Your New Year's Resolution - A Subconscious Approach

Jade Minkin, M.F.A., C.H.
Certified Hypnotherapist and Natural Health Counselor

 

Many of us set out with the best intentions as we commit to a New Year's resolution. However, many resolutions are difficult to stick to.

Below are some techniques that can help.  Achieving your New Year's resolution can be easier than you think by reprogramming your subconscious mind.

The subconscious mind is largely responsible for our beliefs and behaviors. When we make a change on a conscious level, it often happens slowly. In contrast, when we access the subconscious, it is possible to "rewire" the brain more quickly and easily through the insertion of positive messages, essentially reprogramming the mind.

The following is a 2-step process for creating and manifesting clear goals through the use of repetitive affirmations and creative visualization -- two effective techniques of self-hypnosis. So, get ready to achieve your New Year's resolutions!

 

Step 1: Repetitive Affirmations

A powerful method to affirm your goals and tap into your subconscious mind is repetitive affirmations.  Practiced daily, this technique uses positive, present-tense, and precise statements to affect a change in your internal and external world.  For example, "I am getting in shape, and it feels great."

Those who have not tried them often disregard affirmations as simplistic, but their effect can be astounding.  They work on a simple hypnotic principle - the law of repetition. 

When a message is repeatedly received by the subconscious mind, it begins to be accepted as truth.  The greater the repetition, the more the message is internalized in the subconscious mind.

In addition, the pathway between the conscious and subconscious mind is most open just before sleep and upon waking, and for that reason, these are ideal times to repeat and reinforce positive affirmations.

The subconscious mind accepts simple concepts.  If you try to tell it that you do not want something, all it will receive is an image of that which you do not want.  For example, if your affirmation is "I am becoming less overweight," the only message the subconscious mind will receive is "overweight."  Thus, it is better to affirm something like, "Every day, I am becoming more fit, and it feels great."

So, in terms of New Year's resolutions and personal goals, start by asking yourself what it is you want. If you begin with a negative want, such as I want to lose these extra twenty pounds, translate this thought or statement into a positive one.

Positive Want:

I want to be healthy and fit, and have more energy and zest for life.

Next, create a present-tense affirmation that will assist you in moving towards your clearly-defined goal.

Present-Tense Affirmation:

I take positive action every day to be healthy and fit; I eat well and exercise and have lots of energy and zest for life.

Take a moment now and write down at least three affirmations. Once you have created a list of positive wants and present-tense affirmations, it's time to put these into action by eliciting the relaxation response. 

 

Step 2: Creative Visualization

The second step in solidifying your goals and accessing the subconscious mind is through creative visualization - a skill many athletes use to enhance their performance and self-confidence. Creative visualization is the practice of affecting one's outer world by shifting one's inner world. It is founded on the principle that positive thoughts bring about positive change.

Remember, the hypnotic state is simply an induced state of deep relaxation and focused attention. To produce the relaxation response:

Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down. Take a few deep breaths in and out, and allow yourself to let things go as you slow down your thoughts and simply bring your attention to the present moment. Then, close your eyes as you allow your breath to move gently in and out, and settle at a soothing pace. With each breath in and out, your mind and body are more at ease. And your thoughts begin to slow even more, as you find a calm, serene place inside.

Focus your awareness on the top of your head. And then imagine waves of relaxation entering through the top of your head. See, hear or feel those soothing waves of relaxation slowly and gently moving throughout your entire body, bringing you deep comfort and serenity.

Next, take time to allow the relaxing waves to move through each specific part of your body... Starting with your head and face and moving down into your neck and shoulders, those calming waves taking you to a quiet place inside. Then allow these waves of relaxation to continue to bring a peaceful sensation down into your arms and hands, and into your torso and back. Finally, experience those deep relaxing waves in your legs, feet and toes. Feel the relaxation move deep into every muscle, and into each and every cell of your body, as it comforts and soothes.

Once you have induced the relaxation response, you can deepen your level of relaxation and focused attention by using self-suggestion or internal statements, such as:

With each breath, I am experiencing even more comfort, and even more relaxation.

I am finding it so easy to go even deeper inside, to a place of peace, comfort and serenity.

I am so relaxed, more relaxed than I have ever been before... And with each breath in, I become even more relaxed.

As I count myself down from 5 to 1, I will become even more relaxed and even more comfortable. Starting with 5... so comfortable, so relaxed... and 4, moving even deeper inside... to 3... halfway there... to 2... finding myself in a serene and peaceful place... to 1.

Now that you have deepened the trance state, it is time to use your prepared affirmations, and to insert these positive messages into the subconscious mind, as you are enjoying a deeply relaxed and peaceful state.

Note: You may say your affirmations from memory - aloud or in your mind. Or, you may open your eyes briefly, and as you do so, you will continue to stay in a deeply relaxed state, as you take in your affirmations.

After reciting your affirmations, give yourself the following suggestion:

In the days and weeks to come, these affirmations will continue to sink deeply into my subconscious mind and unfold in wonderful and unexpected ways. And they will become more and more a part of me with each passing day.

It is now time to awaken from the trance state. You may begin to count yourself up from 1 to 5, and with each breath becoming more and more alert, until you are all the way back, eyes open, feeling energized and refreshed, your affirmations continuing to deepen and inspire.

You have just learned two effective techniques of self-hypnosis -- repetitive affirmations and creative visualization. And as you practice these valuable tools, it will become easier and easier to evoke the relaxation response and the trance state, and to insert positive messages into your subconscious mind.

Here's to your clearly-defined goals and resolutions, and to making positive and lasting change!

 

Jade Minkin has been working as a Certified Hypnotherapist and Natural Health Counselor for 15 years, and is a Registered Member of the International Hypnosis Federation. Over that time, her clients have often praised her rich soothing voice, warm personality, and her ability to listen and inspire clarity, as well as personal and spiritual growth. She practices in both the Santa Clarita Valley and the Los Angeles area, her specialties are health, wellness and spirituality. She also works with clients, nationally and internationally, by phone. To schedule an appointment, please email her at jade@inspirationalselfhypnosis.com.

 

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