What is Hypnosis? – Understanding What You Need to Know

You have probably heard plenty about hypnosis but what do you really know about it? The subconscious is a powerful resource and hypnosis unlocks its power to help us overcome or cope with challenges.

To begin with, hypnosis is not what you see in the movies. It is not mind control. No one else can make you do anything you do not want to do. Quite the contrary. As a patient of hypnosis you are in complete control of yourself at all times. The hypnotist acts as a guide to understanding the subconscious (or unconscious) mind and how you can tap into it to break your negative habits or achieve your goals.

Do you know what lives in your subconscious mind? The subconscious is where all of your ideas are conceived as well as where your memories are stored. It is an extremely important part of the mind. It is also where your habits (good and bad) live as well as your negative patterns of making some of the same mistakes over and over again.

Hypnosis is sometimes compared to sleep but it is not sleep. In the same way it’s not the same as meditation – although you’ll feel relaxed when in hypnosis. Hypnosis is a practice used to help cope with any number of problems a person may face in their lifetime. It can be used to quit smoking, to lose weight, to help a person who is depressed and to deal with phobias. Other problems it has been known to help with include skin conditions, stomach ailments, migraine headaches, childbirth concerns and recovery from surgery.

How Does Hypnosis Work?

The patient of hypnosis is awake but is placed in a daydream-like state whereby there is reduced peripheral awareness but very keen focused attention on what is happening. The individual is seated in a comfortable position and is given instructions by a professionally trained therapeutic hypnotist. The mind of a person undergoing hypnosis becomes 10 times as focused as it would be during a conscious state of mind. The body also becomes more peaceful and calmer. In fact the body becomes 10 times as relaxed. Both the body and the mind need to be in this relaxed state in order for the hypnosis session to be a success.

Does Hypnosis Work?

As a practitioner of hypnosis I can obviously say yes, as I’m a living example of it working – I gave up smoking many years ago through hypnosis. But don’t take my word for it.

According to both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association, hypnosis is a beneficial therapy in helping people combat many types of problems. Both associations have seen many cases where hypnosis has helped individuals to recover from both physical problems as well as mental ones. The National Institute of Health cites instances where pregnant women have been hypnotized or have been taught self-hypnosis and this has led to shorter periods of labor and less painful deliveries.

Whether you are trying to lose weight, quit smoking, or control stress then learn more about how hypnosis sessions can help you fulfill your goals and ambitions.

Erika Slater, CH
Director
Free At Last Hypnosis
http://www.freeatlasthypnosis.com
http://www.smoke-free-at-last.com