The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of smoking and nicotine is certainly no exception.
Everyone is well aware of the bad consequences of smoking, even the smokers. Still, they do not quit smoking. One major cause for their not quitting smoking is their love for smoking. Most of the smokers would agree to this fact that they love smoking. But, do not you think it is a wrong word for smoking. It is actually a misconception. The cause for their smoking do not depends on their love for smoking. But, the real cause is that they do not like not smoking.
Several deadly chemicals enter through smoking. Nicotine is one of the major content of cigarette. It is an addiction, making the smoker addicted for it. This Nicotine is running along the blood stream of smoker. When the level of Nicotine decreases in the smoker's blood level, he/she will become tense. The smoker needs continuous doses of nicotine in his/her blood to behave normally. When the level of nicotine decreases, the smoker would immediately smoke. After smoking, the level of nicotine becomes normal and smoker would be automatically normal. This is the only cause for smoking.
Nicotine should be consumed up to a limit. The exceeding limit of nicotine content in your body can do serious harm to your body. A successful smoker is the one, who is able to manage the content of nicotine.
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of smoking, nicotine is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about smoking, nicotine.
When smokers decide to quit, they have to gone through several difficult phases.
They are well aware of the pain that they are going to experience without smoking. The earlier phases are very tough, as they have to face the problem due to decreasing nicotine level. The urge for smoking will be too strong. But, gradually their urge slows down. Smoker has the tendency to smoke frequently. However, when the interval grows, they will be able to manage themselves without smoking. In this way, one can quit smoke.
But, if you continue smoking no one can help you. You need your help in quitting smoking. Otherwise, ruin your life in your continuous battle for maintaining the level of nicotine. This harmful fight costs your life as well as your bank balance. You have already wasted a huge amount in buying this poison. Along with the money, you are also destroying your precious health.
Only one puff of smoke causes the entry of so many deadly chemicals in your body. Next time when your urge for smoke arises, just remember these words.
As your knowledge about smoking and nicotine continues to grow, you will begin to see how smoking and nicotine fits into the overall scheme of things. Knowing how something relates to the rest of the world is important too.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Kiss Me Not
It would be irresponsible not to talk about kissing and smoking, wouldn't it? For it is a well known fact that these are two of life's greatest pleasures, no doubt about it. But if you are one of those people who assume that they can be practiced within the same lifetime you are sorely mistaken.
For most of the great kissers in this world (and they hopefully include someone within your inner circle), kissing a smoker is not fun. As a matter of fact, the people in the ranks of great kissers all feel the same way that kissing a smoker is a real crusher, you look forward to that first kiss and then it's ruined because of the smell and taste of cigarettes. If you think this is an 'Us' and 'Them' issue, it is not. For the list of great kissers includes OTHER smokers, I am sorry to say.
Let us tick off the small, but obvious reasons why.
Smoking smells if you haven't noticed; it smells terrible. And if anyone who is worth their weight wants a kiss they will not choose you as their first choice no matter how attracted they are to you. In fact you will fall down to very near the bottom of their list. You smell like the bad factory that we all close our noses when we pass you by. And kissing that is not such a romantic notion.
If by chance you have been blessed by the gods and are being kissed, hopefully on a regular basis, by someone you want to kiss back; then you should first and foremost consider yourself very lucky for it is highly unlikely that they enjoy it, unless of course they are smokers themselves and don't notice the smell or taste. In essence you are silently ruining this cherishable gift. Whoever this person is that is kissing you is sacrificing the experience of a great kiss, and it's because of you. You get to kiss someone with sweet breath, and they don't? How does that work? That adds up to kiss abuse. Would you want to kiss an exhaust pipe? Or maybe a day old bag of garbage? I didn't think so.
The smell problem extends far beyond the time you have had a cigarette, I am sure you know that. You can smoke one cigarette in the morning and still be largely un-kissable at night. So do the math: If you smoke more than one cigarette a day, then you are turning yourself into a bit of a pariah in the kissing department.
Mints and mouthwash won't help either. The amount of chemicals that are now placed in cigarettes to make the whole smoking experience more pleasant have had a disastrous effect on the smell they produce. Nothing will take it away, so even if you eat a packet of mints before kissing it won't make any difference.
