Are Hypnosis and Sleep The Same?

One of the most popular uses of hypnosis is to aid sleep. Since hypnosis is a natural state of relaxation it helps many people drift off to sleep. Because of this though man people confuse hypnosis as a type of sleep when in fact it is not. Discover for yourself the key differences between hypnosis and sleep in the article below.

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Pavlov truly believed that sleep and hypnosis were one and the same. Despite of hundreds and thousands of researched papers and published studies and writings, this is still the most popular belief up to this day. In reality, the state of hypnotic trance is more related and associated to the waking state than to the normal sleep. Now let us compare sleep and hypnosis.

1. Reasoning - in a hypnotic trance, the person is perfectly capable of reasoning, though the reasoning itself can be directional due to the suggestion firmly set or instilled by the hypnotist. On the other hand, while sleeping, the typical normal reasoning function and capacity of the person is switched off in the meantime.

2. Induction - hypnosis could be attained even without the suggestion or mention of sleeping. Hypnotic trance is commonly induced by another individual (usually by the hypnotist), while normal sleep is not induced by another individual.

3. Brain Activity - the Electro Encephalogram (EEG), which records the activities in the brain and the electric impulses inside the brain, shows the similar waves during the waking and the hypnotic state. On the contrary, the waves during the normal and physiological sleep are quite dissimilar from the two states.

4. Somnambulism - where the person performs some activities or walks around when asleep is really the deepest form or type of subconscious activity related to a deep hypnotic trance and therefore must not be considered a sleep activity.

4. Tendon Reflexes - when the tendon below the knee cap is gently stroked or tapped with percussion hammer while the knee is flaccid and flexed, there is a jerky forward movement of the legs due to the contracting of the muscles in the thighs. These reflexes in the tendon are abolished or lessened in deep sleep, while these are present during hypnosis. The tendon reflexes are elicited or brought out by firmly but lightly tapping particular tendons to flex or bend the corresponding muscles. This can indicate a normal neuro-muscular and neuro-spinal communications.

5. Suggestibility - in a state of hypnosis, the individual is highly susceptible or easily influenced by suggestions.

On the other hand, the subject would not respond or be receptive to other light sensory stimulus or different suggestions.

6. Muscle Tone - muscles commonly and usually become flaccid from lessened or diminished muscular tone and action when the person is in a normal sleep. On the other hand, the muscles most especially those of the legs and the arms are maintained and retained in a state known as tone rigidity. However, these muscles could be achieved a near and almost flaccid state and be made to relax completely through the proper suggestions during the state of hypnotic trance. Hence, it is a well-known occurrence that individuals fall into a normal sleep after a lengthy and prolonged auto hypnotic therapy or a hypnotic session; this is actually a normal and natural phenomenon.

Although there are times that the hypnotic trance state may be referred to as a guided sleep it is not the same as the normal and physiological sleep at all.

About the Author

The author of this article Amy Twain is a Self Improvement Coach who has been successfully coaching and guiding clients for many years. Amy recently published a new home study course on how to boost your Self Esteem overnight. More info about this "Quick-Action Plan for A More Confident You" is available at http://www.FabulousSelfEsteem.com.

Will Weight Loss Hypnosis Work For Me?

Many people have tried hypnosis to lose weight with great success including celebrities such as Lily Allen and Courtney Love. However it comes at a price which is why it’s important to learn if weight loss hypnosis is right for you. In this video hypnotherapist Roger Moore discusses the principals surrounding weight loss hypnosis including how it works. This will help you decide if you wish to try weight loss for yourself.

Free Self Hypnosis Relaxation Deepener

Whether you are new to self hypnosis or have been practising for some time you will probably know how hard it is to find quality self hypnosis scripts. Thankfully there are a few gems on the internet and I have found one of them for you. Not only is it effective but perhaps best of all it’s completely free!

In this self hypnosis script you will find your very own garden of relaxation. A place in your mind that you can visit anytime you need to calm down and relax after a busy day.

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I would like you to simply allow your mind and your imagination drift…to wander…to roam about freely... feeling calm, relaxed and comfortable...

