Yes, you can become Positively Smoke-Free!

 

What is the easiest and most effective way to stop smoking?

According to the largest scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit, hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking.

New Scientist Magazine

 

Who else says hypnosis is a good way to stop?

“Hypnosis is a viable means to stop smoking.”

1989 Surgeon General Report to Congress on nicotine addiction

 

I’ll just use the patch or nicotine gum

Nicotine gum has a success rate of about 10 per cent.

New Scientist Magazine

 

I can tough it out by myself…

New Scientist says will power alone has a success rate of only 6 per cent. New Scientist Magazine

 

OK, but what’s the easiest way to stop smoking?

“The easiest way to break bad habits is through hypnosis.”

Newsweek Magazine

 

But will hypnosis last?

Hall and Crasilneck used a four hypnosis session protocol.

Eighty two percent of the people that responded to their follow-up

survey had not smoked a single cigarette since the 4^th session!

They sent the surveys out between one year and four years later,

proving hypnosis for smoking cessation is effective long-term.

Schedule your Hypnotherapy session today! 

425-881-7082

Click here to discover what you'll get in a private hypnotherapy session.

 

Scroll down to read "Why Do Smart People Smoke?"

Compliments of Lauren Archer Finkelstein

 

 

 

Why Do Smart People Smoke?

 

by Lauren Archer Finkelstein, CH   

Wellness Consultant, Clinical Hypnotherapist

and ACE Certified Personal Trainer

 

 

It’s clear that on a conscious level, most smokers know that smoking is harmful.  I did ~ and I smoked anyway.

How is it that smart people can ignore all the evidence and continue to smoke?

Perhaps because smoking meets many of our hidden subconscious needs.

 

Think about it – smoking is an alchemical process: a transformation from matter to spirit through the human body.

It’s an ancient ritual that smokers can reenact each day.

Smoking forges an intimate relationship with mind, body and spirit.

Smoking can involve taking a break, giving oneself a treat, doing some deep breathing,

connecting with nature, and triggering positive brain states.

Can you see why trying to quit cold turkey, or with a patch or gum, misses out on much of the point?

People are addicted to the process of smoking itself, not just the nicotine.

 

I am a former smoker myself, and I have experienced the layers upon layers

of subconscious needs that smoking can fill. Quitting is a process that involves

understanding one’s own needs and replacing the habits that once served us

with new ones that can serve us in healthier ways.

 

How do we get there? One very effective way is with Hypnosis.

When we bypass the conscious mind and work directly with the subconscious,

old habits can be quickly and easily released, as if disappearing in a puff of smoke. 

 

Another way is by consciously uncovering our hidden needs and finding healthy ways to meet those needs.

We can be like detectives: the more of those hidden needs we uncover, identify and replace, the easier it will be to quit.

An ideal process is to incorporate both the conscious and the subconscious ~ harnessing the full power of our brain. 

 

 

Get Smart –

Find Your Hidden Needs

 

Smoker’s action: Taking a cigarette break.

Need attempting to be served: Changing state.

What’s productive about it? Brain research shows that changing physical

and mental state every 90 minutes enhances performance & creativity.

What’s unproductive about it? Cigarettes contain hundreds of chemical

compounds including nicotine, carbon monoxide, tars, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide,

hydrogen sulfide, ammonia cadmium, hydrogen cyanide, pyridine and arsenic, all which

negatively affect physical and mental health.

Replacement action: Instead of taking a cigarette break, schedule “brain breaks” every 90 minutes. 

If you’ve been sedentary, get up and move for a few minutes.  If you’ve been active, sit down for a few minutes.

 

 

Smoker’s action: Smoking for mood enhancement.

Need attempting to be filled: Triggering a positive brain state.

What’s productive about it? Smoking stimulates the secretion

of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which has a stimulant effect --

increases heart rate and blood pressure.

What’s unproductive about it? Continuous nicotine drives the heart rate

up to 20 extra beats per minute in a heavy smoker, which causes stress to the body.

Replacement action: Check your level of physical balance – make sure you’re getting enough rest.

Read “The Power of Full Engagement.” Try drinking green tea as a stimulant.

 

  

Smoker’s action:  Inhaling and exhaling smoke through the body.

