SELF-HYPNOSIS

Self-hypnosis or hypnotherapy can be a successful way of reducing stress and opening the mind to new ideas or thought processes, especially when dealing with problem behaviour such as certain addictions. Hypnotherapy is essentially a way of reprogramming how we think. There are many self-hypnosis resources available including CDs, tapes, MP3s and other recordings. Before using any such materials ensure that the recordings have been produced by a reputable and trained hypnotherapist.

There exists a lot of scepticism and suspicion around the subject of hypnotism, especially in Western cultures. This scepticism stems partly from hypnosis being used as a form of entertainment and also from some of the original theories on the subject. Franz Anton Mesmer is often considered the forefather of modern hypnosis theory and probably responsible for some of the scepticism surrounding the subject. Mesmer, a German physician, had a keen interest in astronomy and believed that there was an invisible force - a channel for energy - to be transferred between all objects in the universe. This ‘cosmic energy’ coming from celestial bodies could be harnessed by one person to influence the behaviour of another. Mesmer called the result of this energy transference ‘mesmerism’ which explains the origin of the word ‘mesmerise’. We now know that Mesmer’s theory was complete nonsense but his ideas may still influence how hypnosis and hypnotherapy are regarded today.

Hypnosis conducted by a trained therapist or health care professional is considered a safe, complementary and alternative medical treatment. However, hypnosis may not be appropriate in people with severe mental illness. Adverse reactions to hypnosis are rare, but may include headache.The primary disadvantage of self hypnosis for most people is that consistent practice is required. To build the real momentum of self acceptance that frees up energy for healing and achieving goals takes time and sincere practice to cultivate. Relaxation can be learned right away, but acceptance takes time. A serious science. For some people, hypnosis is associated with loss of control or stage tricks. But doctors like Spiegel know it to be a serious science, revealing the brain's ability to heal medical and psychiatric conditions.

Hypnosis has been acknowledged as a valid medical therapy since the 1950s.A surprisingly wide variety of health care professionals integrate hypnotherapy into their practice: psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, dentists, and chiropractors. Hypnosis is used to reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and treat a wide variety of mental and neurological disorders. Approximately 15,000 studies have been performed on hypnosis according to the National Institutes of Health database.

The benefits of hypnosis have been established for conditions such as acute pain (including chidbirth), addictions, allergies, anxiety disorders, asthma, chronic pain, depression, dermatologic disorders, gastroitesrinal disorders, habit control, high blood pressure, improved concentration and focus, insomnia and sleep disorders, memory improvement, migraine headaches, nausea and vomiting, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, post surgery, Raynaud's disease.

Stay relaxed and focused. Relax and clear your mind once more before bringing yourself out of your hypnotic state. Slowly but increasingly energetically count up to 10. Reverse the process you used before when you counted down into your hypnotic state.