Allen Carr’s EasyWay Method

The EasyWay method comes in several distribution channels.  There is a top selling book, iTunes, Nintendo DS and there are even the Allen Carr’s EasyWay clinics throughout the world.  All methods are based on the philosophy that Carr teaches, namely that smoking doesn’t give the smoker a nicotine boost.  Rather, the nicotine just gets the body back to a level that non-smokers have all of the time.  This is quite a different philosophy than what just about every other smoking cessation method teaches.  Carr further asserts that the withdrawal symptons a person experiences aren’t the result of nicotine withdrawal but rather from mind creating doubt and fear of NOT being able to quit. 

He also hammers home the thought that smoking does nothing for you.  Smoking doesn’t relax you, it doesn’t give you a quick high.  None of that.  In fact, Carr teaches the opposite fact: smoking INCREASES anxiety and nervousness.  Carr compares smoking to wearing a pair of shoes two sizes too small just to feel the relief when you take them off.  Once a person realizes this fact then they can really begin to become independent of smoking. 

Keep smoking to quit smoking?

The Allen Carr EasyWay philosophy is so confident of their teachings that they encourage you to continue to smoke while going through their clinics or reading their books.  The reason for this is that until you finish the course you aren’t ready to become independent of smoking so why would you try to stop smoking until that time.  As strange as that sounds, it makes sense to us.  You wouldn’t think of getting your driver’s license until you’ve gone through driver’s ed would you?

Bottom Line: Does the Allen Carr EasyWay Method Work?

Our belief is that, yes, the EasyWay method will work if you accept that this method is more about behavioral modification than it is about handling smoking withdrawal symptoms.  We have found that those that are truly serious about quitting should consider the EasyWay clinics over the books.  For those that attend the clinics there is a 90% success rate in helping smokers stop for three months and a 51% success rate in helping smokers stop for 12 months.  Those are some very impressive success numbers. 

Figures aren’t given for the other delivery methods such as the book or Nintendo.  It is safe to assume that any method that is purely self-driven won’t be nearly as effective as clinical support.  On that note, it should be said that the Allen Carr’s clinics are run by therapists who were once smokers and quit using the Allen Carr method.  All clinical therapists are Members of the Association of Allen Carr Therapists.  However, that doesn’t mean that they are licensed therapists in anything but the Allen Carr method.  We feel that isn’t a knock on the therapists but we also felt that it should be noted. 

If you are looking for more information about the Allen Carr EasyWay clinics.

 Youwillquitsmoking.com is NOT in anyway affiliated with the Allen Car EasyWay method nor do we receive any monetary compensation from them.

The weighty question here is even though extensive measures have been done to put a stop to this, it seems like people are being drawn closer to this habit. Is it out of curiosity? Is it being in with the fad? Is it an influence of peers? Is it an illness? The answer to those troublesome questions is yes. At a young age, the drive to try new things is indeed at its strongest. Along with that, seeing a lot of people do the same thing will make the youth think that this is the right thing to do. To add more, having the people around you pressure you to do the same makes it all the harder? On the other hand, adults who have developed an addiction to this habit have medically diagnosed conditions. They might even be suffering from the symptoms of anxiety disorders. They could be taking medications in conjunction with therapy sessions.

What is in that little stick of cigarette that makes smokers want it more and more? Tobacco products contain nicotine which is the culprit of that addictive influence. When a person lights a cigar and starts to puff it, the nicotine products penetrate the lungs through the manner of inhalation. With the nicotine already inside of you, it is then absorbed by the blood. Along with the flow of the blood all over the body parts, the nicotine tags along. Once it reaches the brain, it signals specific receptor areas there to release a chemical that produces that euphoric sensation giving the person a sense of happiness. This gives them the impression that smoking is always associated with the good feeling. One more reason why people deny the act of quitting smoking is the fear of what might happen to them afterwards. Of course, withdrawal symptoms will take place. For that reason, quitting is done gradually so as not to give the smoker a hard time. Also, helping the smoker deal with anxiety will encourage them to try getting rid of this vice totally.

As a non-smoker, the best way to help the smokers is to be of support. Know that this is not an easy task for them. As a matter of fact, it can be fatal once it reaches its highest peak. It is already hard for them to quit, so the least you can do is to give them a chance to run for their life. Altogether, we must be in an effort to put an end to this terrible habit and the anxiety it typically comes with.

