Self Hypnosis: How It Works

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When you use self-hypnosis, you’re in good company. Many sports champions such as Tiger Woods and Evander Holyfield use this technique to help achieve their goals and improve their performance. So how does it work? While there are many similarities between hypnosis and self-hypnosis , there are some differentiating factors.

Self-hypnosis is a method of boring your conscious mind so that it relaxes and stops thinking–much the same state of mind as just before you slip into sleep. Some experts believe that self-hypnosis causes the brain to release natural substances that affect your perception of pain as well as other symptoms of your health problems. Another theory proposes that this method allows you to actually control the reactions of your body through your unconscious mind.

The subconscious mind is like an obedient servant—it just does what it is told to do. The subconscious mind doesn’t think, reason, or rationalize. It only follows instructions. Conversely, your conscious mind does think, reason, and rationalize—and often argues against what you want. This is why the conscious mind needs to be relaxed and quieted so it won’t argue against what you are instructing your subconscious mind to do.

In self-hypnosis you are completely in charge. You choose your own time limits that you stay in your alpha state, you choose what health concerns you emphasize and you choose when you do this. With this freedom, you can adjust your self-hypnosis schedules to fit your lifestyle as well as to discover the most effective time and length of session to be beneficial.

This technique can be used for just about any health concern that you have – from simple relaxation to the pain management of childbirth. It is not, however, intended to actually cure you of any disease. Many people use it quite successfully, however, to alleviate the symptoms of many health problems.

Self-hypnosis is also a wonderful tool to treat stress – which in itself is the underlying cause of many chronic health conditions. Not only that, but stress can exasperate any health problem. Even if all self-hypnosis does for you is to help you manage the many stressors that are lurking everywhere with today’s busy lifestyle, it’s performed a valuable function.
But self-hypnosis can also help you achieve many healthy lifestyle changes in your life as well. You can go into your alpha state to reinforce your desire to follow an exercise program regularly. But it can also be a boost to helping you get rid of unhealthy habits as well. That’s why so many people use hypnosis to lose weight and quit smoking.

Self-hypnosis is not a technique that everyone can use easily, though. Some individuals find that as much as they try they can’t overcome their initial prejudices and preconceived ideas about the stereotypical aspects of hypnosis. Others find that they can’t produce that relaxed alpha state required for the hypnotic suggestions to become fully embedded in their subconscious.

It’s true that self-hypnosis requires more focus and more practice than some alternative health methods, like exercise. But having said that, self-hypnosis may also be a great choice for an individual who cannot fully participate in many exercises.

Reference: Self Hypnosis for a Better Life