According to leading mental health charity Mind, 8 in 100 people suffer from mixed anxiety and depression, while 6 in 100 have a generalised anxiety disorder. These numbers have risen disproportionately since the 1990s (there was a 20% increase between 1993 and 2014), and experts believe figures are much higher than reported.

It’s fair to say we’re living through a mental health pandemic, with NHS treatment options limited and private therapies inaccessible for many. As such, lots of people aimlessly bounce around in the ether, waiting for a solution. Meanwhile, some turn to alternative methods for short and long-term relief.

Although not a replacement for medical treatment, hypnotherapy for anxiety is an effective and widely available tool that’s becoming more mainstream. Doctors use it to soothe patients before big operations. Therapists believe it unlocks and heals past trauma. There are plenty of studies pointing towards its efficacy, including research that found hypnosis has a powerful, immediate and prolonged positive effect on anxiety in cancer patients.

Can hypnotherapy help anxiety? The answer is a resounding yes! Read on as we explain everything you need to know about hypnosis for anxiety, including how it works, what to expect and the benefits.

What is hypnotherapy for anxiety and how does it work?

Hypnotherapy, sometimes known as hypnosis, is a complementary treatment that invites people into deep relaxation. Professionals use verbal repetition and mental images to induce a trance-like state, where people are more susceptible to change. Some people believe it’s the bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind.

While in this quiet place of heightened awareness, therapists make gentle suggestions for living better. They might help you quit bad habits, like smoking or overeating. Hypnosis can also skew perceptions and sensations, reducing the severity of mental and physical pain.

It’s important to note that you’re in control at all times. Hypnotherapy isn’t the same as stage hypnosis. While you might not be cognizant of your surroundings, you’re always in control of your thoughts, actions and behaviours.

Is hypnotherapy good for anxiety? Absolutely! Breaking bad habits and pain management aside, you’ll leave feeling calm and confident. You’ll break negative self-talk spirals by becoming a third-person observer – it’s easier to identify and resolve problems when you’re outside the situation. Plus, the meditative approach slows breathing, lowers blood pressure and releases feel-good endorphins.

Also Read: Which Types of Exercise are Best for Stress Relief

How many sessions of hypnotherapy do you need?

One session of hypnotherapy for anxiety is enough to see a life-affirming transformation. Our hypnotherapy and neuro linguistic programming (NLP) treatment only lasts 50 minutes, but you’ll walk away with brand-new coping mechanisms and faith in your ability to heal.

That said, the number of sessions required depends on the level of anxiety. Extreme anxiety might require a more in-depth treatment plan. Generally, a person with moderate anxiety will benefit from four to six hours of hypnosis.

What happens during a typical hypnosis for anxiety session?

There’s no need to worry about your hypnotherapy for anxiety session. It’s a safe and popular practice embraced by licensed medical practitioners and therapists. If you’re feeling nervous before your appointment, speak to one of our friendly team members. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

To prepare, wear loose, comfortable clothing and ensure you’re well-rested beforehand – ideally, you want to maintain gentle awareness rather than fall asleep. Bring anything that encourages relaxation, like stress balls, putty or comforters.

Our trained wellness coach will welcome you into the clinic before using an eclectic combination of hypnotherapy and NLP to inspire positive change. This multifaceted method is especially effective at rewiring your brain and eliminating the risk of self-sabotage.

During the hypnosis, you can hear, see and talk. You’re always in control, and you can stop the treatment at any time. Most importantly, you’ll remember everything that happened. Unlike cheesy television shows, hypnosis for anxiety is less dramatic and more functional for modern-day life.

Afterwards, it’s important to move slowly and maintain relaxation for as long as possible. Launching straight into your stressful job might cause dizziness, headaches and drowsiness. We suggest staying at the spa and wellness clinic for a few hours longer, perhaps enjoying some indulgent treatments and holistic therapies.

Also Read: Is Hypnotherapy Effective For Weight Loss

Are there any other benefits of hypnotherapy?

As well as improving anxiety, hypnotherapy boasts a treasure chest of equally rewarding benefits. It improves sleep quality through relaxation techniques and trains sleepwalkers to wake up on their night-time escapades. We’ve already mentioned its ability to dampen pain perception, making it an apt treatment for chronic conditions.

What’s more, you’re acutely focused in a hypnotised state. This supercharged, unconscious receptivity makes you susceptible to behavioural changes. Many people use hypnosis as a way to break bad habits. For example, your coach might train your brain to associate smoking with undesirable feelings rather than stress relief.

Also Read: 8 Expert Tips To help You Get a Better Nights Sleep

Combine hypnotherapy with a complementary treatment

If you’re searching for a more comprehensive approach to anxiety, our Mind Body Restorer package can help. Our experienced team will tackle the root causes of your stress through various wellness treatments, including reflexology, massage and light therapy.

Best of all, we’ll show you valuable tools to combat anxiety at home. During your week-long stay, you’ll learn how to nourish your body with mood-boosting recipes and supplements. You’ll also improve your fitness and cardiovascular health. The daily Nordic walks, cardio sessions and yoga classes release feel-good endorphins while connecting you to like-minded individuals who understand how you feel.

Of course, we’ll support you throughout your mindset shift. Changing your mindset is a huge step, so we’ll make the transition as comfortable as possible.

Regain control with hypnotherapy for anxiety

If you want to tackle your anxiety and gain control of your life, it’s time to book a hypnotherapy for anxiety session at our wellness clinic. A welcoming and trained coach will give you several tools to overcome anxiety, so you can better ride life’s inevitable ebbs and flows.

For more information about hypnosis for anxiety, contact us today.