Some people try hypnosis and feel unsure about whether it is working. They may find they do not experience anything dramatic or perhaps wonder if they are doing it wrong.
In most cases this does not mean the hypnosis is not working. Instead if can mean some adjustments need to be made to help improve the experience and make it easier to relax.
Hypnosis is a natural cooperative process and like any skill it can vary depending on how it is approached. In this article we will explore some of the common reason why hypnosis may not feel effective and what you can do about it.
Why Hypnosis Can Seem to Not work
Hypnosis works best when you are relaxed, focused and able to engage with the process fully. If these basic elements are not in place the experience can feel lighter. However, it is often easy to improve the experience with a few simple changes.
Trying too Hard
A common reason hypnosis feeling light or less effective is often down to trying too hard to make something happen. Hypnosis can’t be forced and trying too hard can be counterproductive. For hypnosis to work it needs to happen naturally.
When you try to control the experience or search for a specific feeling, it can interfere with your ability to relax.
What Can Help:
- Allow the process to unfold naturally
- Do not try to force it happen
- Simply follow the guidance
- Try to have an open mind about what will happen
Difficulty Relaxing
If your mind is busy or your body is tense and perhaps you have things to do that are on your mind it can make relaxation more difficult. You can still practice self hypnosis in this situation, but it may be harder to relax or go deeply into hypnosis. This is also very common when you are new to hypnosis.
What Can Help?
- Choose a quiet comfortable place to relax and use your hypnosis audio
- Take a few moments to get comfortable before you begin the recording
- Practice regularly to build relaxation and familiarity
- Ensure you are warm and comfortable
- Ideally use headphones or earbuds
Expecting a Specific Feeling
Many people when trying hypnosis for the first time expect to feel a certain way, sometimes with an idea that they will become unconscious or lose awareness.
In reality, hypnosis can initially feel quite subtle for some people. Sometimes it may feel like a simple state of relaxation. With practice, this can change and deeper experiences can develop.
It helps to let go of expectations and have an open mind. Focusing on the process and the guidance, rather than looking for feelings or sensations can help improve your experience.
Not Listening Regularly
Repetition is an important key to success with hypnosis. Listening just once can have a noticeable effect but may not be enough to create lasting changes, especially for long-standing habits or patterns..
Listening regularly, whether daily or several times a week, allows the hypnotic suggestions to be reinforced. This consistent practice can make a significant difference in achieving positive results.
Being Distracted
It is normal for the mind to wander during hypnosis. However, frequent distractions can make it a lot more difficult to engage with the process and reach a hypnotic trance state. It can help to use headphones or earbuds and ensure you will not be disturbed. If your attention does wander, simply bring it back to the guidance and continue listening.
Doubt or Resistance
It is natural to feel a little skeptical or even slightly apprehensive before trying hypnosis for the first time. You do not have to believe in hypnosis in order for it to work, but it does help to approach it with an open mind during.
Curiosity and a willingness to try, can make a big difference. Allow yourself to listen and let go without judging the experience too much. Going with the flow can help you have a better experience and improve your results.
Can Hypnosis Still Work For You?
In most cases yes it can. Even if hypnosis did not feel particularly relaxing or noticeable at first does not mean it won’t work. With a few adjustments and some practice, your experience of hypnosis may change significantly and become closer to your expectations, such as deeper relaxation, time distortion and vivid visualizations.
Hypnosis is a skill where you learn to go with it and let yourself go into a hypnotic state. Familiarity with the experience makes it more comfortable and easier to engage with it.
Final Thoughts
If hypnosis does not seem to be working at first it is worth persevering and making some adjustments to help you relax. This can make a significant difference.
With practice and an open mind you can have an interesting and engaging experience of hypnosis and achieve the results from it you are looking for. Sometimes it simply requires a bit of persistence.
If you would like to try hypnosis for yourself, you are welcome to listen to my free guided hypnosis session and experience it first-hand.
Rachael Eccles is an Advanced Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with over 20 years of experience. She is fully licensed and registered with the GHR GHSC and CNHC.
She specializes in helping people overcome anxiety, lose weight, break habits and build confidence using proven hypnotherapy and mindfulness techniques.
Rachael has created one of the world's largest collections of hypnosis downloads and meditation audios (700+), and has been featured as an expert on BBC radio, Hello magazine and Thrillist.
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