One crucial part of healthy living is eating well.  What a person eats greatly contributes to how he reacts to those stressors that surround him.  Unluckily, so many kinds of foods that people eat these days are chemically processed.  Even those fruits and vegetables which we think are healthy to eat have been genetically modified with the help of some chemicals.  As a result, many people suffer from chemical imbalance in the mind and body which will also lead to anxiety and other health problems.  This goes to say that the habit of eating well these days not only requires diligence in preparing a  healthy meal, but it also requires enough prudence to decide which one is indeed a healthy option. One also has to be meticulous about buying some food products in the market or grocery store.  Don’t just pick which ever you think is healthy or delicious.  But, take the time to read those food labels that indicate the nutrition facts.  Healthy eating may seem too difficult to observe these days especially when we are living in an urban place where fast food and restaurants are just everywhere.  Therefore, it all boils down to discipline.  If an individual fails to discipline himself, he will never be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Another important aspect of healthy living which also requires much discipline in an individual is the exercise regimen.  A hectic and busy daily routine should not deprive a person of enough time to exercise.  A regular exercise helps release endorphins which is responsible for making a person feel good about his self.  Once he feels good about himself, he will never become prone to anxiety and stress.  Furthermore, exercise not only serves as an effective remedy for anxiety.  It can also help a person lower his blood pressure, boost his metabolism, and increase his stamina as well as his overall strength.

If an individual sees to it that he eats well and he exercises, chances are he will be able to live life to the fullest.  As the cliché goes, “Health is Wealth”. Besides, life is so much better without anxiety attacks and all the disruptive symptoms that accompany it.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

From all walks of life and from a wide range of ages, people are into this vice. It is also a fact known to everyone, and even to the smokers themselves, that this is not particularly healthy. That is why there is a rampant campaign going on for putting a stop to this. However, it is understandable that ending smoking is not easy. To ease the burden, here are some useful tips to make it as bearable as possible.

First of all, the smoker must recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety. As they say, to win the battle you must know your enemy. Here, the one you should fight with is smoking, and the battle you must win will include a lot of memory loss, sweating, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, fatigue, and frustration, among others. Being a heavy smoker that you are, you must know very well whenever you are in need of a puff. That is why before that even happens, you must be able to end it immediately. Knowing that these things will eventually take place, you can already get a hold of it.

You can divert your attention into doing something else that will take your mind off of the habit. Just be focused on your goal, and you will never go back again. Second thing that you can do is to engage yourself into physical exercises, such as going to the gym, playing sports and other activities that will entail a lot of movement and workouts. This will serve as an outlet for whatever stress you are feeling on the inside. Third, if you wish to do the opposite of being physically active, then you can do relaxation techniques. These may include things such as going to the spa, getting a massage, reading a book, meditating, and practicing breathing exercises. This will help you clear your mind, loosen up, and be in a better place. Lastly, if all of the steps mentioned above did not work for you, then you must seek a higher option. This will include medications from a doctor and going to regular scheduled therapies with a health expert.

Remember that even helpful choices are already laid out in front of you, the one that will save you is no other than yourself. If you have the determination, sincerity, and the will power to put this habit in the past, then you can start hoping for a brighter, smoke-free future, and get anxiety relief like you have not experienced for a long time.

For men and women alike, common benefits include the improvement of your taste and smell sensation, enhancement of your breath as it will smell better, and the cough goes away.  When you quit smoking, you will be able to cut the risk of lung cancer and any other types of cancer, for that matter.

There are many facts that you need to consider when you decide to quit smoking. First, getting physically, mentally and emotionally prepared is needed so that you will efficiently go on with your quit -smoking program. It is a fact that when you get used to something, it is rather difficult to get rid of it from your daily routine, so having a step-by-step process will be immensely helpful. Next is the things you must do on the exact day that you quit smoking. Finally, the hardest part will be about how you maintain a smoke-free life.

Getting ready to quit smoking involves setting the date for quitting. Make sure you don’t pick the date because, chances are, you will postpone it. Have a friend pick the date instead, so you will have no chance of postponing and procrastinating. Set your mind and motivate yourself that you have to quit smoking because it is for your own good. Try your best to find something that will replace your habit of smoking. Divert your attention to other things, so you can forget your addiction in smoking.

On the day that you quit smoking, it will be wise that you get rid of all your cigarettes and ashtrays. It will be helpful that you change your daily routine, and keep yourself busy most of the time. You can do something else if you feel the urge to smoke. This will strengthen your motivational skills in pursuing your quit-smoking program. At the end of the day, you may reward yourself for not smoking. This can be a sign of self-fulfillment. Other things that you can place into your mouth, which can replace cigarettes, are gums, toothpick or hard candy.

