Let go of limiting beliefs with hypnosis
Quitting addictions, getting rid of fears or limiting beliefs, and establishing new routines can be hard. By accessing and working with your subconscious mind, hypnosis can help you to new ways of thinking and behaving.
Hypnosis is a state of being where a person is said to have heightened focus and concentration with an increased response to suggestions. In this state the mind easily absorbs new information and is able to reprogram thought patterns and beliefs. It can also help you cope with anxiety and pain. Therefore, hypnosis can help with everything from allergies, fibromyalgia, tinnitus, OCD, and speech impediments, to getting rid of fears and addictions, as well as changing and/or implementing habits.
What happens during hypnosis?
During hypnosis it is believed that we get access to and work with our subconscious mind, which can't tell the difference between imagination and reality.
“The subconscious mind doesn’t think in traditional terms and doesn’t question the outside world much. It is also creative and has a vivid imagination,” says Matilde Wergeland, hypnotist coach and founder of Health by M.
During hypnosis, the person facilitating the hypnosis session often gains access to the client’s subconscious mind by using repetitive words and mental images. They can then help them remove limitations, rewrite their story, and come closer to their highest self. The idea is to reprogram the mind and leave behind patterns and ways of thinking that might have been someone’s way of doing things for a long time.
Why hypnosis is a natural state of being
There are five major types of brain waves, in hypnosis theta waves are prevalent. They occur when we are in a sleepy yet awake period, a meditative state or when we are being creative – a state where our awareness of the physical world is lessened. Theta waves are common for children, which is why children can easily learn new skills, such as languages, because they are soaking in all experiences.
“However, remembering that the subconscious mind isn’t very rational, we can also have experiences as children which we learn how to cope with it in a way that isn’t actually serving us, especially not as we grow older,” Wergeland says.
Therefore, it is common that the things we are working on as adults is actually old programming from when we were young. According to Wergeland, hypnosis is a natural state of mind, and we can often be in this state during a normal day in our life – when the body is very relaxed, but the mind is super focused. This is also why you remember everything from a hypnosis session and are completely aware of everything that goes on around you.
“Over 95% of everything we do on a daily basis comes from the subconscious mind and are automatic responses, thought patterns, and old habits. Therefore, it can be hard to see and work on behaviors, thoughts, or habits we want to change because they are such a big part of our lives. Hypnosis is an effective tool when we want to work with the subconscious – like a quick-fix that actually works,” says Wergeland.
Want to try self-hypnosis?
Every time we concentrate on something intensely, when we are in the state of ”flow”, we are in hypnosis. This is a normal state we might enter multiple times per day, a meditative state. The technique of self-hypnosis involves becoming absorbed in the experience and repeating positive suggestions on how to reach your goals. Not only can it help you achieve your goals, but also be a way of learning to control your thoughts and actions. Here’s what you can do if you want to try it!
- Find a comfortable place and seated position.
- Relax using a hypnotic induction, such as focusing your awareness on tensions in your body and then releasing, repeat this until your whole body is completely relaxed.
- Introduce a suggestion. It can be a simple but clear statement or intention, something you want to change or invite into your life. For example: ”I am a confident speaker”.
- Return to awareness. When you’re ready to regain awareness, count to five and become more and more aware. At the count of five you should have returned to awareness completely.
By Nicky Rosenberg
Images: Matilde Wergeland, Emma Holm Art