Mindfulness News | Healing Arts Stories | SWIHA Blog

Stress Relief Through Hypnotherapy and Meditation

Written by Jenna Zizzo | 10/20/14 12:22 PM

By Jenna Zizzo

Stress is one the biggest issues plaguing most Americans

Today’s fast-paced world can have a multitude of effects on us, ranging from physical effects such as high blood pressure or insomnia, mental or emotional effects such as high levels anxiety, and even spiritual effects, by bringing us further away from whichever spiritual connection we choose to attain. According to a July 2014 article from NPR, in which more than 2,500 adults across the country were surveyed, 49 percent reported to have had a “major stressful event or experience in the past year.”

We need a method for calming our minds,
healing our bodies and freeing our souls

 

Linda Bennett, Ph.D, is Senior Curriculum Specialist and the Hypnotherapy Program Director for both On Campus and Online Hypnotherapy Programs at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA)

Linda says that the majority of the clients she works with come to her with stress related issues. Stress can lead to other negative behaviors, she says, such as addiction, eating disorders, and anxiety.

 

Hypnotherapy and meditation relieves stress and other ailments

Hypnotherapy and meditation are proven modalities to relieve stress and a variety of other physical, mental, emotional and spiritual ailments. Some might think that hypnotherapy is the act of being hypnotized, similar to what you would see in a movie or a stage show, but hypnotherapy is much different than how it is portrayed in the media. When helping clients, the goal of both hypnosis and meditation, Linda says, “is to quiet the busy, active, analytical conscious mind so that the subconscious mind can step forward and take a more active role in the healing process.”

Meditation and hypnotherapy have other health benefits

In addition to stress relief, meditation and hypnosis can aid with various issues including, but not limited to, easing physical discomfort, reducing anxiety, lowering blood pressure and helping with insomnia. Results of these practices are numerous, such as experiencing a sense of peace, creating a more focused mind and developing greater self-esteem.

“Mediation is similar to hypnotherapy”, says Linda. “Both are about the subject of becoming very focused and going within for their answers.” However, meditation can differ from hypnosis in that it helps clear and still the mind, whereas with hypnosis the mind becomes still, but the subject is then encouraged to examine what is being held in the subconscious mind.

Learn Hypnotherapy at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

At SWIHA, a transpersonal style of hypnotherapy is taught. The transpersonal style helps create and solidify a mental, physical and spiritual connection, which in turn helps the subject or client reach their goal, whether it’s stress relief, pain management or smoking cessation, to name a few. Students can earn a Certificate of Excellence in Hypnotherapy, start a practice and begin to help clients heal by facilitating hypnotherapy and meditation techniques.

If you would like to try a sample of what you could learn from SWIHA’s hypnotherapy program, click below to listen to a complimentary meditation facilitated by Linda Bennett.