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Natural Self-Hypnosis: Use it to Your Benefit
By Sheri McGregor
When I was a little
kid getting my first cavity filled, the dentist told
me to close my eyes and think about my favorite TV show. While
he drilled and filled, I floated somewhere in TV land, miles from my
fear. I believe the experience sparked my lifelong interest in the
concept of mind over matter. One byproduct is my interest in
hypnosis, for which I recently completed certification training.
Many years later, I
discovered that what I'd been doing in the dentist's
chair is a form of visualization called "feeling-state" imagery, which
allows a brief vacation from stress. The concept of self-hypnosis is
very similar. Self-hypnosis is an exercise of the mind, and the
ultimate display of self-control, yet we each experience it every day—
sometimes unknowingly. Become aware and purposely using that inclination
can help you overcome obstacles and move confidently
forward.
First, focusing on self-hypnosis, let's discuss how the techniques
work--
The body responds much
the way a robot does. You are the
programmer, and your thoughts and ideas are the commands.
For instance, if I asked you to close you eyes and imagine holding
a slice of lemon, seeing it, smelling it, and taking a bite of it, you
would most likely notice an increase of saliva in your mouth. Your
imagination creates physical changes in your body.
Likewise, if I said to
close your eyes and imagine riding on a roller
coaster --imagine the wind in your hair, hear the echoing screams of
other passengers, your tightened grip on the cold bar as the car
climbs, clickety-clickety-click up the track to the highest peak,
and feel
the tilt of your stomach as you're thrust over the edge -- your heart
beats faster, your body responds to your thoughts.
And that’s how it is
with self-hypnosis.
You Already Use
Self-Hypnosis--Everybody Does
Whether aware of the fact or not, you are already controlling your body
with your thoughts and feelings. When you worry or become angry,
your body responds to that stimulus. Take control of your thoughts.
By using your mind to create positive physical and emotional changes,
you can change your life experience.
The next time you have
a difficult situation, a presentation, or an event
of any kind that stresses you, practice mastering the power of thought
(self-hypnosis).
Examples:
Visualize yourself doing really well before giving a speech, and see
the audience respond in a welcoming manner to your words.
Before a business
meeting that has you stressed, take a few moments
to sit quietly by yourself. Relax and close your eyes. See your anxiety
rise like steam that drifts off into the sky and disappears. Then see
yourself warmly and openly greeting associates, without a hint of
nervous tension. Picture their open expressions and the spark of
interest in their eyes as they respond enthusiastically to your ideas.
Hint: This
exercise of seeing tension rise and drift away also works
to rid yourself of negative energy after any situation that drags you
down.
If you're a student or
needing to do research for any reason, sit
quietly for a moment and visualize yourself giving the material your
full attention. Imagine all distractions receding into the background.
And as you read, see the information rise from the page like vapor
that penetrates your very pores, and sinks deep into your mind where
you can call it up at any time.
As shown above, you
can use your imagination to give yourself a
positive suggestion. Then, reinforce that positive suggestion with
thoughts like, "I'm going to do great," or "I can do this," or,
"Everyone
will love my ideas." It is best to use specific words that apply to your
particular situation rather than the generic use of "this" or "my idea"
as I have here.
Sports figures often
use this type of self-hypnosis before a match.
Golf pro Tiger Woods says he routinely visualizes himself
producing the perfect swing and playing the perfect shot. This
obviously works for Tiger. And the techniques can work for you, too.
Everyone with an
imagination (which means everybody) can benefit
from self-hypnosis. In another article, I will discuss unhealthy
self-hypnosis scripts that may be so imbedded in your thoughts that
you don't even realize how they're affecting your life.
Until then, think
positive thoughts.
All material on the www.motherswhodream.com
website is copyrighted
by Sheri McGregor and may not be reproduced without express permission.
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