You've just got to Want to...
Sep 05 '00
I am young, I will admit that much, but I have been smoking on and off for a number of years. I am going to move to an area of California soon where I know I will not be able to survive if I continue smoking; I've cut back a lot.
I think there are a few tricks, and a few things that anyone can do to quit smoking, although it may be much more difficult for those people who've been smoking for a heck of a long time, all it really takes is determination.
I can tell you right now that I have never bought into the patch and gum theory. If you picked it up you can drop it too. Plus, we all start as either social or pressured smokers, and it's not the nicotine but the swirl and curl of the smoke that's more of an addiction. The busying of your hands, the escape of focusing on the glowing edge of your cigarette, and not on whatever is upsetting in your life. At least that's the way it is for me.
I found one of the best ways to cut down on your cigs a day is to leave your pack at home (if you go out a lot, that is). I didn't think it would make a difference but it does. Don't bring any "just in case" cigarettes either. Just try it and you'll ween yourself off your daily need for __ numbers of cigarettes.
Another thing that is incredibly important is to avoid spending time with other smokers. If you can't do that then make it known to your friends that you're quitting and you want them to respect you and stop you and help you. They will and perhaps it'll motivate them to do the same.
Find new ways of releasing your stress. There are so many things we can do when a frustrating situation arises aside from lighting up--like taking a walk or chatting about what's wrong with someone, or even going for a drive, getting away if even for a bit.
That also leads me to the biggest helper in quitting that I've found: become active. If you are exersizing everyday you simply CANNOT afford to smoke because of the pressure it places on your lungs. So, by focusing on doing something good and healthy for your body you are also forced to give up the bad things that enter your body. What's more is that when you become habitual about exersizing you won't want to stop, you won't want to eat wrong and smoke because you'll be working so hard to look good and feel good you'll avoid those things automatically.
Of course, the one thing I forgot to mention that is pretty if-y for people to do: read up on the affects of smoking. When you think about it, do you really know what you're doing to your body? Maybe if you knew more you'd stop.
Lastly, as I mentioned before, you've got to want to quit. Not for your kids, your friends, your pocketbook, but for yourself, and once you decide that you want to, I know nothing will get in your way.
Good luck to you!
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Epinions.com ID:
nids
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Location: california
Reviews written: 107
Trusted by: 45 members
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