​Hypnotherapy for Seasickness
If you are reading this, you're probably preparing for a Relay Channel Swim or a Solo Swim. The first thing I want to say is: You're amazing! Training for something like that shows extraordinary courage and determination.​
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Whether you're working towards your first crossing or are a seasoned swimmer, seasickness, anxiety, and mindset hurdles can sabotage even the best preparation.​
How Hypnotherapy Can Help
Hypnosis works by accessing the subconscious mind - the part that controls automatic physical responses like nausea, balance, and fear. By working together, we can:
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Reduce or eliminate seasickness
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Calm the nervous system and prevent anticipatory anxiety
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Reprogram the subconscious association between movement and nausea
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Boost your confidence and mental stamina
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Create positive mental associations with cold water, waves, and motion
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Reinforce your training and focus on your "why"
Common Issues Channel Swimmers Bring to Me
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Seasickness during training or on the pilot boat
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Fear of failure or letting the team down
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Anxiety about open water or unpredictable conditions
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Sleep disturbances or pre-swim nerves
What to Expect
Sessions are tailored to your individual needs. A session is typically 90 minutes. We'll begin by talking through your fears, worries and goals - then use NLP and hypnotherapy techniques to work with your body and mind to reduce or eliminate symptoms and increase resilience.
Sessions are online (via Zoom) from the comfort of your own space. ​
FAQ
Can hypnotherapy really help with seasickness?
Yes. Seasickness is a response triggered by the brain's interpretation of conflicting sensory signals. Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind to retrain this response - often significantly reducing symptoms, and in many cases, eliminating them altogether.
Will this replace seasickness medication? Some swimmers choose to use hypnotherapy alongside medication, while others prefer to avoid medication altogether. The aim is to give you more control, not take options away.
How many sessions will I need? This varies. Many swimmers find 2 sessions effective. Others may benefit from a 3–4 session programme to also address anxiety and mental stamina - especially if you experience generalised anxiety, self-doubt, or have a history of motion-related trauma (e.g. from childhood).
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I'm already working with a coach - will this conflict with their training plan?
Not at all. This is a complementary approach that supports your mental and physical readiness from a different angle. I'm happy to coordinate with your coach if you'd like, but many swimmers simply integrate these sessions alongside their existing plan.
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What if I’ve already tried everything else?
That’s very common. Hypnotherapy is often what people turn to when nothing else has worked - and it’s effective because it addresses the part of the mind that logic and willpower can’t always reach. You don’t have to keep pushing through discomfort. There is another way.
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Are there any clinical studies?
Yes. A few examples include:
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A clinical study published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (Weerts & Zane, 1987) demonstrated that hypnosis significantly reduced motion sickness symptoms, particularly in individuals prone to anxiety-related triggers.
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A 2015 review in Frontiers in Psychology emphasized that hypnosis can modulate sensory perception and reduce nausea by influencing how the brain processes signals from the vestibular system (inner ear).
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Hypnotherapy has also shown strong outcomes in related areas like chemotherapy-induced nausea and anticipatory nausea, which share mechanisms with motion sickness (e.g., Matsuoka et al., Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2010).​
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In essence, hypnotherapy doesn't fight the sea - it reshapes your brain’s reaction to it, helping the body stay balanced, calm, and in control even in choppy conditions.
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So, can hypnotherapy really help? Yes. Seasickness is caused by a conflict between what the inner ear senses, what the eyes see, and how the brain interprets movement. While it starts as a physical reaction, it’s heavily influenced by anxiety, learned responses, and expectation.
Together, we can calm your nervous system and reduce anticipatory anxiety - helping your body and brain remain balanced and composed.