(This blog was originally posted on April 3, 2014)
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| Photo courtesy of Microsoft
In
my previous blogs, I described how I help my clients “anchor” a positive
association to their new, desired behavior. This is done while the person is in
hypnosis and most likely to be enjoying the deep relaxation, calm and comfort
that this state naturally provides. He or she can activate this new anchor at
any time to reinforce the new, desired behavior and replace unwanted habits.
But, hypnosis isn’t the only time we create anchors. In fact, these
subconscious associations can occur in various situations and at any time
whether we intend to do this or not. This is how many of those habits that we
consciously want to change have been created in the first place.
Smells
can create very strong, pervasive anchors for many people. The scent of the
cologne or perfume can bring up a happy association with a beloved grandparent
or may trigger negative emotions if the smell reminds you of your ex. The smell
of freshly baked apple pie might take you back to coming home from college to
enjoy a holiday meals; but this same smell could be frustrating or even
torturous for someone who is on a diet. These are just a few reasons why I do
not wear perfume or even use scented candles when I work with my hypnotherapy
clients. I also want to avoid creating an unintended trigger to hypnosis that
could be activated if the person perceives a scent that their subconscious mind
already associates with me.
We
can also create subconscious anchors to food or physical sensations (touch). Do
you remember the first time you touched a hot stove? You may not if this first
experience happened when you were very young. However, your subconscious mind
sure does; you probably even can’t recall a time when you have not been
cautious about touching a surface that might be hot. The same is true if you
have ever avoided a certain food because you once got food poisoning eating
that item, or you can no longer tolerate the taste or smell of a favorite snack
since you had your child because that was all you could eat while you were
pregnant.
You can even
create a subconscious anchor to sounds or music. For example, whenever I hear the
hit song, “Always,” by
Bon Jovi, my mind immediately flashes to
an early memory of lounging on a beach at the end of a summer day. The sun is
still bright in the sky but the temperature is no longer hot, and an almost-cold
breeze is coming off the ocean. The song sounds almost tinny as it blasts out
of the portable, one-speaker stereo that belongs to a nearby sunbather. I can
barely detect the scent of Coppertone®
sunscreen as the salty air fills my nostrils. Do you see how much imagery and
how many associations are evoked by this one, specific song? To this day, I only
need to catch the first few bars and I see this scene. I wasn’t even a Bon Jovi
fan the first time I heard “Always” and I’m still not overly fond of that
song—or sunbathing on the beach, for that matter.
Isn’t that
interesting….
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®
and to set up an appointment, please
visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
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