If you want that lasting impression you give to someone to be Yuck! Patooey! Then the only thing to say is go for it; smoke all you want. On the other hand if you want to be lovable and considerate then there is only one choice for you and tobacco it is not.
For most of the great kissers in this world (and they hopefully include someone within your inner circle), kissing a smoker is not fun. As a matter of fact, the people in the ranks of great kissers all feel the same way that kissing a smoker is a real crusher, you look forward to that first kiss and then it's ruined because of the smell and taste of cigarettes. If you think this is an 'Us' and 'Them' issue, it is not. For the list of great kissers includes OTHER smokers, I am sorry to say.
Let us tick off the small, but obvious reasons why.
Smoking smells if you haven't noticed; it smells terrible. And if anyone who is worth their weight wants a kiss they will not choose you as their first choice no matter how attracted they are to you. In fact you will fall down to very near the bottom of their list. You smell like the bad factory that we all close our noses when we pass you by. And kissing that is not such a romantic notion.
If by chance you have been blessed by the gods and are being kissed, hopefully on a regular basis, by someone you want to kiss back; then you should first and foremost consider yourself very lucky for it is highly unlikely that they enjoy it, unless of course they are smokers themselves and don't notice the smell or taste. In essence you are silently ruining this cherishable gift. Whoever this person is that is kissing you is sacrificing the experience of a great kiss, and it's because of you. You get to kiss someone with sweet breath, and they don't? How does that work? That adds up to kiss abuse. Would you want to kiss an exhaust pipe? Or maybe a day old bag of garbage? I didn't think so.
The smell problem extends far beyond the time you have had a cigarette, I am sure you know that. You can smoke one cigarette in the morning and still be largely un-kissable at night. So do the math: If you smoke more than one cigarette a day, then you are turning yourself into a bit of a pariah in the kissing department.
Mints and mouthwash won't help either. The amount of chemicals that are now placed in cigarettes to make the whole smoking experience more pleasant have had a disastrous effect on the smell they produce. Nothing will take it away, so even if you eat a packet of mints before kissing it won't make any difference.
If you want that lasting impression you give to someone to be Yuck! Patooey! Then the only thing to say is go for it; smoke all you want. On the other hand if you want to be lovable and considerate then there is only one choice for you and tobacco it is not.
Losing Your Family's Health to Smoke
If you are a smoker and find it difficult to quit, even knowing what it will do to your health, you might want to consider the effects of smoking to those of your family and loved ones. Many people have different opinions when it comes to second hand smoke and its effects on others. However, one thing that is bothersome is that the ones suffering the most from smoke exposure are children. Children have no way of avoiding the damages caused by smoke, because they have to remain within the home. As a parent, it is your responsibility to see to it that the children have good health. If you do not stop smoking, you are not doing this.
ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) is also referred to as second hand smoke. This results in two specific forms. The first is the smoke that is coming from the lit side of the smoking apparatus, either a cigarette or some other form of tobacco, also referred to as side stream smoke. The second is the smoke that is exhaled by you, the smoker, also referred to as mainstream smoke. What many people do not know is that Environmental Tobacco Smoke contains more than four hundred different chemicals. Of these four hundred chemicals, more than fifty contain agents that cause cancer, also known as carcinogens.
What is bad is that Environmental Tobacco Smoke is present everywhere you go. For example, if you are in a smoker's home, in a workplace where smoking is allowed, or other public places such as bowling alleys, casinos, bars, and restaurants. However, many states in the United States are banning any type of public smoking in restaurants and bars, there are some establishments and areas that have not banned this.
As you continue to smoke, not only are you endangering your own health, but of those around you as well. You are increasing their risks of heart disease and lung cancer. Furthermore, in children you are increasing their risks of health issues because their lungs are not yet fully developed. At the same time, children have no choice but to be in the environment you create for them. Infants and children of smokers often have increased risks of asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and sudden infant death syndrome.
While you may know it, more than three thousand people in the United States die thanks to lung cancer from exhaust smoke. This is true even if the person has never smoked in their life. More than 35,000 Americans die yearly of second hand smoke causing coronary heart disease.
Asthma in children, thanks to smoke exposure is diagnosed to between 8,000 and 26,000 children yearly. 15,000 children are hospitalized each year because of bronchitis caused by exhaust smoke, and some 150,000 to 300,000 children develop bronchitis. These are alarming figures and many people simply do not realize the affects of second hand smoke on others around them. They feel they are only hurting themselves, when in fact; they are hurting every person they meet.
ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) is also referred to as second hand smoke. This results in two specific forms. The first is the smoke that is coming from the lit side of the smoking apparatus, either a cigarette or some other form of tobacco, also referred to as side stream smoke. The second is the smoke that is exhaled by you, the smoker, also referred to as mainstream smoke. What many people do not know is that Environmental Tobacco Smoke contains more than four hundred different chemicals. Of these four hundred chemicals, more than fifty contain agents that cause cancer, also known as carcinogens.
What is bad is that Environmental Tobacco Smoke is present everywhere you go. For example, if you are in a smoker's home, in a workplace where smoking is allowed, or other public places such as bowling alleys, casinos, bars, and restaurants. However, many states in the United States are banning any type of public smoking in restaurants and bars, there are some establishments and areas that have not banned this.
As you continue to smoke, not only are you endangering your own health, but of those around you as well. You are increasing their risks of heart disease and lung cancer. Furthermore, in children you are increasing their risks of health issues because their lungs are not yet fully developed. At the same time, children have no choice but to be in the environment you create for them. Infants and children of smokers often have increased risks of asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and sudden infant death syndrome.
While you may know it, more than three thousand people in the United States die thanks to lung cancer from exhaust smoke. This is true even if the person has never smoked in their life. More than 35,000 Americans die yearly of second hand smoke causing coronary heart disease.
Asthma in children, thanks to smoke exposure is diagnosed to between 8,000 and 26,000 children yearly. 15,000 children are hospitalized each year because of bronchitis caused by exhaust smoke, and some 150,000 to 300,000 children develop bronchitis. These are alarming figures and many people simply do not realize the affects of second hand smoke on others around them. They feel they are only hurting themselves, when in fact; they are hurting every person they meet.
In Bed with the Enemy
When you start smoking it's normally with just one cigarette a day, that lovely one just after dinner. Then you start having a couple smokes with your coffee in the morning, Those are grrreat, they get you started twice as fast and let's face it in today's busy world a fast start is just what we need. Then you add one after lunch. Then there's the mid afternoon smoke, when you need a small break. You find that you like one or two with drinks...Okay, we've all been there, you're officially hooked. The cigarette count just goes up and up and up. Pretty soon you HAVE to have a cigarette to get you started and one just before bed. But may we point this out: Cigarettes in bed are a completely rotten idea.
There are a few good reasons for this. The first is that it is dangerous. It is not just an urban legend that people start fires this way. It happens with enough frequency that you should pay attention. I know, I can hear you now. I am awake and alert. I am careful. This won't happen to me. But it does, to even the careful ones. It is not just that people fall asleep in bed with lit cigarettes; it is that they are not paying attention and while they practice their distraction they have a lit flame in their hands. They are chatting on the phone. They are on their laptops. They are watching TV and they get up and get something to eat and they come back and whoops, the bed is on fire. I know it sounds extreme, but that is exactly the point. It is not extreme; it is more common than you know.
Now there are some other good reasons why smoking in bed is a terrible idea. You may not be aware, being the smoker, that cigarette smoke stinks up a room like there is no tomorrow, but it does. It seeps into the sheets, the pillows, the curtains, and the clothes closet. If you live the life of a hermit, and no one, virtually no one comes into your bedroom then maybe you can live with this. But most people do live with others, and they live with them because they like them, so it might be worth thinking about; each time someone enters your bedroom and smells the tobacco stink they want to run for the hills.
You can take this argument one step further, into romantic territory, and consider this: If you share a bedroom with someone you love or, more interesting, if you WANT to share it with someone you love, don't stink up the prospects, so to speak. Don't make one of the loveliest rooms in the house a choke-filled den. That idea stinks, okay?
There are a few good reasons for this. The first is that it is dangerous. It is not just an urban legend that people start fires this way. It happens with enough frequency that you should pay attention. I know, I can hear you now. I am awake and alert. I am careful. This won't happen to me. But it does, to even the careful ones. It is not just that people fall asleep in bed with lit cigarettes; it is that they are not paying attention and while they practice their distraction they have a lit flame in their hands. They are chatting on the phone. They are on their laptops. They are watching TV and they get up and get something to eat and they come back and whoops, the bed is on fire. I know it sounds extreme, but that is exactly the point. It is not extreme; it is more common than you know.