…I would like you to imagine that you are outdoors standing at the top of some steps leading to a tranquil relaxing garden…The sun is shining…gently warming your face…And a gentle breeze caresses your skin...and you can hear the distant call of birds chirping merrily…

…As you breath in you can smell the beautiful faint aroma of sweet flowers and plant life…

…You notice a set of 10 elegant marble steps...These steps look strong, safe and inviting…These steps lead down to the garden of relaxation…The closer you get to the garden of relaxation…so the deeper relaxed you become…

…In a few moments time I am going to count down from 10 to 1…And with each number I count from 10 to 1…I would like you to imagine that you take a step down…closer to the garden…and every step you take...you will feel deeper and deeper relaxed as you become closer and closer to this relaxing haven…So ready…

…10…Take your first step down…feeling calm and relaxed...
…9...Feeling more and more relaxed...
…8...
…7...Feeling deeper and deeper relaxed as you take another step down...
…6...
…5...Feeling more and more relaxed as you can smell the garden more strongly…
…4...
…3...The chirping of the birds become louder and clearer...
…2...Feeling more and more relaxed…
…1...
…0...Feeling so deeply relaxed and at peace as you enter the beautiful tranquil garden…

…You can feel the softness of the grass beneath your feet...as you step into the garden…

…You have a good look around…The grass is a lush green…and the sky is a beautiful blue…You feel so relaxed and at peace that you decide to lie down on the grass…feeling the soft cooling grass on you back…and the gentle prickle on the back of your neck…

…You take a deep breathe…taking in all the wonderful scents and aromas that are all around you…and close your eyes…You just spend a few minutes relaxing more and more…You may relax so deeply that you drift off into a deep and relaxing sleep... and as you sleep...your mind may begin to wander…but no matter where your mind wanders to…my voice will travel with you…and your unconscious mind will absorb all the positive suggestions that I am about to give you…

Author Resource:- Please click here for more hypnosis scripts, and here for the audio to accompany this script - Garden Of Relaxation.

Article From Hypnosis Articles Directory.

Using Hypnosis for Total Relaxation

Hypnosis isn’t just something that can be used to quit smoking or lose weight, it is also an excellent way to relax after a long, hard day. Taking a short amount of time everyday to listen to a MP3 or perform self hypnosis will really make a difference in how relaxed you feel all day long. Read on to learn how hypnosis can help you to relax now and remain stress free in the future.

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The pace of life seems as if it’s picking up at an alarming rate. We live in a society where it is necessary to work long hours, eat meals “on the go” and travel on traffic jammed roads. It’s no surprise that all most people can be bothered to do after a day like this is to veg out on the couch, watching TV and eating comfort food. While this may provide a temporary form of relaxation the cycle will continue day after day leading to a life full of stress and lacking in positive activities.

Relaxation isn’t something you do for 30 minutes after coming home from work. It’s how you live your life. Despite the stresses and strains the modern lifestyle contains it is entirely possible to maximize your time and slow down at the same time. Some people get wound up by the slightest little thing while others seem thoroughly unflappable. Why is this? I believe it to be in the mindset of the individual. If you’re one of those people who become stressed easily you are no doubt looking for a solution. To me hypnosis has always been the quickest and easiest way to achieve relaxation both in the now and the future.

I always advise people I know who are suffering from stress to add hypnosis into their daily routine. Often they are sceptical. That doubting nature rarely lasts though once they have actually tried it for themselves. You see under hypnosis you are in both an intense state of deep relaxation and a heightened sense of awareness all at the same time. I often have clients write to me expressing their gratitude after purchasing a relaxation hypnosis mp3 from my site telling me it’s literally changed their lives. Others say that a 30 minute session felt like it’d had the same effect as hours worth of sleep. This of course is amazing but as I said earlier relaxation isn’t something you just do for 30 minutes, it’s a mindset. Fortunately hypnosis helps with this to.

If you are the type of person who feels like their day has been ruined because your car got dinged or you broke your favorite cup then you undoubtedly suffer on a daily basis from these subconscious reactions. The truth of the matter is that a cup can be replaced and a car easily repaired - and both are merely objects anyway. There is nothing you can do to turn back time so there is no use worrying and stressing about something you cannot change. Instead look to the future and realise how easily these problems are remedied. Hypnosis communicates with the subconscious mind which is the home of your instincts, emotions and reactions. This means that you can literally change your mindset so that trivial problems no longer cause you stress.

This is why hypnosis is such a brilliant tool in achieving complete relaxation. It helps you to relax both during the session and positively alters the way you think so that you feel more relaxed as you go about your daily life. The benefits are clear for all to see.

