How to stop smoking…the psychological strategies that work

Many people don’t attempt to stop smoking because they think it’s too hard, while others have made attempts and failed. Some people have managed to stop only to start smoking again two, three or six months later

It’s true that for many people quitting smoking isn’t easy. After all, the nicotine in cigarettes is an addictive drug. But don’t be discouraged; millions of people have permanently quit smoking and with the correct approach have overcome the cravings that lead to a happy smoke free life…

I have been helping people to successfully stop smoking though my Smoking Cessation program for over 28 years.What follows are some of the tools and technique’s that have helped many of my clients to kick the habit.

Preparing to Stop Smoking…

Many people will attempt to stop smoking because others have persistently told them that they must. While stoping smoking for the sake of family and friends is a good thing its often not enough and can lead to feelings of deprivation and resentment.
Developing strong personal reasons to stop smoking in addition to your obligations to others are far stronger motivating factors in helping you to quit the habit.
Your personal reasons could fall under the categories of Health, perhaps you want to stop as part of an overall healthy lifestyle change. Maybe you wish to get fit. Then again you may be thinking about the cost of smoking and wish to save money. Write down a list of the positive reasons for quitting and keep it with you at all times.Keep that list where you can see it and read on a regular basis especially at times you may feel tempted to smoke.

Decide on the Date your going to stop smoking and stick with it
Mark the date in your calendar and tell those family and friends that know your intentions that you’ll stop smoking on that day. Think of the day as a dividing line between the old smoking you and the new nonsmoker you have decided to become.

Dealing with Cravings

When people stop smoking they will often experience cravings and withdrawal. This happens because the body misses its regular hits of nicotine. People will often believe that feelings of withdrawal are so awful that they just cannot survive without smoking. It is realistic to say that cravings are uncomfortable but can they truly be described as awful and if you experience a craving is it realistic to tell yourself that in order to survive you MUST smoke?

Learn to tolerate frustration

The psychologist Dr Albert Ellis developed a concept he termed low ‘frustration tolerance’ (LFT). This arises when a person experiences a frustrating situation or feeling and blows it way out of proportion.
He or she will have thoughts such as:
“I can’t bear it” “I can’t stand it” “This is awful”
 “This is terrible”

If you have previously failed to stop smoking, then low frustration tolerance may be at the root of your broken goal.
You may believe that it’s just too difficult to stop smoking and that you cannot stand the unpleasant feelings associated with the cravings.Perhaps you experience a “day from hell” and believe you can’t stand feeling upset. You tell yourself, “This should not be happening to me,” and get angry and depressed.
Instead of dealing with your feelings, you medicate the emotions by smoking.It is important to understand that when working towards achieving a long-term goal there will almost inevitably be some hassles, such as emotional discomfort, along the way. When experiencing withdrawal from smoking you may tell yourself
“Its terrible to have to cope with these feelings of withdrawal”
If you want to successfully stop smoking you need to challenge the notion that you should not have to feel discomfort. No one likes to feel discomfort but can it truly be said that you can’t stand it? After all, if you truly couldn’t stand something you would die. In reality, you can stand many things.
What’s the worst that could happen if you went without a cigarette and experienced withdrawal? After all cravings are not earth shattering and the reality is that if you ‘step back’ and ‘accept ’ the feelings of withdrawal they will pass by within a few minutes.Try not to give in and sneak a smoke because you’ll just have to deal with the withdrawal longer.

Lapses happen

When setting goals, adopt the attitude that you’re going to do the very best you can. Like many people, you may quit successfully for weeks or even months and then suddenly have a craving that’s so strong you ‘give in’. Or maybe you experience one of your trigger situations and give in to temptation.
If you slip up, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It just means you’re human and slipped up this time. Take notice of when and why it happened and resolve to minimize the chances of it happening again. Doing something without demanding that you absolutely ‘must’ succeed all of the time takes some of the pressure off and, paradoxically, this can lead to a greater chance of success.

Help is also at hand with my Hypnotherapy Stop Smoking Program

Discover How To… 

*Stay off cigarettes without feeling deprived, irritable, anxious or depressed.

*Deal effectively with crises and other stresses which may have driven you back to smoking in the past.

*How not to substitute by over-eating etc.

During the 75 minute session we will use clinical hypnotherapy, a powerful natural process effective in helping you to stop smoking. You will also be taught powerful techniques to help you stop smoking for good.
My aim is to help you to stop smoking in just one session. You will leave the session with the skills you need to remain a non-smoker. However, just in case you need a little boost during any challenging moments I offer comprehensive follow up support, at no extra cost, that includes the following:

A further session offered if needed and if taken within 3 months of the first session.
Three months of email or telephone advice should you experience difficulties associated with smoking cessation.

A CD is given to you at the first session to back up the program
All of this extra support is offered at no further cost to you.
It’s never too late to stop smoking. Why not take advantage of my 28 years experience in helping people to successfully stop Smoking .

Just £125 for the complete program

Why not purchase a Voucher from Michael Cohen to give to as a christmas present to someone who wants to stop smoking.

If you would like more information or to make an appointment you can contact Michael on

TEL 020 8643 4925

Email: info@hypnosisandhealing.co.uk

Website: www.hypnosisandhealing.co.uk