Now there are some other good reasons why smoking in bed is a terrible idea. You may not be aware, being the smoker, that cigarette smoke stinks up a room like there is no tomorrow, but it does. It seeps into the sheets, the pillows, the curtains, and the clothes closet. If you live the life of a hermit, and no one, virtually no one comes into your bedroom then maybe you can live with this. But most people do live with others, and they live with them because they like them, so it might be worth thinking about; each time someone enters your bedroom and smells the tobacco stink they want to run for the hills.
You can take this argument one step further, into romantic territory, and consider this: If you share a bedroom with someone you love or, more interesting, if you WANT to share it with someone you love, don't stink up the prospects, so to speak. Don't make one of the loveliest rooms in the house a choke-filled den. That idea stinks, okay?
Stop Smoking Right Now
Perhaps you believe that your smoking habit is just YOUR problem. Did you ever stop to analyze why non-smokers are so outspoken about smoking in public? The secondhand smoke issue is highly charged and still debated. But there's more to the issue of how your smoking affects other people.
This article is an honest look--a chance for you to evaluate the impact your smoking has on everyone around you. I encourage you to read the articles referenced in the endnotes for additional details.
SMOKING AND THE UNBORN CHILD
The evidence continues to mount. Smoking during pregnancy does affect your unborn child. Developmental growth and birth weight in babies of smoking mothers is lower than babies of non-smoking mothers. These same "smoking" babies are more likely to be shorter in height, slower at reading and lower in "social adjustment" than children of nonsmoking mothers.
Statistics show that infant mortality--the death of the baby either at birth or through a miscarriage--is 50 percent higher when the mother smokes. That means nonsmoking parents experience half as many infant mortalities. The good news is that if you stop smoking by the fourth month of pregnancy, you can significantly reduce these dangers. (1)
"Women who smoke while pregnant pass NNK, a very potent carcinogen, to their babies still developing in the womb. Earlier research showed that offspring of animals treated with NNK developed tumors of the lung, trachea, liver, and other organs." (2)
A recent study even suggests that individuals, whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, were predisposed to take up smoking themselves. If you smoke while pregnant, you may be encouraging your child to smoke, years from now! (3)
SMOKING AND CHILDREN
Newborn babies exposed to their mother's smoking through breast feeding and environmental tobacco smoke show significantly higher levels of urinary cotinine. Cotinine is a major metabolite of nicotine, and is used as a marker for recent cigarette smoke exposure. A study examined 507 infants, finding urinary cotinine levels during the first 2 weeks of life were significantly increased in infants whose mothers smoked. Breast-fed infants had higher otinine levels than non-breast-fed infants, but this was statistically significant only if mothers smoked. Urinary cotinine levels were 5 times higher in breast-fed fants whose mothers smoked than in those whose mothers smoked but did not breast-feed. Babies definitely receive the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes through both breast feeding and environmental exposure. (4)
Children of smokers are also 2 1/2 times more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or crib death. One study found that nearly 60 percent of all SIDS cases could be prevented if smokers stopped smoking around babies and pregnant women. (5)
A meta-analysis of studies conducted after 1965 showed significant risk to children exposed to secondhand smoke of numerous ailments including asthma, tonsillectomy, lower respiratory tract infections, plus many others. Children were also at risk of death due to fires caused by cigarettes. (6)
One study reveals an incredible statistic: Children of smokers are nearly three times as likely to smoke as children of non- smokers. Parents, have you ever thought of yourself as a drug pusher? (7)
SECONDHAND SMOKE
Does secondhand smoke cause cancer or other illness? Do we have to ask? This issue has divided the pro- and anti-smoking lobbies for many years. However, a study by the National Cancer Institute(NCI) released in November 1999, presents conclusive evidence, including 18 epidemiological studies linking secondhand smoke to coronary heart disease. Donald Shopland, coordinator of NCI's Smoking and Tobacco Control Program, notes that the report estimates that each year in the United States between 35,000 and 62,000 coronary heart disease deaths occur due to secondhand smoke exposure, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). "ETS exposures are related to much more than heart disease. When the thousands of
ETS-related lung cancers and other diseases are considered, ETS clearly is a major cause of death in the United States," said Shopland. (8)
OTHER EFFECTS OF SMOKING
Besides the obvious effects of smoking presented above, there are many other effects that you probably never considered. First, smoking stinks. Never mind the health risks. The offensive odor intrudes on the noses of people all around you, from your family and co-workers, to patrons at public places such as restaurants and sporting events. While you may feel it is your right to smoke in public places, consider how you would feel if your next door neighbor suddenly opened a chicken farm in his back yard. The stench can be sickening. The issue is not so much a rights issues as much as it is a consideration issue. Treat the people around you with respect, the way that you'd expect them to treat you. Aside from the smell of smoke, there's also the issue of cigarette butts carelessly discarded along roadways and other public places. While most smokers would probably never consider
tossing a used cup or hamburger wrapper out their car window, many don't give a second thought to flicking one cigarette butt after another out the window. Don't think one little butt matters? Consider that it takes one to five years for a cigarette butt to disintegrate, or biodegrade. (9)
The financial costs don't stop at the cigarettes alone. You're also probably paying double or more for your health insurance. You're also much more likely to incur doctor visits and medical expenses than are non-smokers. This costs you both for the treatment as well as the lost wages from your time off from work. The value of your car and home may also be reduced, due to the odor and filth of cigarettes.
