Relaxation Haven

Archive for October, 2009

After a little begging and pleading Jon Rhodes of HypnoBusters has kindly donated this deep relaxation hypnosis MP3. Take care not to use this MP3 while driving or operating heavy machinery as this can be hazardous. Right-click the link below and save the file to your computer where you’ll then be free to listen to it on your computer or add it to your iPod.

Download Your Free Deep Relaxation Hypnosis MP3 Here

I’ve written a little about hypnosis in the past and Jon has previously sent us a self hypnosis script so if you’d like to learn more about relaxing effects of hypnosis there’s plenty to be getting on with. Check it out and don’t forget to download your free MP3!

That’s it for today, just a quick post. I’m currently writing a piece on multitasking which I hope to have Deep Relaxation Hypnosis at the end of the week.

The following instruction article has been kindly provided for us by Jon Rhodes of HypnoBusters.Com.

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Hypnotherapy is increasingly being regarded as a legitimate tool for therapeutic change.  In 2001, the Professional Affairs Board of the British Psychological Society concluded that “Enough studies have now accumulated to suggest that the inclusion of hypnotic procedures may be beneficial in the management and treatment of a wide range of conditions and problems encountered in the practice of medicine, psychiatry and psychotherapy.”   In other words hypnotherapy has been proven in many studies to help with many mental and physical problems.

Hypnotherapy can help with almost any aspect of our lives.  It can help with issues such as stress, relaxation, anxiety, phobias, addictions, weight loss, and confidence issues.  It is a wonderful resource for relaxation.  Even when I am treating patients for issues such as smoking cessation, they often report what a wonderfully relaxing experience they had.

Hypnosis can be expensive, and a good hypnotherapist can sometimes be difficult to find for people in some areas.  There are many professional and well trained hypnotherapists around, but unfortunately there are also a few charlatans that are inadequately trained.  If you want to relax, then why should you stress yourself out trying to find a competent hypnotherapist?  My good friend Kurt here doesn’t like doing anything more than he has to, so why should you?

Finding a competent hypnotherapist need not be a problem because it is entirely possible to hypnotise yourself.  You do not actually need a hypnotherapist.  A hypnotherapist does not hypnotise you on their own.  They guide you, they help you to go into a hypnotic trance.  However it is up to you to actually go into a trance, it’s you that ultimately makes it happen.  It is perfectly possible to guide yourself into a hypnotic trance, and I will show you how.

First let’s discuss what a hypnotic trance is.  The best way of describing it is like daydreaming.  When you daydream you are actually going into a hypnotic trance.  A hypnotic trance is a perfectly natural and normal state of mind that most of us slip into several times a day.  We slip into a trance when we are engrossed in a book or TV, where people try to talk to us, or significant things happen around us that we remain blissfully unaware of because we are so deeply absorbed.

There is also the phenomena of ‘highway hypnosis’.  This is where we slip into a hypnotic trance when driving.  This is actually not as dangerous as it sounds.  In fact we are probably better drivers when we are in this state of mind as it accesses our powerful subconscious mind.  This is similar to the mindset that sportspeople often experience when they are ‘in the zone’.  Have you ever driven a journey and daydreamed to the point of not being able to remember a significant portion of the route?  If you have, then you will have slipped into a hypnotic trance.  It is actually quite common, and perfectly safe.

With practice your skills of going into trance should increase.  With a little patience and persistence you should soon be able to go into a hypnotic trance quickly and effortlessly.

Quick Tips

It is important to make sure that you will not be disturbed for about an hour.  Turn off all phones, and tell family and friends not to bother you.  If you don’t do this, then the possibility of you being disturbed may prey on your mind.  Find a comfortable place.  Subdue the lighting if this helps.  You can be seated, or led down, whichever you prefer.  Make sure that your legs are not crossed, as you could end up going numb after some time.

Now take your time, and follow these 5 simple steps.

Allow your mind to take you wherever you want.

1. Relax and close your eyes.

2. Take 5 slow deep breaths in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Say to yourself the word ‘Relax’ on each out breath.

3. Imagine yourself at the top of 10 steps with a door at the bottom.  With every slow step you take down, feel yourself becoming deeper and deeper relaxed, until you finally reach the door.

4. When you reach the bottom open the door to your ideal place of relaxation.  It could be a beach, a garden, anywhere you want.  It could be somewhere real, or imagined – your own unique special relaxing haven.

5. Use as many of the senses as you can.  Take a good look around.  Pause and listen to any sounds.  Perhaps you can hear the call of a bird, or the breeze gently blowing.  Maybe you can smell the sweet scent of flowers, or the salt from the sea?  Touch objects and make the experience as real as you can.
Explore your personal relaxation haven, and enjoy it for as long as you wish.

This is a great technique to help relaxation, and your ability to relax will improve the more you do this.  Most of us do not relax anywhere near enough, and this can damage our health in many ways.

If you are struggling with this technique, persevere.  Getting into a hypnotic state is a skill that will improve over time.  Don’t expect too much.  Hypnosis is not the ‘magical state’ that the media often portrays at as being.  You will probably still be aware of what is going on around you, and may well think ‘is this it?’.  However you will notice the difference when you wake up.  It may be worthwhile visiting a clinical hypnotherapist, or buying a recording at least once, in order to experience the feeling of a trance.  When you have experienced a trance a few times, you will be more informed as to what the state of mind is that you are seeking.

Enjoy!

Since my overview of meditation article proved to be popular I thought I’d follow the same formula only this time discussing hypnosis.

For many the first image that the term hypnosis conjures up is of a slightly sinister man making someone believe they are a chicken. That image is actually known as stage or street hypnosis and while entertaining it is quite different from using hypnosis for therapeutic means (hypnotherapy).

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a heightened state of focus in which a person becomes less aware of their surroundings. Once in a hypnotic state suggestions can be made to help you quit smoking, lose weight or simply just to relax.

Everyone experiences hypnosis in their own way. Many are surprised at the fact that they can remember what went on during a session of hypnosis, but this is in fact common. When you are under hypnosis you are not asleep or unconscious your conscious mind is merely quietened so you will more than likely be aware of everything that happens around you.

It is also a completely safe practice. It is impossible to be “stuck” in a state of hypnosis and you also can’t be made to do anything you don’t want to do. This is because even if you’re entering hypnosis guided by a hypnotherapist you are in control at all times.

The Relaxing Effects of Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a truly wonderful experience.

While hypnosis is not a form of sleep it shares many of the same beneficial properties. This is partly due to the drop in heart rate you will experience. A hypnosis session also typically contains a portion where you are instructed to loosen your muscles, this combined with the above mentioned reduction of mental chatter leaves both your body and mind feeling refreshed and well rested.

Try Hypnosis For Yourself

If you’d like to try hypnosis for yourself then I have found an excellent script that you can use as part of a self hypnosis session. This particular script has been written by clinical hypnotherapist Jon Rhodes who is a personal friend of mine. It will aid you in both relaxation and happiness. Visit the link below to get the script for yourself.

Relaxation and Happiness Hypnosis Script

I have exchanged emails with Jon recently and he told me he’d be glad to write an article for Relaxation Haven on how to perform self hypnosis so look forward to that being added to the site within the next few days. If possible I’ll also try to scout out a free MP3 session.