Zita Stanley

Why do so many people continue to smoke even though they know it’s bad for them? New studies have found that even more people are smoking although numbers had decreased when the smoking ban was introduced. The simple answer is fear. One common fear is of feeling stressed. Well, I have to break a myth smoking actually stresses your body rather than releasing it. There are three factors necessary to stop smoking:

1. you must want to stop smoking;

2. you take responsibility for the change;

3. you know you can change and become smokefree.

If you are not ready to stop smoking then no amount of hypnosis or will power will make you stop. The other important thing to remember is not to stop smoking if you are undergoing any life crisis.

Hypnosis works by removing the fear of not smoking, the ex-smoker visualizes themselves in the future doing activities without a cigarette. Visualization is a very strong technique to use as your subconscious mind does not know the difference between what is real or what is imagined. So we attach an emotion to the visualization such as pride at not smoking which gives greater credence and a better change of the suggestion being accepted by the subconscious. Remember we always want to avoid pain and experience pleasure and that is where hypnosis comes in - to provide pleasure to the idea of stopping smoking without the cravings, the weight gain or crankiness that accompanies a smoker when they first try to quit. Did you know that you can become addicted to the nicotine replacements? The only addiction you will have through hypnosis is to embrace a healthy, happy, non smoking and stress free lifestyle. The pleasure derived from smoking needs to be replaced with a more acceptable healthy habit. The suggestion of a mild form of exercise would be introduced as well as trusting your subconscious to make healthier food choices. The subconscious mind works for your benefit and will reject any suggestions that it finds unfavourable. The beauty of hypnosis is that within 1 to 2 hours you can stop smoking and the effects of smoking on your general health can be reversible.

Is hypnosis frightening? No. We drift in and out of hypnosis all day long. If you daydream then you are going into a light trance. Have you ever driven home and not consciously remembered the journey? That’s hypnosis. There is no such thing as a hypnotized feeling and everyone experiences hypnosis in a different way. The common feeling is of feeling very, very relaxed both mentally and physically after hypnosis.  To  book an appointment call me on 086 1038892, based on Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

Tags: Stop Smoking //