Stressful work situations, financial worries, challenging family contexts are some of the circumstances that may create insomnia.

Everybody has the occasional bout of sleepless nights. Insomnia includes all forms of challenges to either getting to or staying asleep. More than three months of sleepless nights could also be a symptom or complication of underlying medical problems, so it is essential to consult your doctor first before consulting with a hypnotherapist.

For occasional episodes of insomnia, a little help may be all you need;

  • Taking herbs such as valerian or passion flower
  • Yoga and deep stretching exercises before bedtime
  • Taking a hot shower or a warm bath to trigger the sleep inducing mechanism in the brain
  • Inhaling lavender essential oil to induce a deep sense of relaxation
And my favorite, deep circular breathing ―inhaling and exhaling slowly for five seconds for six minutes is a scientifically proven way to calm the central nervous system and trigger the relaxation response. This ideal state can then allow you to go into a deeper relaxed state or feel calmer and more relaxed. The key is to calm the central nervous system and allow your body and mind a beneficial break from the chronic effects of stress.
The expressions “falling asleep and falling back to sleep” seem to hint to the idea of letting go. It is certainly true that often the more we try to get to sleep, the less we succeed. It is only when we stop trying and allow ourselves to drift pleasantly that sleep comes. This is the same with hypnosis.

So, what is hypnosis and how can you do this? Well, hypnosis is the state we go in and out of on a daily basis. Things like reading a book, watching a movie or surfing the internet are examples of part of the definition of what hypnosis is; focused concentration. The other aspect of hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and heightened awareness.

If sleep issues persist more than several consecutive nights, it may be indicative of unresolved stress in your life. A session with a hypnotherapist can help you uncover whatever reasons are creating the insomnia and allow you to mentally switch off outside noises and distractions and allow you to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Old unsupportive sleep behaviour patterns perhaps learned long ago can be replaced permanently and allow you to fall asleep easily since hypnosis brings about change on a subconscious level.

The subconscious level performs like a skipped vinyl record that repeats the same phrases over and over again. Subconscious programming began before the age of seven as children are in the theta state ―a deep relaxed state equivalent to deep hypnosis and, like radar, mimic and mirror their parents and caregivers’ moods and actions.

What I like to do for parents with sleep issues is to teach them how they can help themselves and their young children by including age-appropriate self-hypnosis to a bedtime routine. A three-minute nightly routine can reap huge benefits namely a foundation in emotional resilience and an ability to self-soothe. Now, isn’t that the best childhood gift you could offer as a parent?