Over the Counter Sleeps Aids or Hypnosis - Which is More Effective?

Can hypnosis be a replacement for sleeping pills?

“Can hypnosis help me sleep better at night?”

That is the number one question I am asked by attendees at the health/wellness version of my Hypnotic Experience show.

It’s understandable.  Surveys indicate that nearly half of all Americans report some form of insomnia each year.  That’s a stunning number. 

Many of the sleep deprived turn to over-the-counter aids in a quest for a restful night of rest.  Do those remedies work?

That’s the question columnist Jill Adams sought to answer in her recent column entitled “Can’t fall asleep?  Over-the-counter aids have a mixed record.”  Here’s a link to the article, which is worth the read.

In the article, Vivek Jain, who directs the Center for Sleep Disorders at George Washington University Hospital, cites the lack of benefit and the risk of side effects when evaluating sleep aids.

Jain says, “There is no good reason to take these.  Ever.” 

The practice of self-hypnosis can be an effective tool to remedy the occasional bout of insomnia.  It can help a person quiet their mind, calm their nerves and, perhaps most important, create the expectation of a peaceful night of soothing slumber. 

Personally, one of my goals when I learned hypnosis was to condition myself to function at a high level with six hours of rest each night.  Within three months I was able to hit that mark, which has given me more time to invest in family, work and performing.

The Web site Wikihow published a good introductory tutorial on a hypnotic process for sleep.  You can check it out here.

The Pros (and Perils) of Creative Visualization

False memories can often be wired into the brain.  Source: Clipartguide.com

It often plays out the same in the movies, television dramas and (unfortunately) real-life.

 

An eye witness comes forward and is absolutely certain the suspect was indeed the person who committed the crime.  They were there.  They saw what the person did.  They remember it clearly.

It then turns out through other evidence that the witness’ recollection was flawed.  Did the witness simply lie?  Or was there something else at work?

This article recently published by Time entitled “Remember That?  No You Don’t?  Study Finds False Memories Afflict Us All” is a fascinating read about the process our brains follow to record and recall memories.  The conclusion is clear:  even people with extraordinary memories sometimes make things up without realizing it.

Prior to a performance of “Hypnotic Experience” I’m often asked by a volunteer what it will feel like to be hypnotized.  There’s no answer to this question because everyone is wired a bit differently.  The hypnosis process is a personal one.

Yet, the power of creative visualization (i.e. our subconscious mind) is compelling.  It can help a person be more open to success in career, school and competitive athletics.

And, at times, our subconscious is flawed and will fabricate memories.  The research proves it.  

Photos from Halloween Hypnotic Experience Show

Last month I have the privilege of performing "Hypnotic Experience" at the Bradley Farm Haunted House.  It's a wonderful Halloween-inspired community event in Northern Virginia that benefits Herndon-Reston FISH, a charitable organize that provides support to families in crisis.

Here is a link to a recap of the Bradley Farm performances, which presented a couple of interesting challenges.

Included below are a couple of photos from the shows that Bradley Farm Haunted House just posted on its Facebook page.  I thought I'd share with a caption to better illustrate what the photo depicts.

My pre-talk defines hypnosis, sets expectations for volunteers and allows me to weave in a few entertaining anecdotes.

"Magnetic fingers" is a suggestability test and helps volunteers focus.

A wonderful group of volunteers who want to give hypnosis a try.

Taking volunteers through a series of relaxing visualizations as part of a hypnotic induction.

Sleep suggestion instantly brings volunteers back to a deep level of relaxation.

Anxious Decision-Making is a "No-No"

In mid-September I shared an article on this blog about how business leaders use meditation to improve decision-making on the job.  I received a number of appreciative notes from readers with a request for more insight on this topic:  hypnosis and visualization for career success.

So...here is an interesting read from the Harvard Business Review about the adverse consequences that result from making professional and career decisions while anxious and under stress.

How Anxiety Can Lead Your Decisions Astray
Harvard Business Review (October 29, 2013)

The author's advice is something I absolutely subscribe to:  "Refrain from making major decisions until you are in a relaxed state and can clearly reflect on the matter at hand."

This is true on the job, in class, on the field of competition and in life.

Decision-making is compromised when under stress.  Photo source:  Planetbeach.com

Whitman High School Athletes Give Hypnosis a Try

It is a class of alphas.  They walk the halls with confidence.  Each plays at least one varsity sport.  They all desire to make competitive athletics part of their college experience.

This past week I had the privilege of speaking at Walt Whitman High School to about 20 students about the power of visualization to improve athletic performance.  Called the “Whitman Athletic Leadership Team,” the class is taught by a physical education instructor and coach of the school’s varsity baseball team.

Here are highlights from my 50 minute presentation:

--I captured interest with two anecdotes about how visualization can empower exceptional athletic achievement:  1) Ray Allen’s dramatic three pointer during game six of the NBA finals last year; and 2) the incredible story of Vietnam War POW Major James Nesmith who improved his golf game by 20 strokes without stepping on a course for seven years.

--The talk then shifted to a definition of hypnosis and an overview of its meaningful applications for athletics, including stress management, self-confidence and injury recovery.  I presented each within the context of challenges that high school athletes face when preparing for and engaging in competition.

--The issue of confidence was of particular interest for the students, especially its importance when graduating to the collegiate level.  When everyone on the field is talented, skilled and physically gifted, mental fortitude often becomes the separating factor.  It helps players shine in key moments. 

--I then offered to take the kids through a brief hypnosis induction and, to my pleasant surprise, every student in the class volunteered.  I employed a couple of simple relaxing visualizations to create the right environment, and then helped each student capture a feeling of confidence in a post-hypnotic suggestion.

Although we were limited by time and a classroom environment during a school day is far from ideal, I think each student came away intrigued by hypnosis and its use by athletes.  

Equally important, they have a deeper appreciation for the role mental strength and focus plays in achieving success – in sports and in life.

NBA coach Phil Jackson used mediation and hypnosis for his championship basketball teams.

Tiger Woods employs hypnosis for mental focus on the course.