After all the preparation and diversion, staying smoke-free is the hardest part of the process. A person may feel anxious, thus strengthening the urge to smoke but you can only fight them with motivation. The most influential factor of totally quitting smoking is by having positive, strong will and getting help and support from your family and friends.

It does not matter whether much of your stress comes from work or at home.  What matters a lot is that you maintain a positive perspective in life despite all these hectic and activity-packed days.  It is also equally important to maintain a positive attitude and outlook all the time. Otherwise, he will be filled with excessive worries and irrational fears brought about by too much stress and pressure that will eventually take a toll on his mind and body.  The following are some of the ways to relax your mind and body and reduce stress:

1. Have enough rest.  Many people complain about not being able to fall asleep in spite of the fact that they went to bed on a regular early hours at night.  In reality, they only “went to bed”, but their minds are not trying to sleep at all.  This is because they make it a habit to turn on their TV when they go to bed.  This is because they think that watching TV will make them feel drowsy eventually.  What they do not realize is that the shows on TV only keep their minds from working.  Thus, they will never be able to relax.  The best way to relax is to listen to a relaxing music that will sooth one’s mind and body.  Just make sure to choose the kind of music that has a very soothing and calming sound to be able to bring you to sleep, instead of making you awake just like the TV does.
2. Don’t eat close before bedtime.  It is important that you take your dinner four hours before going to bed.  This is because going to bed only a few minutes after having dinner will lead to difficulty in relaxing since the body is still busy with digesting the food that you eat.
3. Stick to your exercise regimen.  Exercising promotes relaxation as it allows your body to release the excess adrenaline that causes your anxiety.  Many people claim that they had a very good night sleep every after a workout from the gym or even after exercising at home.

Image: imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The problem with most people is that when they start to feel anxious they would turn on their television set and start watching movies.  Little did they realize that the movie they’re watching only exacerbates their feelings of anxiety.  The same is true with playing online games.  Most people claim that they play games because they wanted to relieve themselves from anxiety.  But, what they do not realize is that watching TV. and being in front of the computer are not healthy ways to cope with anxiety.  The following are some healthy ways to manage anxiety:

1. Engage yourself in relaxing activities such as Yoga, Tai-chi or simply learn the technique of deep breathing.  Deep breathing has been proven to be very effective in averting the symptoms of anxiety.  It is through deep breathing that the person’s brain will have enough supply of oxygen for it to function well.
2. Do not deprive yourself of enough sleep.  Sometimes, those people who make it a habit to stay up late at night just to finish their tasks become vulnerable to anxiety. If you keep on depriving yourself of enough sleep you are at risk of putting your brain and your entire body’s health at risk.  Remember that we need sleep to be able to recharge our brain and energies.  Therefore, if we keep on depriving ourselves of enough sleep our brain’s capability to function will deteriorate.
3. Eat nutritious foods.  No matter how busy you are at work, make sure to eat on time and avoid skipping meals.  Most of all see to it that what you eat contains nutrients that are necessary for your overall health.  Stay away from carbonated drinks, too much coffee, chemically processed and sugary foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables are must-haves in your daily diet.  These fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that not only serve as good anxiety remedy but it also promotes good health.
4. Eliminate vices such as smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.  These substances will only exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety because it contributes to the chemical imbalance of the brain and the body.  On the contrary, once you start eliminating these bad habits, you will notice that you are gaining a higher tolerance against stress.  Thus, you will no longer be easily shaken by anxiety when it hits you.

We all know that cigarette smoking is bad for our health, and that we need to stop ourselves from smoking cigarettes, and other tobacco. Some people think that smoking is a way to stop their tension, and anxiety. Some people think that they would look cool, when people see them smoke, especially if their friends would see them smoking on the street, or at school. If you happen to see your friends smoking, then you should move back, and start telling them that they would acquire a lot of sickness, and awful reactions to their body. The smoke from the burned cigarette is also bad for your health, especially as a second-hand smoke, brings a lot of illness and diseases to the ones who inhale the smoke. People should stop smoking, especially when their children are around the area, as they would also inhale the smoke that came from their mouth. You must realize that smoke from the cigarette is bad for children, as they have weaker body organs, and the effects of the cigarette would be more awful to their health. You must know that smoking is the number one cause of death in the world, and later do people realize that this cause of death is preventive, and you could earn another 10 years of existence in this world if you would choose to stop, and quit smoking. Some people smoke, because of peer pressure, stress, and tension, especially if they are in college, and they are friends with people who smoke, and drink. You can start yourself from quitting smoking by using an electronic cigarette, as it don’t give you the same side effects that you would acquire on smoking a real piece of cigarette. Well, electronic cigarette would give you smoke, but it doesn’t have the same effects of a cigarette, as it doesn’t have the chemicals from a cigarette. They are made of an atomizer, cartridge, mouthpiece, and rechargeable battery. If you happen to have a hard time on quitting smoking, then you could try the electronic cigarette, and you would acquire lung cancer, asthma, and chronic bronchitis.

