Richard Webster - All about Self-Hypnosis

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All About Self-Hypnosis 2012 by Richard Webster

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First e-book edition 2012

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Contents

All About Self-Hypnosis

by Richard Webster

Why Do It?

Ive been using self-hypnosis since I was a teenager. I suffered from lack of confidence, and learned self-hypnosis to help overcome this problem. Since then, Ive used self-hypnosis in many different ways, such as improving my memory, visualizing goals, motivating myself, and improving my health. I regularly use self-hypnosis as a form of mental rehearsal before an important meeting, or a radio or TV interview.

Self-hypnosis can be useful in many areas of life. It can help you eliminate negative behaviors and beliefs, and replace them with a positive approach to life. It can help you manage stress, anxiety, and most emotional problems. It is frequently used to control and manage pain. Self-hypnosis can increase your learning ability and memory recall. It provides relaxation to your body, mind and soul. It can help attract abundance in all its various forms, such as love, happiness, positive family relationships, good friends, success, and wealth.

I used to suffer terribly from jetlag after long flights. As I live in New Zealand, but travel frequently to Europe and the United States, this was a major concern for me. This problem ended when I started using self-hypnosis on airplanes. Im embarrassed to admit that I discovered this particular use of self-hypnosis by accident. I was on a long haul flight, and couldnt fall asleep. I thought that as sleep was impossible, I might as well hypnotize myself to help pass the time. Once in a hypnotic state, I told myself Id arrive at my destination feeling refreshed and invigorated. Id be fully alert, ready for a good productive day, and Id be totally free of jetlag. After telling myself that, I drifted off to sleep, and didnt wake up until a cabin attendant woke me for breakfast. I looked at my watch and found Id slept for several hours. I left the plane feeling as if Id had a good nights sleep, and experienced no signs of jetlag.

Self-hypnosis is an enjoyable, highly effective way to change patterns of behavior. Some people are scared about hypnosis, as they think they might be brainwashed, or forced to do something against their will. Others have seen stage hypnotism shows and are concerned about being under someone elses control.

These are myths. Youll never do anything you dont want to do while in a state of hypnosis. Although it might seem that a stage hypnotist has power over his volunteers, in reality, any of them could open their eyes at any moment and walk off the stage. However, its rare for this to happen, as theyre enjoying every moment of their time in hypnosis.

Another common fear is that the person will enter into hypnosis and not be able to come out of it again. This is another myth. The very worst thing that could happen would be for the person to fall asleep for an hour or two, and then wake up normally.

Some people are concerned that they might blurt out a personal secret while in hypnosis. This is another myth. Its unlikely that youll say anything out loud while in self-hypnosis. Even if you did, you can lie just as well in hypnosis as you can in your normal state.

Strangely, although you may feel as if youve never been hypnotized, youre moving in and out of hypnosis all the time. If you take the same route to and from work every day, you may arrive at your destination and wonder how you got there. Thats called wild hypnosis. In fact, although you were in a state of hypnosis, you were driving safely. If the traffic lights had changed, or someone cut you off, youd have snapped straight out of hypnosis and been able to handle the situation.

You can also enter into a hypnotic state when focusing on a task, especially an enjoyable one. I frequently enter this state while writing. When I look at my watch, Ill be amazed to find two hours have gone by in what seems like a matter of seconds.

Television and movies are extremely hypnotic. Im keen on sports, and if my wife says something to me while Im watching a game on TV, the chances are I wont hear her, as my attention is focused on the game. Many people avoid sad movies, as they cry easily. They know the movie is only a projection on a screen, but they become emotionally involved in the story. In all of these examples, the people have entered into hypnosis.

Probably the most common example of hypnosis is daydreaming. Every time you go into a daydream youre in a state of hypnosis.

Consequently, you and I, and everyone else, is in a state of hypnosis for much of our lives. Theres nothing to fear in hypnosis. Its a perfectly natural state that we move into, and out of, all the time.

The best thing about self-hypnosis is that you can use it to improve your life in almost limitless ways.

How To Do It

Many people are concerned about experimenting with hypnosis, as theyre not sure they can be hypnotized, and they wonder if theyre doing it correctly. Anyone can be hypnotized. As we all daydream, were in a state of hypnosis many times a day.

There is no one, correct way to enter hypnosis. I keep a pocket watch attached to a chain in my office, because every now and again Ill see a client who believes the only way a person can be hypnotized is if someone waves a watch dangling from a chain in front of their eyes. They invariably slip into hypnosis easily after gazing at the watch for a few seconds. This demonstrates the power of belief, rather than the power of hypnosis. Because they believe theyll enter into a state of hypnosis if someone waves a watch in front of them, it happens. However, there are many better ways to enter into the hypnotic state.

The perfect environment is a pleasantly warm room, and a comfortable chair to relax in. Make sure that youre unlikely to be interrupted for about twenty minutes. You might like to temporarily disconnect the landline phone, and put your cell phone on to silent.

The first step is relaxation. Lets try an experiment.

Relaxation Exercise #1

Sit in a comfortable chair with your feet flat on the floor. Extend your arms in front of you. Close your eyes, and count silently from five down to one. When you reach number one allow all the muscles in your body to relax. When you feel ready, open your eyes.