How to Hypnotize Someone With Words

Hypnosis refers to a mental state of hyper-awareness in which the subject is keenly focused on one concept or idea. Hypnosis is used to prepare people for surgery, to help manage pain, to help people stop smoking and to alleviate asthma symptoms. Though there are many different methods for inducing this mental state, progressive relaxation is a simple technique that will allow you to use your words to help a subject focus on the body.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask your subject to sit or lie down in the most comfortable position possible. If needed, ask the participant to change into loose-fitting or more comfortable clothing. This will help cut down on distraction.

• 2

  Instruct the subject to take a deep breath and to imagine the body becoming more and more relaxed. Use a slow, deliberate tone, not a monotonous drawl. Instead, the pace at which you speak should match the pace of your subject's breathing.

• 3

  Use sensory words to help the subject focus on relaxing specific parts of the body. Describe the action needed to relax the points of tension. For example, say "Smooth your shoulders across the back of the cold chair" rather than "Sit up straight." Take as much time as is necessary to use your words to guide the subject through the entire body.

• 4

  Reinforce by repeating positive phrases, such as "Great job!" as your subject sinks into relaxation. Repetitive phrases add rhythm to your diction, which is important in helping the subject stay focused.

• 5

  Bring the subject out of the trance by counting to five forwards or backwards. Either way, you will have clearly marked the end of the session and allowed the subject to return to a neutral mental state.