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. Stop trying to control or prevent things from happening.  Just accept the fact that there are certainly things in life which are beyond our capacity to control.  The problem with most people is that they get stressed out from thinking about the things that are about to happen believing that by worrying more about it, they would somehow help prevent negative things from happening.  This habit would only lead people to useless worrying that will escalate into symptoms of anxiety.  Just always make sure to give your best shot in whatever you do.
2. Stop multi-tasking.   Many people today would tend to multi-task because they believe that they can accomplish a lot of things in a short period of time when they multi-task.  Little did they realize that this will only lead them to worrying too much about so many things at the same time and would make them end up sacrificing the quality of their tasks in favor of quantity.  Remember that you will be judged more by the quality of work that you have accomplished rather than the quantity of tasks you have on your platter.
3. Manage your time wisely.  Don’t keep on accepting tasks which are already beyond what you can accomplish within your eight-hour shift in the office.  If you think that you will no longer have enough time to accomplish it within the same day, don’t hesitate to decline.  A lot of people would tend to exhaust their bodies at work and go home very late at night.  This attitude towards work has lead many people to deprive themselves of enough time for rest and relaxation.
4. Learn to let go of negative emotions.  Feelings of bitterness, anger and resentment should not be allowed to dwell inside you for a long period of time.  As much as possible, dismiss these emotions right away.  Holding it and letting it linger in your heart and mind will only push you deeper into anxiety.  But, once you have learned to let go of these negative emotions you will slowly gain a positive outlook in life.  Thus, anxiety will no longer have a place to dwell in your mind.

Health experts recommend practicing vinyasa, viniyoga, or sun salutations as a starting point in your smoke-free living. Such yoga styles coordinate the yoga asanas with breathing, and this could be beneficial as the lungs detoxify. Health experts also suggest that you practice certain yoga poses which open the chest and tend to calm you down. Additionally, meditation and breathing exercises could help you in overcoming your intense craving for nicotine.

Can doing this help you quit smoking?

Chest-opening yoga styles that are beneficial to people who are in an effort to ditch their smoking habits include Virabhadrasana (warrior pose I), Sarvangasana (bridge pose), and Bhujangasana (cobra pose). Opening the chest could be helpful to the lungs as they detoxify along the process of smoking cessation. When you do such poses, relax your shoulders and neck, and concentrate on relaxing and opening your chest. Furthermore, perform deep breathing and feel your connection to the lungs. Experienced yoga instructors are the ones where you can learn proper alignment of yoga poses from.

Pranayama, which is a form of breathing exercise, plays an essential role in your yoga practice. To aid in your efforts to ditch the habit, lie on your back and then put your hand on your stomach. Perform deep breathing exercises for a number of cycles and observe your breathing. Ask an experienced yoga instructor in order to learn more advanced techniques in pranayama. Engaging yourself in pranayama would teach you awareness regarding the control over your breathing, which will be helpful during stressful times when you’d typically opt for smoking a cigarette.

Meditation could boost your willpower. Thus, it is beneficial when you plan on quitting smoking. You may buy guided audio meditations or search for a place which holds meditation sittings. In starting meditation all by yourself, start with spending at least 15 to 30 minutes every day in a seated position. Be totally still and concentrate on your breathing. Every time your body seems to want to move or the mind starts wandering, try to acknowledge such sensations sans reacting, and then return to concentrating on your breathing.

Restorative yoga helps in relaxing your body’s fight or flight response in your recovery from nicotine addiction. It includes relaxing yoga poses done with some help from yoga props. A yoga pose known as mountain brook could relieve the anxiety. As you may have heard, anxiety is usually felt when nicotine cravings surface. While you lay down with your face up, put a yoga pillow or block under the head and a yoga bolster under your thighs. Focus on your deep breathing. Stay in such pose for at least 15 minutes.

Nicotine withdrawal may be such a pain in the neck. That’s where yoga comes in. Yoga is traced back to Indian traditions. It is proven to help people who are attempting to quit smoking. Just like any other new treatment for anxiety, you must consult your doctor before starting.

Image: Craftyjoe / FreeDigitalPhotos.net