Can hypnosis help overcome performance anxiety?

The Research

There is a large body of research indicating the mental practice can enhance physical performance. This is not to suggest that mental practice can replace the physical, but the mind does not have physical limitations such as muscle fatigue. Whenever we have to perform a task demonstrating a skill (sports, exam or presentation) we strive to maximise the development of the skills and present the best version of ourselves. Studies have shown that performance can be significantly improved if mental practice is conscientiously sustained then we can achieve results we physically strive towards.

Famous personalities to have used hypnosis include:

• Princess Diana used hypnosis for public speaking and confidence.
• Bruce Willis used hypnosis to overcome stuttering.
• James Earl Jones (The one and only Darth Vader used hypnosis to overcome a stutter)
• The Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers used hypnosis on his basketball teams including individual players such as Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant

Hypnotherapy is an effective method because it is goal orientated and builds confidence. Hypnotherapy accesses the part of the brain where we hold our behavioural patterns and by practicing scenarios, we can mentally prepare ourselves becoming familiar with actions/words that can act as anchor for performance and automated.  This means that it is not likely to be a stressful event and therefore reducing the potential for anxiety. Enabling the mind to deliver the best performance. 

At mindAbility, the sessions focus on creating the ‘perfect day’ scenario. When the day arrives, you will be the best and no negative emotions will be triggered. Just a sense of calm and being in complete control as your mind rehearses something it has done several times – like a DeJa’Vu. Sessions are tailored to the clients’ goals and on average, takes between 4-8 sessions but varies depending on clients’ needs.