New Year starts with a new you. Actually, what we change and improve in our lives has an effect on the year that just passed. I always thought that celebrating a new year was boring, but now I see the real reason we celebrate. We celebrate our success, goals, and what we achieved with the people we love.

How about celebrating a new habit this year? Or leaving behind an unhealthy habit that is not serving you?

Did you know that on average, we tend to stick to new habits when the New Year starts?

I know how you may feel. Perhaps you tried many times to quit smoking in the past, tried different methods, patches, and gums, and went cold turkey. But still, somehow you keep coming back to smoke more even after trying so many different times and ways.

Hypnotherapy for quitting smoking has proven to be the most effective way to say bye to cigarettes.

Cigarette smoking is one of the greatest single causes of illness and premature death in the UK. Worldwide the number is far greater. Tobacco is killing around eight million people each year, while almost one million deaths are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. Despite nearly 80,000 people in the UK dying from smoking-related illnesses each year, between 12-16% of adults still smoke. 

Though, it seems things are changing. 40 years ago, 51% of men and 41% of women were smokers. These rates have more than halved, with 14% of UK adults smoking, and 60% saying they have never smoked.

Quitting smoking is a big challenge. It takes more than just willpower to give up smoking. There are many different options available to help you quit. From campaigns such as Stoptober to local support groups, therapy to medication. For many people, hypnotherapy is an effective solution.

Considering giving up smoking? Before you try to quit, it’s important to recognise why you want to quit and to be sure you are making this decision for yourself. Trying to quit when you’re not ready or for someone else can often lead to relapse, frustration, and feelings of failure. You are more likely to succeed if you commit to quitting for your own good. 

Why stop smoking?

Smoking increases the risk of developing a wide range of health ailments and diseases. But unfortunately, the habit doesn’t only harm the smoker’s health, it can also have a negative impact on the people around them. If smoking around children and babies, for example, they become vulnerable to many smoking-related health problems, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and the risk of cot death will increase.

Adults who endure passive smoking for a long period of time are also at an increased risk of heart disease and lung cancer. Tobacco is also an irritant; therefore it can make conditions such as asthma worse.

Stopping smoking can help improve your health, enhance your quality of life, and reduce your risk of premature death. 

What are the benefits of quitting smoking?

It’s never too late to quit smoking. Whatever age you are, if you make the decision to stop, your health will benefit. However, the sooner you quit; the faster the body can recover and the risk of developing serious health conditions will decrease.

There are many benefits to stopping smoking, including:

• more energy
• improved immune system
• longer life expectancy
• better breathing
• less stress
• younger-looking skin
• more money
• reduced risk of cancers, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and vascular disease
• saving money (a pack a day costs around £3,500 a year)

Stopping smoking also prevents harm from coming to your friends and family through second-hand smoke. Passive smoking can be particularly harmful to children and babies, putting them at further risk of developing chest illnesses and infections, reduced lung function, middle ear disease, asthma attacks, and sudden and unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). It also reduces the likelihood of your children and teens starting to smoke, as studies have shown children living with someone who smokes are much more likely to start themselves.

The effects of smoking cessation on the body

The time since the last cigarette and how it affects the body:

• 20 minutes: Blood pressure and heart rate return to normal.
• 12 hours: Carbon monoxide levels drop back to normal.
• 24 hours: The body starts to clear out the mucus build-up in the lungs.
• 72 hours: Breathing becomes easier and energy levels increase.
• 1 month: Appearance of the skin improves.
• 3 to 9 months: Lung function can improve by up to 10%.
• 1 year: Risk of suffering from a heart attack falls to about half of that of a smoker.
• 10 years: Risk of developing lung cancer falls to about half of that of a smoker.
• 15 years: Risk of suffering heart attack falls to that of a non-smoker.

What are the risks and side effects of stopping smoking?

Stopping smoking can leave to a number of withdrawal symptoms. These can be uncomfortable, but they will fade as long as you remain smoke-free. Having ‘just one more’ or ‘just a last’ cigarette can restart the withdrawal process, drawing out the unpleasant side effects. These side effects can include:

• cravings or urges to smoke
• feelings of irritation, upset or being grouchy
• feeling restless, on edge, or having trouble concentrating
• feeling anxious or depressed
• difficulty sleeping
• feeling hungrier
• weight gain (if replacing your smoking habit unintentionally with eating or snacking) 

While the side effects can vary from person to person, withdrawal symptoms typically peak within the first three days, lasting for two weeks. Many report feeling few to no symptoms once they have past the first month of stopping smoking.

Hypnotherapy to quit smoking

A great number of people find hypnotherapy for smoking an effective treatment. The method works to break the negative behaviours and thinking patterns associated with smoking; like smoking to relieve stress. It is these negative thoughts and behaviours that often prevent people from successfully giving up. Quitting does not deal with the underlying issues.

So, when a person makes the decision to stop smoking, the key aspect is to let go of the routine and change how they view cigarettes. Breaking an addiction like this is a challenge; it won’t be easy, especially if it is a lifelong habit, and changing how you think about something can be difficult.

Hypnotherapy focuses on this change. The hypnotherapist will support you and guide you through the motions, you’re no longer alone in trying to quit. Because of this, hypnotherapy is fast becoming one of the most popular forms of treatment.

Can you quit smoking through hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy works by guiding the individual into a deep, relaxed state. During this time, the mind is more open to suggestions and change. At this point, the hypnotherapist makes suggestions, which will help you in changing your thought patterns and behaviours associated with smoking.

Suggestions will be tailored to you, but will be along the lines of “I do not want a cigarette” and “the smell of cigarette smoke makes me feel unwell”. They may also ask you to visualise smoking a cigarette, but imagining an unpleasant taste or smell. This can help build an association – when you think of smoking, unpleasant thoughts will come as well.

Many people find hypnotherapy is enough to break the habit, while others prefer to combine the treatment with NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) or medication. Of course, everyone is different and what may work for one person, may not work for you. By exploring all options, you should be able to find a suitable and effective treatment. The best thing is to speak to people – friends, family, and other people who have quit. Discussing your options with your doctor and hypnotherapist can also help you understand what may be best for you.

It is important to remember that hypnotherapy for smoking is not a quick fix. While for some people, one session is enough to quit smoking (or continue the journey alone), others may benefit from follow-up sessions. The ultimate aim of hypnosis for smoking is to empower people to take control of their addiction and improve their health.

If you are ready to quit smoking book now or call +447586755862 to discuss how to help you.