How Exactly Does Self-Hypnosis Work?

Here is some great information from Dr. Alman's Self-Hypnosis site:

"For over 30 years, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have been using Dr. Alman's Self-Hypnosis techniques to quickly and easily overcome addictions, end pain, rapidly lose weight (and keep it off), achieve their true potential and dramatically improve their lives!

Keep in mind, this is an eyes-closed system because first things happen on the inside and then they happen on the outside.

Self-hypnosis can be broken down to 5 key areas:
Mental imagery or Visualization
Concentrated attention
Relaxation
Meditation
Subconscious exploration

1) Mental imagery is very powerful, especially when the imagination is allowed to take over in a state of focused attention such as self-hypnosis. For example, if a person is obese or overweight, envisioning a thinner self would be the first step towards making that vision a reality. Until a person can allow themselves to envision being thinner, the motivation to take action will not happen. Another example of mental imagery would be to imagine rain softly washing away pain, stress and self-doubts. I think you get the idea…your imagination is a powerful tool when you know how to use it. Self-hypnosis will allow you to do just that.

2) Self-hypnosis can also allow you to achieve a state of concentrated attention. By focusing on ideas and thoughts that are compatible with what you would like to experience and achieve, the mind is more open to accepting the desired outcome. Self-hypnosis allows you to block out the outside influences and focus specifically on the desired outcome. But keep in mind, no one is forcing you to think a certain way or do anything against your will....it's all about you being in control, molding and shaping the life you desire, by focusing attention to bring about the outcome YOU desire.

3) Self-Hypnosis allows you to fully and completely relax. We live in a go-go, hurry up world. Many of us lack focus and aren't even sure how to relax. My self-hypnosis techniques encourage "true" relaxation through voice and visualization. When you learn to truly relax, the mind/body connection can be made - which creates an open window for change and progress in your life.

4) Self-hypnosis allows you to reach a state of deep meditation. When you achieve this peaceful state, your mind is more open to receiving positive influence and allows you to delve deep inside your subconscious to address the issues that are holding you back and creating problems in your life.

Reaching this deep meditative state each day opens up a window in your nervous system that allows better communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. When this connection happens, the brain increases production of beneficial brain chemicals, including endorphins — the "happy chemicals" in the brain. The release of these chemicals through practices such as self-hypnosis has been shown to slow aging and improve overall well-being.

Without this open communication that is achieved through self-hypnosis, your entire body gets caught up and even overwhelmed by the stresses and chaos of your hectic lifestyle. Think about it…you get hit with stress from your job, family, health issues, financial concerns... the list goes on. To deal with this emotional and mental overload we often turn to coping mechanisms such as over-eating, smoking, anxiety, sleeplessness, anger, depression, or worse.

5) Self-hypnosis can be used for subconscious exploration, allowing you a better understanding of the "why's" regarding your unwanted actions or habits. This also allows us to identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing the problem. Self-hypnosis allows you to bypass your critical conscious mind (the self-defeating thoughts and actions that keep you from doing what you know to be in your best interest) and tap directly into your subconscious to get to the root cause of the problem and therefore resolve the issue."