Q: I’ll admit it: I choke in big games. Can hypnotherapy help me win?
A: Look into my eyes…and believe me when I tell you that hypnotherapy really can help you come through when the game is on the line — if, that is, you’re a member of roughly half the population that’s receptive to being hypnotized at all. In fact, studies by Stanford, Ball State, and Washington State universities confirm that hypnotherapy promotes clutch performance. To hypnotize an athlete, the therapist has them concentrate deeply on something (the ticking watch rocking back and forth in front of someone’s face isn’t just something you see in the movies) to induce a very relaxed state (similar to daydreaming), then repeats ideas — “stay positive” — that seep into the subconscious. But therapists can’t bend your mind to make you better at your sport. What they do is “reprogram” your behavior to suppress the negative thoughts that can inhibit your ability to win. To find a therapist, go to natboard.com. It can’t hurt, so you might as well give it a try.
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Email your questions for Dr. Bob Arnot to dr.bob@mensjournal.com.
This article originally appeared in the December 2009/January 2010 issue of Men’s Journal.
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February 4th, 2010 at 5:28 am
I used to race motorcycles, I was usually finishing in midfield, and was quite happy with that. I then met a hynotherapist at a friends birthday party and we became friends, he liked bike racing so came to a few races with me. As a result we worked together on my performamces and he programmed me to be much more positve as a result over the season my placings continued to rise until I was regularly finishing top 3.
All ic an say to any sports man is …give it a go it works.
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