You’ve tried to quit smoking before, only to start up again when the cravings became too much to manage, or the stress of life was too much to deal with in your less-than-healthy state. Hypnosis could help you break free from nicotine addiction, and these tips will show you how.
The history of using hypnosis to quit smoking
As early as 1876, an American physician named W.A. Hill published a paper detailing his successful hypnotic attempts to help smokers kick their habit. In recent years, both hypnotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) have been shown to be effective at helping people stop smoking.
How hypnotherapy can help you stop smoking
Did you know that more than six million smokers try to quit every year, but only 5% manage to do so? This is because quitting smoking isn’t just about willpower; it’s also about making sure your body doesn’t get too used to having nicotine in its system. With hypnotherapy, it can be easier for you to stop smoking and deal with any triggers or cravings in a healthy way.
How it works, step by step
Hypnosis is one of many tools you can use to quit smoking. It includes seven steps that lead you through hypnosis, exercise, and healthy eating (for example). Hypnosis methods will help condition your mind and body for health and weight loss in each case. To be successful, you need a systemized plan to replace your cigarettes with healthier habits—which is exactly what we’ll cover below.
Who can benefit from the therapy?
Any person who wants to quit smoking and need some additional support. Many people will try cold turkey or nicotine patches, gum, and e-cigarettes before even considering quitting smoking with hypnosis. They feel that if they are going to quit smoking, they want to do it the right way, meaning no help at all. However, there is no right way to stop smoking, just like there is no right way to give up any bad habit.
Is it safe?
Some people believe that hypnosis isn’t a safe way to quit smoking because you must concentrate so hard on not smoking that you may crave cigarettes even more. Others claim that it can actually be safer than some quit smoking medications out there. In any case, we don’t recommend quitting cold turkey and going for hypnotherapy instead.
A few tips for your first session
Find a quiet, relaxing space and time when you won’t be interrupted. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and say your hypnotherapist’s name three times as you exhale. Visualize yourself in a relaxing space where you feel safe and comfortable—the beach, perhaps—and imagine yourself feeling happier than ever.
The success rate of quitting smoking with hypnosis
A lot of people have asked whether they can quit smoking with hypnosis. The answer is yes. The question of how successful hypnotherapy is in helping people quit smoking has been answered many times. One study suggests that more than 80% of smokers who seek help to quit using hypnotherapy can successfully stop smoking within a few sessions.
Choosing a hypnotherapist
A good hypnotherapist will make you feel comfortable and at ease while they guide you through a hypnotic trance. Not all hypnotherapists are equal in their skill or effectiveness, though. The best way to find a good one is to ask your friends and loved ones for recommendations—they’ll be able to tell you about their experiences, which can help you decide who will be best for your needs.