Introduction To Hypnosis

To get the best results from a hypnotherapy session, it is important that the session be conducted by a Certified Hypnotherapist — which is the case for each of the items in our HealthyMind™ line of products. We only work with experienced professionals to ensure that you get the best possible results.

According to the American Psychological Association, hypnosis the process by which “one person (the subject) is guided by another (the hypnotherapist) to respond to suggestions for changes in subjective experience, alterations in perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior.” ("New Definition: Hypnosis" Society of Psychological Hypnosis Division 30 - American Psychological Association.)

In simple terms, hypnosis is a state of mind where healing and learning take place simultaneously, at the subconscious level.

To better understand why hypnosis is such a powerful tool for making dramatic improvements and fundamental changes in the way we behave and think — particularly at the subconscious level — let's take a quick look at the three parts of the human mind.

1. The Unconscious Mind

This is the part of the mind that controls your breathing, your heart rate, the digestion process, and most other bodily functions. You don't have to actively think about these things in order for them to work — your unconscious mind automatically takes care of them for you.

When you eat a meal, you don't have to consciously think about what your body should be doing to digest the food, it just happens. When you're sleeping, you're not able to remind yourself to keep breathing, so your unconscious mind takes care of that for you.

The fact that our unconscious mind takes care of most bodily functions automatically allows us to focus our minds on our environment and the activities in which we are engaged — rather than having to focus our attention on keeping our bodies working.

2. The Subconscious Mind

This is the part of the mind that stores permanent memories and acts somewhat like an internal library for all of the events we have experienced in life. It would be impossible mory of everything we have ever experienced or that has passed through our senses — so our subconscious mind stores this information for us.

In some respects, your subconscious mind is like the hard-drive in your computer, except that in the case of your mind, you store your memories, beliefs, and habits (rather than software programs or computer files).

The items stored in your subconscious mind control most of your regular daily behavior. This function is important because it enables you to live without having to hold all of your memories, beliefs, and things you have learned in your conscious mind at the same time.

This would be an impossible task to accomplish, so your subconscious mind takes care of providing you with the information you need, as your conscious mind needs the information.

3. The Conscious Mind

This is the analytical part of your mind that interprets and processes incoming information from your immediate environment, through your five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell).

Your conscious mind acts as a gateway for comparing this continuous stream of new information — everything you are seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, or smelling — to what is stored in your subconscious mind.

This continuous interaction between your conscious and subconscious mind is what enables you to recall who your friends are, how to get to your desired destination when driving, and why you love your favorite foods.

Rather than having to re-interpret everything you are experiencing every single time you experience it, your conscious mind and subconscious mind work together, comparing the new information with your existing thoughts and beliefs (based on past experience).

Your conscious mind can accept this new information — or reject it — based on how it fits with what is stored in your subconscious mind.

If your conscious mind attempts to process information that is contrary to what your subconscious mind has already established as a belief, it is likely to be rejected. On the other hand, new information that fits with your existing subconscious beliefs is likely to be accepted without question.

This element of the conscious mind is called the “critical factor” and it is a key component of why hypnosis is so effective.

Why Hypnosis Is So Effective

The critical factor explains why you have such a hard time changing your existing habits, thoughts, and behavior purely through conscious thinking.

Most of the time, you simply go back to doing (or thinking) what is stored in your subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is very powerful, and it has the primary responsibility for protecting what it has accepted and stored.

This is the reason why you can look in the mirror one day and see that you need to live a more healthy lifestyle — but the next day go back to eating an unhealthy diet and not getting regular exercise.

In most cases, your existing beliefs and habits control your behavior.

Hypnosis, however, allows you to by-pass the conscious mind's critical factor, and begin to change beliefs at a subconscious level.

In essence, it allows you to choose and store more effective beliefs, thoughts, and habits — that in many cases will make for a happier, more productive, life.

Once you begin to change your thoughts and beliefs at a subconscious level, you will find it much easier to live the life you want to live (without having a constant battle with your conscious mind).

Common Misconceptions About Hypnosis

Most of what you've seen in movies or on television about hypnosis is simply for entertainment purposes only and doesn't represent what happens in a real hypnosis session with a Certified Hypnotherapist.

You will NOT black out or lose consciousness during hypnosis — in fact, you are still fully aware of your surroundings and you may actually experience a heightened state of awareness for periods of time.

Remember that during hypnosis you are simply entering into a deeply relaxed state, and remain in full control of your mind and body. It is true that some people become so relaxed that they may fall asleep, but still maintain normal sleep-state consciousness.

In fact, you may have been in your own state of hypnosis many times before while daydreaming, where you were so focused in thought that your mind was fully engaged at a deeper level, but your body was still fully aware of your surroundings.

Another common misconception is that you can be controlled and directed to engage in strange behaviors while under hypnosis. Again, this is simply a stage performance illusion — for entertainment purposes — and is NOT based in reality.

Your subconscious mind is there to protect you, so you can't be controlled to do something contrary to what you want to do.

Remember, while you are in a deeply relaxed state during hypnosis, you are also in a heightened state of awareness — and would immediately recognize if you received any direction that might be cause for concern.

You are always in control while in a hypnotic state, fully using your mind at a subconscious level, and simply allowing yourself to be open to the suggestions offered by the hypnotherapist.

It is up to YOU to decide if you want accept these suggestions — or not — in respect to whatever positive changes you want to make (regarding your thoughts, beliefs, or habits).

How to Have an Effective Hypnosis Session

To get the most benefit from each hypnosis session, you should take the following steps before you begin:

1. Make sure you are in a comfortable environment — lying down or seated in a comfortable chair, at a comfortable temperature, and free from distractions (loud noises, flashing lights, etc.).

2. Try to be as relaxed as possible before you begin the hypnosis session — not pressed for time, in a state of extreme worry or fear, or in significant physical pain. Allow yourself to calm down in order to relax the “critical factor” of your conscious mind, and seek medical attention (if needed) before beginning hypnosis.

3. Be prepared to accept more productive thoughts, beliefs, and habits that are better aligned with your desired outcome (i.e., better health, reduced stress, increased self confidence, improved focus, etc.). You want to prepare your mind to anticipate positive change and look forward to real improvement in your life.

4. Anticipate that you will emerge from the hypnosis session feeling refreshed, renewed, and in harmony with a more healthy and productive state of mind.

Most of the HealthyMind™ hypnosis sessions can be completed in 30-50 minutes per program, which makes them perfect for most any schedule. We anticipate that you will enjoy each program and see productive, lasting changes in your life!

All the best!!!

Peak Performance Coach
Columbia Coaching Inc.
david@columbiacoaching.com