Hypnotism to Quit Habits
- When it comes to experiencing basic hypnotism, you have a few options: You can go to a professional hypnotherapist or learn self-hypnotism with audio guides and books---or both. If you've never experienced any form of hypnosis before, you may want to work with a professional the first time, since a pro can answer any questions you may have and help you get the process just right.
Whether you work with a pro or on your own, the induction process is the same: Close your eyes and sit or lie in a comfortable position; breathe deeply and slowly, and imagine your body relaxing, muscle by muscle. Next, imagine yourself moving mentally into a more focused state and connecting with your subconscious. Let your mind relax; avoid thinking any sidetracking, extraneous thoughts.
You can perform this process by guiding yourself through the steps or using an audio tape that will instruct you. You may find that it helps to listen to some ambient instrumental music (this is also included on many audio tapes). You'll know you've reached a light hypnotic trance once you feel physically and mentally relaxed and feel a sense of focus and tranquility. - Once you've mastered the basics of entering and experiencing a hypnotic trance, using the trance to affect your habits involves creative visualization and suggestion to yourself about how you're going to change. Start by thinking about the behavior in question and all the reasons why you want it to stop; in your current, suggestible and focused state of mind, you'll have a more heightened awareness of your desire for change and undesirable effects of your habit.
Next, visualize what you think your life will look like once you've effectively eliminated your bad habit. For example, if you want to quit smoking, imagine yourself feeling healthier, saving money and enjoying life without smoking-related problems, like stained teeth or cigarette odor. After imagining this desirable state of being, think about and visualize all the small, everyday changes you'll make in your life to end your habit. Think of yourself resisting common moments of temptation or stress triggers that can make you engage in bad habits, such as nail-biting or eating unhealthy snacks. - In order for hypnosis to be effective, it must be repeated on a regular schedule in order to continually strengthen and reinforce the instructions you're giving to you subconscious. If possible, set aside 20 to 30 minutes a day to enter a light hypnotic trance and work on the habit changes you're trying to affect. For best results, work on only one change at a time and continue working on it until you're pleased with the results you see in your day to day life.
