Quitting smoking? Ignore these myths!

When you’re quitting smoking, you get lots of advice. Some of it may be really good, but here are ten things you should absolutely refuse to believe.

There are lots of tips around for those who want to quit smoking but I want to aim this article at those who have already quit, whether this is via the NHS #stoptober or #smokefree campaigns, or for other reasons. 

1. I’ve failed before so I’ll fail again

Many people find their first attempt at quitting smoking doesn’t go as planned, and they have to try several times before they succeed. Use each past attempt to learn what works for you and what doesn’t. Make sure you learn some stress management techniques before quitting if stress was an issue last time. If you feel socially isolated as a non-smoker, make sure you have a support network in place. Consider a support method like hypnotherapy if willpower wasn’t enough (but also see item 4 of this list.)

2. Just one won’t matter

Actually, it probably will. As a hypnotherapist helping people to quit, I’ve come across one or two who quit, then had just one cigarette, discovered how much they hated them and quit forever. But these people are few and far between. For the vast majority, cigarettes are like peanuts. You can’t have just one.

3. Cravings are a sign you need a cigarette

Cravings are what happens when your nicotine levels are dropping. If you think about it, this is exactly what should happen when you are quitting smoking, so it’s the beginning of adapting to life as a non-smoker. Some people seem to feel cravings more than others, but if you’re working with a hypnotherapist as you quit, they can show you ways of reducing them. Although cravings can be unpleasant for some people they pass quite quickly and will seem to pass quicker if you distract and delay. Email me via this blog for a free info sheet of tips to deal with them.

4. I don’t have enough willpower

It can be helpful to think less about willpower and more about determination. Willpower implies a struggle, but determination is just putting your head down and going for it. Think about other times when you have worked hard for something you wanted; studying for exams, driving lessons, even digging your garden. It all took determination and stick-to-it-ness. Keep reminding yourself of these successful times as you are quitting smoking, and keep reminding yourself of why you are doing it.

5. It’s too late to quit if the damage has already been done

Although some benefits of quitting take years to fully materialise, others happen within a few days or even hours. However long you have smoked, you can improve your health and extend your life expectancy by quitting.

6. Some smokers are not affected by their smoking, I might be one of them

Smoking kills one out of every two smokers so, statistically, this is correct. But put it in context. Would you cross a road – or teach your children to do so – when there was a 50% chance of reaching the other side safely?

7. Smoking keeps me calm

Smoking doesn’t change what’s stressing you out, it just distracts you from it for a while, or gives you an excuse for a ‘time out’ from a stressful situation. And we know that nicotine blocks the stress receptors in your brain so that when your body is stressed the message can’t get through.

As a hypnotherapist, I teach people healthier ways to achieve this and you can learn them too. Quitting smoking itself can be stressful for some people but, in the long term, those who quit are happier, and suffer less anxiety and depression than those who smoke.

8. Smoking kept me slim

When you smoke your body uses a lot of energy to deal with the poisons you are pumping into it. Some of the chemicals in cigarettes are thought to be appetite suppressants. This means when you quit it’s usual to gain a bit of weight over the short term. However, in the long-term, successful quitters and non-smokers don’t have significant weight differences.

9. I should keep my attempt to quit smoking quiet, in case I fail

Having support from friends and colleagues when you quit is important, at least in the short term. Having at least one person to turn to if you feel likely to relapse is particularly useful. Being offered a cigarette by someone else may make it more difficult to stay smoke-free, and friends are more likely to do this if they notice you are not smoking but don’t know why. So tell everyone, get the support system in place, and accept a bit of help if you need it.

10. I started cold turkey and it’s too late to use anything else

Not true. Use whatever method or combination of methods you need to quit. I’m happy for my clients to combine hypnotherapy with other methods if they want to, or to come to me when they’ve quit another way and need a bit of support to remain a non-smoker.

To find out more about how I can help you quit or stay smoke-free, click here.