How does self-hypnosis work?
Self-hypnosis is a skill that many people develop over time. While everyone's experience is different, approaching it with an open mind and giving yourself time to practise may help you get the most from it.
Learning the basics can help you to pick up the techniques and steps needed to induce self-hypnosis. If you are working with a qualified, experienced hypnotherapist to help you, they can often teach you self-hypnosis techniques. This can help you reinforce any new ideas or behaviours between your sessions, and to continue seeing positive benefits after your sessions come to an end.
You may want to be hypnotised by a trained hypnotherapist in the first instance so you can get a feel for what hypnosis is like. Your hypnotherapist can then educate you about how to do the process yourself.
- Hypnotherapist C. Jackson, Four steps for self-hypnosis success
Learning self-hypnosis is a gradual process, and everyone's experience will be different. Giving yourself time to practise and finding a routine that feels manageable may help you build confidence over time.
While everyone's experience is different, some people find self-hypnosis helps them feel more relaxed. Creating a calm environment with as few distractions as possible – whether that's putting your phone on silent or finding a quiet space away from interruptions – may help you settle into the practice. Some people find closing their eyes makes it easier to focus, while others prefer to keep them open. You may find that different approaches work best for you as you become more familiar with self-hypnosis.
Focusing on how you would like to think or feel is key. Visualise where you would like to be, for example, feeling less anxious when you have managed to stand up and deliver your presentation. This helps put you in a state of mind where you can believe in yourself, opening the way up for you to manifest positivity in your life.
Using affirmations can help to reinforce these new, positive thoughts and ideas. The more simple, genuine, and honest you can make these, the more likely they are to be successfully planted into your unconscious.
You may find it helpful to set aside a few minutes for self-hypnosis as part of your regular routine. Over time, this can help you become more comfortable with the process and discover what works best for you.
What can self-hypnosis help with?
Self-hypnosis may be used to support a wide range of goals and wellbeing needs. Some people use it to help manage stress, ease discomfort, promote relaxation during childbirth, build confidence, or support them alongside hypnotherapy. Others find it helps them stay focused on the changes they're working towards.
Whether you're hoping to change an unhelpful habit, develop a new skill, or explore different ways of managing your thoughts or emotions, self-hypnosis may be a helpful tool as part of your wider wellbeing journey.
Guided self-hypnosis tracks to try
To help you get started on your self-hypnosis journey, we have curated some self-hypnosis tracks from our members for you to try.
In this self-hypnosis for IBS, hypnotherapist Helen Brooks (AKA The Tummy Whisperer) guides us through a relaxation and healing session.
Supporting with pain management, hypnotherapist Lin Debarr leads a session to help lower pain levels so you can relax more easily (please note that this recording may not be suitable if you have hydrophobia - fear of water).
In this session, hypnotherapist Vicki Crane leads a self-hypnosis on confidence building.
Helping those with anxiety and particularly those feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle, this calming self-hypnosis from hypnotherapist Malminder Gill came from a live webinar we ran on coping with anxiety.
Helping you to cultivate a sense of inner strength to overcome anxiety, this track from hypnotherapist Juliet Hollingsworth will leave you feeling calm and in control.
Offering a session of calm and relaxation, hypnotherapist Natasha Crowe recorded this track for our podcast.
Helping you ease flying anxiety and fear of flying, hypnotherapist Sue Rowland leads this relaxing self-hypnosis session to listen to before your flight.
Can self-hypnosis replace sessions with a hypnotherapist?
While self-hypnosis can be a helpful tool, working with a qualified, experienced hypnotherapist offers a wide range of unique benefits that self-hypnosis alone cannot. A hypnotherapist can talk with you before beginning a hypnotherapy session to help figure out any underlying issues. They can tailor sessions to suit your individual circumstances and needs, as well as to adapt any language and messaging for you.
Self-hypnosis can help reinforce the ideas and techniques you explore during hypnotherapy. While many people find it a useful practice on its own, a qualified hypnotherapist can tailor sessions to your individual needs and support you in exploring any underlying issues that may be affecting your wellbeing.
If you'd like personalised support, a qualified hypnotherapist can work with you to develop techniques that suit your individual goals and circumstances. Use our search tool to find a hypnotherapist near you.