It needn’t be expensive either. The thought of paying a hypnotherapist to help you relax is probably a financially daunting one as most charge around $200 a session. However now many great hypnotherapists have their own websites where they produce mp3s or cds for as little as $10. I actually recommend these audio sessions over seeing a hypnotherapist in person for relaxation and not just because of the affordability. The beauty of mp3s and cds is that you can listen to them every night after you get home from work, before you go to bed or whenever you so desire.

Just imagine it. In only a few minutes time you could be experiencing complete relaxation thanks to the amazing powers of hypnosis. Try it for yourself today and I promise that you’ll see almost immediate benefits.

Author Resource:- Jake Rhodes currently works as a web developer and chief advisor at HypnoBusters and Relaxation Haven alongside Jon Rhodes and Kurt Reso. HypnoBusters deal in hypnosis mp3s while Relaxation Haven offer tips, techniques and exercises to achieve complete relaxation.

Article From Hypnosis Articles Directory.

Stop Negative Thoughts With Hypnotherapy

If you’re someone who gets weighed down by negative thoughts you know what a burden this can be. Instead of leading a relaxed lifestyle you are constantly worrying and thinking about the worst possible situations that could happen to you. This is an unhealthy mindset to have and can lead to problems in both your physical and mental health.

In this video hypnotherapist Roger Moore discusses how hypnotherapy can help you put a stop to negative thinking. The weight you are carrying will be lifted from your shoulders allowing you to be healthy and happy.

10 Hypnosis Myths Busted

I believe that one of the main reasons that hypnosis isn’t as widely accepted as it should be are the vast amount of myths that surround it. That is why I have sourced this article written by clinical hypnotherapist Jon Rhodes in which he takes a look at many hypnosis myths and explains why they simply are not true. Separate the facts from the fiction for yourself as Jon busts ten hypnosis myths.

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In order to dispel some of the misconceptions surrounding hypnosis, here is a run down of the top ten popular myths surrounding hypnosis.

1) A hypnotist might turn you into a chicken or pull some other embarrassing tricks on you.

A clinical hypnotherapist would not do this. This is confusing a stage hypnotist with a therapeutic or clinical hypnotherapist. A stage hypnotist will do this because that is what is expected of them. You agree to this by stepping on stage and joining the show. However you will easily return to your normal state at the end. In a clinical setting you only agree to the therapeutic goals for the session, so that is all that will occur.

The majority of clinical hypnotherapists (me included) would not know how to do these tricks even if they wanted to do them. Stage and clinical hypnosis are two very different disciplines.

2) You must be weak minded if you can be hypnotised.

A hypnotherapist simply guides or helps a person into trance. He does not 'make' them go into a trance. A hypnotic trance is a normal and natural mental state that most of us slip into several times a day. It occurs when you are daydreaming, or so totally absorbed in a book or film that you forget what is happening around you.

It is actually a skill to go into a deeply relaxed trance when you want to. The hypnotherapist helps you, but ultimately it is how you use your mind that determines how deep into a trance you go.

People often find that the more experience they have of going into a trance, the easier and deeper they go. So 'being hypnotised' is actually a skill on the part of the subject, that can be improved over time.

3) You are asleep when in a hypnotic trance.

Many years ago hypnotherapists did use suggestions of 'sleep' when guiding someone into a hypnotic trance. However this is rarely done now as most hypnotherapists agree that this can confuse the subject as to what state of mind they are aiming to achieve. Most now use suggestions of deep relaxation rather than sleep. However the media seem to still continue to portray a very outdated image of a hypnotist.

4) Hypnotherapists swing a watch in order to hypnotise a subject.

Hypnotherapists rarely do this these days, although it is one technique that can be used out of thousands of others. I personally do not do this as I wish to distance myself from the stereotype of a stern and sinister hypnotist, with a thin black moustache, wearing a tall dark hat, and a manic stare in his eyes. However I am happy to swing a watch if a subject specifically asks for this.

5) People sometimes become 'stuck' in hypnosis.

This is simply not true, despite what the tabloid press periodically claim. On rare occasions a subject may not come out of the trance straight away. This is usually because they are enjoying the relaxing state so much that they don't want to come out. A few gentle prompts, such as threatening to charge double for a longer session, is always sufficient to wake them!

