“A person who introduces himself telling me thatshe wants to quit smoking because she is afraid of having cancer or a cardiovascular disease has little chance of achieving it, “says Virginie Champion, sophrologist.” As with all addictions, you rarely stop when you have afraid of something. “
Stop smoking with sophrology: how does it work?
To quit smoking, you not only need to be motivated, but also that it is the right time. Sophrology allows you to do a real work of introspection and supports you in all phases of stopping smoking, from the moment you make your decision to quit. So how does a follow-up go in practice?
During the first appointment, the sophrologist asks you about your relationship to tobacco. He asks you if this is the first time that you are trying to quit smoking or if you have already made one or more attempts in the past. It also asks if you smoke regularly or for special occasions, what are the reasons that prompted you to smoke and those that might prevent you from quitting permanently, such as drinking coffee or having a pot with friends.
Sophrology helps manage the stress associated with the urge to smoke
The goal of sophrology? “Make the person responsible for their behavior and strengthen their self-confidence. Our goal is above all to support smokers and help them find resources,” explains Virginie Champion. Like any addiction, tobacco is a source of pleasure. “The person surely has other sources of satisfaction, or healthy cravings for the health. It is up to them to consider and choose them.”
The sophrologist also works on stress management, often related to the urge to smoke. “During the session, I offer the smoker breathing, body relaxation and visualization exercises. After a few sessions, we can project ourselves well after stopping smoking, in a positive situation, that is to say to a moment when the patient can measure the benefits of stopping (regained breath, free breathing, no coughing upon waking up, looking better) and being congratulated by those close to them for having stopped. This maintains motivation and helps maintain ‘effort thanks to the highlighting of the benefits “, explains the sophrologist.
In video: a relaxation therapy exercise to reduce stress
Objective of the sophrologist: avoid relapse
Make the smoker autonomous, so that he can do his exercises in any place and at any time of the day, such is the ambition of the sophrologist. “In general, I do a progress report every four sessions …”
Quitting smoking is a long-distance race. “You have to go gradually. It must not become unbearable. It is the patient who sets the pace.” The goal is to avoid relapse while still considering it. Thus the smoker, faced with a situation where he would risk resuming to smoke, will therefore be better equipped to face it. “Quitting smoking for three months, anyone can do it. The challenge is to get past the six month mark, or even a year.” And for that, there is nothing better than believing in yourself.
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