World No Tobacco Day is an annual awareness day observed on May 31st. It’s a global initiative to raise awareness about the health risks and downsides of tobacco use and advocate for policies to reduce tobacco consumption globally.
Smoking is incredibly harmful, is the single leading cause of cancer worldwide and is responsible for 70% of all cases of lung cancer. The CDC (Centre for Disease Control) estimates that 1 in 5 deaths in the United States are caused by smoking. It surpasses HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, car accidents and firearm related incidents combined. In addition to this, it has even been shown to accelerate aging. As David Byrne (Scottish Musician) put it, “The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror – not the glamour and sophistication the pushers in the tobacco industry try to portray”.
Hypnosis is an effective technique to help you stop smoking. Now, quitting smoking can be difficult, but hypnotherapy addresses the psychological aspects of addiction and underlying motivations for smoking. So, if you’re considering quitting smoking, hypnosis could be a valuable tool in your journey toward a smoke-free life. So, how does it work?
Mind set shift. Hypnosis can shift in your perception of smoking. During a session, your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions and new ways of thinking. These might include statements like, “You are a non-smoker.”, “You find the taste of cigarettes unpleasant.”, “You feel proud of your decision to quit.” or “You have increased willpower to resist smoking”.
Addressing subconscious patterns. Smoking is a deeply ingrained in subconscious patterns. These patterns can include associations with certain situations, like after eating or during a break, or emotional triggers such as boredom of stress. Hypnosis will help you to modify these patterns by suggesting healthier alternatives and breaking the link between smoking and these cues.
Visualizations and imagery. Hypnosis can involve guided visualisations where I will encourage you to imagine scenarios where you successfully resist smoking or visualise the benefits of being smoke-free. These mental images will reinforce your commitment to quitting.
Anchoring new beliefs. Hypnosis will help anchor new beliefs about smoking. By repeatedly reinforcing positive suggestions, your subconscious mind begins to accept them as reality. Over time, this can lead to a genuine ability to quit smoking.
Reducing cravings: Hypnosis can help reduce cravings by altering your perception of cigarettes. For example, you might come to associate cigarettes with a foul smell or an unpleasant taste. This can make it easier to resist the urge to smoke.
Stress reduction. For many people smoking is a way to cope with stress. Hypnosis will teaches relaxation techniques and stress management strategies, providing healthier alternatives to smoking.
Remember that hypnosis is not a magic cure, and results will vary from person to person. Some individuals experience significant benefits, while others may need additional support alongside hypnotherapy. It’s essential to approach it with an open mind and a genuine desire to quit smoking. If this is you, then contact me.