Prioritise Your Mental Health From a Place of Love, Not Self-Criticism
It’s surprisingly common to believe that happiness comes after change, after you’ve worked harder on yourself or become someone slightly different.
Many people begin their mental health journey from a place of frustration, self-criticism, or feeling that something is “wrong” with them. But the truth is, caring for your mental health isn’t about correcting flaws, it’s about nurturing, protecting, and honouring who you already are.
Time and again, clients tell me,
“I’m exhausted from being so critical of myself , I want my thoughts to be kinder.”
The good news?
Looking after your mental health can come from love, not pressure. And one of the most powerful tools to support this gentle shift is hypnotherapy.
So, let’s peel back the layers and explore how caring for your mind with compassion, rather than criticism, can create meaningful, lasting change.
1. Why Self-Criticism Keeps You Stuck
Self-criticism often masquerades as motivation:
- “If I’m hard on myself, I’ll improve.”
- “I need to push myself to change.”
- “I shouldn’t feel this way.”
But criticism activates the brain’s threat system, releasing cortisol and keeping your nervous system on high alert. Instead of change, this creates tension, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion.
When your mind feels attacked, even by your own thoughts, it naturally resists.
In hypnotherapy, we help shift the brain from threat to safety, creating the emotional conditions where growth becomes possible.
Top Tip: When you notice self-criticism, ask: “Would I speak to someone I love this way?” If not, soften the language.
Interesting Fact: Self-compassion activates the brain’s caregiving system, which reduces anxiety and improves emotional resilience.
2. Mental Health as an Act of Self-Love
Looking after your mental health isn’t about “fixing” yourself, it’s about showing up for yourself.
Self-love means:
- allowing rest without guilt
- setting boundaries
- asking for support
- listening to your emotions
- responding kindly to difficult thoughts
When care comes from love rather than pressure, your brain feels safe enough to change.
Hypnotherapy supports this by teaching your mind how to truly relax, not just physically, but emotionally.
Top Tip: Reframe care as nourishment. You don’t water a plant because it’s broken, you water it so it can grow.
Interesting Fact: People who practise self-compassion experience lower levels of anxiety and depression over time.
3. Hypnotherapy: Gaining Control, Not Losing It
Hypnotherapy is often misunderstood. It’s not about losing awareness or control, it’s about gaining access to the part of your mind that quietly runs the show.
During hypnotherapy, you’re guided into a deeply relaxed state, similar to daydreaming or drifting off to sleep. In this state, the mental noise softens, and the subconscious mind becomes more receptive.
This allows us to gently explore and reshape:
- self-limiting beliefs
- negative self-talk
- emotional responses
- long-held fears or doubts
You remain fully aware and in control throughout.
Top Tip: Think of hypnotherapy as focused relaxation with purpose, calm enough for change to take place.
Interesting Fact: The subconscious mind influences up to 95% of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
4. Releasing Self-Doubt and Negative Self-Talk
Many people don’t realise how deeply ingrained their inner dialogue is.
Thoughts like:
- “I’m not good enough.”
- “I always get it wrong.”
- “I don’t deserve better.”
…aren’t truths, they’re learned patterns.
Hypnotherapy works at the subconscious level to uncover the root of these beliefs and gently replace them with empowering, self-affirming alternatives.
Over time, clients often notice a quieter inner critic and a stronger sense of self-acceptance.
Top Tip: Before sleep, repeat:
“I treat myself with kindness and understanding.”
Your subconscious absorbs repetition best in relaxed states.
Interesting Fact: The brain processes imagined experiences similarly to real ones, which is why positive suggestion is so powerful.
5. Creating Space to Truly Care for Yourself
Taking care of your mental health isn’t only about managing stress or overcoming challenges, it’s about creating space.
Space to:
- rest
- reflect
- feel
- heal
- reconnect with yourself
Hypnotherapy offers this space, a pause from the outside world where your mind can reset and realign.
When you approach your mental health with curiosity and compassion, change happens naturally, without force or judgment.
Top Tip: Schedule care the same way you schedule responsibilities. You matter too.
Interesting Fact: Regular relaxation practices improve emotional regulation and long-term wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to feel “broken” to start therapy? | Not at all. Therapy is for growth, support, and self-understanding, not just crisis. |
| Can hypnotherapy help with self-esteem? | Yes, it gently reshapes self-beliefs and reduces negative self-talk. |
| Will I lose control during hypnotherapy? | No. You remain aware, present, and in control throughout. |
| How soon can I feel a difference? | Many clients notice emotional shifts within 3–6 sessions. |
| Is self-care really necessary? | Yes. Mental wellbeing supports every part of your life, relationships, focus, and resilience. |
Let Your Mind Become Your Safe Place
Your mental health journey doesn’t need to start with self-criticism or shame.
It can begin with curiosity, kindness, and care.
Hypnotherapy isn’t about changing who you are, it’s about helping you reconnect with your worth, your calm, and your inner strength.
At Altered Mind Hypnotherapy in Nottingham, I support clients in building a healthier, more compassionate relationship with their mind.
If you’re curious about how hypnotherapy could support your self-love journey, I’m always happy to have a conversation.
Your mind deserves to be your best friend, not your harshest critic.
📞 Call: 07542 988400
📧 Email: eniko@alteredmindhypnotherapy.com
