Did you know that January 4th is World Hypnotism Day? Hypnotherapy is slowly emerging into the mainstream, but it’s still a form of therapy that many people don’t fully understand. When people talk about hypnosis and how it works, often they start talking about stage hypnosis, which is primarily a form of entertainment which has people do all kinds of silly things. Some people believe that hypnosis can make people do something that’s against their will or against their morals. While it might seem that way when you see someone on stage doing something unlikely, the truth of the matter is that the person willing placed themselves in that situation and is probably having a good time!
When hypnosis is used as a therapeutic tool there are a lot of conversations held beforehand. Most trance states are deeply relaxing and the therapist will work with you to ensure that you have a pleasurable experience. Some people report that it’s like day dreaming, others like meditation. You might feel sleepy and relaxed, or you may be completely absorbed in either your own inner story or the story that the hypnotherapist is telling you.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH), which largest not-for profit hypnotherapy Professional Association in the UK, says that hypnosis is a completely natural state of attention that everyone goes into and out of multiple times a day. When we are in a state of hypnosis your mind may wander or you may daydream or you may be completely absorbed in something like reading a book or watching a film and the outside world recedes in that moment. Brain scans of people who are in a hypnotic state show that brain wave activity changes to one similar to that found when a person meditates or they are in the early stages of sleep.
Have you ever experienced losing something and after hours of fruitlessly hunting you decide to take a break and do something else entirely? As you’re sitting down enjoying the movie or busy cooking dinner, a memory flashes into your mind of the last time you saw your thing. This is your mind busily processing information behind your conscious awareness. We call this the ‘unconscious mind’ and harness it during hypnotherapy to help you achieve your goals and desires. Your unconscious mind drives behaviours and emotions. By connecting to and communicating with that part of you, unconscious struggles can be resolved allowing you to make changes effortlessly and easily.
Of course it’s important that you choose a hypnotherapist that is well-trained, accredited and insured. You may wish to visit or have a chat on the phone with several hypnotherapists before you find one who feels like the right fit for you. It’s essential that you feel comfortable with them and their approach and that you have confidence in their skills. To find an accredited NCH hypnotherapist near you, visit our hypnotherapist finder.
