There are a lot of things going on from day to day. Sometimes, I feel the world becoming heavy and my instinct is to go somewhere. It isn’t easy to get in a car, pick a direction and drive. We have obligations, work, and responsibilities.
A phenomenal doctor at the VA gave me a tool to use which helps me “get away” without going anywhere. Below you’ll find steps that may help you do the same. Give it a try!
Here are six easy steps to hypnotize yourself:
Step 1: Find a quiet and peaceful environment
The first step is to find a quiet and peaceful room where you can perform self-hypnosis without being interrupted. Make sure you are comfortable, either sitting or lying down, and that you do not cross your legs or any part of your body. You may want to have a blanket or a sweater ready if you get cold.
Step 2: Identify your goal(s) for the self-hypnosis session
The second step is to identify your goal(s) for the self-hypnosis session. What do you want to achieve? How do you want to feel? What do you want to change? Write down your goal(s) in positive and present tense, as if they are already happening. For example, “I am confident and calm.” Avoid using negative words like “not” or “don’t.”
Step 3: Focus on your breathing to hypnotize yourself
The third step is to focus on your breathing to hypnotize yourself. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. As you inhale, say silently to yourself “I am” and as you exhale, say your goal(s). For example, “I am confident and calm.” Repeat this for a few minutes until you feel relaxed and focused.
Step 4: Try to go deeper into relaxation
The fourth step is to try to go deeper into relaxation. You can use different techniques to achieve this, such as counting backward from 10 to 1, imagining a staircase or an elevator going down, or visualizing a peaceful place like a beach or a forest. As you go deeper, you may feel more detached from your body and your surroundings. This is normal and means that you are entering a state of hypnosis.
Step 5: Repeat your affirmations
The fifth step is to repeat your affirmations. Once you are in a state of hypnosis, you can start reinforcing your goal(s) by repeating them over and over in your mind. You can also add more details or emotions to make them more vivid and powerful. For example, “I am confident and calm. I feel good about myself. I can handle any situation with ease.” You can also use suggestions like “Every day I become more confident and calm.” or “With every breath I take, I feel more confident and calm.”
Step 6: Awaken yourself
The sixth and final step is to awaken yourself. When you are ready to end the session, you can count from 1 to 10 or say “I am awake” or “I am back”. You may also want to thank yourself for doing this exercise and congratulate yourself for taking a positive step toward your goal(s). Open your eyes and take a moment to notice how you feel. You may feel refreshed, energized, or relaxed.
Just remember, you are in control the whole time. I find that it is working when I feel some form of weight or pressure, almost like a weighted blanket. At some point, the weight shifts, and I feel better on the other side of the practice. I also allow myself to feel more during the process, so it is likely that I’ll get emotional. When I am done, I feel better. It is almost like a few minutes of vacation throughout the day.
I hope this works for you as well.. Let us know!