Celebrate World Hypnotism Day & Learn About The Mind

Each year on January 4th, hypnotherapists, hypnosis experts, and enthusiasts from around the globe come together to observe World Hypnotism Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits of hypnotherapy. This occasion serves as an opportunity to dispel myths, talk about success stories, and promote the understanding and acceptance of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool. 

To celebrate World Hypnotism Day, it may be helpful to break down what hypnotism is (and isn’t)—and investigate a few ways to celebrate this uniquely therapeutic practice. You can also explore the process and science behind hypnotherapy, plus adjunct therapies to help you get the most out of your practice. 

Understanding hypnotism

Hypnotism refers to the practice of entering a state of deep relaxation resembling sleep in which a person may experience heightened suggestibility and receptiveness to direction. Using guided breathing and visualization techniques, hypnotists help their subjects or clients enter this hypnotized state. During the practice, they may offer suggestions aimed at helping the client overcome a particular challenge.

Tapping into the subconscious mind

Clinical hypnotherapy involves tapping into the subconscious mind, which may be an effective way to treat addictions, manage pain, and improve certain habits. It may be helpful to think of hypnotism as a way of overcoming maladaptive thought patterns, much like other types of therapy. However, when looking for a hypnotist as a therapist, ensure they are licensed in their state to practice therapy. 

What is World Hypnotism Day?

Celebrated annually on January 4th, World Hypnotism Day is an unofficial holiday intended to spread awareness about the therapeutic potential of hypnotism. 

Because pop culture often depicts hypnosis as a type of “mind control,” the practice is commonly misunderstood or regarded as a pseudoscience. On World Hypnotism Day, professional organizations like the National Guild of Hypnotists, the Academy of Professional Hypnosis, the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH), and the Hypnosis Educational Council Network band together to educate the general public about hypnotism's benefits and dispel myths and misconceptions. 

How to celebrate World Hypnotism Day

You can celebrate World Hypnotism Day in several ways, from learning about hypnosis to trying hypnotherapy yourself. Below are a few ideas to keep in mind this January 4th. 

Attend World Hypnotism Day seminars and workshops

It may be worth looking for workshops or seminars about hypnosis and hypnotherapy to learn more about hypnosis. The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis offers several workshops in January and throughout the year for those looking to learn more about this fascinating type of therapy. 

The National Guild of Hypnotists or the National Federation of Hypnotists (NFH) may be another resource worth exploring, as they offer pre-recorded workshops and seminars from their annual convention. Though these resources are geared towards hypnotists, the sessions contain research on using hypnotherapy to treat different conditions and populations.

Explore resources dedicated to hypnotism and the power of suggestion

Reality is Plastic by Anthony Jacquin may be a beneficial book for those looking to learn self-hypnosis, while Don't Look in His Eyes: How To Be A Confident Original Hypnotist by Jonathan Chase may be a valuable choice for those looking to learn how to become a hypnotist. 

Try a hypnotherapy or hypnosis therapy session

World Hypnosis Day could offer a life-changing opportunity to try hypnotherapy for yourself. Recorded hypnotherapy sessions can be a starting point, and you may find dozens of audio sessions for various challenges online, including smoking cessation, weight loss, sleep, and productivity.

It may also be worth looking for a trained hypnotherapist near you. A hypnotherapist can provide a safe, relaxing environment to undergo hypnosis, and they may be able to offer you a personalized experience tailored to your goals for new chapters in your life. A hypnotist can also provide aftercare and continued support for you to integrate positive changes effectively into your daily life.

Practice self-hypnosis for relaxation

Self-hypnosis refers to a process of guiding yourself into a hypnotic state to achieve a specific outcome, such as finding the truth, facing your fears, or promoting sleep. To practice self-hypnosis, find a quiet, comfortable space where you won't be disturbed. Sit or lie down, close your eyes, and take deep, slow breaths to relax your body and mind. 

Visualize a peaceful place and imagine yourself becoming more relaxed with each breath. Once deeply relaxed, focus on a specific goal or affirmation and repeat it mentally. Visualize achieving this goal, engaging as many senses as possible. 

Practice this exercise for 10 to 20 minutes. After the time is up, gradually bring your awareness back to the present. End the session by counting to five and opening your eyes, refreshed and relaxed. 

