How Hypnotherapy Works
Waving watches? Nope.
Staring into spinning spirals? Nope.
Flashing lights and creepy images? Oh, hell no!
Let’s come back to reality here. For many, Hypnotherapy may seem like science fiction. So, let’s talk about some science facts.
Brainwave States
All day, every day, our brains are producing electrochemical energy. That energy is measured and displayed as electromagnetic waves, or brainwaves, that occur at various speeds (frequencies) and amplitudes. The combination of frequency and amplitude create what we call brainwave states and are correlated with various states of consciousness.
Without going too far down the rabbit hole, let’s briefly look at the most common brainwave states, starting with the highest frequency and amplitude to the lowest:
Beta- 13-40Hz- A fully awake and alert state. We consider this our conscious mind. Due to the large range at beta, we often split this state into two sub-states: High and Low Beta. The higher beta brainwave state is associated with stress, anxiety, tension, fear, anger, and worry. The lower beta brainwave state is associated with logical, analytical, and linear thinking.
Alpha- 7-13Hz- An awake, tranquil and calm state; considered part of the subconscious mind.This state is associated with effortless creativity, learning, and memory retention. People often feel peaceful and relaxed, like they are going into a meditative state. Subconscious reprogramming is possible in this state.
Theta- 4-7Hz- An awake, very relaxed, deep meditative state; also the subconscious mind. This state is great for problem solving and subconscious reprogramming. People find insights and inspiration, and tap into their intuition.
Delta- 0-4Hz- Subconscious. Deep sleep. Rejuvenation, healing, and restoration. Increased immune system function.
Why are we talking about this?
Because there are brainwave states that make it easy to create change and brainwave states that make it hard. High beta is the least likely place to create change. Whereas the alpha and theta brainwave states make it much easier.
Yet, guess which brainwave state most people are in when they are trying to make a change and create a new habit?
Beta!
And that makes a lot of sense, because it is often due to stress and anxiety that people want to make changes in their lives. Unfortunately, it’s that same stress and anxiety that is making change so much harder to implement and take so much longer to be easy and effortless.
Making it Easy
In Hypnotherapy, the hypnotherapist guides you into deep relaxation and helps you create a safe space in which to bypass beta and communicate directly with your subconscious mind in alpha or theta. There, in those supportive brainwave states, you can release the habits and beliefs that are getting in the way of you reaching your goals and replace them with ones that will actually help you. When your subconscious mind accepts your new habits and beliefs, your whole mind can then focus and tune in to making your new habit or belief a reality.
Just Close Your Eyes…
Did Hypnotherapists use swinging watches at one point in history? Yes, some of them did. Yes, they also had people stare at spinning spirals. Why? Because it was tiring on people’s eyes and made them want to close their eyes.
Now, after hundreds of years of research, Hypnotherapists simply skip all that. They may ask you to look up towards the ceiling for a few moments, which also tires out the eyes and helps induce an alpha brainwave state, but most of the time, it all starts with simply closing your eyes.
From there, Hypnotherapists are trained to guide you down through the brainwave states, inviting you to relax your body and create a sensory experience of a place that feels safe and comfortable. Once there, the skills of a trained and certified Hypnotherapist help you let go of old perceptions, habits, and beliefs, and implant new, beneficial ones, so you can finally move forward with ease and momentum.
Sound easy? It is!
