| Hypnosis has long been rumored to have | | | | actual treatment of patients with |
| powerful mind-altering properties which can | | | | psychological needs, such as those who wish |
| help to treat a range of psychological | | | | to break life-long habitual behavior, and |
| conditions and lifestyle habits. Conjuring | | | | those who want treatment for some underlying |
| images of elaborate stage shows with | | | | mental condition. Hypnosis on the other hand |
| unsuspecting ordinary people making a fool of | | | | refers to the natural mental we may all |
| themselves, hypnotism has been seen as a | | | | experience from time to time, which relaxes |
| joke, or entertainment for decades. Although | | | | the mind and opens it to the power of subtle |
| conventional medicine may still be a little | | | | suggestion. Hypnosis is generally reserved |
| skeptical as to the effectiveness of | | | | for improving self worth and an overall sense |
| alternative treatments like hypnosis, there | | | | of well-being, and can be a very powerful and |
| are hundreds of thousands of success stories | | | | relaxing technique. |
| around the world in favor of these | | | | |
| alternative methods. By conducting the mind | | | | The first thing to do to hypnotize yourself |
| of the patient (or victim?) in a state of | | | | is to find a relaxed and comfortable |
| total relaxation, the hypnotist can change | | | | environment. Lie down, or sit down in a |
| the pattern of thought, for example to turn a | | | | comfortable chair. Be conscious of the |
| patient off smoking cigarettes. It is | | | | weight of your body being absorbed by the |
| thought that whilst the mind is reduced to | | | | platform on which you are sitting, and feel |
| this placid, almost semi-conscious state, the | | | | relaxation through your arms, legs and torso. |
| hypnotist can access the inner most anxieties | | | | Close your eyes, and try to forget about the |
| and feelings of the patient to make a | | | | world, focusing on deep breathing and utter |
| permanent change to their mental well-being. | | | | calm. After around a quarter of an hour, you |
| | | | should awake as if from a sleep, and you will |
| The process of self-hypnosis takes | | | | feel significantly more relaxed and |
| conventional hypnotism one stage further. | | | | refreshed, ready to continue your daily |
| Rather than hypnosis for stage performance, | | | | business and deal with the stresses of every |
| or for treating others, self-hypnosis | | | | day life. |
| revolves around sending one's own mind into a | | | | |
| state of relaxation. By learning the key | | | | Hypnosis is a very natural process, and it is |
| techniques to hypnotizing one's self, you can | | | | certainly not to be feared. Think of |
| treat a variety of your fears and anxieties, | | | | hypnosis as a conscious sleep, and understand |
| and allow a platform for self-improvement at | | | | that you are still in complete control of |
| many different levels. | | | | your actions throughout. It is merely a |
| | | | process whereby we can feel comfortable and |
| It is important firstly to make the | | | | deal with stress in a more constructive and |
| distinction between hypnosis, and what is | | | | healthy way. |
| known as hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is the | | | | |