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But I’ve tried to quit a million times. What makes this time different? And how can clinical hypnosis help?
We all know that smoking is detrimental to health, but quitting is often easier said than done. Clinical hypnosis is a safe and non-invasive technique that addresses various behavioral and psychological issues, including smoking addiction. It involves guided relaxation, focused attention, and positive suggestions to help you change your subconscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Nicotine addiction can make the journey to quitting smoking feel like an uphill battle. Aside from addressing the physical addiction with the help of pharmacotherapy, knowing what our subconscious barriers are is the first step in giving up the habit for good.
We will take this one step at a time, and the first step is to remove shame. First and foremost, be easy on yourself, we've got a plan, and there is no place for shame in this process. You've come this far because of how strong you are, and the mere fact that you are reading this blog means you truly do want to stop smoking forever, and you can.
Quitting smoking with Clinical hypnosis is a powerful method to aid in smoking cessation. It's worked for countless others, so isn't it wonderful to know that it can also work for you?
But first, let's explore a few subconscious and subliminal messages that intertwine with physical challenges that are unique to us as women. Because once we identify some of these challenges, we can begin the journey to overcome them.
A feeling of power or strength:
Smoking has been historically associated with a sense of independence and rebellion. Remember Rizzo, from Grease? Like it was KNOWN that she was the coolest. And remember that scene when Sandra Dee was transitioning to be more of what Danny wanted, so she lit up a cigarette and then crushed it out with those black high heels? I mean, that was when she became cool! (or so we were led to believe) Isn't it ironic that the subliminal message was a double whammy: it's cool to smoke, and girls, if you are just willing to change everything about yourself, you get the guy. Gross.
Breaking free from this subliminal image that smoking brings us independence can be very challenging, especially if we feel powerless in other areas of our lives. I once had a friend who was in an abusive marriage. She told me that her cigarettes were her friends, because they didn't yell at her, they didn't hit her, and they didn't tell her she was fat. When she was with her cigarettes, she felt a sense of peace and calm and like she was able to make it one more day in the world in which she was actually living.
Addressing these powerful, misguided underlying subconscious beliefs about smoking, whether it be a sense of independence, power, or strength, or any other idea that smoking helps us in some way, is crucial in supporting women on their journey to quit smoking. Clinical hypnosis addresses these deeply embedded subliminal messages in a comfortable, shame free, and non-invasive way.
Hormonal Fluctuations:
Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life, such as during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can impact smoking cessation efforts. Nicotine addiction can be influenced by hormonal changes, leading to increased cravings, withdrawal symptoms and difficulty in resisting the urge to smoke. It is important to recognize and address these hormonal factors to provide tailored support for women who want to stop smoking.
Concerns about weight gain:
Many women have received subliminal messages that smoking can assist with weight control, and some express concerns about weight gain during the smoking cessation process. Nicotine can act as an appetite suppressant, and quitting smoking may lead to increased appetite and potential weight gain. These concerns can discourage women from attempting to quit smoking or cause them to relapse. Offering guidance on healthy eating habits and exercise during the cessation process can help address these concerns, but the tool of clinical hypnosis addresses these embedded concerns during the smoking cessation process so they don’t even manifest in the first place.
Conclusion:
The subliminal messages women receive about smoking can be deeply ingrained in our minds and in various aspects of our lives. It is essential to address these beliefs and behaviors where they truly live…in the subconscious mind. By raising awareness and through tailored and skilled clinical hypnosis and support, we will empower our mindsets together, helping you overcome your smoking addiction and lead a longer, healthier, happier, smoke-free life.
Are you ready for deeper healing and to break free once and for all from the grips of smoking? Let’s do this together. Contact Clinical Hypnosis and Healing Arts for Women and book your free consultation today.