So maybe you are a smoker and have had enough! You are sick and tired of being controlled by a packet of cigarettes, the smell, the expense, being made to feel like an outcast.The reason you started to smoke probably doesn’t even resonate with you anymore. In fact you hate smoking. As a Quit Smoking hypnotherapist in bayside Melbourne I give the following tips to people that are serious about quitting for life.

Identify your triggers. If you know your triggers, you can make a plan of action. Ask yourself when do I crave a smoke? Is it with that morning coffee, whenI’m stressed, need rewarding, bored? Keep a diary of when you are wanting to smoke and what the actual trigger that leads you to the craving.

Hang 10. When you feel that craving for a cigarette wait 10 minutes. Cravings are like waves…they get bigger and stronger then crash and disappear. In those 10 minutes, distract yourself with a walk, cup of tea, a chat to a friend or do a household task you have been putting off.

Eat a healthy diet. Did you know that up to 20% of a cigarette is sugar! Tobacco is soaked in sugar syrup and we know that sugar is extremely addictive. With every cigarette you are having a teaspoon of sugar. People who smoke are also 40% more likely to develop diabetes compared to a non smoker. Eating oranges will help as they have natural sugars and a Smoker’s body is depleted of vitamin C. Frozen grapes are really great too, its like popping a sorbet shot in your mouth.

Keep a tally of how much you are saving and reward yourself. There are many apps you can download now such as Quitbuddythat keeps a daily tallyor you may just keep a note in your phone. A 20 a day smoker will save approximately $8400 a year. What will you do with all that money in 12 months from today? Set a goal of how you will reward yourself with all that money you have saved by not smoking.

Hypnotherapy. The new Scientist magazine quoted Hypnotherapy as the most effective way to quit smoking (issue 1845. Oct 1991) This involved the world’s largest meta-analysis involving 72000 people who used various methods to quit smoking such as cold turkey, patches, gums, Champix, acupuncture and Hypnotherapy. 84% of subjects that quit smoking using hypnotherapy were still non-smokers 4 years later. Deeming it the most successful way of quitting.

Warning. Following these tips will mean you will be living a longer, healthier, happier (and richer) life😊