I was talking to someone the other day about the want to quit smoking. In the course of the conversation I asked him what emotions or feelings did he get from smoking cigarettes. He thought long and hard about this and said that he made him feel relaxed. It also gave him a feeling of calm. I then asked him to dig deeper and go to the feelings under that. Eventually he came the feelings of being part of a group or the emotion of belonging.

In most cases smoking cigarettes has come from an emotion of fitting in. When you first started smoking people around you, people you looked up too, parents etc smoked. You have that first cigarette and your conscious mind goes wow I’m fitting in.

Emotional Smoking

This emotion of fitting in and belonging comes from when we were still cavemen. Imagine, you’re being chased by a sabre toothed tiger, by joining a group your chances of survival increase. Because your smoking habit gives you the feelings of belonging and being part of a group it tricks the subconscious into linking safety and survival with smoking a cigarette.

What’s interesting is that today smoking is becoming very anti-social so now people are wanting to quit smoking cigarettes because they don’t fit in. They are now quitting smoking so that they can still fit in.

If you want to quit smoking cigarettes and fit in to society, the new group,  why not give me a call on 1300 64 53 54 and talk to me about becoming a permanent non-smoker.

About Steve Gardiner

Stephen Gardiner originates from Rhodesia, (Zimbabwe) then working around the globe before finally settling in Brisbane Australia. As a scientist, Steve always had an interest in human development, especially Mind Plastisicity and how we cope with stress, anxiety and addictive behaviours. Over the past 15 years Steve has assisted many clients to transform their lives by resolving the obstacles holding them back.

Entries by Steve Gardiner