Insomnia Cont. Can Self Hypnosis Help?
Can self-hypnosis help me if I am finding it really difficult to get off to sleep?
Firstly don’t imagine that self-hypnosis is going to put you into a zombie like state! All it does is help you to relax and put you in a calm state of mind, whereby you can still hear and feel everything that is going on around you.
I have personally used this method for years whenever I have had difficulty in getting off to sleep and it rarely lets me down.
Use your strong imagination. E.G. If I said there was an elephant sitting on your windowsill, using a telephone, you might now have a problem getting that image out of your mind? :-)
The whole idea is for you to imagine such a strong picture, that it takes your mind off any worries, plans or concerns which maybe on your mind at a time when you should have a restful mind.
Here’s what I do: I imagine that I am going down a spiral staircase in a theatre after seeing a show. There are thick carpets and a polished brass handrail on the walls, which in my case just happen to be a dark burgundy colour. (I imagine a spiral staircase because I can never see or reach the bottom.)
Laying perfectly still, be aware of your breathing pattern and feel your breaths slowly exhaling, and at the same time try to see if you can feel your heart beating.
Now with each breath slowly out, step slowly down one step at a time, at the same time relaxing yourself with each step you go down. At the same time feel the muscles in your shoulders, arms legs etc. relaxing. Now you must keep concentrating on going down each step one at a time and not let your mind wander onto any other thoughts.
Yes, your mind will wander possibly several times, but you must then keep bringing it back to your imaginary picture of going down the stairs. Simply by doing this, you will not be concentrating on what may or may not happen tomorrow or at some time in the future! You will gradually learn to keep bring your mind back to going down the stairs. Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate!
I can often go down just 3 or 4 imaginary steps before I fall asleep.
Remember what I said about the Elephant… It must be done using a very strong imaginary picture built up in your mind. The more vivid, the better!
Good luck,
Roger
Recent Comments
24
Hi Roger,
I am currently in hypnotherapy school, and yes, I agree, self-hypnosis can help. Also, if you are in the Los Angeles area, I am offering free one-hour hypnosis sessions six months from now. Let me know if you'd like to be added to my list!
I really liked this staircase image, I practice meditation as much as I can. I sometimes have a miserable time trying to get to sleep, usually this is after several hours of working on something and my mind just will not stop racing about that or events coming up, but I'll definitely have to try this technique next time. Thanks for sharing!
This is a technique I learned and, forgot and,remembered and, forgot and, well....you get the picture ; ) at Grossmont College in San Diego from an awesome life coach!
Thank you for the grand reminder at an auspicious time heehee...(reference to the bog I just posted a few minutes ago)....with the way I learn and retain these techniques (tools in the tool built really) are so vital to my success here.
As always, a pleasure to read your words of wisdom
Roger - a door at the bottom, passing through, closing it slowly and carefully... works for stubborn cases. Keeps the elephant out as well. Good post to be read often. Larry
I visualize numbers counting down one at a time. I used to start with 10 but now I only need to start at 3. When I get to zero I see a big circle and hold it in my mind. It works every time. ~Marion
My dog gets in on the act as well. Note she starts at 3 as well (likes short inductions). Larry
https://youtu.be/xgOgls5jQQk
hi Roger, I used to us self hypnosis when I was in a depressed time in my life to go to sleep. It helped at the time, the advantage now is I can 'turn a mental switch' to go to sleep. and sleep within seconds as my head hits the pillow.
Good post Roger,
I personally practice meditation every day,
in fact it is one of my passions,
most of my posts are about meditation,
and the tools that can help you to meditate,
Tools you can try for free to see how
they work for you.
Thanks again Roger,
Martin
Hi Roger, I'll definately try this method next time my mind is too busy to sleep, certainly better than counting sheep! Thanks for the blog. Ches
See more comments
Thank you for sharing...very interesting....AM.