Self Hypnosis For Better Health

Self hypnosis, in one form or another has been practiced for a very long time.  While it is a serious therapeutic technique, self hypnosis is also a very soothing and calming experience and if practiced regularly, can help you transform yourself.

Originally, self hypnosis was thought of as sleep, then as an "altered state of consciousness". Only after using instruments to monitor brain activity did researchers learn that there was negligible difference between someone in a trance or hypnosis, and someone not. Peoples experiences with self hypnosis vary widely depending on their own expectations, but there are some commonalities. For instance, most people experience a reduced awareness of events going on around them including noises and conversations. Although people are not unconscious when under self hypnosis, many experience extreme relaxation and seem to have reduced awareness of their own body including their arms and legs.

Nearly everyone can learn effective techniques for self hypnosis.  Whether your goal is weight loss or to stop smoking, self hypnosis can be a very useful treatment option for many different health and emotional problems.

Let's look at the reasons why self hypnosis can be such an appealing option:

1.  It is not a drug, so therefore there are no side effects.

2.  It is non-invasive which means there is no surgery and nothing gets inserted into the body.

3.  Self hypnosis is also relatively inexpensive when compared to other forms of treatment, and can usually show results within one or two treatments.

Self hypnosis is the original mind/body medicine. It helps you regulate your behavior, alter your thoughts, and use your mind to control your body. To be effective, you must get into a meditative state to change your thought process in order to change your behavior. However, this does not mean you have to be in a relaxed state so to speak.  Although this is helpful, self hypnosis can be effective even when you're tense, upset, or unhappy.

As you begin to learn about self hypnosis, you will discover a method that works best for you.  Doing this without any guidance from anyone can be difficult. The first step in achieving your goals with self hypnosis is to research and learn as much as you can on the subject so you know what to expect.

Self hypnosis is a very powerful tool you can use to change just about any aspect of yourself, but it is not a magic cure and is usually only effective if you truly want to make a change.

Using Hypnosis to Lose Weight - How Effective is It?

It’s becoming more and more common nowadays to turn to hypnosis when we want to achieve a goal. We may want to quit smoking, rid ourselves of phobias or lose weight – in all these cases hypnosis offers a proven and successful solution. So why does hypnosis work?

If you look at hypnosis for weight loss then the reasons behind the success of this method becomes clear. If you suffer from weight problems – whether you yo-yo diet or can’t seem to find the motivation to get on a diet that suits you – then you probably already know that your problem isn’t really your weight at the end of the day. The problem is more likely to rest with you.

In the majority of cases people cannot lose weight effectively because of some psychological issue that prevents them from achieving their goal. You may, for example, naturally crave unhealthy foods rather than healthy ones. Eating unhealthy foods here may make you happier and more comfortable. Or, you may eat the wrong foods or the wrong amount of food whenever you are stressed, unhappy or uncomfortable. In either case hypnosis can help.

Hypnosis helps here because it goes straight to the root of the problem – your unhealthy eating patterns – and helps modify your behavior. So, after this kind of treatment your mind won’t tell you to eat sugary or fatty foods – it will tell you to eat healthy ones. And, your mind won’t tell you to reach for a snack when you’re worried or stressed but instead will give you an alternative ways to manage stress. This behavior modification is the key to successful weight loss – and keeping it off.

How do I know hypnosis works?

Hypnosis is a scientifically accredited method of helping people overcome all kinds of difficulties. For example, in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (Vol.64, No.3) in 1996 a study showed that the average weight loss without hypnosis was 6.03 pounds. With hypnosis average weight loss came in at 14.88 pounds. So, with hypnosis you can double your weight loss with no extra effort.

And, because hypnosis modifies your behavior at source then you stand a far greater chance of keeping the weight off rather than putting it on again. A study that appeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (41) in 1985 tested a group of people who used hypnosis to lose weight and a group who did not. Whilst both groups lost weight during the study the hypnosis group continued to lose weight after the study had finished and achieved their weight loss goals. The group that did not have the behavior modification benefits of hypnosis did not achieve this.

Unorthodox Therapy - Weight Loss Hypnosis

There are no effortless or painless ways of losing substantial amounts of weight. All the current slimming pills, devices and surgical procedures for weight loss are of limited effectiveness. Many of these so-called best weight loss programs carry significant risks and should only be contemplated in extreme cases. Many weight loss products and devices are frankly fraudulent. Substantial weight loss requires the body to be in prolonged energy deficit but we have evolved a very efficient body mechanism that drives us to eat enough food to prevent energy deficit. Our control mechanism may permit, or even encourage, overeating but nature makes energy deficit very uncomfortable. Medically, it is referred to as "Hynoscript." Every person has an inborn weight control mechanism, a set point that attempts to maintain a particular amount of fat on the body.

When we diet we are trying to resist these powerful, natural urges that normally prevent energy deficit. Appetite suppressant drugs may reduce these drives, weight loss hypnosis may help us to resist them and dietary manipulations may maximize the satiating power of each food calorie. Ultimately, however, the dieter is still going to have to endure considerable discomfort and exercise considerable willpower to lose a lot of weight. Despite this pessimistic conclusion and despite all the hurdles, anyone who does achieve prolonged energy deficit will lose weight. Weight loss is not impossible for anyone if they are determined enough, persistent enough and if they have a sound weight loss program.

Most weight gain problems are the direct result of our own habits. We eat too much and exercise too little. This fact has advanced the healthcare and weight-loss industries as the largest in our society today. Many people each year disappointed with the orthodox forms of treatments seek out various methods to help them lose unwanted pounds, such as acupressure, magnet therapy, and weight loss hypnosis. There is still no concrete evidence to validate these therapies. However, if you want to try weight loss hypnosis, try to have an open mind but do not count on it working. The treatment of obesity through hypnosis or hypnotism can be helpful for people who are not able to resist the temptation to eat more food, in spite of being aware that obesity is a hazardous syndrome.

What you are trying to achieve by using weight loss hypnosis is a change in your eating habits or your set point that will keep you healthy and allow you to eat enough to reach and maintain your ideal weight. If using weight loss hypnosis you can keep your weight down for three years you will have established a new set point and it will be easy to maintain your lower weight. Think of your weight loss hypnosis as a thermostat that regulates your weight. It is nonetheless advisable to follow a low-calorie whole foods diet, along with your weight loss hypnosis. And as with any professional service, validate the hypnotist's credentials and check references.

Summary:

The responsibility for the success or failure of any weight loss hypnosis ultimately lies with the dieter rather than the hypnotist or therapist. The professional can only empower and encourage the dieter. This is a difficult concept for many dieters and professionals to accept. Normally, when we consult a doctor about an injury or illness, our role as "patients" is seen as a largely passive one - we are required merely to take the prescribed drugs. The professional's skill in selecting and carrying out the correct treatment is seen as the crucial factor for successful recovery. Weight loss hypnosis is at the opposite end of this spectrum of control. In weight loss hypnosis, the expert can usually do no more than provide information, advice and encouragement. The success of failure of the treatment depends largely upon the patient's ability to understand, interpret and successfully implement the treatment plan.