Assorted Tips To Quit Smoking
Aug 03 '00
Smoking is definitely not easy to give up. Many medical experts rate nicotine to be as addictive as heroin. I have smoked off and on for about 26 years. In that time, I have given up a few times, sometimes for a year or two. Last year I quit only to start again several months later due to some extreme job pressures. I have been through a lot of programs, seen the tapes, read the literature, been there, and got the T-shirt (literally--my last smoking cessation program gave us all T-shirts that said "Butts are nasty").
Anyway, here's a list of tried and tested tips that may help those who wish to cut down or quit:
- First of all, you truly have to want to do it. It takes guts and willpower. You have to look inside yourself and know why you want to quit. If you are trying to quit for someone else, your chances of success are automatically greatly reduced.
- Join a smoking cessation support group. If you can't find one, contact the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. There is strength in numbers; you won't feel alone. These organizations have lots of good literature and tips. The group leaders are almost exclusively ex-smokers. The idea here is to learn and share experiences. Make a friend whom you can call and speak to when your willpower weakens or a stressful event happens.
- Your smoking cessation group or physician can advise you of the best options in regard to the nicotine substitutes, e.g. Nicorette gum, patches, Zyban, etc. Personally, I like the Zyban option because nicotine is not part of the solution.
- Select a day to quit. Carefully choose it. You don't want to choose Christmas Day, your wedding day, etc. Pick a day that won't be emotional for you in other ways. Get rid of your cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays before your big day.
- Get a ziplock baggie. Fill it up with the contents of your ashtrays. When you want to smoke, open the baggie and get a nice whiff of that stinking ash and those smelly cigarette butts. It really helps.
- Find something to do with your hands. If you feel like eating more, carry a bag of carrots with you. They are a sensible food when suffering from nicotine withdrawal. Carry a tennis ball around and squeeze it when you need to occupy your hands. My dad, to this day, chews toothpicks instead of using tobacco.
- Drink lots of water. This will help to flush the toxins from your system. Nicotine is only one of many toxins in tobacco. Keeping yourself full of water will reduce the urge to eat.
- Do lots of deep breathing. When you get that terrible urge, start breathing slowly and deeply. Relax and calm yourself. The urge will pass.
- If you get an uncontrollable urge, jump in the shower. It's pretty hard to smoke there.
- Pay yourself back. The money you save by not smoking should be put in a jar or bank account so you can see how much you are saving. Treat yourself to that new dress or set of golf clubs.
- Exercise and concentrate on aerobics. This will get your lungs working properly again and help to clear them out. It will also help rid the body of toxins through perspiration and give you a good feeling through the release of endomorphins.
- If you are religious,pray.
- If you succumb and start again, don't beat yourself up too badly. Pick yourself up and start again. The average ex-smoker has to quit six or seven times before finally being successful.
Good luck!
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
ginger136
|
|
Member: Chuck
Location: Orlando, Florida
Reviews written: 47
Trusted by: 11 members
About Me:
Corporate HR Director for 4 companies. In 2003, I completed an enjoyable military career.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.