Long-time smokers who make the decision tostop smoking are sometimes engaged in an internal struggle. A mental standoff between a voice that pushes them to break with this addiction to tobacco and a voice that fears the consequences of change. “I have been smoking for 20 years, how will my life be as a non-smoker? Will I be able to cope?” … These (bad) nagging questions can undermine smoking cessation. In this case, self-hypnosis turns out to be interesting in stopping this counterproductive mental chatter. Jean-Michel Jakobowicz, hypnotherapist in Geneva, advises beforehand to practice a few sessions ofhypnosis to start the process. Self-hypnosis can intervene in addition to consolidate the change. And make the desire to burn one go up in smoke.
Demonstration with this self-hypnosis exercise.
Close your eyes…
Imagine a farmer mowing a field of wheat. He holds in his hands a scythe, which he has previously sharpened, and each time he cuts down his scythe in this ancestral gesture, he cuts the stalks of wheat.
This peasant thinks that people have always made this gesture and that they will continue to do so until the end of time. And yet … The son of this peasant will no longer use this scythe, but a mechanical mower that he will drive with an expert hand. He will cross the field right through and cut the wheat in much less time than his father did. Things change. Nothing and no one is totally frozen. And I’m sure your unconscious, which has learned so much, can change too. You have decided to quit smoking and to change some very old habits in your subconscious, you are quite capable of doing it. You have the strength, you have the will, you have the desire.
Imagine for a moment what your life will be like without cigarettes when June 8th [ou une autre date], you will quit smoking. Imagine the mountain, the pure air that you breathe there, the smells of fir, resin, and mushrooms that you can smell there. Take a deep breath of this air that makes you feel so good. And you surely already feel this vital force that the pure air provides. The pleasure of breathing these fragrant smells. Feel this air which diffuses in each of your cells bringing them oxygen, bringing them life. You feel healthy, in great shape. Your body seems totally regenerated and clean to you.
Imagine for a moment these mountains with the pure air, the blue sky, the smells of the forest. You feel light and free.
Thanks to Jean-Michel Jakobowicz, hypnotherapist in Geneva. Find more self-hypnosis exercises in his book, Self-hypnosis is smart (Daily smart editions).
>> Do you think hypnosis and self-hypnosis are a good solution to quitting smoking? Have your say on the forum!
Subscribe to the Top Santé Newsletter to receive the latest news for free