6) You will become stuck in hypnosis if something happens to the hypnotist.

Again not true. A person will eventually become bored and will just get up when they feel like it. The hypnotist holds no special power over the subject whatsoever. A person can hypnotise themselves. This is called self hypnosis, and they can wake themselves whenever they choose.

7) Hypnosis is dangerous in the event of a fire or another disaster.

A person in a hypnotic trance is just as aware, if not more so, of potential danger. If a fire broke out during a session, a person would easily come out of the trance and deal with the situation immediately, and in an appropriate way.

If you drive a car, then you might be able to understand what I am about to say. When driving we often slip into a trance, especially when we are driving routes that we often take, such as to and from work. We can slip into a trance and daydream, and barely remember the journey at all. Sometimes we may even wonder how we managed to get to our destination at all! Sound familiar? In the event of danger, we instantly snap out of this state and deal with the situation. In fact we probably deal with it quicker and more effectively as our minds do not have chance to 'over think' with the conscious mind and slow down the response

8) You are not hypnotised if you can hear the hypnotist.

Each person has a unique experience of hypnosis. Some people consciously hear the hypnotist, whereas others do not. This has no bearing on the success of the session whatsoever. It is usually down to choice. You can choose to allow your mind to drift away, or you can choose to listen carefully to what the hypnotherapist is saying. Some people simply cannot resist allowing their minds to drift away, as they gain so much relaxation pleasure from it.

9) You can be made to reveal your deepest secrets when in a hypnotic trance.

Since your mind is fully aware and awake during a hypnotic session, this is not possible. If you really do not want to talk about something then you are under no compulsion to do so. A person can easily lie and are more likely to be creative with the truth when in a hypnotic trance, which is why courts will not accept the testimony of witnesses who are in hypnosis.

10) Hypnotherapists have special powers.

A hypnotherapist is a normal person who eats, sleeps, feels happy and sad, and looses their car keys. There is nothing special or magical about them at all. We have simply been trained, and have honed this training with experience, to help guide people into a hypnotic state.

A stage hypnotist may play on having 'hypnotic powers' in order to add excitement and drama to their shows, but they too will readily admit that they are simply using techniques that have been learnt and developed with practice and experience.

So there you go, hypnosis and hypnotherapy is not magical or mysterious when you know the true facts. It is simply a group of techniques for focusing the mind so that the unconscious can absorb pre agreed suggestions, in order to facilitate change. However the reality has been bent and distorted by sensationalism. This is a pity because this can, and probably does, prevent many people, who would greatly benefit from hypnotherapy, from daring to try it for the first time.

I urge you to make a commitment and try hypnosis even once. It is perfectly safe so you have nothing to lose. If it is not for you, then simply disregard it. If hypnotherapy is for you, then you will have unlocked a whole world of possibilities for personal growth, change and improvement. Many people's lives have been turned around with hypnosis. Don't let this potential opportunity slip you by.

Author Bio:- Jon Rhodes is one of the UK's leading clinical hypnotherapists. You can listen to his work in the comfort of your own home with his unique brand of hypnosis mp3 downloads.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_C_Rhodes

Hypnotherapy Can Treat Social Anxiety

You can’t turn the TV on or read a newspaper without seeing one person committing an horrific act on another. Many believe that the media is to blame for the increasing number of sufferers of social anxiety and they may very well be right. Peter Field discusses the effects of social anxiety and how it can be treated through a combination of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy.

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Social Anxiety Disorder, also known simply as Social Phobia or Social Anxiety is perhaps the most common form of anxiety disorder known.

In fact, it's so common that it is believed to affect somewhere around 10% of the entire population in one degree or another.

What's more, it can affect absolutely anyone - from housewife to movie star.

Renowned entertainers who have spent years in the public eye -- from Barbara Streisland to Kim Basinger -- have spoken publicly of their experience and recovery from social phobia and anxiety.

And the effects of Social Anxiety Disorder and social phobia can be truly debilitating, if not devastating.

Actual physical symptoms often accompany this particular disorder and these can include increased heart rate and palpitations, sweating and blushing, shaking and trembling, stammering and nausea. In acute cases, the person may feel dizzy and as if he or she is about to pass out.

All this, of course, simply serves to intensify the fear.

