoid positions you can’t maintain with comfort for at least 10 minutes.
3 – Stare at a point directly across from you
Pick a point directly across from you and allow your eyes to focus for a little while. Allow your eyes to focus on this point until you notice that they begin to lose focus naturally. While focusing on the point, allow your breathing to become deeper. Once your eyes have lost focus, take another deep breath and, as you exhale, intentionally command yourself to enter hypnosis. A good phrase to use is, “I am going to sleep right now.” Repeat this phrase several times and allow your eyes to close. Be gentle with your command, but be convincing.
4 – Relax your body completely
The next, and most important, step is to relax your body completely. Tell yourself that you’re becoming more relaxed with every breath. Feel the breath traveling in and out of your nose and mouth. Allow yourself to notice the path of the breath through your body. And allow yourself to notice your breath becoming deeper and easier.
5 – Give yourself post-hypnotic suggestions
In order to gain the full effectiveness of self hypnosis, you must give yourself suggestions while hypnotized. These suggestions are for the change you want to happen when you are out of hypnosis, so they are called post-hypnotic suggestions. Keep these suggestions positive and in the present tense. “I am calm and relaxed” is better than “I’m not afraid or stressed.” Keep the number of suggestions to five or less and repeat each suggestion silently to yourself several times.
6 – Visualize yourself living out your suggestions
In order to lock in your suggestions, you must visualize yourself living them out. If your hypnotic suggestion is about confidence, visualize yourself being confident in challenging situations. Think of all the scenarios in your daily life that are applicable and include them in your visualizations.
7 – Get in touch with as many senses as possible
When you imagine living out your suggestions, get in touch with as many of your senses as possible. If your suggestion is to eat healthier, imagine yourself eating healthy foods. Imagine yourself enjoying the taste of the foods. Notice how the healthy foods smell. See what they look like. Notice their textures. Hear the sounds as you bite into them and chew. Each sense you tap into allows the suggestion to wire more deeply into your subconscious mind.
8 – Tell yourself it’s time to wake up
When you’re finished giving yourself suggestions, tell yourself that it’s time to wake up. Tell yourself that you’ll be fully awake by the count of three. Count and allow your eyes to open. You might feel a little sleepy for a few minutes, but it’s no different than waking up from a short nap. Move around and you’ll feel fine shortly.
9 – To learn self hypnosis, practice it often
Feel free to repeat the process of self hypnosis whenever you have the time. Like any skill, self hypnosis takes practice. Of course, be safe. It’s not appropriate or safe to hypnotize yourself while driving a car or operating machinery. Do not self hypnotize while doing any task that takes focus or concentration. Try to perform self hypnosis at least couple of times each day as you are learning the process.
10 – When in doubt, learn self hypnosis from an expert
A trained, certified hypnotherapist can teach you to hypnotize yourself quickly and efficiently. They can answer questions about the state and what you are doing right or wrong. They can also teach you how to go deeper into self hypnosis and make your post-hypnotic suggestions more effective. If you want to learn self hypnosis quickly, this is the fastest, easiest way.
Self hypnosis can be a useful tool in self-improvement. If you’re looking for a new way to change your beliefs or behavior, self hypnosis can help. There is a learning curve to develop the necessary skill to hypnotize yourself effectively. Just like meditation, it can take months to become skilled. This learning curve can be shortened with the help of a trained hypnotherapist.
Hypnotic suggestions can also require a lot of repetition before you see results. But if you’re looking for something to get yourself out of a rut, self hypnosis is a useful technique.
