A guide to visualizing your way to calm.
As I write this, I’m on an airplane. For me, flying isn’t just an uncomfortable nuisance. It’s an extremely anxiety-producing affair, so much so that I finally asked my doctor to prescribe a tiny stash of Xanax just for me to use on planes.
But prescription antianxiety medication tends to make me groggy, and I’m wary of their addictive properties. When possible, I try to do without them.
One practice that helps me keep my cool in acutely stressful situations is a short self-hypnosis.
The term “hypnosis“ may conjure up images of quackery, with audience members barking like dogs or convinced they’ve turned into Kermit the Frog.
When done appropriately, however, hypnosis is actually a gentle means of guiding the mind that’s used as a complementary therapy for anxiety (and numerous other conditions) by many legitimate medical professionals.
Interestingly, trained hypnotherapists often say all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, meaning that the subject is really the practitioner. Self-hypnosis is similar to guided imagery — a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) technique — combined with positive affirmations.
When you find your mental health under attack, try these simple steps for anxiety-reducing self-hypnosis.
- Sit
comfortably in a quiet place. Know that you can use self-hypnosis anywhere, but distraction-free surroundings
certainly help with focus, especially if you’re new to the practice. - For a few
moments, breathe deeply, rhythmically, and slowly. You may want to inhale
and exhale to the count of four. Or breathe in, hold for a moment, and release for
a longer exhalation. Find whatever feels most calming for you. If you haven’t
yet, close your eyes. - Picture
yourself in a place that brings you comfort and peace. It doesn’t have to
be anywhere you’ve ever been or even a real location. You could be riding a
unicorn on Jupiter if it soothes you. Or you might choose
somewhere more everyday, like your bathtub or the beach. You can even return to
a happy memory. Just isolate a pleasant environment where you’d like to spend
some time. - Engage all
of your senses to ground yourself in your new mental surroundings. Smell
your grandmother’s family-recipe apple pie, if you’ve chosen to return to a
childhood memory. Feel the ocean breeze on your face and the sand between your
toes as you visualize lying on the beach. Watch the flicker of candlelight from
your vantage point in a relaxing bubble bath. - Choose an
affirmation you feel you need at this moment. An affirmation can be
tailored to the specifics of any situation or as simple as a few little words
like, “I am safe” or “I am strong.”
On planes, I opt for a mantra that reminds me that air travel is temporary, such as “I will be home soon.”
Play the words of your affirmation in your mind on repeat, allowing them to sink in deeply. Focus your attention on believing them. Stay in this meditative state for as long as you like or as long as time allows.
Cost-free, side-effect-free, and available at any time, self-hypnosis is a remedy for anxiety that it certainly can’t hurt to try.
And now that my flight is getting pretty bumpy, I’m off to find my happy place.
Sarah Garone, NDTR, is a nutritionist, freelance health writer, and food blogger. She lives with her husband and three children in Mesa, Arizona. Find her sharing down-to-earth health and nutrition info and (mostly) healthy recipes at A Love Letter to Food.