Need attempting to be filled: Observing the alchemical change from matter to spirit.

What’s productive about it?  Connecting with the elements of earth, air, and fire as

you watch a cigarette transform into smoke and dissipate.

What’s unproductive about it? Allowing that transformation to happen

through your own body is damaging.

Replacement action: Try lighting a candle, some incense, or a smudge stick. 

Spend a few moments honoring the transformation and recognizing the finite nature of matter.

 

 

Smoker’s action: Cultural rebellion.

Need attempting to be filled: Rebellion against conformity to mainstream social norms.

What’s productive about it? Maintaining a sense of personal values as separate from the masses.

What’s unproductive about it?  In some cases, this rebellion is simply identification with a counter-culture,

and we may find we are indeed part of the masses – conforming to an image that smoking is “cool.”

Replacement action: Remember that what you’re against weakens you – what you’re FOR strengthens you. 

Find out what you believe in, and discover ways to make a positive difference in the world by fighting FOR something.

 

 

Smoker’s action: Ritual habit.

Need attempting to be filled: Familiar, daily ritual.

What’s productive about it? The ritual actions of taking a pack of

cigarettes, tapping it, smelling it, taking out a cigarette, lighting it.  The psyche seeks ritual habits.

What’s unproductive about it? Because the habit is ritualized, it is may be embedded deep in the

subconscious.  The habit can be  replaced with a new ritual habit, such as chewing gum or taking a break.

Replacement action: Develop a new daily ritual, such as keeping a pack of inspirational cards,

and drawing a card to read and think about several times a day.  Try Louise Hay’s “Power Thought Cards.”

 

 

 

Smoker’s action: Full, deep breathing.

Need attempting to be served: To oxygenate the brain and blood.

What’s productive about it? Deep breathing is a way to connect mind-body-and spirit,

and the increased oxygen enhances brain function, mood, clarity of thinking and physiological response.

What’s unproductive about it? Carbon monoxide literally pushes the oxygen out of your red blood cells.

It takes up space in the blood that otherwise would be carrying oxygen.

Replacement action: Instead of inhaling a cigarette, do some deep breathing. 

Dr. Andrew Weil has a great audio program for learning some easy, healthful breathing techniques.

 

 

Smoker’s action: Seeking oral stimulation or a certain balance of “taste.”

Need attempting to be served: Self-nurturing.

What’s productive about it? It’s important to nurture yourself in small ways throughout the day.

What’s unproductive about it? While smoking seems to “nurture” you, it’s actually causing physical harm.

It leads to premature aging – deep skin wrinkling, decreased skin elasticity.

Replacement action: Find healthier ways to self-nurture, like sugar-free mints or gum. Or simply brush your teeth.

 

Smoker’s action: Going outside.

Need attempting to be served: Getting away from an indoor environment.

What’s productive about it? Connecting with nature, changing state, disconnecting with an unhealthy environment.

What’s unproductive about it? Cigarette smoke is harmful to the environment and to the smoker.

Replacement action: Instead of going outside for a cigarette break, go out for a brief walk,

or spend a few moments meditating while looking out the window.

 

 

Smoker’s action: Identification with self as smoker.

Need attempting to be filled: Association with an archetype, a parent, or a general sense of maturity.

What’s productive about it? Choosing a role model and “acting as if” can help us become more like

the person we most want to become.

What’s unproductive about it?  Identifying with others can limit our own unique expression.

Replacement action: Breaking the identification with self as a smoker opens the opportunity to create

a new identity of yourself as a non-smoker.  Keep the best of your old identity,

but reinvent yourself with new strength and integrity.

 

___________________________

 

It’s been over 20 years since I quit smoking, and I’ll admit it - I still have an occasional craving for a cigarette.

Fortunately these cravings are very infrequent. Whenever I do get a craving, I take a moment to identify

what my mind, body or spirit really needs. Then I look for healthy ways to fill those needs. 

Picking up a cigarette is NOT an option.

 

Remember, habits are never really broken, they are replaced. 

I hope this article gives you the inspiration to discover your own subconscious needs

and to develop new habits to meet those needs in healthier ways.

 

Lauren Archer 

© 2007 Positive Central

 

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