Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C./ERR -- In an effort to quit smoking, service members and civilian employees attended the first ?Quit Smoking Using Hypnosis? class held at Beaufort Naval Hospital on Nov. 21.
The class was led by Capt. Ron Eslinger, director of patient services at the Naval Hospital, certified registered nurse anesthetist and practicing hypnotist for 25 years.
?When some people think of hypnosis they think it?s mind control or that they won?t come out of hypnosis or that it?s magic,? said Eslinger. ?What it really is, is an altered state of mind, similar to driving a car or reading a book, that places suggestions in your subconscious mind to help you change your behavior by re-framing your thoughts.?
Eslinger said the class will give immediate results, but it is not magic.
?I slept better last night, I feel more relaxed, and so far I?ve only had two cigarettes,? said Sgt. Barry St. Onge, H&S Bn. training NCOIC, almost 24 hours after the class. ?I went kind of expecting quitting cold turkey and that hasn?t happened, but at least I?ve got a start. It was a good first experience with hypnosis.?
While hypnotherapy was new to most of the class? participants, it?s not a new form of therapy at all. In 1958 the American Medical Association approved hypnotherapy and since then it has been used in a variety of different ways to treat many different ailments and habits.
?I use hypnosis for weight management, stress management and help with giving birth or surgery,? said Eslinger, a former Marine who graduated from Parris Island in September 1966.
?If nothing else I would recommend it to people for the stress relief,? said St. Onge. ?Also, it?s free and you really can?t beat the price. I think everyone would get something if they go with an open mind.?
The hospital also currently hosts weight management seminars that last four weeks on Wednesday nights.
?The weight management classes are great for someone
who wants to lose weight, but also good to help decrease stress or help sleeping disorders,? said Eslinger. ?Most participants lose two to eight pounds a month without dieting.?
Eslinger holds smoking hypnosis classes every three months and weight management classes every other month.
The next scheduled class begins Jan. 1.
For more information on hypnosis, visit Capt. Eslinger?s website at www.slinger.net or call Health Promotions at 228-5344.
?I guarantee hypnosis will help everyone and anyone,? said Eslinger.