Hypnosis is one of those things that almost everyone has heard about but few truly know what it is all about. Thanks to popular culture and stage acts, there are many misconceptions.
You may be surprised to learn that hypnosis is a natural state of mind that the average person goes in and out of an average of 7 times per day.
Have you ever arrived at your destination and forgotten the journey or missed your turn?
Have you laughed or cried while watching a TV show or movie?
Have you ever been so engrossed in what you are doing you lost complete track of time?
Have you ever been so deep in thought you didn’t hear someone call your name?
Have you ever been in the “zone” while doing something creative or playing a sport?
All of these experiences are common examples of self-induced hypnosis.
Besides self-induced hypnosis, you can be guided into a hypnotic state with the aid of a hypnotist for the purpose of changing behaviours (stop smoking, exercise more, eat less sugar), aiding with sleep, and addressing emotional issues such as fears and phobias.
Myths Busted:
When you think of hypnosis what do you think happens? Someone swings a pendulum, they make you cluck like a chicken everytime you hear a bell and/or you have no memory of what just happened?
This is what everyone I talk to thinks happens so let’s take a moment and clear things up.
Myth: You are unconscious during hypnosis and won’t remember anything.
You’re completely aware of everything that is happening and every sound in the room. The hypnotherapist may use the word “sleep” but it is just to help quiet the mind, you will not actually fall asleep.
Myth: You are under control of the hypnotherapist.
You are in complete control during the entire session. A hypnotherapist can’t make you do anything that you don’t want to. If you wanted to get up and walk out of a session you could but that wouldn’t be very productive. You will not reveal any secrets you don’t want to share, however like all appointments what you choose to share is kept in strict confidence.
Myth: Only the weak minded or those lacking intelligence can be hypnotized.
Anyone can be hypnotized as long as they are willing, and able to focus.