Here’s a fun fact: I first heard about self-hypnosis while listening to Neil deGrasse Tyson. Of all people, right? He was talking about this app, Reveri, created by Dr. David Spiegel, a neuroscientist who’s been diving deep into the science of hypnosis for decades. Tyson made it sound compelling—not your typical cosmic musings, but still very much about exploring the universe, just the one between your ears.
That got me thinking (and downloading). Reveri isn’t about entertainment hypnosis or goofy party tricks. It’s about using the mind’s natural ability to focus and adapt to tackle stress, improve mindfulness, and shift thought patterns. The science behind it is fascinating: hypnosis works by guiding your brain into a highly focused state where you’re more open to suggestion—not in a “you’re getting sleepy” way, but more like recalibrating the way you think about challenges, habits, or even pain.
It’s also worth noting that hypnosis is not new—far from it. It’s been studied and used therapeutically for over a century, from treating anxiety to managing chronic pain. But what Reveri does is take all that research and boil it down into an accessible app you can use in your car (parked, please) or between meetings. It’s mindfulness with a practical twist, and it doesn’t require a 30-minute window of peace and quiet. Perfect for a busy schedule—or a chaotic one, like when you’re wrangling kids on a trip to New York.
Speaking of that trip, here’s a side note: I took my kids to New York recently for my birthday and was all fired up to visit the Hayden Planetarium. I’m a sucker for a good space experience, and I thought they’d love it too. But—of course—it was closed. Talk about a letdown. So, while I didn’t get my interstellar fix, I did leave with a heightened appreciation for time, both cosmic and personal. Maybe that’s what nudged me further toward finding ways to make the most of the moments I have.
So now, back to hypnosis. The more I dig into it, the more I see it as a tool, not a gimmick. It’s about learning to focus better, stress less, and (hopefully) live more mindfully, which is something we all need. I’m still in the early days of trying out Reveri, but I’m curious to see what long-term changes might look like. If this turns out to be the productivity and stress-relief hack I’ve been searching for, I’ll be shouting it from the rooftops—or at least writing about it again.
What about you?
Have you tried hypnosis? Or are you sticking with meditation, yoga, or your go-to mindfulness practices? And if you’ve been to the Hayden Planetarium, tell me if it’s worth another trip. Bonus points if you share any fun hypnosis stories—because let’s be real, the science is great, but the anecdotes are what keep us curious.
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