Stop Blowing Smoke — End Your Habit with Self-Hypnosis
November 2004 — Mark Twain is reported to have said, "Stopping smoking is easy to do; I have done it thousands of times."
How many times have YOU tried to stop smoking? Regardless of the number, don't give up your plan to quit. In fact, the average smoker tries seven times before stopping for good. Quitting takes a lot of work and effort, but you can be successful.
A Heightened State of Mind
Beyond the chewing gums and patches, many smokers have successfully kicked the smoking habit with a more natural, cost-effective method: self-hypnosis.
"While you might relate hypnosis with gazing at a swinging pendulum, hypnosis is actually a focused use of our minds that occurs naturally in our daily lives," says Carolyn Vandervort, RN, registered nurse at Memorial Regional Hospital and certified self-hypnosis instructor at Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center. "Similar to a deep, intense daydream, hypnosis involves extreme concentration where an individual's mind is open to what are called 'suggestions,' or ideas, placed directly into his or her subconscious."
Through self-motivation and relaxation, suggestions can be made to the subconscious mind during self-hypnosis to quit smoking or other bad habits, as well as to adopt healthy behaviors.
Self-Motivation
"In order for self-hypnosis to be effective in smoking cessation," says Vandervort, "quitting the habit must be something the individual truly wants, not something that someone else wants him or her to do. The motivation must come from within."
In the two-hour self-hypnosis class held at Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center, Vandervort begins by dispelling any fears participants might have about hypnosis. Misconceptions and fears can inhibit individuals from relaxing fully, which can prevent suggestions from reaching the subconscious. Following this discussion, participants are then introduced to self-hypnosis. Vandervort initially leads participants in self-hypnosis, and then gradually allows them to reach states of extreme concentration on their own.
Learn It Once, Practice It Forever
"The advantage of self-hypnosis is that it's completely natural, and once you learn it, you can take it with you and use it forever," says Vandervort. "In just one session, you can learn the technique necessary to create positive change in your life."
In addition to smoking cessation, self-hypnosis is used for weight management and many other lifestyle changes. Vandervort recommends, however, that you focus on one goal at a time. For instance, stopping smoking first, then moving on to weight control and other healthy behaviors.
Did You Know?Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including these poisons: |
|
| Poison: | Also Found in: |
| Ammonia | Floor Cleaner |
| Arsenic | Rat Poison |
| Methane | Rocket Fuel |
| Cadmium | Batteries |
| Carbon Monoxide | Car Exhaust |
| Formaidehyde | Embalming Fluid |
| Butane | Lighter Fluid |
| Hydrogen Cyanide | Gas Chamber Poison |
Whether practicing self-hypnosis once a day, once a week or simply whenever it is necessary, it is a successful, cost-effective and natural method of self-help. For more information on smoking cessation and self-hypnosis classes, contact Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center at (954) 265-5800.