The true fear underpinning this disorder is very often the fear of being negatively judged and evaluated by others. This fear can force the individual to become fearful and terrified of doing anything that has the potential to prove embarrassing to them in public.

Amongst the most common forms are fear of social interaction, fear of dealing with authority figures, fear of public speaking or performing, fear of exams and fear in connection with sexual performance.

Very often this disorder has its origins in childhood and infancy.

Indeed, the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) estimates that somewhere around 40% of all such phobias begin before the age of 10, and a gigantic 95% before the age of 20. This is usually the case, even when the actual symptoms do not become painfully apparent until later in life.

Left unresolved and untreated, depression can develop and some may turn to alcohol and drugs in order to cope.

All too frequently the medical response to social phobia and Social Anxiety Disorder is to simply drug it, often with anti-anxiety medication - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSIRs) such as Paxil or Seroxat (paroxetine) being particularly favored.

When psychotherapy is offered, it is usually in the form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).

While both these approaches may provide a degree of relief to some sufferers, the emphasis of both is on managing the symptoms rather than actually treating and removing the underlying cause and drivers.

And, in the experience of this therapist, as long as the drivers remain intact then, sooner or later, the anxiety will return - and, all too regularly, with a real vengeance.

There is another way.

You see, the subconscious mind - that repository of beliefs - is merely attempting to protect the person from what it perceives to be danger, and so is manufacturing intense feelings of anxiety or fear so that he or she will be kept safe from harm. But the subconscious has got it wrong. It's basing its response upon prior conditioning which is simply no longer appropriate.

With the techniques and strategies of modern advanced hypnotherapy, we can reach into the subconscious, to where the negative feelings are generated, and realign the faulty beliefs that are responsible for keeping the 'program' running.

Once this is accomplished, the symptoms - social phobia and social anxiety - just become extinct because there is nothing there to drive them anymore.

If you have been struggling with the really debilitating effects of social phobia or social anxiety disorder, do not give up -- effective help is available.

With modern and advanced hypnotherapy techniques, you can be returned to your true nature and be released from that old anxiety and fear for good.

About the Author

A leading British hypno-psychotherapist, with clinics in Birmingham and London, UK, Peter Field is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health and a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. For a FREE hypnosis download visit: http://www.hypnosiscdmp3downloads.com or for more of his useful articles and other helpful information, please visit his website: http://www.peterfieldhypnotherapy.co.uk

How to Start Learning Self Hypnosis

Self hypnosis is a skill that I recommend that all people learn and it’s one that’s certainly growing in popularity. By mastering self hypnosis you can change your life in many positive ways and put yourself in complete control of your life. If you would like to learn self hypnosis but aren’t sure where to start then read on to discover all the information you need.

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Something that has been gaining popularity over many years is self hypnosis. Through a combined matter of concentration, relaxation, and meditation; many have found a new level of enlightenment and perspective. Today more than ever, you can find information and resources that will assist and improve your own experiences with self hypnosis.

Once upon a time in countryside not that far away; hypnosis was looked upon as something practiced by travelling road shows. Sometimes they came in the form of a small wagon with many mystical claims to see the past, future, and bring good luck to those that asked. Other times it was be a sideshow at the circus back then. Many would see those bringing it as gypsies even.

Time has brought a lot out in the sciences as well as self awareness finding knowledge is at an all time high. This is an area of society that has grown in acceptance and interest for a long time, and where once was an occasional book on the bookshelf at the supermarket, or advertised on the sidelines in magazines; today there are many choices for those seeking self hypnosis.

With the changing of times; it's progressed to the level where rather than having to take chances with those unknown, today many people are already practicing self-hypnosis with varying results to work on all areas of their lives. Today it's more categorized as well. Whether you want to feel better, take better care of yourself, or dig deep into the depths of your own mind; there are specialized means of self hypnosis to choose from.

Some simple techniques include lying down relaxed and simply thinking a vision of a wonderful scene. With that, concentrated breathing patterns and maybe counting are involved as well. Many have read about these methods in the past, and of those, many have revised self hypnosis to even new levels of self awareness.

Today you can purchase visual materials as well as audio sessions that can further assist you in your desires of self hypnosis. Whether you are looking to impact a habit in your life, learn more of yourself, or nearly any other need, there are a many choices in the area of self hypnosis that you will find.

