Hypnosis is a therapy that, for many years, was considered to be unreliable. Studies have proven, however, that when properly used can be quite effective when used to help control unwanted behaviors. While you don’t lose control over your actions, character, or personality, you gain control over certain behaviors through hypnotic suggestions. If you are open to the process and have a strong desire to eliminate certain habits, you may be a good candidate for hypnosis or hypnotherapy.
How Does Hypnosis Work?
Hypnosis works through the power of suggestion. A certified hypnotherapist will guide you into a state of deep calm or relaxation that will allow your mind to react to specific suggestions. Once you are in a relaxed state, the therapist will offer specific suggestions that pertain to your individual goal. These suggestions will be implanted deep into your thought processes so that you don’t even have to think about them.
Stress Reduction and Relaxation
Stress reduction and the ability to relax can be difficult for many people. Dealing with high levels of stress on a regular basis can lead to physical health concerns. Through hypnosis, a person can begin to release stress when specific suggestions are used. It can be when a certain song or a specific sound is heard. This type of suggestion can lead to positive lifestyle changes and better mental and physical health.
Sleep Hypnosis
Individuals who have difficulty sleeping due to stress, ADD, or any other condition or situation that makes sleeping difficult. During hypnosis, the therapist may recommend a suggestion that makes it possible for a person to establish a healthy sleep pattern. Over time and the establishment of stronger sleep patterns, the hypnotic suggestion may be removed if it is no longer needed.
Hypnosis for Weight Loss
Losing weight and maintaining a healthy BMI can be hard for people who love to eat or rely on comfort foods to improve their mood. Through hypnosis, healthy eating patterns can be established that will allow a person to manage their weight effectively. Suggestions may include minimizing the desire for unhealthy foods or making healthier foods more appealing. It can also suggest smaller portions and regular eating times.
Eliminating Tobacco Products
Eliminating cigarettes and other tobacco products can be extremely difficult. Nicotine is addictive and is known to be one of the hardest substances to overcome. With the use of hypnosis, however, many people are able to walk away from their tobacco habit. Suggestions can be made to gradually cease using cigarettes or chewing tobacco, or the hypnotherapist may recommend quitting immediately. Quitting over a period of time is easier on the body and may actually sustain the results for a longer period of time.
How Long Will Hypnosis Last?
The duration of a hypnotic suggestion can last indefinitely or it can diminish over time, depending on how it is posed to the patient during hypnosis. Some suggestions may be permanent, especially if they are used for ongoing problems like stress and the inability to sleep. If a person reaches their ideal weight and has been able to establish healthy eating habits to maintain it, may opt to have the hypnotic suggestions removed or made dormant. For many, the suggestions can remain in place for as long as the patient wants them to be there.
Will It Provide Long-Term Results?
Studies have proven that hypnosis is more than a simple placebo effect. Because it affects how the brain functions, it is able to provide long-term, possibly permanent, results. People who use hypnosis for weight loss or to quit smoking often report long-term results. Although some may relapse, they can go back to the hypnotherapist and have an additional suggestion put in place to help them maintain their results permanently. With hypnosis, your therapy is directed by you and will help you reach your short- and long-term goals.
Whether you are trying to improve study habits or live a healthier lifestyle, hypnosis may be an option you can look into. While it may not be for everyone, it is an amazing tool for those who choose to use it. If you want to learn more, schedule an appointment with a certified hypnotherapist. They can answer your questions and help you take the first steps on your journey to better health.