Cigarette smoking is an expensive, potentially dangerous, and more and more socially unacceptable form of stress management that millions of people try to quit each year for these, and other, reasons. Besides the fact that smoking is expensive and potentially deadly, cigarette smokers also have to deal with smelly clothes, bad breath, stained teeth, and a car/home/work environment that smells like smoke and ash trays. Smokers often start wildfires by tossing their still-burning cigarette butts out of their car windows; and occasionally die in house they accidentally set with carelessness - and a lit cigarette. There are obviously many reasons to quit smoking; but, traditionally, quitting smoking is not an easy task. Having helped many people quit smoking, using a variety of methods, I can safely say there are many ways that will work; but there are two that have proven themselves to be highly effective, safe, quick, easy, and affordable - Hypnosis and EFT.

Next to simply quitting "cold-turkey," hypnosis is probably the most common method used for smoking cessation; and it has been effectively used for thousands of years to help people overcome problems and habits - and the underlying mental and emotional triggers that cause the smoking in the first place. There are many ways to use hypnosis to quit smoking. A hypnotherapist could help you uncover and/or release the underlying perceptions causing you to experience the stress and anxiety you have thus far been using cigarettes to calm; or, a hypnotherapist could focus on helping you establish different behaviors or habits - a non-smoking habit, for instance. Hypnosis for smoking cessation is typically done in anywhere from one-session to six, or more, sessions - depending on the client and the particular approach used by the therapist. But hypnosis can also be done at home, by your self - self-hypnosis - or by using hypnosis tapes or C.D.'s. (Never listen to ANY hypnosis C.D.'s in your car, or while operating any vehicle or machinery!) Qualified hypnotherapists can be found in the phonebook, or online, by looking for, "hypnosis," "hypnotherapy," or "stop smoking hypnosis."

The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is another method, or technique, that is commonly used to help people stop smoking. I actually prefer EFT to hypnosis for two reasons: First, it can be much, much quicker (which is an important factor in a clinical practice); and, Second, EFT is quick, easy, essentially free, and can be used by anyone, anywhere - even in a moving vehicle. Where hypnosis works by essentially "recording" new behavioral programs into the memory; EFT works by breaking the connection between the problematic, stress-thoughts and the behaviors or expressions those thoughts cause. In other words, it can help you put out your own fires before the stress needs to be managed by some behavior that you've found to be effective in the past, like smoking, for example. Besides being effective at modifying behavioral impulses, EFT can be used to eliminate the stress in your life that causes the feelings you seek to cover-up, or sedate, with the chemicals in cigarette smoke. No stress equals no need for stress management; and that's essentially all cigarettes are - a potentially dangerous form of stress management. The good news with EFT is that, once the basic technique is learned (which only takes a few minutes), EFT can be used on any problem or condition with remarkable results.

Both of these techniques are safe; and both of these techniques are so effective at changing and improving performance and behavior that they are in common use around the world by not only physicians and therapists in every discipline, but by world-class athletes, including Olympic Gold Medallists, College Baseball World Series Champions, and Professional golfers among many other high-performance individuals. Smoking is expensive; but the cost of smoking is really too high to accurately measure. No matter how much it costs to quit, it's probably worth it. But, you're going to want to have a stress management, or relaxation, tool at your disposal if you get rid of the cigarettes. Hypnosis and EFT are both excellent tools for stress and emotional self-management, and for creating changes in your life.

*To download your FREE, Illustrated Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Manual, go to: http://www.ExploreExpandEvolve.com/free_download (It only takes about 10-seconds to get your Free EFT manual and start erasing habits, stress, fears, and other limiting beliefs that are making your life less than it could be!) If you're ready to be smoke-free, get this Free book and try EFT.

Pete Koerner is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, EFT practitioner, and the author of The Belief Formula: The Secret to Unlocking the Power of Prayer. The Belief Formula is a look at how you can use ancient wisdom and modern scientific awareness to learn how to use your mind to reclaim your health and create the life of your dreams.

For a Free Report on Making The Belief Formula Work for You, visit: http://www.TheBeliefFormula.com

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