Stop Smoking

Hypnotherapy to quit smoking

A big part of quitting smoking is letting go of the smoking routine you once had along with the associations you developed over the years.
Hypnotherapy is very much regarded as the best method for quitting smoking for good.
 
If you are considering hypnotherapy to quit smoking the first step is to make sure you are choosing to quit for yourself. Hypnotherapy is most effective when you really want to quit - if you are doing it because you think you 'should' or because a friend or family member is pushing you, you may not get the results you want.

 
Hypnotherapy works by putting you in a deep, relaxed state where your mind is more open to suggestion. At this point your hypnotherapist will look to change your thought patterns by making suggestions such as 'I do not want a cigarette' or 'I am repelled by the smell of cigarette smoke'.
Just one session is enough to help you quit smoking for ever.

For added peace of mind a 'Booster Session', should it be required, will be FREE OF CHARGE if taken within two years of your original session.
 

Smoking facts and figures

• About 100,000 people die every year in the UK from smoking-related illnesses. Roughly half of all smokers die prematurely due to smoking-related diseases. The life expectancy of a smoker is about 10 years less than that of a non-smoker.
• Most smoking-related deaths are long and painful, with many unpleasant symptoms.
• Around 17,000 children under the age of five are admitted to hospital every year because of passive smoking-related illnesses.

Smoking increases your risk of developing a wide range of health ailments and diseases including the following:

Lung cancer - more than eight in 10 cases of lung cancer are directly related to smoking.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - again, eight out of 10 cases of this distressing lung disease are caused by smoking.

Heart disease - considered the UK's biggest killer, around one in six cases is caused by smoking.
Other cancers - including mouth, throat, nose, blood, cervix and pancreatic cancer. Infertility - smoking affects the fertility of men and women, making it harder to conceive.

Gum disease - on top of staining your teeth, smoking can cause premature tooth loss due to gum disease.

The Benefits of Quitting

While all of the above information may make for a scary read, it is important to know that it is never too late to quit. The sooner you stop smoking, the faster your body will recover and your risk of developing life-threatening conditions will decrease.

Longer Life Expectancy
If you quit smoking by the age of 30, you could increase your life expectancy by 10 years - just think what you could do with that extra decade. Even if you are in your 60s when you decide to quit, you can still add three years onto your life. Not only will you have a longer life if you stop smoking, you should also have fewer health problems, making for a happier, more independent later life.

More Energy
Carbon monoxide robs your body of oxygen, and without oxygen your body can't work properly. When you quit smoking you will be lowering the carbon monoxide levels in your body allowing your lungs and muscles to work the way they should. More oxygen to the brain will also help you to feel more alert, energised and awake. You should also find you can sleep better without that nicotine in your system.

Boosted Immune System
When you smoke, your immune system is lowered making you more susceptible to colds and flu. When you quit smoking your immune system gets a boost, which means you will pick up less illnesses and generally feel healthier all round.

More Money
If you have smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 10 years, you will have spent approximately £20,000 on smoking. Every time a craving hits - think about what you could do with that extra money!

Better Breathing
Within nine months of quitting smoking, your lung capacity should increase by as much as 10% helping you to do simple things like climb stairs without gasping for breath. You will also get rid of that smoker’s cough, and any breathing difficulties or conditions you have (such as asthma) should be dramatically reduced.

Reduced Stress Levels
Many smokers reach for a cigarette when they are feeling stressed and while that immediate hit of nicotine after withdrawal may make you feel relaxed at first, in the long term, smoking only increases stress levels. Studies have shown that ex-smokers are less stressed than they were when they were smoking.

Younger Looking Skin
Smoking prematurely ages the skin, making it dull, dry and prone to wrinkles. When you stop smoking, this effect is reversed as your skin receives the nutrients it needs. This means that in time, you should find your complexion brightens up and any lines you have may appear reduced.

Better Sense of Smell and Taste
The chemicals in cigarettes dull taste buds and affect the way you smell, making food and drink a bit of a bore. Quitting will bring these senses to life again, helping you taste and smell things at a greater intensity.

Fears about quitting

When you have made the decision to stop smoking it is completely natural to have some initial fears. Some of the most common fears include:

Gaining weight
Nicotine is an appetite suppressant so it is possible that when you quit smoking, your appetite will increase. This does not happen for everyone, but just in case it is worth preparing for. Stock your fridge with healthy snacks and try to increase your physical activity levels. Remember, even if you do gain weight, it can be lost again.

Not having a social tool
For some people, smoking is considered a social tool that brings you and your friends/family/colleagues together. The truth is that since the indoor smoking ban was introduced in 2007, going outside to smoke can be an isolating experience. Enjoy the fact you can now stay inside and encourage your smoking friends and family to join you and quit together.

Feeling it's not the right time
This is a common excuse, but sadly there is unlikely to ever be a 'good' time to quit. Life will always have its ups and downs, the trick is to deal with them without resorting to smoking. The longer you put off quitting, the more damage you'll be doing to your body.

Before you try to quit smoking it often helps to have a solid reason or goal in mind; you may want to quit because you are trying to have a baby or because you've promised your other half you'll quit, it may simply be because you want to be healthier. Whatever the reason, try writing it down and pin it up somewhere you can see it every day.