So you’re looking to try something different to help you reach your weight loss goal, but hypnosis might seem downright weird. It’s true, there’s no shortage of discussion (and controversy) when it comes to hypnosis. It seems that people either believe it in (and love it) or don’t believe in it (and think it’s all a big scam). Even when confronted with the potentially powerful benefits that hypnosis can offer for weight loss the most common response is, “That sounds great for other people, but I just don’t think I can be hypnotized.” I get it. I used to be a skeptic too.
Did you know scientific studies have shown…
1) Scientific studies have shown that 90-95% of the population CAN be hypnotized?
2) Those same studies demonstrated the smarter you are, the more hypnotizable you are?
So, what exactly is hypnosis? Well most medical experts agree that hypnosis (also referred to as hypnotic suggestion, or hypnotherapy) is a state of physical relaxation coupled with heightened mental focus, inner absorption, and concentration. It is also referred to a a trance state of awareness — not unlike zoning out in front of the television, or getting into the zone when playing a sport. In hypnosis you usually feel very calm and relaxed, yet you are still aware of what is going on around you and what is being said to you.
In hypnosis some people feel they are easily able to block out distractions, while others feel they are more in a state of hyper-awareness — more alert and aware of the sounds and distractions around them. Neither experience is more right or wrong than the other. And neither way has been shown to adversely affect the mind’s processing of the suggestions given during hypnosis.
While under hypnosis the subconscious mind is more open than usual to suggestions — and this can be used with weight loss to modify your perceptions, behavior, sensations and emotions about food and exercise in your innermost mind. Therapeutic hypnosis is used to improve your health and well-being (and is very different from so-called “stage hypnosis” used by entertainers). Perhaps most importantly, although you’re more open to suggestion during therapeutic hypnosis, your free will remains intact and you don’t lose control over your behavior.
So, how can I know if I am “hypnotizable?”
The good news is that there’s a quick yes-or-no quiz you can use to find out just how “hypnotizable” you are. It involves just 14 easy questions, and when you are done, you will know for sure if weight loss hypnosis can work for you…
1) Have you ever awakened in the night and felt you couldn’t speak and/or move?
2) Can you strongly focus your concentration on a task or thought, especially when it’s of interest to you?
3) Would people who know you consider you an analytical person?
4) Do you sometimes “tune out” when someone is talking to you, not hearing exactly what was said, because your mind drifts to something totally unrelated?
5) Have you ever experienced being “in the zone” when working on a task, or playing sports, music, or other such activities?
6) As a child, did you feel that you were more affected by the tone in your parents’ voice rather than by what they actually said?
7) Do other people consider you an empathetic and caring person?
Have you ever become so involved in a movie, book, or TV show that you’ve cried during a very happy or a very sad moment in the story?
9) Have you ever “zoned out” while driving and missed your freeway exit and/or arrived home and realized you didn’t really remember driving there?
10) Would you be able to follow a few simple instructions if they are given to you at one time?
11) Have you ever looked for something (purse, keys, sunglasses, etc.) that was right in front of you — but you just didn’t seem to see them at the time?
12) Have you had the experience of someone calling your name, but you happened to be so deeply absorbed in other thoughts (or actions) that you didn’t hear the person calling you?
13) Have you ever walked and/or talked in your sleep in your adult life?
14) Are you able to imagine things and/or visualize them?
1-5 “Yes” Answers: With some extra hypnosis practice, and a strong conscious commitment to yourself, you may still be able to get weight loss hypnosis to work for you.
6-11: Congratulations! You can easily take advantage of the benefits and power of hypnosis for weight loss — empowering you to have the body you deserve.
12-14 “Yes” Answers: You are probably in a light state of hypnosis all the time and may need to be de-hypnotized so you aren’t feeling so easily overwhelmed all the time! But don’t worry. The positive effects of weight loss hypnosis will totally work for you.