Eric G. Schneider, D. Min.

For self-hypnosis to work for you, you must believe it will work, expect it to work, visualize and/or imagining it working and practice it. When beginning relaxation and self-hypnosis:

1) Select a place where you can be reasonably sure that you will not be disturbed by unnecessary noises or interruptions; subdued light and soft music may be helpful for relaxation and self-hypnosis.

2) Sit down semi-comfortably.  Do NOT lie down.  Allow your arms to lie beside you on the arms of the chair or upon your thighs. Do not interlock fingers for that might cut off circulation.

Best not to cross your legs. Remove hard contact lenses.

3) Make a tight fist and then let the hand relax slowly. Let your mind register changes from tension to relaxation so that the mind has a model for relaxing the rest of the body.

4) Take three deep breaths. This can be a trigger mechanism for going into the hypnotic state. Take three deep breaths at my directions. Breath in relaxation, exhale tension. Breath in relaxation, exhale tension. Breath in relaxation, exhale tension.

5) Count to yourself down from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 and say deeper and deeper. This is your trigger mechanism for going quickly, soundly and deeply into the hypnotic state.

Now close your eyes and take three deep breaths at my direction.  "Breathe in relaxation" and hold it for 3 seconds and then "exhale tension".  Do that three times and then count to yourself from 5-0 say, "deeper and deeper", but first make a tight fist with one of your hands.

Tight enough to be a little uncomfortable; now slowly begin to relax your hand and experience in your conscious and subconscious mind what it feels like to relax. Let the hand just become loose and limp. Let your mind use that relaxation of your hand as a way of signaling relaxation for your whole body.

6) Make a single suggestion to yourself a few times.  Keep it simple and positive.

7) Now to bring yourself out of hypnosis simply tell yourself that in a moment you are going to come out of hypnosis feeling refreshed and relaxed and count from 0-5.

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, wide awake!

For more information about hypnosis or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric, please call our toll-free message center at 1-866-773-7399.