Have your personal relationships been affected?
Smoking can be very offensive to non-smokers. Many non-smokers won't consider a smoker as a possible spouse. If you're in sales, smoking may be
killing deals because you smell bad, or have offensive breath. People buy *you*, not just your product!. Your career may even be stunted due to excessive smoke breaks. Smokers waste many hours each week taking breaks to satisfy their habit. Don't think that your regular absences go unnoticed by your colleagues and your boss. While you're outside relaxing, your co-workers are inside working. If you were the boss,
to whom would you give a raise or promotion?
Your smoking also cheats your family and friends. When you die early (the average smoker will die eight years earlier than a non-smoker), you rob your family and friends of--you! If you are unfortunate enough to get sick at a very early age, you also threaten your children's normal childhood, and seriously impact your spouse's life. Consider your children, spouse, family and friends when you smoke next.
Finally, don't forget that smoking cheats YOU! All of the foregoing information affects you. When you smoke, you are slowly robbing yourself.
The point of all this?
Your smoking habit has far reaching consequences. Quitting smoking can erase these negative consequences and improve your life and the lives of so many other people around you. Start making plans today to quit smoking.
This article is an honest look--a chance for you to evaluate the impact your smoking has on everyone around you. I encourage you to read the articles referenced in the endnotes for additional details.
SMOKING AND THE UNBORN CHILD
The evidence continues to mount. Smoking during pregnancy does affect your unborn child. Developmental growth and birth weight in babies of smoking mothers is lower than babies of non-smoking mothers. These same "smoking" babies are more likely to be shorter in height, slower at reading and lower in "social adjustment" than children of nonsmoking mothers.
Statistics show that infant mortality--the death of the baby either at birth or through a miscarriage--is 50 percent higher when the mother smokes. That means nonsmoking parents experience half as many infant mortalities. The good news is that if you stop smoking by the fourth month of pregnancy, you can significantly reduce these dangers. (1)
"Women who smoke while pregnant pass NNK, a very potent carcinogen, to their babies still developing in the womb. Earlier research showed that offspring of animals treated with NNK developed tumors of the lung, trachea, liver, and other organs." (2)
A recent study even suggests that individuals, whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, were predisposed to take up smoking themselves. If you smoke while pregnant, you may be encouraging your child to smoke, years from now! (3)
SMOKING AND CHILDREN
Newborn babies exposed to their mother's smoking through breast feeding and environmental tobacco smoke show significantly higher levels of urinary cotinine. Cotinine is a major metabolite of nicotine, and is used as a marker for recent cigarette smoke exposure. A study examined 507 infants, finding urinary cotinine levels during the first 2 weeks of life were significantly increased in infants whose mothers smoked. Breast-fed infants had higher otinine levels than non-breast-fed infants, but this was statistically significant only if mothers smoked. Urinary cotinine levels were 5 times higher in breast-fed fants whose mothers smoked than in those whose mothers smoked but did not breast-feed. Babies definitely receive the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes through both breast feeding and environmental exposure. (4)
Children of smokers are also 2 1/2 times more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or crib death. One study found that nearly 60 percent of all SIDS cases could be prevented if smokers stopped smoking around babies and pregnant women. (5)
A meta-analysis of studies conducted after 1965 showed significant risk to children exposed to secondhand smoke of numerous ailments including asthma, tonsillectomy, lower respiratory tract infections, plus many others. Children were also at risk of death due to fires caused by cigarettes. (6)
One study reveals an incredible statistic: Children of smokers are nearly three times as likely to smoke as children of non- smokers. Parents, have you ever thought of yourself as a drug pusher? (7)
SECONDHAND SMOKE
