Happiful_May_2019

May 2019 • happiful • 53

techniques such as ‘rewind’ have been

shown to be particularly effective.”

4. Self-hypnosis: “Self-hypnosis
   can simply be used to access a more
   relaxed state, that can help to quell
   anticipatory anxiety and be used as a
   tool when actually on a flight.”

Combining these techniques

(which work on the subconscious

mind) with education about the

mechanics of flying (which work on

the conscious mind), and you have

all bases covered.

PREPARING FOR TAKE-OFF

If you have a flight coming up, and

you’re keen to try hypnotherapy

before then, be sure to give yourself

enough time for a number of

sessions. Harry says that it normally

takes three or four to cover the

therapeutic and practical techniques,

along with the technical knowledge.

“With hypnotherapy, you can
reprogramme your old or unwanted
behaviour patterns and create
new, more positive ones. In the
hypnotic state, you accept beneficial
suggestions that allow you to change
your attitude so that you can do the
things you want to do – or not do the
things you don’t want to do.”

HOW HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP
Hypnotherapy is a versatile tool
and can be used in different
ways, depending on individual
circumstances.
The basic premise is that when we
are in a hypnotic state (akin to deep
relaxation) our subconscious is more
open to suggestion. Harry talks us
through some common techniques
that may be used to help address a
fear of flying:

1. Encouraging a more positive
   mindset: “The fearful flyer is
   likely to have experienced years
   of negative rumination about
   the dire consequences of flying

• hypnotherapy is a great way to
  replace this mindset with positive
  rehearsal scenarios.”

2. Uncovering the root cause:
   “Using hypnosis as an ‘uncovering’
   method can help you to discover –
   and then resolve – the initial event
   that caused the phobia in the first
   place.”


3. NLP (Neuro-linguistic
   programming) techniques: “If a
   trauma was responsible, then NLP

Your therapist should also share

some techniques to help after your

sessions are over.

“A good hypnotherapist will

also provide some ‘first-aid’ tools

for their clients to employ on the

flight, such as ‘anchoring’ routines

set during hypnosis, breathing

techniques, and structured exercises

designed to occupy the mind and

prevent further release of stress

hormones.”

Fear and anxiety shouldn’t be

something we’re ashamed of. Talking

about your fears is the first step to

finding support, and while you may

never love the experience of flying,

there are ways you can learn to cope

with anxiety and take back control.

Consider it a chance to sit in the

pilot’s seat of your own life. You get to

choose which direction to go, which

mountains to fly over, and which new

places to explore... without fear as

your co-pilot.

Learn about hypnotherapy and how it can support
you at hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk. To discover
Harry Holbrook’s fear of flying packages (both
online or face-to-face) visit myfearofflying.co.uk