Hypnosis and Memory Recall

(This blog was originally posted on July 1, 2014)

Photo courtesy of Microsoft

     Have you ever struggled with a problem or couldn’t think of the perfect response to a question or comment, only to go away and have that answer suddenly pop into your mind when you stop thinking about it? Do you sometimes forget where you set down your keys (I was just holding them!) or can’t recall the name of your absolute favorite movie when you are describing the plot to a new acquaintance? How about suddenly remembering that you needed to buy milk just as you are driving out of the grocery-store parking lot with your shopping? Have you ever had the answer to a test question (metaphorically) on the tip of your tongue but suddenly can’t access this information to write it down on the exam paper or quiz?

     Almost everyone experiences these kinds of situations from time to time. Such instances of forgetting important information are usually not indicators of illness, but they are definitely annoying and inconvenient. Once a medical doctor has ruled out a medical/organic/chemical issue as the cause or contributor to frequent memory loss, temporarily “blanking-out” information can usually be attributed to the fact that the subconscious mind is overloaded with sensory/cognitive stimuli.* Once we leave the stressful situation or remove the external stressor(s) from our environment, the answer or solution to the problem seems to miraculously surface in our conscious mind. Here are some suggestions to help you access and recall information when you need it:

• Pay attention to your body. It is easy to forget to do something when our conscious mind is so busy dealing with whatever is going on around us. However, our SCM has likely processed and stored this information, which it tries to communicate via subtle, physical sensations. If you start to notice that sense of unease or discomfort when you have the niggling thought, “I think/I know I am forgetting something!” pay attention to that inner voice.
• Take a deep breath (or several). Deep breathing helps to relax your mind and body by sending more oxygenated blood to your organs. It also provides a momentary respite from the stress and frustration of trying to access the blocked information that you are trying to recall.
• Play word/letter association games. It doesn’t matter whether or not you even know the first letter of the word you are trying to recall. Just start going through the alphabet slowly to trigger this association. You may have to repeat this process several times to get the answer you are looking for. That’s okay: the more you distract your mind from the emotional or cognitive stress of consciously looking for the information, the more likely you are to free your SCM to find and retrieve it for you.
• Eat nutritious meals that contain protein—especially before a test or doing a presentation at work. According to Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder John Kappas, Ph.D., eating food that contains protein prevents a sudden drop in blood-sugar level that can contribute to memory problems, increased anxiety and physical symptoms associated with this state. The less anxious you feel during a stressful situation, the easier it will be to retrieve information you need from your SCM to do well on your examination or answer questions about the material you discussed during a presentation.
• Avoid saying/thinking, “Don’t forget…” The subconscious mind doesn’t know the difference between reality and fantasy; it also doesn’t recognize negative words. When you say or think that you should “not” do something, the SCM will process the message that it should do whatever you want to avoid. Instead, give yourself an instruction to remember to do the desired behavior.
• Hypnosis can help you improve your memory/ability to recall information and relieve test anxiety. During your hypnotherapy session, I will teach you simple breathing and relaxation exercises to help you reduce stress as you prepare for and take your test. I will create a hypnotic script to specifically address your recall and memory issues. I will also give you a recording of your hypnosis to keep and listen to, to reinforce the relaxation and positive recall techniques that we worked on during your hypnotherapy session.

*California law allows access by California residents to complementary and alternative health care practitioners who are not providing services that require medical training and credentials. The purpose of a program of hypnotherapy is for vocational and avocational self-improvement (Business and Professions Code 2908) and as an alternative or complementary treatment to healing arts services licensed by the state. A hypnotherapist is not a licensed physician or psychologist, and hypnotherapy services are not licensed by the state of California. Services are non-diagnostic and do not include the practice of medicine, neither should they be considered a substitute for licensed medical or psychological services or procedures.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/. 

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