Weight Loss Hypnosis - Does it work?
Weight Loss Hypnosis - Does it work?
Social media is reeling with the success stories of people who used weight loss hypnosis. It has helped many people shed pounds. The results are significant when it is combined with counseling and exercise. The impact of hypnosis on weight loss might be too confusing or unbelievable for some people. However, evidence and scientific research indicate that hypnosis may help with weight loss.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is an alternative therapy that dates back to the 1700s. It has helped people with anything from shunning smoking to nail-biting. A few studies show that hypnosis helps with obesity as well. Essentially, it is a state of concentration and inner absorption—much similar to a trance. It is done under the guidance of a hypnotherapist who uses mental images and verbal repetition.
Under hypnosis, the person’s attention is highly focused. Both conscious and subconscious minds are receptive to suggestions and changes relating to emotions, habits, and behaviors during this exercise. The person tends to reach a state of total relaxation with only one thing on mind—things said by the hypnotherapist. This way, the person brings the desired change in them without realizing it.
Weight Loss Hypnosis
With highly focused attention and the mind receptive to behavior changes, weight loss becomes easier. Studies should that a person can achieve weight loss with hypnosis. However, not many pounds are shed by this therapy. A recent study has shown that modest weight loss results can be achieved through hypnosis. It further found that participants undergoing hypnosis experienced higher satiety, reduced inflammation, and better quality of life.
Hypnosis can be a huge help to those people who are struggling with weight loss despite taking appropriate diet and exercise. However, there is not much evidence on hypnosis leading to significant weight loss alone.
What Does Science Say?
According to some experts, the mind can be altered to think in the desired way. In the case of obesity, the mind can be influenced to change the behavior of overeating. One controlled trial observed the effect of hypnotherapy to lose weight in people having obstructive sleep apnea. The researchers examined two particular forms of hypnotherapy and compared their impact with the simple diet recommended for weight loss and sleep apnea. They found that participants who received hypnotherapy had lost additional pounds after a few months.
An analysis of multiple studies showed that hypnotherapy for weight loss led to reduced body weight when compared with the placebo group. It maintained that hypnotherapy can be associated with weight loss, but more research is required in this realm.
The Process of Hypnotherapy
The session begins with a therapist explaining how hypnosis works. Then, the conversation moves to your personal goals. After this, the therapist would start speaking in a gentle, soothing voice to make you feel relax and secure (emotionally as well as physically).
After reaching a relatively more receptive state of mind, the therapist will recommend ways to lose weight by changing eating and lifestyle habits. He/she may suggest other ways as well to achieve your weight loss goals. There will be a repetition of certain words or phrases to help you focus on and retain the message. You might also be asked to visualize yourself reaching your pound goals by sharing clear mental imagery. The session closes at your therapist helping you get out of hypnosis and back to your routine. The length of a hypnosis session, as well as the number of sessions, depends on one’s individual goals. Some people have reported positive results in a mere one to three sessions.
Benefits of Weight Loss Hypnosis
The main benefit of hypnosis is that it enables people to get into a relaxed, calm state of mind. In this state, people are more receptive to suggestions regarding a change in their behavior. For some people, this strategy brings more significant results while for some, it might not be as fruitful.
Scientific research supports the premise that some people are more receptive to the effects of hypnosis and hence are more likely to get positive results. Personality traits like openness and selflessness make a person more receptive to the effects of hypnosis.
One study found that people become more receptive to hypnosis after the age of 40. Moreover, women, regardless of their age, tend to be more receptive to this alternative therapy.
Weight Loss Techniques
Everyone has their own reasons for weight loss, so the session would be different for each person. However, there are some common suggestions you will be told. These include visualizing your body like you want to achieve in terms of fitness level and health. You might be asked to envision your feelings about your visualized health and new look.
Another technique includes assessing how you much have improved from today (comparing to your imaginary, new self). Envisage how confident and energized you feel after achieving the desired goals. Tell yourself that exercise will make you want to exercise more. And that will make it easier for you to achieve your fitness goals.
These techniques help you take control of your choices and overall life.
Additional Tips
Along with the hypnotherapy, here are a few things you can do to speed up your weight loss efforts:
Stay Active: Try to shun the sedentary lifestyle and include physical activity in your daily routine. Do either 150 minutes of moderate activity like water aerobics and walking or 75 minutes of more intense exercises like swimming, running or hiking every week.
Maintain a Diary: Track your food intake. Record what you are eating, when you are eating, and how you are eating, i.e., if you are eating without hunger. That will help you realize your dietary habits and identify the spots you need to change, for instance, munching out of boredom.
Eat Healthy: Eat fruits and vegetables instead of oily fries or burgers. Moreover, stay hydrated. It will keep you satiated.
Risks
Hypnosis is deemed safe for the majority of the people. However, it should be practiced under the supervision of a trained hypnotherapist. You should stop receiving it if you experience side effects (which are rare) like dizziness, headache, anxiety, drowsiness, distress, and false memory creation. Moreover, it should not be performed on a person under the effect of a drug or alcohol.
