Monday 30 April 2012

Give SMOKING the STOP sign


                       
Smokers will tell you that there's nothing better than lighting up after a hard day's work. But most smokers will also tell you that their greatest wish is to put an end to their nasty habit.

In America, over 400,000 annual deaths are the result of smoking-related illnesses, not to mention the fact that smoking dramatically increases the risk of getting lung cancer.

Are you a regular smoker? Have you been trying to kick the habit for a while now? Have you unsuccessfully tried to quit in the past? Whether you're a social or regular smoker, the following tips may encourage you to quit smoking today.

deciding to quit
The first thought that may cross your mind is, why should I quit smoking? To start, there's your health to consider. Quitting will immediately lower the risks of getting all kinds of cancer. It is also a known fact that ex-smokers are in better health than smokers. Additionally, there won't be any more secondhand smoke to harm your loved ones.

Then, the fun part kicks in. Your breath will no longer stink, your taste buds will recover their senses, and everything will smell better. And think about all the money you'll save after you quit. If you smoke only one pack a day, that's over a thousand dollars each year that you'll be able to invest somewhere else.

The important thing to remember is that you can only quit when you're ready to do so. Don't quit for other people or for reasons you don't care about. Quitting has to be for you; it's the only way it will work.
going all the way


Because giving up smoking is often considered one of the most difficult habits to break, here are some helpful tips you can follow to facilitate your quest.
                                                    
Set a starting date
Once you've made up your mind about quitting, it's vital that you establish a starting date. Failing to do so could very well encourage you to delay quitting indefinitely. You should also decide whether you're going to stop cold turkey or gradually. It's generally accepted that quitting in one shot is better for you. If you still smoke a few cigarettes each day, there's a strong chance you'll start smoking like before all over again.


Sign a contract
Although this is in no way legally binding (unless you opt to make it so), signing a "stop smoking" contract sort of makes the whole act official. Sign this contract with a friend or family member and be sure to tell everyone that you are trying to quit. If anything, your pride will keep you in line. You might also find it useful to install "No Smoking" signs around your house, office and car. It will keep people informed of you

Get help quitting
Why do we invite people over to help us move or paint our house? Because a burden is always much lighter when shared with friends. By quitting at the same time as a buddy, you can keep each other motivated and talk each other through the rough times.

You can also join a local support group that will assist you in the harsher moments. Sharing your experience may be extremely beneficial for you.

Two other techniques have been positive for some:
acupuncture and hypnosis. These procedures work on your body and mind, and help turn you against nicotine. Results vary from one person to the next.

Get rid of smoking apparel
Keeping cigarettes in your home is a relapse waiting to happen. Throw away everything related to smoking, like ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes. At this point, you also want to dispose of everything that you associate with smoking.

For instance, if tobacco is synonymous with coffee for you, it might be to your advantage to cut back on your java consumption. Same goes for alcohol and sex, although you'll surely find motivation to keep doing the latter.
Repaint your house to rid yourself of the smell and paint discoloration from the smoke.

Compensate for the cravings
Smoking is a habit, often something you do unconsciously to soothe your nerves or keep yourself occupied. You have to compensate for your non-smoking via other means. For example, you can eat vegetables, chew gum, or suck on candy.

Furthermore, anticipate the urges with some harmless time-waster. When you feel like having a butt, drink a tall glass of water until it passes, or simply take a deep breath. The idea is to do something else during those crucial few seconds.

Change your routine
Quitting smoking is a new beginning for you and you must change your routine accordingly. Again, if you smoked a cigarette while having your morning coffee, drink orange juice and have cereal instead. If you used to have a cigarette with colleagues during your coffee breaks, then take your breaks with non-smokers or in a smoke-free environment. Establish a new, healthier routine.
                       

Stay away from smoky joints
You don't necessarily have to ditch all your smoking friends, but don't go out of your way to hang out in places where cigarettes rule, such as bars, nightclubs, or even the Friday night
poker game with the boys. Sit in the non-smoking section at a restaurant. Doing so is especially important in the early stages when you're still battling the will to smoke. Keeping away from temptation will go a long way toward helping you quit.


Get medical help
The chemical world is keenly aware that quitting smoking is easier said than done, so a number of products have been devised to help people kick the habit. First, there's nicotine gum, which will not only keep your mouth busy, but will also release tiny amounts of nicotine into your system to keep your body satisfied.

Similarly, there's the nicotine patch that keeps the body contented with nicotine while you stop puffing on cigarettes. Finally, there are prescription drugs like Zyban that suppress your taste for nicotine while you smoke and shortly after you cease. Before you try any of these things, however, consult your physician to make sure they're right for you.

Be persistent
As previously stated, quitting smoking is very difficult. You will be tempted and there will be hurdles in your way, but you must persevere and never be discouraged. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon; you need to keep fighting, every day will get easier.

Although they say that winners never quit and quitters never win, they certainly weren't thinking about smokers when they coined that expression.

Reward yourself
Quitting smoking is a major step in your life so you must celebrate it like any other milestone. With the money you would have used to buy tobacco, treat yourself to something you would enjoy like a plasma big-screen TV or a golf weekend in Myrtle Beach. By rewarding yourself, you will face a concrete advantage to quitting and it will egg you on to continue.


 

extra tips
Here are some extra points to consider in order to make your transition from chain-smoker to smoke-free individual.

Become a cigarette hater
To make sure you never fall back into the smoking realm, develop a deep abhorrence for tobacco so it will be beyond you to ever start again. A good way to do so is to keep a jar filled with cigarette butts. When you feel like smoking, open the lid and take a whiff; the stench will surely turn you off.

Wear a rubber band
Here's another trick involving behavioral psychology. Keep a rubber band around your wrist at all times. When you feel like smoking, snap it hard enough to feel some pain. Before long, your mind will associate a cigarette craving with pain and your subconscious will finally stop asking for a smoke.

Exercise
Working out will definitely help you along since it will keep your lungs busy long enough to dampen the urge. You will also feel better physically, which will serve as a good reminder of the benefits of a non-smoking existence.

Eat regularly
In the spirit of establishing a wholesome routine, eat regular meals at regular hours. With such a regimented schedule, you'll be able to anticipate your smoking urges better while at the same time improving your health. Another advantage of
eating regularly is that it will keep you from overeating and thus gaining weight, which often happens to ex-smokers.

Take baby steps
"Forever" is a scary word since it implies that you must stay the course without deviation for the rest of your life. What you have to do is take it one day at a time; don't alarm yourself with long-term objectives. Today, you're trying hard not to smoke. Tomorrow, you'll try again.
smoking freedom
When all is said and done, remember that there are no pros to smoking, only cons. Moreover, nobody can force you to quit smoking; be sure to take on the challenge at the right time in your life. And lastly, when you're doing your best to compensate for smoking by doing something else, be careful not to develop another bad habit in the process!


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