Hypnosis, often known as hypnotherapy, is a technique for achieving a heightened state of awareness known as trance. It involves guided relaxation, intensive concentration (see also ‘Hypnosis for Concentration‘), and focused attention. It usually starts with a hypnotic induction, which involves a series of instructions and hypnotic suggestions.
Hypnosis can also be used to help with health, pain management and getting addicted individuals to stop smoking or overeating. It may also be beneficial for patients with severe symptoms or who require crisis management.
Hypnosis Techniques That Work
In most cases, a trained hypnotherapist will begin by learning more about you and what you hope to accomplish during your hypnotherapy session. They’ll also go into how hypnotherapy works and what kind of treatment or program they recommend for your specific needs.
Hypnosis is frequently included in the initial session. However, it is usually spent totally by establishing the problem and obtaining a brief history. Before exploring the methods hypnotists use, let’s first explore the relationship between hypnosis and the conscious and subconscious.
The basic premise of hypnosis is that the subconscious mind can be accessed and influenced. The majority of this impact happens during the induction period through conversational hypnosis. By doing all of these things, your conscious and subconscious minds will be able to access the part of the brain that solves problems and makes plans.
When you have a new concept, it is because you put it together unconsciously. When you immerse yourself in hypnosis, the world of imagination becomes quite real.
The majority of your cognitive processes are guided by your subconscious mind. To make decisions and take action, your conscious mind assesses your thoughts. It also analyzes new information so that you can present it differently.
When using hypnosis, your mind is highly focused and aware when in a trance state. You’re in a state of deep relaxation and will notice your breathing change to be calmer. The hypnotic induction is the first step a hypnotist takes, and there are various induction techniques.
Relaxation technique
It’s a popular therapist technique and a basic hypnosis technique. The client may slip into a trance, and thus the mind is susceptible to suggestion if they are relaxed.
Preparing yourself to go into a deep trance involves learning to let go and are more likely to engage in conversation with you and be receptive to indirect suggestions.
When the therapy begins, the subject sits comfortably, either seated or lying down occasionally. Depending on how the hypnotherapist works, this could be on a sofa or a comfy, easy chair.
Handshake method
The handshake technique was first used by Milton Erickson- the father of hypnotherapy. Handshakes are a common form of greeting. However, in hypnosis, instead of shaking the hand conventionally, the hypnotist would grip the wrist or drag the patient forward and off-balance, disrupting the rhythm that our minds have developed.
The subconscious mind is suddenly susceptible to suggestion if the routine is disrupted.
Arm Levitation
The client closes their eyes. They are urged to notice the differences in their arms’ sensations. The hypnotherapist offers ideas for each arm’s sensations. They may describe the arm as heavy, light, hot, or cold. The client goes into a trance and either physically lifts their arm or believes in their mind that they have lifted it.
Eye fixation
To induce trance, any object of focus can be employed. The “power pendulum” or a “swinging pocket watch” are the most common examples, though these two gadgets are now associated with phony stage hypnosis. Due to their notoriety, you’re more likely to fail and encounter opposition when using these objects.
Visualization
Visualization is the act of creating images within your mind. The hypnotist could ask the subject to visualize a room they are familiar with and imagine all its details. The hypnotist might say to the client, “Close your eyes and imagine yourself at the beach; notice every detail, smell the air, feel the breeze on your skin.”
Countdown breathing
Controlled breathing is commonly used for meditation, but it can also be used for self-hypnosis. Below is how it works:
- Close your eyes and sit in a chair with your arms on your lap, arms on your lap.
- Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth and let yourself relax deeper and deeper.
- Count down from 100 with slow, steady breaths.
- One interval is equal to one exhalation.
How Do You Perform Conversational Hypnosis?
Conversational hypnosis is a scientific and methodical way of putting someone into a hypnotic trance simply conversing with them. It uses words to induce trance but does so in a less structured and rigorous manner than regular trance inductions. A trained hypnotist can use hypnotic language patterns to guide a listener into a receptive state, in which memories are retrieved, and change can occur.
A good example of this type of hypnosis is metaphors. When we narrate a metaphor-rich story, our minds look for parallels between the story and our current circumstance. As a result, we may have a quick grasp of a problem’s solution or insight into our relationships.
- The use of embedded commands
it’s one of the most impressive techniques employed in conversational hypnosis. Embedded commands are a cunning approach to get suggestions into your subject’s head. The information goes directly into the unconscious mind undetected.
Hypnotists believe that the unconscious mind (some prefer subconscious) stores all of our life experiences and is simultaneously monitoring all of our body systems and keeping track of our surroundings.
The process of Analog Marking is vital for embedding a command. This implies separating the command from the rest of the words by pronouncing it in a way that makes it stand out.
- You may say it a little louder than the other words.
- As you embed the order, you might stare directly into the person’s eyes.
- As you say the command portion of the statement, you might touch the person.
- Offering options
It becomes hard for the individual to react incorrectly when giving multiple options. It’s worth noting that in this circumstance, neither the subject nor the hypnotist can potentially fail. Because the subject has options, he can reply as he sees fit.
- Establish a rapport
We feel similar to the other person when we have rapport, and we all enjoy people who are similar to us. That’s because we consider ourselves to be normal. As a result, if someone appears to be like us, they are trustworthy because they are normal.
What is The Best Way to Learn Self-hypnosis?
Self-hypnosis entails becoming completely immersed in the experience while making positive suggestions to yourself on how to achieve your aspirations. Self-hypnosis, unlike working with a therapist, is an individual practice. Below are some tips on how to hypnotize yourself
1. Get a comfortable place
Find a comfortable spot, like a couch, and sit with your legs and feet uncrossed and your eyes closed. Loosen any garments. Ensure that the place is free of any distractions.
2. Channel your awareness to your body
Focus on any object. Release any tension and feel your body relax, starting from your hands, chest, going down to your feet.
3. Think of an affirmation
You can pay deeper and fuller attention to the suggestions you want to provide yourself for self-improvement while hypnotized. There are tips you can follow when making suggestions, for example:
- Use present tense
- Make them positive, for example: “I am at peace.”
- Say it with confidence.
- Repeat them daily. When you repeat them, you drive the point home
- Make your affirmations realistic
- Use a soft, soothing voice. Never change your voice from the soft, lullingstone you have been using.
4. Count to five.
When you’re ready to end the process, open your eyes and stretch your arms and legs to the fifth mark. With regular practice, you will find it getting easier and easier.
What Are The Best Hypnosis Techniques?
Looking for a safe method to hypnotize your friends or yourself. There are a variety of methods to use when inducing a hypnotic state. Some appeal to your mental state, while some appeal to your emotions.
- The swish pattern
The Swish Pattern starts with a mental image. The hypnotist determines one of two sub modalities until the person is in trance (brightness, size, etc.). In the foreground, the undesirable action is big, centered, and vivid, while the desired action is tiny and dim in the context. The target picture quickly becomes large and clear when it takes to say “Swish” (the method’s name).
- Regression
Regression entails leading the subject through the process of uncovering and exploring prior events or memories that may be the source of tension or unpleasant behavior. Regression, as opposed to merely reliving a recollection in one’s mind, drives subjects through previous memories in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Positive action is more likely to occur as a result of this.
- Direct suggestion
Suggestion of a desired behavior or effect to someone in a hypnotic state is a direct suggestion. This is perhaps the most basic and often practiced hypnosis method for leading a patient to the desired outcome and requires minimal mental effort from the client.
- Anchoring
When we record a memory, all the senses and emotions are associated. These are known as “anchors.” Hypnotism helps by suggesting new ones.