Autosuggestion techniques, what they are and what they are for

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What are autosuggestion techniques and how are they used in therapy? Let’s dig into this method based on self-hypnosis and learn how useful it is.

Autosuggestion techniques, also known as self-hypnosis techniques, constitute ways or ways to influence our thoughts and behaviors. The objective is to modify or channel emotions, reflections and behaviors, with the idea of producing a positive transformation.

The pioneer of these methods was Émile Coué, a 19th century pharmacist who noticed an interesting effect on those who came to him for medicine. He found that if he spoke positively about the medications, these people became more effective. Sensing the effect, he evidenced it in a record; So discovered what is known today as Placebo effect.

The topic became very interesting to Coué, so much so that it led him to research hypnosis. He discovered that no person could be hypnotized against their will.. Also that the impact of this decreases when regaining consciousness. Because of this, he was inclined to design another procedure that was more efficient. This is how autosuggestion was born.

«In effect, autosuggestion is an instrument that we possess at birth, and this instrument or, rather, this force, is endowed with an unprecedented and incalculable power, such that, depending on the circumstances, it produces the best or the worst effects.. And on the other hand, with its conscious use, it can cause goods that bring physical health to the sick, moral health to neurotics (unconscious victims of previous autosuggestions), and above all to people who have a tendency to mix with others. unpleasantness”.

-Émile Coué-

Autosuggestion techniques

The autosuggestion techniques used in the therapeutic framework are methods to self-induce positive thoughts, so that they guide behavior and emotions towards well-being. To do this, motivating affirmations are used, as well as imaginative visualizations, oriented towards the objective to be achieved.

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Generally, when talking about such techniques it is done in a positive sense, that is, in terms of increasing well-being. However, there is also negative autosuggestion, when a person self-induces pessimistic or debilitating ideas about his or her behavior..

Émile Coué was the first to develop a basic process, which is governed by four principles. They are the following:

“If it is the unconscious that guides us, and we learn to guide it, then we learn to guide ourselves.”«Contrary to what is thought, the will is not the first faculty of man, but the imagination»“Every day, in every aspect, I go from better to better.” It is considered a very powerful statement and calls for practicing autosuggestion continuously so that its effects can be seen. “Every idea we have in the spirit becomes a reality in the domain of possibility.” He means that, if improvement in something is possible, it is achieved through autosuggestion. And if it is not achieved completely, in any way, well-being increases.

According to the essence of autosuggestion tactics, positive statements or statements have the power to motivate.

Main autosuggestion techniques

Behind autosuggestion there are two basic ideas: self-affirmation and visualization. However, many variants have been built from them. Anyway, those are both the heart of this practice. Let’s see what each one is about.

The self-affirmations

The self-affirmations They are phrases or sentences that have enough power to motivate you and not lose sight of your objectives.. They must have more influence than the possible obstacles or difficulties found along the way. It is necessary to repeat them constantly, especially in difficult moments. They correspond to statements such as: “I am capable”, “I can do it” and “I will be fine”, for example.

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The visualization

Visualization is one of the best-known autosuggestion methods. To put it into practice, the steps listed below must be applied:

Sit in a quiet place and adopt a comfortable position. Close your eyes and breathe deeply until you feel relaxed.Focus attention on one of the general or specific self-statements. For example, “I can” (general statement) or “I can pass the exam” (specific statement). Begin to build a mental image in which the objective has been achieved. Add as many details as possible, until you build a very complete mental scenario.

Autosuggestion relies on visualizations or mental construction of images to achieve an objective.

The effectiveness of autosuggestion

Autosuggestion tactics work in a way similar to the placebo effect. This means that they become very effective. However, we must take into account Émile Coué’s first principle and what he calls for realism. No matter how well he applies the method, it will not lead to achieving something that is impossible. In one example, no one can self-suggest enough to become invisible.

Likewise, it is very important that these techniques are practiced continuously. Repetition is precisely the factor that generates autosuggestion. Otherwise, its effectiveness may be significantly reduced.