How to Use Self Hypnosis to Stop Smoking

Nicotine gum, nicotine patches and self hypnosis: to stop smoking, you might be willing to try anything. However, what many smokers don’t know is that products designed to wean smokers off of their nicotine dependency tend only to physical cravings, and the smoker is left to fight the mental battle alone . If you have already exhausted nicotine therapy options like gum or patches, you may now be considering self-administered hypnotherapy. You probably have several questions and concerns, among them: what is self hypnosis, and how do you get started? Can you use self hypnosis to stop smoking? The following article will explain self hypnosis for smoking and give you tips to help you on your way.

When you think of hypnosis, you might picture a scene in which a hypnotist leads his subject into unconsciousness, gains complete access to the subject’s mind and leads him or her to dance like a chicken or walk like a gorilla. If this scene causes you anxiety, you can relax. Self hypnosis is different. Although, like all forms of hypnosis, its function is to change triggers in the subconscious mind, it can be done without a hypnotherapist.

Self hypnosis to stop smoking might involve listening to a tape or CD designed to redirect your thinking, or you can even come up with your own program to train yourself to be a non-smoker. Either way you will be in control of what happens to you. You may find yourself in more control of other aspects of your life as well, like your finances, as spending less money on cigarettes will enable you to save toward other goals in your life.

Pre-Recorded Self-Hypnosis Programs

If you choose to buy tapes, CDs or other media to use in your effort to quit smoking, there are several things to keep in mind. First of all, pre-recorded media, which may be easier than creating your own hypnotherapy program, is not tailored to your individual needs. Consequently, you might find it hard to identify with some of the suggestions used in the program. You will also need to back up the program with your own efforts at self-improvement and lifestyle change. You cannot expect the program media to do all the work for you, since listening to the tapes will not magically take away your cravings.

That being said, a preformatted program can have many benefits. It can assist you in organizing your attempt to stop smoking right away, helping you define and structure your objectives. The program might give you a proven mantra to repeat verbally when facing certain triggers, which will help you remember your goals in a tempting situation. If you have trouble getting motivated to develop your own course of action, purchasing a pre-developed self hypnosis program will immediately get you on the right track.

You may need to try several different media programs before finding the one that works for you. Ask your doctor, therapist or a trusted friend for recommendations. Your local library might even have a variety of programs for you to try. On online retail websites like Amazon.com, you can find many products and actual customer reviews that describe what users liked or disliked about certain programs. Doing some research before purchasing a program will help to ensure that you don’t waste your money or have unrealistic expectations about the program.

Creating an Individualized Self-Hypnosis Program

If developing your own method for using self hypnosis to stop smoking, the method you create will be specially tailored to your needs and emotions, so you will have a good chance of success if you simply follow your own guidelines. You alone know what triggers you to smoke, whether it is anxiety or routine, and you can form your method accordingly. Remembering several simple things can help you develop an approach that is straightforward and easy to follow.

Before starting your program, you need to clearly define your goals. Begin with the small goals that are easily accomplished and list the steps that you can take to accomplish them. For example, if you have five cigarettes a day, your first goal could be to eliminate one of those from your routine. Your ultimate goal, of course, is to stop smoking altogether, but it is important to feel like you can measure your progress along the way. Achieving many small goals will help to keep you confident in your final success.

Second, your program should help you learn to deal with anxiety. Relaxation should not be underestimated in its benefits. Breathing exercises can help to melt away the stress that motivates you to smoke and also help you to focus on your purpose. If you need assistance learning to relax, try consulting your local community center or gym about yoga and meditation classes.

Third, you need to create a personal statement that will remind you of the benefits of your efforts at to stop smoking. Write a short, detailed paragraph about the rewards you will enjoy once you are a non-smoker (for example, better breathing and more stamina). In your statement, tell yourself how proud you are to be giving up the smoking habit. After you memorize this paragraph, you can start each day by reciting it to yourself.

Set aside an area that is your own, whether it is a favorite room or a spot in the garden. The place must be one that is peaceful to you, a sort of retreat where you can escape when faced with the temptation to smoke, and where you can go each morning to calmly meditate on your goals undisturbed. Get into a comfortable position in this peaceful area and focus on your statement of goals. Throughout the day, you can recite the same paragraph and be reminded of your aspirations and why you have them.. This personal statement is the vital component to keeping you on track.

Finally, train yourself to associate a certain object with the desire to quit smoking. If you want to stop smoking because you are worried about the effect that your habit might have on your child, bring a picture of your child with you and look at it throughout the day when you feel the urge to smoke.

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You could use a similar method of association with actions. During your morning sessions, when thinking about the aversion to cigarettes you want to develop, you might teach yourself to associate a refreshing glass of ice water with success in avoiding temptation. Throughout the day, whenever you start craving a cigarette, get a glass of ice water to sip on instead. When using this method it is important to remember not to replace one bad habit with another. Instead, help yourself to cultivate good habits. Not only will you benefit by defeating smoking, you’ll be able to improve other areas of your life as well.

Many people worldwide have used self hypnosis to stop smoking. If you keep the simple tips previously outlined in mind, you too can thrive by its techniques. Whether you opt to buy a media program or develop your own method, the key is dedication. Taking time every day to go through the steps of your program and keeping track of your victories will help you to break free of a dependence that is harmful to you and those around you. Don’t you deserve to be healthy and strong, not slave to any addictions or hurtful habits? Why plan to stop smoking tomorrow, next month or next year? You have what it takes to stop smoking today, and you will succeed!

Author: Chera Hodges
Website: http://www.InsightJournal.com/