Support research about hypnotism in a trance-like state

Supporting hypnotism in a trance-like state research can be vital for advancing society’s understanding of hypnotism and the applications of this therapeutic tool. Donating to organizations conducting hypnotism research helps fund these crucial studies, as does purchasing hypnotism resources from these organizations. 

If you’re eligible, you might consider participating in clinical trials or studies on hypnosis and hypnotherapy, as doing so can provide researchers with valuable details about how hypnotherapy may help others. 

Spread awareness about hypnotherapy during World Hypnosis Day

If you are passionate about the benefits of hypnotherapy, you might use World Hypnosis Day to spread awareness about this unique form of therapy. Your advocacy may make a difference in educating others on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy.

Consider discussing your personal experiences with hypnotherapy on your social media channels or sharing resources with friends or loved ones who you think might benefit from hypnosis. It may also be worth posting about the latest research and studies in the field of hypnotherapy, as this information can debunk myths and provide a scientific basis for the practice. You can also talk about the different types of hypnotherapists people may encounter, such as clergy hypnotherapists or spiritual hypnotherapists. 

How does hypnotherapy in a trance-like state work?

Hypnotherapy works by guiding individuals through hypothetical scenarios to confront and manage challenges. In a trance-like state of hypnosis, the mind can be more receptive to positive suggestions and alternative ways of thinking and behaving. Hypnotists often use deep breathing and visualization techniques to help the subject imagine themselves responding to challenging situations with more adaptive thoughts and behaviors. 

For example, a hypnotherapy session focused on treating social anxiety may involve the hypnotist guiding the individual to imagine themselves in a specific social setting, feeling calm, confident, and in control. They may suggest that the person will start viewing social interactions as opportunities for positive experiences, meaningful connections, and personal growth. Over time, these suggestions and visualizations may help the individual develop a more positive self-image and readily adapt to real-world social situations. 

Is hypnotherapy or tapping into the subconscious mind effective?

Some evidence suggests hypnotherapy may be an effective treatment for specific mental and behavioral health challenges. One randomized controlled trial found that it was more effective than other standard interventions for smoking cessation, while another study found it to be beneficial for managing chronic pain.

Hypnotherapy and psychotherapies

Hypnotherapy may be particularly effective when combined with psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is more well-studied and considered the “gold standard” for treating many common mental health conditions. If you are considering hypnotherapy, it may be worth connecting with a licensed therapist who is trained to offer hypnosis as an adjunct therapy. 

Other types of brief therapy

Some people find hypnotherapy appealing because it is a form of brief therapy, meaning they may reap its benefits after only a few sessions. If you are looking for forms of therapy that don’t require a lengthy commitment, you might try the following evidence-based therapeutic modalities: 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on changing maladaptive thought and behavior patterns and effectively treats various disorders. It may be used in conjunction with hypnotherapy or on its own. A CBT-trained therapist may offer therapy “homework” to help you achieve measurable outcomes in as little as six sessions. 

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)

SFBT is a goal-oriented, problem-solving therapeutic approach that may only take a handful of sessions. This modality is commonly used to treat depression and trauma and may be used in couples and family therapy.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Based on DBT principles, this modality teaches practical skills for managing painful emotions and decreasing conflict in relationships. DBT uses a structured approach that often takes place over a relatively short period.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

MBSR combines mindfulness meditation and yoga, focusing on reducing stress. It's typically structured as an eight-week program.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Typically used for treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR may diminish negative feelings or thoughts associated with traumatic memories. 

Alternative support options 

Whether you are interested in trying or are currently engaging in hypnotherapy, it may be worth adding psychotherapy to your toolkit. However, some people may struggle to receive in-person therapy due to barriers to care, such as cost or distance. 

Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp offer a flexible, affordable, available way to attend therapy from the comfort of home, allowing you to get more out of your hypnotherapy sessions and achieve better outcomes in a shorter time frame. Through an online platform, you may also be able to utilize unique tools like journaling prompts, worksheets, and goal lists. 

Effectiveness of online therapy 

Online therapy has been proven as effective as in-person sessions and offers some advantages, including optional group sessions, interactive journaling, and convenient messaging with your therapist or counselor. For those looking to get more out of their mental health investment, online therapy may be worth considering.