Improving Yourself Through Self-hypnosis

By Author: Matthew Winnington
Total Articles: 3764
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Most people are familiar with the term hypnosis, and for many it elicits negative feelings because of how Hollywood projects it through B-rated films. The hypnotist portrayed as a pocket watch waving practitioner assuming complete control over their subject has been a common portrayal that's still ingrained in the minds of many.

With movies showing people being ‘put under' and often doing questionable things outside their control, it's no wonder that many are skeptical, or fearful, of its power to change their lives for the better.

The term hypnosis comes from the Greek word ‘ypnos', meaning sleep, and this has caused a misconception that when you are hypnotized you are asleep and unconscious. This is simply not the case. When you are under hypnosis, you enter a deeply relaxed state, but you are in fact awake and aware of everything around you.

It is true that when you are in a hypnotic state that you become more susceptible to suggestions, and this where autosuggestion comes to work. Autosuggestion, also known as autogenic training, is a means by which you can train your subconscious ...
... mind to focus on and be open to what is being heard. When trying to improve one's self, this is a good way to get past the mental barriers and doubts that can hold us back from accomplishing our goals.

Those concerned about being hypnotized and made to do something they don't want to do need not worry, while you may be more susceptible to suggestions being made while in a hypnotic state, you won't lose the critical defenses and standards you normally have.

If you choose to utilize self hypnosis techniques, here are some things to bear in mind to help you get optimal results from your efforts:

Determine your objectives first.
It's usually better if you concentrate on one main objective at a time, since this helps you put more focus on it, and thereby increases the probability of success. Do you want to lose a bad habit? Or do you want to excel in a particular field of your academics?

Discipline yourself.
Any self help development program calls for your time and attention. Create a regular schedule for your sessions and find a place where you can be relaxed without disruptions.

The present is what counts.
You should always use the present tense when verbally or mentally affirming your desired goals. Affirmations should start with ‘I am' and not ‘I will'. Positive affirmations are aimed at making positive changes in your life right now, as in today and right at this moment; therefore they should speak of and in the present.

Practice makes perfect.
While every individual session helps, most self hypnosis techniques take repeated sessions before the affirmations fully ingrain themselves in the listeners subconscious. Depending on your particular program, you may need to continue with a self hypnosis program as long as 30 days in order for the autogenic training to be fully accepted.

Hypnotherapy sessions are powerful ways to train your mind to help you achieve your goals, and despite what the movies might have you believe, are not something that need to be feared.