Behavior change in the short term is possible; long-term is not as easy.
With hypnosis it is easy. By Valerie Grimes, Clinical Hypnotist
Long – term behavior change is hard to achieve. Based on knowledge and action we can develop a short-term change. That is because initially there is the desire to make changes but something has to continue driving the behavior effortlessly so the new healthy behavior is preferred and then becomes automatic, or long – term.
The First Step: Knowledge and Action
Most of us possess the knowledge and are aware that we should eat more fruits and vegetables, for example, but we do not. So awareness is not enough to take action. Most of these self-directives included DO NOT’S. The best way for someone to make permanent changes is to not add a restraining force. But rather make it a choice. For example, the suggestion “You could do it the old way, or you can explore the new way.” Make it a choice you could be curious about. “I wonder how much better I’ll feel eating healthier.” When a person wants to feel better, they move toward it more easily. Rather than, you can’t have dessert because you want to lose weight. But that initial enthusiasm can wane.
Adding Enthusiasm
Over-promising anything is part of getting something done-it is the action, it escalates the initial effort, but may have negative effects over the long term (this is the best way things happen…it is not necessarily condoned) it does breed enthusiasm (you want to feel more energy to play with your kids or grand kids?) because the logical way (you need to lose weight to be healthier) is not very interesting. We will address how to add a healthy and sustainable level of enthusiasm that drives the positive outcome of the goal.
Designing Incentives, or WHY?
Some drivers are selling the benefit of change because it helps others (social change for example), or because as stated above, we can play with our grand kids and make a life long impression on the importance of physical activity.
Here is an example from a man that works out regularly and consistently at my gym in Irving, Texas.
Marcus started out at 478 pounds and the realization that he did not want to have health issues later in life. He is now 215 pounds seven years later. This is very rare.
He did not use hypnosis. He didn’t need to as this is one of those rare moments when the conscious intention (to be healthy) lined up with a subconscious desire with a good dose of natural enthusiasm.
He never gave up, he said. And added, “It was hard physically, but once I got going, it was not.” He had a definite mind switch – the subconscious became the driver because the idea of being fit was much more interesting (emotional driver) then the idea of overeating and being lethargic. He possessed both behavioral and emotional confidence in his end goal but saw all the progress along with way. And, he did not compare himself to others at the gym but stayed focused on his personal advancements. He also mentioned to me that he was patient with himself, he realized it took him 10 years to get that overweight, it would take time to go back to health.
Success is a choice
If you need some assistance, hypnotic suggestions can create this state of mind for you (as long as you are in agreement). It is like setting up an internal YES that continues to produce an internal positive reinforcement.
If a certain behavior creates good results no matter how small, it reinforces that behavior. Hypnosis is a tool to make all of this more automatic and therefore no conscious effort is required; only the conscious decision to make a change.