For the estimated 21 million Americans who suffer from addiction, the New Year is the perfect time to kick bad habits.
But now, just over a week into 2023, more than a fifth of people will have abandoned their New Year’s resolution, and by the end of the month, nearly half will have failed.
But hypnotherapist to the stars Max Kirsten shared four tips with DailyMail.com to get back on the horse.
Max has helped the likes of Tom Hardy, Ewan McGregor and Adele quit smoking, and even former British Prime Minister David Cameron is rumored to have benefited from his services.
Max Kirsten (pictured) is a London hypnotherapist who has treated many high profile British clients. Its Quit Smoking NOW app helps cigarette users to quit smoking and quit smoking permanently
Mr. Kirsten – who smoked a pack a day herself – mainly focuses on helping people with nicotine addiction.
But smoking is more similar to other addictions than you might think, and the tips and tricks he uses to help people quit relate to things like food, recreational drugs or even social media.
Learn to love yourself… or just use breathing techniques
Mr. Kirsten says that the root of many addictions is a feeling of discomfort about oneself.
A dissatisfied person will actively seek out things that make them feel whole. In many cases it can be nicotine, alcohol or even unhealthy foods.
Discomfort can also lead to anxiety, a risk factor for many addictions. Users find comfort in a cure and are interested in balancing themselves.
“If you’re comfortable, you don’t need much,” he explained.
This is where hypnosis can play a role. The use of repetitive movements, images and sounds; a person can be brought into a more relaxed state.
It is believed that in this state of hypnosis, a person’s behavior can be changed and a therapist can implant thoughts into their brain.
Mr. Kirsten says he uses hypnosis to help a person find their “true self” and unlearn the harmful activities they use to avoid it.
It refers to the harmful behavior of a “stranger”.
The deep relaxation and better understanding of oneself helps calm anxiety, thereby reducing a person’s need to turn to drugs.
Hypnosis can be achieved at home using therapy recordings that can be easily found online on sites such as YouTube.
After launching his own Stop Smoking NOW app, Mr. Kirsten provides users with daily tips, tricks, a support group and information to help them quit smoking.
It is available on Android and iPhone.
Typical relaxation techniques that are not sufficient for full hypnosis can also be valuable tools.
When someone struggling with addiction experiences an urge, Mr. Kirsten to use his three breath technique.
To perform this, simply hold your breath for eight seconds before slowly releasing it.
Repeat this two more times.
Cravings often only last about 60 seconds when managed well, and this quick relaxation technique can help ward them off temporarily, says Mr. Kirsten.
If it doesn’t work the first time, do it a few times and see how you feel.
Grammy-winning singer Adele (left) and Golden Globe-winning actor Ewan McGregor (right) are among the high-profile clients Mr. Kirsten helped kick cigarettes
sleep better
By sleeping better, you can be more relaxed throughout the day.
One of the reasons someone turns to cigarettes, food or any other substance is to relieve stress.
Cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress in the body, builds up when a person does not get enough sleep each night.
Turning to an addictive substance can help relieve this stress, but sleep is also a more natural and healthy form of relief.
Mr. Kirsten says the “first few nights [of sleep after dropping an addiction] is interesting.’
This is because the withdrawal a person feels from not having their waist creates stress, but in time they will feel the relief of a good night’s sleep.
Sleep is a natural treatment for anxiety—which is often the root of addiction—and is an important part of recovery from a substance use disorder.
Mr. Kirsten recommends general tips such as avoiding screens such as TVs, computers and phones in the hours before bed, avoiding large meals before bed and keeping the room as dark as possible.
However, most people will not be able to help themselves, and Mr. Kirsten recommends a separate breathing technique that can also help.
To do this, a person can slow their breathing to as few as six breaths per minute—each breath lasting ten seconds.
The first three seconds of breath should come through your nose before you exhale for seven seconds.
Think of all the benefits of quitting
One of the first aspects of quitting smoking is to understand what the benefits are, says Kirsten.
He said patients can think about having more energy during the day, not smelling like cigarettes and improving their overall health.
People often look better and feel more confident when they rely on means to save themselves.
Healthier people also live longer, which means more time with family, friends and other loved ones.
Other experts recommend taking 15 minutes each day to clear one’s mind and think about what really matters—and how wonderful life can be outside of their addiction.
Visualization can be a real help in achieving goals as it allows one to see what their future could hold if they stick to their plan.
World mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor even said that visualization helped him throughout his brilliant career.
Part of quitting, says Mr. Kirsten, is to understand that quitting one thing can help make everything else better.
“Addiction is above all giving up everything for one cause,” he explained.
Although it may seem obvious from the outside, it can be difficult to convince an addict that the rest of their life is worth more than any substance.
With the help of counseling, hypnotherapy and even support from loved ones such as friends and family, a person can learn to truly understand the benefits of quitting and overcome their addiction.
Learn how to socialize again
One of the final parts of addiction recovery is learning how to restructure your social life away from the substance.
For many people, especially those suffering from alcohol abuse, this can be difficult.
Pubs often serve as a meeting place for many friends, and a nice night out is a popular way to relax at the weekend.
Mr. Kirsten says those trying to break a bad habit should try to learn new activities that don’t involve alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs.
For example, move your after-work drink or weekly meeting with friends to a restaurant instead of a bar.
“Bars are more about drinking, restaurants more about socializing,” he said.
Daytime activities also involve less alcohol, and a person should aim to be active during the day whenever possible.
Think about going to the gym, exercising, visiting museums, spending time in nature, or other daytime activities.
However, it can be difficult for someone who has previously struggled with substance abuse to find new friends who are willing to participate in these activities.
Mr. Kirsten said that finding friends who are also trying to beat the addiction can be valuable for anyone recovering from addiction.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