You will undoubtedly find further information on self hypnosis where you now see this. If you take your time here, you will find many ways to better understand how-to, and much background information on self hypnosis.

With the great selection of self hypnosis resources available today, you will find many that are specialized in areas ranging to feeling more energetic, being more successful, weight loss, and on dropping bad habits.

You will also find self-hypnosis training too. With this you will probably find those claiming many different certifying agencies. Keep in mind some of these probably aren't any more than a marketing script made up, while others will be legitimate schools on some specialty. Take your time, and consider the prices. Those choices for self hypnosis training that are higher than a bookshelf book, should be researched on their claims. This is the case on any sizeable purchase.

In the end, you can find much more on self hypnosis and what it can do for you. You are likely to find many choices out there of which hopefully some suit you perfectly. It may take time too, though if you are looking for more knowledge on self hypnosis; you will find it!

If you enjoyed this article, take a look at Hypnosis ABC for more articles about self hypnosis and other forms of hypnotism.

Be Hypnotized Now

Be Hypnotized Now

You can experience the power of hypnosis right now with this video by clinical hypnotherapist Richard K Nongard. Richard will talk you through a few different hypnosis exercises that are both quick and easy to perform. After the exercises are finished you will emerge from your hypnotic state feeling peaceful and relaxed.

This video has convinced many people that hypnosis will work for them. If you would like to use hypnosis to improve your life then we recommend the hypnosis mp3s at HypnoBusters.Com. They are recorded by clinical hypnotherapist Jon Rhodes and are currently on sale for only $9.95 per download.

Test Your Hypnotizability

You may have considered hypnosis as a form of treatment before but been put off because you don’t know if you’re capable of being hypnotized or not. By reading and following the instructions in this article you will be able to test your hypnotizability and learn whether you can experience hypnosis for yourself or not.

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With the field of hypnosis becoming increasingly respected and accepted amongst the medical profession as well as the self improvement movement more and more people are happy to try hypnotherapy for themselves. One question often pops up in peoples' minds though before they are willing to put their time and effort into the practice, "am I hypnotizable?". It's an understandable worry as learning self hypnosis takes a lot of time and energy while paying for a hypnotherapist is a major expense.

While it is a valid concern most people do not need to worry. There have been many scientific studies looking into the phenomenon of hypnosis and the rate of hypnotizability amongst various groups of people. In general 80% to 95% of all people are hypnotizable which really is a staggeringly high amount. Can you imagine if any other form of treatment had this level of success rate? Not only would the media focus a lot more attention on it but sessions would cost thousands rather than hundreds of dollars. Be that as it may though the point is that most people can be hypnotized.

There are many external and internal forces which can lower or raise your ability to be hypnotized. You want to be in a relaxed environment that is comfortable for you and using a script or hypnotherapist that will work for your personality. Some people believe that only those with low intelligence and concentration can be hypnotized, but in actuality the opposite is true.

Testing your hypnotizability has never been easier thanks to the wide range of resources on the internet. Some methods are quite obvious while others are known by only a select few, and I will let you in on a few of these ways to test your hypnotizability.

YouTube has many hypnosis sessions recorded by professional hypnotherapists that are a great way to test out how well you react to the hypnotic process. Search for the likes of Jon Rhodes, Steve G. Jones or Roger Moore and you're guaranteed a high level of quality. You can sit at your computer and experience a hypnosis session for yourself, which is as good a way as any to see if you can be hypnotized. Similarly there are also a range of hypnosis websites that sell MP3s at very reasonable prices ($10 on up). These make for an affordable way to try hypnosis for yourself while working on a specific goal, whether you want to lose weight, improve your memory or get a better quality of sleep.

Are you a daydreamer and/or have strong powers of concentration? These qualities lend themselves very well to being hypnotized and if you possess them then it's a virtual lock that you'll be able to be hypnotized. The same can also be said of those who are open minded or have a vivid imagination. Test your abilities in these areas and you're also testing your hypnotizability.

The last method I will share with you is a little stranger. In the mid 1960's Dr. Herbert Spiegel conducted an experiment that concluded there was a direct correlation between hypnotizability and a person's ability to roll their eyes up - the more white of the eyes that was visible the more hypnotizable the subject was. No-one has yet been able to fathom the link between these two abilities. Still it is a test you can do yourself very easily, although you will need a second person to tell you how much white of the eye is visible.

