The number one main reason that people come to see me is to 'Stop Smoking'. I have been helping people stop smoking now for nearly 10 years and it has become my main area of expertise. One of the first things I say to my stop smoking clients is to look at me as a 'stop smoking expert' and a 'facilitator of a process'. Hypnosis is only a word, so focus on the outcome - FREEDOM! In this blog post I am going to tell you the truth about smoking. Smoking Cigarettes is both an addiction and a habit but neither are the reasons that people continue to smoke. Most people know that smoking is very bad for their health and causes diseases. But yet people still smoke! Why? The main reason is 'The Brainwashing' associated with smoking. The Brainwashing
In my opinion this is the main reason people continue to smoke. There is a huge suggestion given by a sick society that stopping smoking is hard - It is not. However it will be if you think it will be because you will create/manifest that reality. Yes you heard me right we live in a 'sick society'. This society that is constantly giving suggestions that stopping smoking is 'hard' and you can't do it yourself but you need some 'cruxes' or 'substitutes' such as e-cigarettes, nicotine gum and patches, etc. You don't - all you are doing is swapping one habit for another plus you still have the nicotine addition! It makes zero sense to me. They actually make it harder not easier. It will just keep the cravings coming and prolong the misery. Nicotine is a poison. You do not need nicotine in any way shape or form in or near your body. Sadly doctors that recommend these substitutes are also part of the brainwashing.
We think we live in a time now where cigarette advertising is banned and all seems good. At least on the surface. But if you look a little deeper - you will realize that there is still a significant amount of smoking suggestion on TV and media, only these days it is much more subtle. Remember that literally millions is made by big corporations and vested interests off the back of the misery of nicotine addicts. An example of recent media subliminally pushing smoking is the very popular TV series 'Stranger Things' which is primarily aimed at a teenage audience. One of the heroes in it is 'Hopper' who is a chain-smoker where in literally every scene he is shown smoking a cigarette. I do have to question this and ask was it really necessary to make that part of the story? and find it hard to believe it will not unduly influence the millions of teenagers that will watch it. Smokers are being lured into a very subtle trap (see the 'Nicotine Trick' below). Scare campaigns do not help smokers to stop they make it harder. All they do is frighten smokers which makes them smoke even more.The Programming
After forcing yourself to smoke, after a short period the smoking becomes automatic, i.e. ingrained in the subconscious mind, where you are literally 'programmed to smoke'. The brainwashing is also programmed in. Hypnosis (as it bypasses the conscious mind and accesses the subconscious mind) will remove these programs but it is important that people commit to it fully and follow all instructions. Remove the programming, remove the problem.
The myth of Willpower (and why it does not work)
Willpower very rarely if ever works. Why? Simply because it involves the smoker feeling he is making some sort of 'sacrifice' or 'missing out' on something or 'giving up' (Never use the term ' Give Up' as there is nothing to give up only things to gain!) something. No, you are gaining everything health, money, freedom and adding many more years to your life. Here's the thing - you were not born a smoker - you weren't born with a cigarette hanging out of your mouth - it is something that you learned how to do. Therefore it is something you can unlearn. We do not decide to become smokers, but merely experiment with the first few cigarettes and because they taste awful (because our bodies natural defense mechanism kicks in trying to get rid of the poison) we are convinced we can stop whenever you want, but sadly it just doesn't work like that. Why? Because of the 'nicotine trick'. Studies show that willpower has only a 5% success rate, whereas strategies such as hypnosis have over 85%.1 Why? Because hypnosis helps you see through the brainwashing. In fact as a hypnotherapist, what I am actually doing is De-programming people from a trance (the 'programming') that they are already in! But willpower is not effective as it is difficult to force yourself not to do something that has become a subconscious program. The Nicotine Trick
This is a 'trap' as Allan Carr described so well in his book 'The Easy Way To Stop Smoking'.2 When you smoke you are putting 'nicotine' into your body which is a drug that is more addictive than heroin. It creates a 'nicotine monster' inside you. The moment you extinguish a cigarette the level of nicotine falls very quickly bringing on a feeling of the 'craving' for another one. The nicotine monster wants to be fed so you smoke again. What it also does is that it creates a feeling of 'insecurity' and a 'void' which can only be fixed by having another one. Once you have another cigarette there is a momentary feeling of relaxation but it's an illusion as it's only the nicotine monster being fed. And so it goes on. All smoking another cigarette achieves is to increase that empty insecure feeling. However the good news is that nicotine leaves your body only after a very short period of time, usually less than 3 weeks and with the right mental attitude, any slight cravings will be gone after 3-4 days. Every time you say no to the craving then you are killing that nicotine monster! In fact by using hypnosis you will most like have no cravings or if you do they will be relatively easy to overcome (if of course you commit to it fully and follow all instructions). When you stop smoking every day gets easier not harder (again more brainwashing) as new non smoking pathways to the brain are being developed. Remember too that there will never be such as thing as 'just the one' as once you smoke one cigarette the nicotine trick cycle starts all over again. I actually rarely use the term 'smoker' even in my sessions - never let a term like that define who you are - you have just fallen into this subtle 'trap'! The Excuses
'Smoking Relaxes Me'
Wrong - smoking does not relax or calm it actually creates a permanent feeling of insecurity and stress. It's like wearing a pair of tight fitting shoes and then taking them off. It might feel nice to take them off, but maybe just don't wear tight fitting shoes instead? Or banging your head off a wall and then stopping! It's a fact that non smokers are able to manage stress much more effectively than smokers. We all have stress in life but smoking will not reduce it, it will in fact create more of it.
