Happiful July 2020

a person in the maze they
are stuck in, grab them by
the hand, lead them out and
introduce them to new areas.
We do this by activating the
original problem and feeding
in new thoughts, images, ideas
and feelings.
Hypnotherapist James’ top
tips to practise self-hypnosis
at home:
• Do it in the morning while
your mind is refreshed.
This way the hypnotic
state isn’t interfered with
by sleepiness, so we get to
enjoy it more.
• Let an audio track guide
you if preferred – you can
find loads of options on
YouTube.
• Start by writing or thinking
of three things you can
feel grateful for. A state
of gratitude is a state of
wellness and balance.
Gratitude for the food you
have today, the choices you
have, and the little luxuries
of modern life.
“Once done, when a person
tries to activate these original
thoughts, it activates all that’s been
introduced as well. They can’t go
back to their old pattern without it
now triggering the new one.”
Hypnotherapy is effective in this
instance because when you are
deeply relaxed, or in a ‘trance’-like
state, you are more susceptible to
suggestion, and therefore more
likely to adopt a new habit, the
‘learned’ response.
Self-hypnosis is key
In maintaining a positive mindset,
regular practise of self-hypnosis is
key. A daily dose of self-hypnosis
helps you establish your new
habits – in this case, reinforcing
the positive mindset as the new
normal. Self-hypnosis allows you
to enter into a deep relaxation, and
uses statements spoken in your
mind, to reinforce the change you
want to make.
Before you start, have three
affirmations that you can repeat
to yourself – such as “I reject all
self-doubt from my life, and I
embrace, confidence, positivity,
and prosperity” or “Today I will be
happy, healthy, and strong.”
To enter self-hypnosis, find a
comfortable space where you’ll
be uninterrupted for about 10
minutes, close your eyes, and let
your muscles totally relax – if it
helps, tense your muscles first to
really feel the tension dissolve.
Slow your breath, and focus on
its calming rhythm. It’s important
to visualise yourself in a situation
where you are achieving your
goals, to see yourself with these
new habits in place.
Now focus on repeating two or
three affirmations that you can
truly connect to. Embrace the
change you feel in yourself when
you’re saying these words.
Techniques to try at home
Lesley says: “Think about three
different scents that evoke happy
thoughts or memories. Explore
what it is that most appeals to your
senses. Then repeat using the same
process to consider three sounds,
sights, tastes, and physical feelings.
You can repeat the whole process
several times if you wish. You are
likely to find this exercise evokes
many different positive emotions.”
The power of smell can be
invaluable. Have you ever entered
a room and smelt something so
strong it roots you in the spot, but
has the ability to take you far and
wide to where you first smelt that
particular scent?
“Sometimes we are aware of how
we don’t want to feel – anxious,
stressed, upset – but fail to consider
how we would like to feel instead.
Positive psychology categorises
positive emotions into 10 that are
universally recognised – love,
inspiration, hope, gratitude, awe,
amusement, pride, interest, joy and
serenity,” Lesley says.
“Choose a positive emotion from
this list that you would most like
to feel at this time, and induce a
state of self-hypnosis. Visualise
a situation in which you would
be most likely to experience this
emotion. It could be an actual
memory or something of your own
imagination. For instance, you
might remember an occasion that
evokes feelings of amusement or
pride, or imagine how serene it
would feel to be lying on a tropical
beach. As in the previous exercise,
explore aspects of what you might
see, taste, hear, feel or smell.”
Bank these feelings, so you can
tap into them when you feel a
negative thought pattern arising.
Regular practice of selfhypnosis,
and support from your
hypnotherapist, will equip you
with a mental toolkit to maintain a
positive mindset, and thrive from it.
To learn more about creating a
positive mindset, visit
hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk, to
find local and online therapists.
July 2020 • happiful.com • 33