Hypnosis (also known as Hypnotic Therapy), while shrouded in mystery, is a powerful therapeutic tool, scientifically proven to help in relieving stress. It’s not about mind control or stage tricks, but rather a process of deep relaxation and focused attention.
This hypnotic state creates a heightened receptivity where positive suggestions and guided imagery can effectively influence the mind, providing a powerful solution to stress.
I’m writing about this topic because I’m a bestselling author on behavioral change and founder of the therapist recommended self-paced online course called The Anxiety Cure.
I love to help people to live calmer, happier lives. So I put together this article about the potential for relieving stress forever with the power of hypnotic therapy – also known as hypnosis.
While traditional relaxation techniques certainly have their place in stress management, hypnosis tends to have more enduring effects. Hypnosis goes a step beyond simple relaxation. It reaches the subconscious mind, the part of the brain that controls our habits and responses.
By addressing stress at this deeper level, it allows people to change their intrinsic reactions to stressors, fostering a more calming, less reactive mindset that holds up over time.
Research supports this, with numerous studies indicating that the stress-reduction benefits of hypnosis can extend well into the future. Therefore, it’s not just about finding momentary peace, but fundamentally reshaping your relationship with stress.
A study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, titled “Group Hypnosis for Stress Reduction and Improved Stress Coping: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial” observed a significant reduction in stress levels among participants who underwent hypnosis compared to the control group.
Participants: 95 people participated, divided into two groups. The hypnosis group had 47 people (mostly women, average age around 45 years) and the control group had 48 people (mostly women, average age around 47 years).
Duration: The study observed the participants for 12 weeks.
Hypnosis Group: Reported lower stress levels (average 41.8 mm on a stress scale).
Control Group: Higher stress levels (average 62.9 mm on the same scale).
Difference: Those in the hypnosis group had significantly lower stress levels compared to the control group (by 21.2 mm on the scale).
Hypnosis Group: Continued to show lower stress levels (average 41.1 mm).
Control Group: Higher stress levels (average 55.9 mm).
Difference: The hypnosis group still had notably lower stress levels than the control group (by 14.7 mm on the scale).
Overall Conclusion: The study found that people in the hypnosis group experienced a significant reduction in perceived stress both after 5 weeks and 12 weeks compared to those in the control group.
Additional Benefits: Improvements were also noted in other stress and wellbeing measures for those in the hypnosis group.
Hypnosis offers a scientifically validated method for stress reduction, going beyond ephemeral effects to fundamentally alter how we interface with stress.
A hypnosis session for stress reduction typically lasts around 30 min to 1h. During this time, a trained hypnotherapist will guide the someone into a state of deep relaxation and focused attention. They may use techniques such as guided imagery, where the therapist helps create vivid mental images that evoke feelings of peace and calmness. Positive suggestions are then given during this receptive state to help change thought patterns and responses to stress.
This allows people to break away from their usual patterns of negative thinking and react more positively to stressors. With continued sessions, the person can develop new ways of coping with stress, leading to long-term effects.
Hypnosis offers a potent and scientifically supported tool for stress reduction. It extends beyond temporary relief to help peope recalibrate their inherent responses to stress, leading to more enduring and profound benefits. For those intrigued by the prospect of hypnosis, it’s generally advisable to work directly with a hypnotherapist.
However, if you’d like to explore it independently, there are many self-hypnosis apps out there. For example, Unwind, provides a feasible starting point. Hypnosis, when properly utilized, can serve as a transformative force in managing and reducing stress, ultimately contributing to improved mental health and a feeling of security.
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