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Many quit smoking methods are for profit. That is, they want to hook smokers into a kind of dependency that engenders financial reward. Nicotine gum comes to mind here as do nicotine patches. The fact that the scientific community is starting to recognize that smoking is not a physical addiction but instead a psychosocial habit means that quit smoking enterprises cannot stay cash cows for long–willpower cannot be bought and sold.
A much healthier approach to smoking cessation is hypnotherapy; this method helps smokers break down old, damaging thoughts and beliefs related to cigarettes in order to build up newer, healthier ones that keep them away from tobacco. While it is true that hypnotherapy often requires the smoker to pay for the services of a hypnotherapist, this payment only lasts until the habit is kicked; additionally, an individual hypnotherapists profits reach nowhere near those of pharmaceutical companies advocating nicotine-based smoking cessations aids.
But the best part of quit smoking hypnosis is that, unlike nicotine replacement therapies, it can be free. People can actually hypnotize themselves to quit smoking. While it is a good idea to use quit smoking hypnotherapists for the instruction, guidance and support that they provide, quit smoking hypnosis is a democratic process–people can choose to go at it alone or with help. Here is a short guide to quit smoking self-hypnosis:
- First and foremost, quit smoking self-hypnosis requires dedication and a quiet space. Commit yourself to two to three weeks of two to three sessions a day of self-hypnosis. These sessions should last 10 to 15 minutes each. Make sure you can do each session in a quiet, calming space where you will not be disturbed.
- Once you have found your space, begin each quit smoking self-hypnosis session by envisioning a future scenario where cigarettes do not exist. What does this look like? How would this feel? Focus on creating a reality in your mind without cigarettes. This is your goal reality.
- Next, take deep breaths and repeat to yourself how relaxed you are and imagine the stress being washed out of your body, maybe by a cool wind or cool water. As you begin to relax more and more, start mixing in suggestions with the statements about how relaxed you are. Begin to tell yourself that you do not need cigarettes, that you are smoke free–whatever suggestions make you feel like you can change your attitudes and beliefs about smoking. Continue this for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once you have identified your anti-smoking suggestions, try to repeat them to yourself as often as you can. When a mental craving pops up, simply answer it with something like “I do not need, like or wants cigarettes.” As time goes by, these smoking cravings will diminish, replaced by new thought patterns that tell you that you do not need, like or want tobacco. And you will have accomplished this feat all on your own, without having to spend a dollar.
Smoking is a psychosocial habit that wreaks havoc on a person’s mental and physical health. If you are someone you know is struggling with a smoking habit, contact us today for more details or share your own ideas and experiences with us in the comments below.