All hypnosis is self-hypnosis; whether you’re visiting a hypnotist at a show or listening to pregnancy relaxations, this is about you and what feels right for you. You can no more get lost in a hypnotic trance than you can get lost in sleep, and you are still very much aware of what is going on around you, just to a significantly lesser degree.

How to practice self-hypnosis

Tamara suggests you perform a countdown to help you find that state of deep relaxation, continuing to work with your breath and using the benefits as we’ve previously described, while distracting yourself from the body as you direct your attention towards reaching your relaxing place, wherever that may be.

You can make this place up or visit a relaxing place that makes you feel calm in both body and mind, whether it’s a place you know well or imagine it would be deeply relaxing to visit.

Or you may like to visit the Cottage by the Sea, as mentioned in your pregnancy relaxation sessions for birth hypnosis, with this course. With regular listening this place will become your safe haven. A place to visit in between your surges, keeping you calm, relaxed and in control.

Going to your relaxing place in your mind is a positive distraction, allowing your body and mind to relax in harmony.

This technique is very straightforward.

Start by closing your eyes and taking in a nice, slow, deep breath.
As you breathe out, wait for the completion of that exhalation, and then say the word ‘ten’ to yourself.
Repeat with another relaxing breath in, and when you finish the next exhalation, say the word ‘nine’ to yourself.
Continue to do this until you reach ‘zero,’ at which point you will have reached your place of relaxation. Now that you're here, simply enjoy the experience of letting your mind wander as you enjoy the peace and calm this special place can bring you.

You may think it takes conscious effort to create a location in your mind, but with practice, it will become easier, and your relaxing place will become extremely familiar to you. Your relaxing place does not need too much detail in order to enjoy the serenity here as it is the feeling of relaxation that will have most of your focus.

How can hypnosis help me during labour and birth?