“Transforming Lives: Real Success Stories from My Stop Smoking Program”
As a hypnotherapist specialising in Stop Smoking Programs that combine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Hypnosis, and Mindfulness, I’ve witnessed first-hand how challenging quitting can be…also, because I stopped with hypnosis, many lives ago.
The difficulty is due to the highly addictive nicotine.
Research show that nicotine is as addictive as heroin (30 % of first time users will continue) and has the same relapse rate. (Surgeon General’s Report)
This explains while it is so difficult to quit smoking with willpower alone (6% success rate according to studies. (1992 New Scientist Magazine)
But with the right strategies and determination it is absolutely possible to stop smoking for ever and feeling relaxed and confident about being a non smoker.
Knowing it is so hard, you choose wisely WHEN to take that big step.
Many individuals can underline: there are particular times in the year when it is specifically difficult to quit— like holiday season in December-. an emotionally charged time filled with stress, temptation, and social gatherings.
However, I am thrilled to share today an incredible success story from a client who has overcome her personal obstacles with my Quit Smoking Program.
Meet Aggy, who not only quit before the busy holiday season but also thrives as a happy non-smoker! She shares her tips what helped her most.
Her Journey
Aggy lives in Mallorca, has a small child and runs a successful company .
Her biggest pain point in stopping smoking in the last years were dealing with stress and social triggers. Also, she was slightly worried about weight gain.
We addressed this successfully in my personalised Smoking Cessation Program with Hypnosis .
She quit before meeting me “so many times that she stopped counting”. Despite her desire to quit, she found herself reaching for a cigarette when overwhelmed.
Aggy smoked for 28 years.
“Summer is one of the busiest and most stressful times at work. As most smokers I used to have a cigarette as a form of stress release, or a reward at the end of a hard day at work. (…). We always looked forward to (smoke) at the end of each day.”
The holidays, filled with parties and family gatherings, heightened her anxiety and temptation to smoke. Especially when the work load increased she substituted eating/ pausing with cigarettes “as there was no time for more”.
After we set a date to quit I prepared her with tips, audios for self hypnosis and more for the big day (3 h session).
The preparatory self hypnosis is to increase motivation, to look forward. Quitting such a strong habit like smoking makes people be rather fearful : “How will it be? How am I the next day, without? Who am I without?”.
Aggy found that hypnosis gave her confidence and strength ( “I know I can deal with everything”).
“The big session” on D-Day is a mix of the most effective tools available nowadays to make your journey to become a happy and relaxed non smoker as pleasant as possible. CBT has been shown to significantly increase the likelihood to quit for good as it teaches you skills to deal with challenges in daily life on your own, without escaping to other coping skills like overeating.
Mindfulness techniques help manage distressing thoughts and impulses.
Hypnosis has equally been shown to boost the success rate.
This is why I merge these tools in my Program, as combining CBT and Hypnosis has been shown to increase success by 70 % .
Aggy shares her 7 personal tips what helped her this time:
1) Be very honest with yourself! Don’t do it for others or because others expect you to, make yourself a priority and really admit if it’s something YOU want to do and why you’re doing it.
2) Keep yourself busy and distracted with things that make you happy (long walks with your dog, exercise, playing with your children, find new ways of relaxing apart from drinking in the evening).
3) If your day included routine that involved smoking like smoking after work in the garden with Gin and Tonic in hand, change your daily routine!
4) Don’t avoid socialising with friends or having an occasional glass of wine at home with your spouse. If you can have a great time and enjoy a glass of wine without having a cigarette, then you’re on the right way forward.
5) If you’re feeling hungry, snack on healthy food like carrots, nuts, etc.
6) I hugely recommend hypnosis therapy. (…) It helped me put things in perspective and gave me extra boost of confidence and strength.
7) Ask non smoking friends for support. For me having a friend / spouse you can turn to when you have a wobble and you’re thinking of having a cigarette is very important. Having my husband and a friend quitting with me at the same time was a huge help too.
Quitting smoking is undoubtedly a challenging journey. But here is someone showing that it is possible even in the worst time of the year! However, with the right tools, support, and mindset, it can be achieved.
If you’re ready to embark on your path to becoming smoke-free, consider integrating these tips into your plan and seek professional support to guide you every step of the way. Remember, with willpower alone it is almost impossible.
Aggy continues being a non smoker and most importantly about it: “I absolutely enjoy it and wouldn’t go back to it.” She feels already after this short period of time improvement in health.“ To be honest I absolutely hate the smell of cigarettes”” I haven’t had any moment where I was craving for a cigarettes, even not having a thought…opposite I absolute dislike them. My sense of smell is so strong now.”
Another client stopped at the same time as Aggy- and is still a non smoker. His journey was different but equally successful. More of him next time !
Even just a brief advice or moment of support from a professional promotes small but significant support for cessation (2,5%)((Lancaster & Stead 2004)), that is why I am by your side and support and empower you for 1 year! Whenever you need it- you have my number. I am your best cheerleader in this time.
Are you considering to quit or do you know someone who wants to?
I cant emphasizing enough the transformative potential my program offers as Aggy shows- from doubt and uncountable fails to a happy healthy and relaxed non-smoker …for good.
“Ready to start your journey towards a smoke-free life? Book a consultation today!”
I am looking forward to talking to you, Agnes x