As we navigate these unprecedented historical times of a global pandemic, economic distress and a rising for social change with Black Lives Matter- as a people, we are undergoing tremendous uncertainty and for many, anxiety. How can we manage these new stressful circumstances and the unknown at this time?
As we experience lifestyle and habit disruption in our personal lives and our world, the trend in alternative healing which includes mindfulness, meditation, yoga, essential oils, reiki ( energy healing and hypnosis has come to greater public attention and review. One of the most powerful ways I have found to transform mindsets, support healing and shift myself and my clients from surviving to thriving is the practice of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.
As a college student, I had acute math phobia and excelled at languages (I am bilingual), history, psychology and the arts. As my fear threatened to lower my grade point average- I ran to the bookstore searching for something, anything to help me relax! I had tried standing on my head during yoga practice, meditating, affirmations ( repeating positive mantras) and was at a loss. Then, the only self-hypnosis book on the shelf stood out. I created a cassette ( it was back in the day!) and for 3 weeks I listened to my “release the fear of math” tape that I had created based on the directions in the book. My grade went from a C- to an A- ! I was hooked! In my twenties, I studied at The Hypnosis Institute in New York City, became a member of various hypnosis organizations and continued my training through the years, most recently with the International Certification Board of Clinical Hypnotherapists as an education provider.
My self-hypnosis practice and my own sessions with hypnotherapists have brought me the confidence to create my global online business, meet my fiance, create the life and well-being I had always wanted. Of course, life isn’t perfect. Being human on earth includes certain challenges and cycles that we all go through- and I am no exception but having this powerful tool in my toolbox has made all the difference in how I meet life’s challenges. Feeling empowered to support our own well-being can give us hope, inspire change and create the path forward to wellness and healing. In the last twenty years, I have worked with thousands of people in English and Spanish to break through fears, reclaim their confidence and intuition so they can live better lives and create inspired work in the world.
What Is Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state, a trance-like state in which people experience increased attention, relaxation, concentration and suggestibility. Hypnosis is a state of heightened attention, heightened suggestibility and vivid experiences. While people in hypnotic state often seem sleepy, they are actually in a state of hyper-awareness. While there are many myths around hypnosis, there is much research and practice to show that it has therapeutic benefits in the area of pain reduction, smoking cessation, post-traumatic stress disorder, weight loss, anxiety and dementia.
What the Research Says About Hypnosis
In the last ten years, hypnotherapy has regained popularity in medical fields. Hypnosis is now a common complementary service in several world-renowned healthcare facilities. For example, the Mayo Clinic offers hypnosis as a therapy for pain management, addiction and anxiety.
To date, the research offers captivating reasons that hypnosis supports healing– anxiety, addiction, public-speaking to overeating. The following is research for insomnia, anxiety and depression.
Insomnia and Sleep Disorders
A 2010 study found that hypnosis was effective for inducing and increasing slow-wave REM sleep. In the study, subjects who listened to a short sleep hypnosis tape prior to taking a nap achieved 80 percent more slow-wave sleep.
Anxiety and Depression
A 2010 review of research showed six studies that suggested hypnosis helped with anxiety. A 2009 meta-analysis also found that hypnosis was significantly effective for treating depression.
Tips for Success
So the research is there and our need for a way forward is as well. Here are some suggestions when working with a hypnotist/hypnotherapist:
- Hypnosis is safe, effective, and works quickly compared to other types of therapy but it’s not a magic spell and in most cases, results won’t happen overnight. It takes about 21 days to create a new habit so 3-10 sessions may be more realistic.
- Hypnotists/Hypnotherapists are not doctors unless otherwise stated by their credentials. Hypnosis is not meant to replace medical care. It is a self-improvement tool to enhance the healing process. Hypnotists specialize in self-improvement and behavior modification and cannot diagnose psychological conditions.
- Choose a practitioner with training, verified reviews/or personal referrals ( not just copy on their website) and that you feel comfortable with. All hypnosis is in essence, self-hypnosis so feeling a connection and trust is key to success in allowing them to guide you in the session.
This article is but a brief introduction and I encourage you to explore more! Our unconscious minds hold deep resources for our healing, development and personal evolution. If you are curious in connecting and discussing the ways I can support you with hypnosis please book a chat here and follow me on Facebook Vanessa Codorniu or Instagram TheBizBruja
Then Robert Clancy, author of The Messenger, visits with Mark to discuss brilliance. Learn about Robert at www.guidetothesoul.com.
