There
are many studies showing the remarkable effectiveness of
self-hypnosis, perhaps the most well known being the one with
basketball players in the 1970's. In this study, they had one control
group practice free throws on the court and another group just
visualize shooting free throws. The group with the most improvement
was the visualization group, who didn't set foot on the court! Even
the Chicago Bulls head coach Phil Jackson used self-hypnosis daily
with the team when he coached Michael Jordan and the Bulls to their
incredible 6 NBA Championships in the 1990's.
Of
course, self-hypnosis can be utilized for anything, not just sports.
We want to literally create our ideal reality and selves with this
powerful tool. Even your body will respond as it's controlled by the
sub-conscious too! Self-hypnosis is a stress management tool as well
as a method for change and healing. Other benefits include better
sleep, better health and greater happiness overall. This tool also
optimizes your brain to better problem solve as well as strengthening
your inner self and inner knowing.
Here are the guidelines you'll want to follow:
Take
a few minutes to relax yourself. Choose whatever works for you such
as imagining you're at the beach or another enjoyable place. I
personally like to imagine any stress, negative energy (from myself
or taken on from others), etc. leaving my body and as it does a
feeling of peace, love and calm energy is what remains. Feel free to
be creative and have fun.
Once you are relaxed, imagine what you'd like to create/achieve and experience it in the present tense as if you're really there. Some people are visual, some sensory and some auditory. It doesn't matter if you're not “visual.” Bring in as many senses as possible and natural for you. Then let yourself enjoy being there for a few moments (or longer if you like) and the satisfaction, joy and pride of having achieved it. Relish it for a time! If you have a number of goals, create a “ mental video clip” that includes all goals. This is much more effective than lots of different smaller goals.
Do
self-hypnosis daily when possible. It doesn't have to be lengthy and
repetition is better at regularly setting your intention and keeping
you on course. A great time to do this is at bedtime. The last thing
you think or feel as you're drifting off to sleep is what your mind
focuses on all night long, creating more of the same and doubling the
benefits of your efforts.
Don't try to control the details or other people. For example, if you're interviewing for jobs, just see yourself happily employed and knowing you're in the right place. Do not focus on one company and be open to all opportunity. The same applies for relationships. If you're already in a relationship, see you both as happy and loving. Don't worry about how you'll get there as there are infinite possibilities, which you are opening yourself and the relationship up to.
As you can see, the process is simple, relaxing and enjoyable.
Another option for self-hypnosis is guided session, which some prefer, as they feel deeper and can accept more suggestions. It is, however, important to be able to do this on your own for specific goals and to know that you're in control and able to create whatever you choose.
Please
feel free to contact me with any questions or comments or post them
on my blog for others to benefit as well.
