Often, when people come to see me to quit smoking, they are suffering from long term stress and anxiety. In these cases, smoking can be helping that person cope with their stress and anxiety.

Do You Get Tricked By Smoking?

How does this happen: Well, when you inhale (drag) on a cigarette your lungs are filled with air. The deeper you inhale the more air is dragged into your lungs. Then you hold that inhale for a few moments and then, let it all go! It is the same physical action you do when meditating or trying to slow down your heart rate after a physical exercise. Minus the smoke, of course! The action of deep breathing is relaxing. So, the action of deep breathing when you smoke, ‘tricks’ smokers into believing that ‘smoking’ calms them down, or relaxes them when they feel stressed or anxious.


Smoking cigarettes could be the adult equivalent of putting a dummy in your mouth. In fact, if you were to suck on a dummy it would help with the stress and anxiety.

Smoking and Stress woman vaping

Is Your Cigarette acting like a Dummy?

Let’s face it, sucking on a dummy is not a good look but smoking a cigarette is not so bad.

Long Term Stress and Anxiety

With someone who is smoking cigarettes and is suffering from long term stress and anxiety the stress and anxiety must be dealt with first. Without the stress and anxiety, the reason to smoke cigarettes is considerably reduced and it is easier for a person to stop smoking cigarettes.
In most cases, I will help someone stop smoking with one session of hypnosis, however if there is long term stress and anxiety involved, I will always recommend the client deals with the anxiety first. This means, the hypnotherapy process will be carried out over four session. There will be 3 Sessions to deal with the stress and anxiety and, finally, the session to stop smoking.

You are Ready When You Decide

It is always a good idea to quit smoking cigarettes. When is the right time, it is when you decide you want to make the change. If there is stress involved, the only difference is the number of sessions. Imagine: booking a session to Quit smoking and you stop smoking, and in the process you resolve your long term anxiety and reduce your stress! One phone call – 1300645354 and you stop smoking and also get Your Life Back!

You can Imagine living life as a non-smoker, can’t you? Of course You can!

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