'I smoke because I am bored'
Boredom is a state of mind. Smoking creates boredom because it causes you to feel lethargic with no energy or vitality to get up and go. Thus smoking actually causes boredom!
'I like the smell/taste of cigarettes'
The smell of smoke is disgusting and stinks. The human lungs were meant to naturally breathe in fresh air not to be used as chimneys puffing in smoke. Take a look at a full up ashtray full of cigarette butts - would you put a spoonful of that in your mouth, chew it and say it tastes nice? Of course not! So those smokers who say that they like the smell or taste are deluded. In addition, once you stop smoking your food will taste better as the layer of tar falls off the taste buds of your tongue!
'I will do it tomorrow' - 'The time isn't right'
It won't be any easier tomorrow. There will never be a right time like NOW! If you are waiting to suddenly magically wake up one morning and not have the desire to smoke you will be waiting a long long time. The nicotine trick/trap simply does not work like that! Every day you continue to smoke you are increasing the risk of disease and destroying your health.
'I am only a social smoker'/'I only have the odd one'
As stated already, because of the nicotine trick, there is no such thing as 'just the one'. I know as I
am a former social smoker. But it always just goes one way and that is smoking more and more as the nicotine monster grows.
All of the time I hear people making all these excuses and more and all are just that - excuses!
Please stop fooling yourself. You can stop smoking ....
THE SOLUTION - HOW TO STOP
1. See the brainwashing for what it is - see through the myths and delusions and most importantly stop making excuses.
2. Decide and make a vow you are never ever going to smoke again (including substitutes).
3. Have the right mental attitude and believe you can do it! Never doubt your decision or ability to stick to it. It is the correct decision and deep down you know this!
- Don't start out looking at it like you'll be missing out on something, instead keep thinking of all you are gaining! Take a breath and say 'YIPPEE I'M FREE' !!
- Feel sorry for people that do smoke because they are still a slave to the habit/addiction.
- Use your IMAGINATION/Positive visualization and see yourself free and not smoking. It is most useful to do this if you have a social occasion coming up that before you would have smoked. The night before, close your eyes and see yourself enjoying the evening and saying 'no thanks I don't smoke' anytime anyone offers you a cigarette. I assure you then you will say the same when the moment comes! As part of my stop smoking hypnosis program I teach self hypnosis to prepare for such situations.
- Don't try not to think about smoking. Just take a breath and be happy you are free.
- Don't 'wait' for something to happen or to 'feel different' ..you are in control of your reality, just 'do it' because I assure you, you can.
So what are you waiting for? Make the choice to stop NOW and call 086 8211677
Citations:
2. Carr, Allan; 'The Easy Way To Stop Smoking'; Revised Edition, 2015. Penguin Books.
© Trevor Eivers 2017
My name is Trevor Eivers and I am based in Waterford, Ireland. I am a
Certified Consulting Hypnotist (since 2010) with the National Guild of
Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest hypnosis body in the world with
over 14,000 members in 83 different countries worldwide. I am also a
Certified NLP practitioner. I love my job in which I help everyday
people with everyday issues. Contact me at or check me out
online at waterford-hypnosis.com or Facebook at :
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trevor-Eivers-Hypnosis/177881245578285 