Struggling with sleepless nights? You’re not alone. Insomnia impacts millions of people. Whether it’s due to stress, bad habits, or something else entirely, the frustration of lying awake while the world sleeps can feel endless. If you have tried everything, hypnosis is becoming a popular option for those looking for a fresh approach to tackling insomnia.
What Is Hypnosis, Really?
Let’s clear something up: hypnosis isn’t about losing control or being manipulated. Forget the stage shows you’ve seen on TV. In reality, hypnosis is a therapeutic technique that guides you into a deeply relaxed and focused state—a kind of mental "zone."
In this state, your subconscious mind is more open to suggestions, which can help you address thought patterns and beliefs that might be keeping you awake. You’re fully aware and in control the whole time; it’s more like working with your mind, not against it.
How Hypnosis Can Help You Sleep Better
Turning Down Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety are two of the biggest reasons people can’t sleep. Hypnosis helps calm your mind and body by guiding you into a deep state of relaxation. With less stress swirling around in your head, sleep becomes easier.
Shifting Negative Beliefs About Sleep: Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “Why is this happening again?” or “I’ll be a wreck tomorrow if I can’t get back to sleep”? There is a way to respond to these thoughts without fighting them, leading to a feeling of spaciousness and deep relaxation.
Breaking the Hyperarousal Cycle: Insomnia has a nasty habit of feeding on itself. Worrying about not sleeping can make your mind overly alert, which keeps you awake even longer. Hypnosis can retrain your mind to associate bedtime with relaxation instead of anxiety.
Connecting Mind and Body: Tuning into your immediate experience of sense awareness can help you tune into your body’s natural rhythm. This makes it easier to recognize when it’s time to relax and let sleep happen naturally.
The Science Behind It
Does hypnosis really work?
Research says yes. A 2014 study published in the journal Sleep found that hypnosis can improve slow-wave sleep, which is the deeply restorative phase of the sleep cycle. Participants who listened to a hypnotic audio recording experienced deeper sleep and fewer nighttime wake-ups compared to those who didn’t.
Hypnosis has also been shown to work well for people dealing with stress-related insomnia. By teaching relaxation techniques and shifting negative thought patterns, hypnosis addresses the root causes of sleep problems, leading to lasting improvements.
How to Get Started With Hypnosis
Just Call/text: It’s that simple. I will get your story, and you will hear how I can, usually in three sessions, put you on a path to better sleep for good.
Try Self-Hypnosis: Prefer a DIY approach? What we do together you will take with you and continue to practice and refine until it becomes a new habit.
Create a Sleep-Friendly Space: Pairing hypnosis with good sleep habits will make a big difference. Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark, and stick to a consistent bedtime routine.
Be Patient: Like any new skill, hypnosis takes practice. You will, however, notice differences right away in your approach to sleep and how much less anxiety you will have concerning sleep.
The Takeaway
If you’ve spent too many nights staring at the ceiling and too many days running on empty, hypnosis might be just what you need. By calming your mind, reshaping your thoughts about sleep, and breaking unhelpful patterns, hypnosis helps you tap into your natural ability to rest.
Whether you use it on its own or as part of a bigger sleep strategy, it’s a gentle yet powerful way to invite sleep back into your life.
Contact:
Andrew Rader, LAc, MS
415-488-0201
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