There you have it, everything you need to know to test your hypnotizability. Hypnosis is a wonderful tool for improvement and if these tests have proven you to be hypnotizable then I fully recommend you start adding hypnosis to your daily routine.

Author Bio: Jake Rhodes currently works at HypnoBusters - the leading online resource for hypnosis. You can find a wealth of information on hypnosis there as well as hypnosis mp3s and details on how to learn self hypnosis.

How Hypnotherapy Can Aid Cancer Patients

Hypnotherapy is commonly thought of as a treatment for people who wish to lose weight or quit smoking. While this is true hypnotherapy can be used for so much more. In this article Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D. looks into how hypnotherapy can be used to help those suffering with cancer. It’s important to note that hypnotherapy is not a cure for cancer but rather a way to ease the pain both physical and mental experienced by those with cancer.

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In 1978 Richard Bloch, co-founder of H&R Block, was diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis was that he would be dead in three months. After two years of aggressive therapy he recovered. Wanting to make a difference in the lives of others struggling with cancer, he sold his interest in H&R Block and founded The Cancer Hotline in 1980, and the Block Cancer Support Center in 1986. He sponsored a national computer database, the Physician’s Data Query, with the latest research and treatment protocols for every known form of cancer. Today this database is operated by the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.

Richard and his wife, Annette, wrote Fighting Cancer, a book offering self-help advice. Their second book, A Guide for Cancer Supporters (these two books are free to the public; Call 1-800-CANCER) is for family and friends of those who have cancer. Both books offer inspiration and hope, encouraging cancer patients to fight to live, instead of waiting to die. These books also recommend that cancer patients supplement medical interventions with psychotherapy, guided imagery, and clinical hypnotherapy. In the 1970’s the use of such therapies in the treatment of disease was almost unheard of and to suggest such an idea bordered on heresy. Three decades later, supplemental therapies such as hypnotherapy, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, nutritional counseling, and neuro-feedback are widely considered as essentials in the holistic approach to health and the treatment of disease.

This article speaks directly to the role of hypnotherapy in treating cancer patients. Hypnotherapy was approved by the American Medical Association in 1958 as a viable adjunct to other medical treatment. Hypnotherapy is a psychological treatment that combines trance-inducing methods and relaxation with story-telling, guided imagery, and direct and indirect suggestions that guide the listener toward changes in behavior, emotions, thinking, and physical responses. Here are five ways in which hypnotherapy can help people cope with cancer.

1. Relaxation

With the diagnosis of cancer come fears of dreadful possibilities: painful medical procedures, the side-effects of medication, the possibility of physical suffering, a shortened life span, curtailed activities, and changes in relationships. Panic and anxiety are natural and understandable responses to such fears, many of which are logical and realistic. However, panic and anxiety may only increase the symptoms and interfere with those activities that are still doable and worthwhile.

Hypnotherapy is a means of relaxation that helps one stay focused and mindful of the moment, relaxed enough to enjoy the simple pleasures that life still offers. Sleep is especially difficult with so many worries. Hypnotherapy can often induce the deep relaxation and pleasant imagery that allows a restorative night of sleep.

2. Pain Management

With cancer, there are three sources of physical pain: The pain of the cancer’s damage to the body, the pain of medical procedures, and the pain of muscle tension that often accompanies fear or emotional distress. Pain is generally a warning to the body to take action and muscle tension is the body’s natural, fight-or-flight response to a perceived threat. When muscle tension leads to action that reduces or eliminates pain (i.e., you quickly remove your hand from a hot stove) then the tension serves a purpose. When the tension only exacerbates the pain, then the tension is not helping.

Hypnotherapy teaches a host of pain management methods that generally divert the mind’s attention elsewhere. Pain decreases when we pay less attention to it. Hypnotherapy uses relaxation, focusing exercises, and guided imagery to take the mind away from pain, thus reducing tension. A hypnotherapist will often use images and stories to suggest different ways to think about pain. For example, if a client says the pain feels like a red-hot, burning coal, the hypnotherapy session may include a short story about firemen dowsing a fire with cold water, until the fire goes away, and then a clean-up crew arrives to clear away the debris and repair the damage. Through training in self-hypnosis, cancer patients can eventually learn how to turn pain off, or at least ignore it with increasing effectiveness.

