Top tips to help you stop smoking

Many people are aware of the addiction to nicotine and other health problems that smoking can cause. There are often hidden fears about stopping smoking too, such as putting on weight, what others may think, and how to cope with the strains of daily life.

Hypnotherapy combined with motivation can help you to address these issues, leaving cigarettes in the past. In my experience, smokers are often concerned about how they will manage cigarette cravings once they become a non-smoker. Hypnotherapy can help you to change your mindset and direct your own motivation to help you quit smoking. There are also some practical things that you can do to help you beat those cravings.

What are some tips for quitting smoking?

Here are some of my top tips:

Throw it away

Throw out all your cigarettes, tobacco, ashtrays, lighters and anything else that reminds you of smoking. As a non-smoker, you have no need for these items. This will help your mind understand smoking is a thing of the past.

Do the washing

Fabrics and soft furnishings absorb the smell of stale old cigarette smoke, so wash your clothes and bedding and clean your car to remove the smell. Clean your house and open the windows to let clean, fresh air in.

Make a list

Write down all the reasons why you want to stop smoking and carry it with you; this can emphasise the benefits of quitting. You can also write a list of all the things that you can do instead of smoking and carry that with you too. This can act as a helpful reminder of the reasons why you are a non-smoker.

Make a plan

Plan ahead for situations where you might be tempted to smoke such as at parties, at work or going out with friends or family. If you think these situations might be difficult for you, plan how you will cope with any cravings or temptations.

Drink fresh fruit juice and stay healthy

In the first three or four days after you've stopped smoking, when nicotine leaves your body, your own natural blood sugar levels can drop, causing you to become irritable and restless. Drinking fruit juice or eating fresh fruit can help you to stay hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels regulated.

Do something else

Go for a walk, read a book, check your emails, play a game on your phone or talk to a friend or work colleague. Holding something else such as a pen or beads to replace the need to hold a cigarette can also be a helpful tactic.

Get support

It's a good idea to ask others for their support. So, let your family, friends and work colleagues know that you have stopped smoking so that they can provide support if you need it. And, ask smokers not to offer you cigarettes.

Change your language

Change the way you think about yourself to "I am a non-smoker". You are no longer a smoker who is trying to stop; you no longer smoke. So from now on, whenever someone offers you a cigarette, your answer will be, "No thanks, I don't smoke."

There is no such thing as "just one more"

From now on, there is no such thing as "just one more cigarette". Your body will be flooded with poisonous chemicals and you risk getting into the old cycle of smoking. So, there are no more cigarettes; not even one.

Stopping smoking will benefit your health and lifestyle hugely, and it's never too late. If you are looking for a hypnotherapist to help you stop smoking, visit the Hypnotherapy Directory to find the right professional for you and your needs.