Breaking Free from Tobacco: Can Self-Hypnosis Really Help with Personal Growth?

Hi everybody,

Thank you to all members. I am a new member in this forum. I am receiving very positive and effective tips and advice from the members. I am asking to get some more tips from the members that I need to change our bad habits (tobacco addiction), etc., also how effective is self-hypnosis for our personal development?

With regards, SALIK

Hi,

It's nice to know that you are interested in changing bad habits.

If a person is aware of the negative consequence of pursuing such negative habits, half the problem is solved. The success of techniques like hypnosis depends upon the level of suggestibility of the individuals. Hypnosis is becoming obsolete. What I would recommend is that one should take conscious steps to put an end to such things.

I feel that for changing habits, three steps are involved: awareness about the negative consequences, steps to be taken - interventions, and finally sticking to positive habits. For all these, one needs support from society.

Individuals should either stop such habits all of a sudden or stop them step by step. I would suggest the first one. During the initial days, one may find it really difficult to abstain from smoking. What you can do is, if you are really finding it difficult, then you can have Wrigley's or cloves/cardamom (be sure that you don't develop an addiction to the substitute). If it is during a tea break or so where you usually smoke, rather than going with friends who smoke, you can definitely take initiatives to have tea with others who don't smoke, thereby improving your health and interpersonal relations - always think on a larger perspective - in essence, avoid tempting situations. If you think that if I take one puff nothing will happen, then my friend, you are wrong!

Even after taking conscious efforts, if you are not able to make any changes, you should definitely go in for some professional help. There are many de-addiction centers in Kerala - especially in Trivandrum.

During this change phase, one definitely needs the support of the family. Above all, you should have the willpower. Changes will not happen overnight; strive for it, and definitely, you'll achieve it.

All the very best to you!

It Takes 21 Days To Break A Bad Habit

In order to ensure behavior change, experts agree that it takes a minimum of 21 days to change a behavior. Again, look at the date you are planning on changing your habit. Count ahead 21 days and mark that date down. Now, make a commitment that you will follow your plan for 21 days.

Helpful Suggestions

Your target date has arrived. It is the first day of your 21-day cycle. Here are some helpful suggestions for habit change:

Write down your goal. There is magic in the written word when it applies to you. Experts recommend stating your goal in positive terms, such as "I want to be lean and physically fit," instead of "I've got to get this flabby body out there huffing and puffing." So, begin with writing down, as a positive goal, the habit you will change.

List your reasons for changing or eliminating your habit. Writing it down will force you to think out in specific terms what this habit represents in your life and the meaning you believe your life will hold for you upon changing the habit. This will also help with your commitment toward taking positive action.

Find substitute routines. For example, if you are changing eating habits and you have identified a particularly difficult time of the day when eating habits are poor, create an activity, a new routine for that time.

Talk to yourself. Tell yourself you're making progress. Remind yourself that you are moving closer to your goal. Talk to yourself throughout the day about how you are going to avoid triggers that can get you off track and make healthy substitutes.

Recruit helpers for support. Explain to them why you are making this change. Ask for their support. Their support may be needed encouragement.

Be prepared for people who may sabotage your change. Be assertive and tell them what they are doing.

Sustaining Motivation

The following are some suggestions to follow each day in order to sustain motivation and determination:

Review your list of reasons for quitting or changing.

Create mental pictures of yourself as having already succeeded with your habit change.

Make affirmations, positive self-statements about your habit change. For example, "I am filled with so much health and vitality now that I exercise four times a week."

Reward yourself. Make up a list of self-rewards. Reward yourself verbally.

Remember to take one day at a time. If you do backslide, don't label yourself as having failed. Get out your list of reasons for quitting or changing and begin again.

Fatigue, boredom, depression, stress can all make it difficult to stick with your program. But having a relapse isn't as important as how you deal with the relapse. If you are so devastated by failure that you call your good intentions into question, that will make habit change harder for you. But, if you allow for an occasional relapse and treat it as nothing more than a slight misstep that teaches you something, then you're on the right track.