3. Manage Fears of Medical Procedures

Let’s face it. Despite the best efforts of medical teams, clinical and hospital procedures are not fun. Surgical processes, treatments and exams are often painful, annoying, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. At times they can reduce one’s sense of dignity, privacy, and personal control. Medical procedures are especially daunting to people who associate medical processes with traumatic and painful experiences of the past and fears of what the future can hold. Some people actually develop phobias for white coats, the smell of antiseptics, or the sight of a hypodermic needle.

Hypnotherapy employs several methods to alleviate the effects of trauma and reduce fears and phobias. These desensitization methods work by pairing a state of detachment, confidence, and relaxation, with memories or images of traumatic or fear-producing events, while reminding the listener that those experiences are over and done.

4. Recovery From Surgery

There are several studies in which hypnotherapy has been shown to reduce bleeding and swelling during surgery, as well as to minimize discomfort or nausea following surgery or chemotherapy. Surgical incisions can heal more quickly with hypnotic suggestions. In many cases hypnosis may help surgery patients cope with pain and sleep well, so they require less post-surgery medication. Some hospitals now employ hypno-anesthesiologists as part of the surgical team, for those patients who are allergic to or highly intolerant of chemical anesthesia agents.

5. Enhanced Health and Healing

Numerous authors have spoken about the benefits of guided imagery to help cancer patients achieve healing, stronger immunity, and remission. In guided imagery, the client relaxes while the therapist describes stories and images of healing sanctuaries, healing beams of light, fountains of life, guardian angels or spiritual entities, and visions of future recovery and return to normal activity. Skeptics dismiss positive results as the placebo effect or a fluke. Perhaps they take too lightly the manner in which the brain transmits chemical messages, via the neurological pathways, that activate the body’s own healing responses.

In 1978, Stephanie Matthews-Simonton, O. Carl Simonton, and James Creighton, wrote the ground-breaking book, Getting Well Again (Bantam Books, 1984), a self-help guide for cancer patients. They told cancer patients that beliefs and attitudes play an important role in pain management and recovery. They described the value of mental relaxation and imagery. They also provided case studies in which cancer patients achieved improvement and, at times, remission, by visualizing and drawing pictures of their cancer cells being destroyed by armies of protective cells dispatched by the immune system. Patients often chose metaphoric images for these protective cells; pacman cartoon characters, knights on horseback, or toothy sharks. Amazingly, many of these pictures characterized the manner in which Natural Killer cells actually attack and destroy individual cancer cells.

In the field of psychoneuroimmunology (the study of the role of psychological processes in the treatment of disease), there are numerous recently-published books available to hypnotherapists who want to improve their skills in working with cancer patients. One is Guided Imagery (Crown House, 2000) by Rubin Battino, Adjunct Professor at Wright State University in the Department of Human Services, and President of the Milton H. Erickson Society at Dayton, Ohio. In addition to his academic duties he is a group facilitator for cancer patients at the The Charlie Brown Exceptional Patient Support Group in Dayton, Ohio.

Conclusion

Hypnosis can prove a viable part of a cancer treatment regimen. Additionally, a hypnotherapist can help the client adapt behavioral changes, such as smoking cessation, that contribute to improved health. Insurance companies now reimburse psychotherapy sessions conducted by licensed mental health practitioners who incorporate hypnotherapy, relaxation training, and guided imagery into their clinical skills. Many clinics now offer support groups for these purposes as well.

Cancer patients have more tools at their disposal than ever before, with the ability to assemble a virtual team of practitioners drawn from traditional and non-traditional disciplines. Today’s doctors are more interested in treating the whole person, not just the disease. We’ve come a long way in medical care, not just in having advanced drugs and technologies, but also in our attitudes about the mind-body aspects of illness and health. We now know that a will to live, like that displayed by Richard Bloch and so many others, often imparts the strength to endure and outstrips all that medicine can accomplish.

Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D. is a licensed psychotherapist, counselor and life coach with a private practice, Motivational Strategies, Inc., in Springfield, Virginia. She specializes in solution-oriented therapies, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy. She is the executive director of the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (http://www.natboard.com). She recently published The Weight, Hypnotherapy, and You Weight Reduction Program: An NLP and Hypnotherapy Practitioner’s Manual released by Crown House Ltd of Wales. Her web site is http://www.engagethepower.com

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