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How to Perform Self
Hypnosis
- Go to a comfortable, private place and sit in any comfortable chair or couch.
Although some people prefer to lie down, you are more susceptible to sleep than when sitting up. Whether you
sit or lie, ensure you do not cross your legs or any part of your body. You may be in this position for a while
and this could end up being uncomfortable.
- Make sure you are not going to be disturbed for at least half an
hour.
- Close your eyes and work to rid your mind of any feelings of fear, stress, or
anxiety. When you begin, you might find it difficult not to think. You may find that thoughts keep intruding.
When this happens, don't try to force the thoughts out. Observe them impartially, and then let them slip
away.
- Recognize the tension in your body. Beginning with your toes, imagine the
tension slowly falling away from your body and vanishing. Imagine it freeing each body part one at a time
starting with your toes and working its way up your body. Visualize each part of your body becoming lighter and
lighter as the tension is removed. relax your toes, then your feet. Continue with your calves, thighs, hips,
stomach and so on, until you've relaxed each portion, including your face and head. Using imagery techniques of
something you find comforting or soothing, such as water (feel the water rushing over your feet and ankles,
cleansing them of tension) can be effective as well.
- Take slow, deep breaths. When you exhale, see the tension and negativity
leaving in a dark cloud. As you inhale, see the air returning as a bright force filled with life and
energy.
- Appreciate the fact that you are now extremely relaxed. Imagine you are at
the top of a flight of 10 stairs which at the fifth step start to submerge into water. Picture every detail of
this scene from the top to the bottom. Tell yourself that you are going to descend the stairs, counting each
step down, starting at 10. Picture each number in your mind. Imagine that each number you count is further down
and one step closer to the bottom. After each number, you will feel yourself drifting further and further into
deep relaxation. As you take each step, imagine the feel of the step under your feet. Once you are at the fifth
step imagine and truly feel the refreshing coolness of the water and tell yourself that you are stepping into
an oasis of purity and cleanliness. As you begin to descend the last five steps, start to feel the water
getting higher and higher up your body. You should now start to feel somewhat numb and your heart will start to
race a bit, but notice it and let any qualms about the situation just drift away into the
water.
- At this point at the bottom of the water you shouldn't really feel anything
just a floating sensation you may even feel like you're spinning. Once you have achieved this state you should
proceed to address your problems and decide upon what it is you want from where you are. [Note: if you do not
feel as stated above, try again, slower with a will to grasp what is happening]. Now start to narrate what your
doing speak in the present and future tense quietly to yourself, or as if you are reading it from a page. Start
to picture three boxes under the water that you have to swim to get to. Once you have found the boxes open them
slowly one at a time and narrate to yourself what is happening when you open the box. For example 'As i open
the box i feel a radiant light engulf me, i feel it becoming a part of me, this light is my new found
confidence that i can not ever lose as it is now apart of me' and then proceed on to the next box. You should
avoid using statements with negative connotation such as "I don't want to be tired and irritable." Instead,
say, "I am becoming calm and relaxed." Examples of positive statements "I am strong and slender," "I am
successful and positive," and, if you have pain, "My back is beginning to feel wonderful." (see warning on
PAIN)
- Repeat your statement(s) to yourself as many times as you wish. 2 or 3 times
should be enough
- Once you are satisfied with what you have done and embraced swim back to the
stairs and feel with each step you take the water becoming lower and lower until you have once again reached
that fifth step. Once you are out of the water and are on the sixth step you may start to feel heavy or as if
there is a weight on your chest. Merely wait on the step until this passes, constantly repeating your
aforementioned statements. Once it passes continue up the stairs visualizing each step by its number, feeling
the steps under neath you, will yourself to carry on up the stairs.
- Once you have ascended, give yourself a few moments before opening your eyes
(you may want to visualise yourself opening a door to the outside world, do this slowly and imagine the light
that poors in through the door way, this should make your eyes open)(also it sometimes help telling yourself
that when you open your eyes you will be smiling, if you are indeed smiling when you open your eyes you will
have some sort of proof that it has worked) and take your time getting up. Then outloud tell yourself "Wide
awake, Wide awake" or something maybe that your mother used to say when she woke you up in the morning as a
child. This will put your mind back in the conscious state. You will be totally relaxed and a feel
refreshed.
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