Self-Hypnosis Techniques for Anxiety

Have you ever been hypnotized?

Whether you’ve been to a hypnotherapist or not, the answer is still “yes.”

You might not know this, but you are in a state of hypnosis every single day.

If you are like most people, you've probably “woken up” on the highway at least once, realizing that while you were in that trance-like state, listening to music, thinking of your to-do list, you missed your highway exit.

That is hypnosis!

When we “zone out” and act out of habit, we are in a state of mild hypnosis. I know that I will often come to work and panic that I forgot to lock the door of my house, because I have no memory of doing it. No matter how panicked I get, I’ll return home to find my house secure. This is because I am so used to repeating the same activity, it has become ingrained within my subconscious to do so. In short, I was in a mild hypnotic state when I left my house, acting out of my subconscious rather than my subconscious mind.

I treat SO much anxiety in my practice, and if you are suffering with it, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone!

Hypnosis is a wonderful tool to help you cope with anxiety, and seeing a hypnotherapist can create profound changes in your anxiety. There are also hypnotic tricks you can use at home to begin the process of dealing with anxiety and taking back control of your life.

Hypnosis is not sleep, but it is a state that is CLOSE to sleep. When you’re in that floaty, dozy place right before you drift off to sleep, you are in a mild state of hypnosis. When you are just waking up and aren’t fully “conscious” yet, again, you are in a mild trance state. You can utilize this state to start reprogramming your subconscious mind to change your thought patterns. Here’s how:

As you are settling into sleep, lie face-up in your bed. Place both of your hands by your side so that you can feel all of your fingers touching the mattress.

Think of a change you want to make in your life. What are the situations that are provoking anxiety for you? Are you nervous in social situations? Is work raising your blood pressure? Do you sweat whenever you think about speaking in public?

Whatever it may be, come up with one statement that is the OPPOSITE of how you feel, said in the present tense.

For example:

-I feel calm and confident in every social situation.

-Whenever I enter my workplace, I instantly feel relaxed.

-When I speak in public, I feel clear, relaxed, and centered.

Now, as you lie there, press your pinky finger on your left hand into the mattress and say your phrase, either out loud or silently. Repeat, and press with the ring finger of your left hand. Then the middle finger. When you work through all of your fingers and thumb of the left hand, move on to the right hand, starting with the thumb and working your way to the pinky. You may fall asleep doing this exercise, and that is fine.

You can repeat this exercise in the morning, just as you are waking. Use the phrase that resonates with you the most. Performing this exercise with positive affirmations is a great way to start your day:

-I exude confidence and everything is going my way today.

-I am powerful beyond measure and am capable of anything and everything.

-I am strong, calm, and empowered.

As you utilize this technique repeatedly, you are creating new patterns in your brain through repetition. With repetition and desire, these beliefs become reality.