With the dawning of a new year comes the desire to make changes through new year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, the best laid plans to renew oneself by modifying or ceasing behaviors such as overeating, being overwhelmed with stress/anxiety, smoking, and alcohol consumption often get sidelined when sheer willpower is not enough. This is where hypnosis can help you not only achieve your resolutions, but also stick to them.

“It may seem unconventional to some, but hypnosis is an effective, scientifically proven tool and medically approved practice to make positive behavioral changes,” says Barry Wolfson, MS, who has been the director of the Hypnosis Counseling Centers for 28 years. Wolfson says that sheer willpower is often not enough when resolutions involve long-term habits that are simply too difficult to change without help. Hypnosis is an “alpha” state of mind, a dreamlike, deep state of relaxation similar to that achieved through mediation and yoga. In this state, the subconscious mind is more open to ideas and positive suggestions, which the hypnotherapist introduces. Some compare it to being half awake–half asleep or the feeling one gets when his mind wanders. Think of it as daydreaming, being absorbed in a book, or driving and arriving at a destination without recalling the usual landmarks. It is a natural and effective technique for accessing the subconscious mind to make behavioral changes.

Although January 1 marks a new beginning, just picking an arbitrary date to make changes doesn’t always mean change will happen immediately. Because many of these behaviors are long-term habits, the individual must see the resolution as a process. Wolfson believes that individuals need to approach changes as ongoing rather that happening in one day, like New Year’s Day. Nicotine addiction and poor lifelong eating patterns weren’t created in a day and won’t be broken in one.

“It’s similar to learning to ride a bike,” says Wolfson. “Most of us didn’t master this task immediately. There most likely was a lot of falling down and getting back up.” The old adage “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” applies for a reason. Wolfson’s Hypnosis Counseling Centers also offer clients private sessions via Skype or phone calls; these have proven to be just as effective as private sessions in the office and offer convenience for those with busy schedules.

Hypnosis Counseling Centers are located in Livingston; Flemington; Princeton; Fort Myers, Florida; and will be coming soon to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. For more information, email Barry Wolfson at [email protected], call 908-303-7767, or visit Hypnosisnj.com.