Have you ever been so focused on a book or a movie that everything around you took a back seat? This is called a hypnotic state. It is a natural, physiological state and also a form of energy saving.
It is nothing more than a way of focusing concentration, a state called by some authors “trance”. Since prehistoric times this knowledge has been used and at that time it happened through singing and drumming. Different cultures have made use of this method to achieve their goals.
What we now call clinical hypnosis originated with Mesmer, who named his study animal magnetism. The method of the time was authoritarian until the last century, when Milton Erickson decided to use metaphors to induce suggestions - instead of orders, as it was in the past.
Clinical hypnosis consists of entering the trance state consciously, being guided by a professional. It is a state of focused concentration—not sleeping or losing consciousness or being at the mercy of the hypnotist. This is a factor that causes a lot of fear in people who seek this procedure and who often end up rejecting it. But it is important to remember that this is a myth created by the influence of the hypnosis shows we are so used to seeing. In fact, at no time do you lose your will or control of the situation.
Now, stop to think: we are surrounded by self-hypnosis; since we ourselves enter this state without realizing it and without the presence of a therapist. There are several forms of induction and you can choose the one you prefer. But there are basic instructions that you should follow to be able to concentrate better.
Breathe using the abdomen: inhale, the belly rises; expired, the belly descends. This is the best breathing to relax, especially the muscles.
Fix your gaze on something.
Now, the most important thing is to define your goals. What do you want to achieve? Relieve pain, overcome fears and phobias, eliminate addictions, etc. Your goals have to be realistic. You won't be able to have a model body if your bone structure is small and you can't become an expert in a subject with hypnosis alone. Everything you want to accomplish takes effort, and hypnosis can help. But remember, it doesn't work miracles!
- List your goals.
- Think about what you want to say to yourself.
- Write several different suggestions for each objective.
- Find a comfortable place to start the session.
- Do belly breathing.
- Fix your gaze on something.
- When you are very focused, tell yourself the suggestions you prepared earlier.
When you think it's time to come out of the trance, say your last suggestion, preparing for the next session, in order to get into that state more easily. Remember that the more you practice, the easier and faster it will be to enter a trance.
- Text written by Amanda Magliaro from the Eu Sem Fronteiras Team.
