The
Riotous Writer
Scared
of the Dentist? Here's how not to be.
Have
you seen a grown man cry recently? Well I did the other day at the
dentist.
Tattooed,
6 foot 4, built like a brick out-house, he sat quivering in his size
12 work-man's boots, waiting in terror for the dental nurse to call
his name.
I
had a bad experience with a dentist when I was a kid, and for years I
wouldn't go to see one, unless I was forced by extreme toothache.
Very
soon after I began studying to be a Clinical Hypnotherapist,
I realised I had found something that was a world changer for me.
I
discovered that by learning to communicate with my subconscious mind,
it was going to be possible to radically alter, and improve the way I
approached my lifestyle at that time. Including the things that
caused me stress and anxiety, one of which was the dreaded dental
check-up.
I
am sure you have heard the expression 'I'm in two minds' – it's not
just a saying – it is an actuality.
We
literally have two minds. The conscious mind - the working part - and
the subconscious mind - the part that stores all our experiences –
good and bad.
Without
realising it we hypnotise ourselves on a daily basis.
For
example – ever driven home without remembering your journey? The
drive is something you do a lot, so the conscious mind feels free to
wander because your subconscious mind is programmed to keep you safe.
If there is a sudden unexpected danger your subconscious will prompt
your conscious mind, back into awareness of the possible danger to
your safety.
The
problem with the subconscious, is, as I have just said, it is
programmed to keep you safe, and it remembers all your past
experiences. If you have had a bad experience at the dentist or you
have heard, probably as a child, someone else talking about a bad
dental experience, then the subconscious goes into – keep you safe
mode – and tries to stop the nasty thing from happening. Ergo –
by making you scared – you won't do what has hurt you in the past.
This is fine when crossing the road say – but not so good if you
have a tooth that needs attention.
Through
Self-Hypnosis you can talk to your subconscious, and tell it not to
worry, and stop making you frightened of going to the dentist -
because the dentist isn't going to hurt.
Self-hypnosis
is very easy to achieve – just takes a little practice.
Here's
how -
You
need to find a time when you won't be bothered by noise or people
wanting your attention, so turn off your phone/mobile, and sit in
either a comfortable chair or lay on your bed.
Relaxing
music is fine, that's why at the end of this article I have included
two you-tube links to the type of
music that will help you relax.
Getting
into self-hypnosis mode is all about relaxation.
So,
you are either sitting in a chair or lying on your bed. You need to
get yourself as comfortable as possible. Now close your eyes, and
take one long deep breath in, hold it for a moment then breath out,
saying to yourself -
As
you breath in -'I am breathing in relaxation – and as you breath
out, 'I am breathing out tension.'
Do
this two or three times – then take your mind to the top of your
head, and slowly think your way down through your head to your face,
and into your arms and upper body.
When
you get to your chest – again think about your breathing for
another moment or two – then carry on thinking down your
stomach, legs, all the way to your feet. As you are doing this, you
need to tell yourself - you are feeling relaxed, calm and peaceful.
When
you get to your toes, think of all the built up tension in your body
just flowing away from you through your toes.
This
exercise, in itself, is very useful when you are feeling up-tight
about something.
You
should now be nice and relaxed. Here comes the part where we get you
to talk to your subconscious mind.
Imagine
you are standing in-front of a elevator door, there is a button on
the wall by the door, you press it and the door opens. You step
inside and the door closes behind you. On the wall by the door is a
panel of 10 buttons numbered 1 to 10, above the door is a floor level
indicator also numbered 1 – 10.
You
press the button numbered 1. Imagine a gentle sensation of moving
downwards. You watch the floor level indicator move from zero to
level 1.
Now
press the button numbered 2. Feel the elevator descend and as it
does, feel yourself letting go of your tension.
When
the indicator reaches level 2, press the button numbered 3. With each
level you go down, you feel even more relaxed than you did with the
level before.
You
have reached level 3, so now you press the button numbered 4,
enjoying the journey downwards to the next level.
With
each button you press and every level you reach you feel more and
more relaxed than you did at the level before.
Now
press button number 5, half-way to total relaxation.
You
have reached level 5 so now you press button 6, and continue down
further into your blissful state of peace and tranquillity.
The
indicator tells you, you have reached level 6. You feel so
wonderfully relaxed as you press the button numbered 7.
Not
far to go now. The indicator shows level 7. You press the button
numbered 8. Down you go to level 8.
You
press the button numbered 9. The level indicator moves slowly from
level 8 to level 9 and finally you press the button numbered 10.
As
you watch the indicator arm move from 9 to 10, You are now very
relaxed as you reach level 10 and all your residual tensions have
left your body.
The
elevator door opens and you walk out into.........
It
is up to you where you want to walk out into. Choose a place that you
feel very comfortable with, the beach, a garden, a woodland or simply
some place that you are familiar with - but a place where only you
are. This is a place of tranquillity, of peace, of total freedom from
all your cares. Here you have total well-being.
It
is this place you are going to visualise when sitting in the
dentist's chair.
You
are now at the point when you can tell your subconscious not to be
afraid of the dentist, and for this you need a script.
As
you visualise your perfect place, repeat to yourself -
I
look forward to going to the dentist. I look forward to healthy
teeth.
From
the moment I walk into the dental surgery I feel completely at ease.
As
I walk toward the dentist chair, I feel more and more relaxed.
When
I sit in the dentist chair, I feel a sense of well-being, and
happiness.
When
I sit in the dentist chair I am completely at ease.
****Repeat
this short script three times – then you need to gently bring
yourself up from self-hypnosis. You do this by saying****
Beginning
to wake.
- Feeling more and more awake.
- Half-way to wakefulness.
- Almost awake now.
- And 5, fully awake and feeling alert and wonderful.
If
you do not like using elevators – you can think of a set of stairs,
and instead of pressing buttons, think of each level as a stair-step.
When
you are actually at the dentist, and am sitting waiting your turn to
be seen – just keep repeating the script to yourself.
Actually
feel yourself calm and relaxed as you wait. When you are
called – keep telling yourself as you walk toward the chair that
you are calm and at ease.
Don't
say to yourself – I am not worried – I am not scared. Worried and
scared are negative words –
Use
only positive words, such as – calm – ease – relaxed – happy.
Together
with the relaxation music - I have included a Hypnosis session.
Of
course, using self-hypnosis in this way, can help with any situation
where you need to feel calm and relaxed.
Below
are the you-tube links.
Poetry
of Water – by Okanokumo
****
Relaxing
Sleep Music – by Acerting Art
****
Fear
of Dentist Hypnosis – by The Irish Hypnotist.
I
am sure you will enjoy experiencing self-hypnosis......
thanks
for reading this post...and if you enjoy my articles – please share
them –
The
Riotous Writer
background
by courtesy of 'Stuart Miles' Dental picture -
FreeDigitalPhotos,net