Does secondhand smoke cause cancer or other illness? Do we have to ask? This issue has divided the pro- and anti-smoking lobbies for many years. However, a study by the National Cancer Institute(NCI) released in November 1999, presents conclusive evidence, including 18 epidemiological studies linking secondhand smoke to coronary heart disease. Donald Shopland, coordinator of NCI's Smoking and Tobacco Control Program, notes that the report estimates that each year in the United States between 35,000 and 62,000 coronary heart disease deaths occur due to secondhand smoke exposure, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). "ETS exposures are related to much more than heart disease. When the thousands of
ETS-related lung cancers and other diseases are considered, ETS clearly is a major cause of death in the United States," said Shopland. (8)
OTHER EFFECTS OF SMOKING
Besides the obvious effects of smoking presented above, there are many other effects that you probably never considered. First, smoking stinks. Never mind the health risks. The offensive odor intrudes on the noses of people all around you, from your family and co-workers, to patrons at public places such as restaurants and sporting events. While you may feel it is your right to smoke in public places, consider how you would feel if your next door neighbor suddenly opened a chicken farm in his back yard. The stench can be sickening. The issue is not so much a rights issues as much as it is a consideration issue. Treat the people around you with respect, the way that you'd expect them to treat you. Aside from the smell of smoke, there's also the issue of cigarette butts carelessly discarded along roadways and other public places. While most smokers would probably never consider
tossing a used cup or hamburger wrapper out their car window, many don't give a second thought to flicking one cigarette butt after another out the window. Don't think one little butt matters? Consider that it takes one to five years for a cigarette butt to disintegrate, or biodegrade. (9)
The financial costs don't stop at the cigarettes alone. You're also probably paying double or more for your health insurance. You're also much more likely to incur doctor visits and medical expenses than are non-smokers. This costs you both for the treatment as well as the lost wages from your time off from work. The value of your car and home may also be reduced, due to the odor and filth of cigarettes.
Have your personal relationships been affected?
Smoking can be very offensive to non-smokers. Many non-smokers won't consider a smoker as a possible spouse. If you're in sales, smoking may be
killing deals because you smell bad, or have offensive breath. People buy *you*, not just your product!. Your career may even be stunted due to excessive smoke breaks. Smokers waste many hours each week taking breaks to satisfy their habit. Don't think that your regular absences go unnoticed by your colleagues and your boss. While you're outside relaxing, your co-workers are inside working. If you were the boss,
to whom would you give a raise or promotion?
Your smoking also cheats your family and friends. When you die early (the average smoker will die eight years earlier than a non-smoker), you rob your family and friends of--you! If you are unfortunate enough to get sick at a very early age, you also threaten your children's normal childhood, and seriously impact your spouse's life. Consider your children, spouse, family and friends when you smoke next.
Finally, don't forget that smoking cheats YOU! All of the foregoing information affects you. When you smoke, you are slowly robbing yourself.
The point of all this?
Your smoking habit has far reaching consequences. Quitting smoking can erase these negative consequences and improve your life and the lives of so many other people around you. Start making plans today to quit smoking.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
You Can Stop Smoking
If you've been paying attention to television ads recently, you've definitely seen numerous ads on smoking. The frequent falsehood that a large number of people smoke is being debunked. Since it turns out a measly 20 percent of people smoke here in America. Consequently while a lot of people keep on to rage on about how every person smokes now a days, this is absolutely phony. The larger part of our community does not gust on Marlboros or Camel Lights. And you know what this means. a good number likely it translates to a bunch of upset corporations. You observe, when you're not a smoker yourself, you have no kindness for those who do light up. Good quality thing there is outstanding smoking close treatment existing at this time. The remainder of you avid smokers is going to need it. This spiteful habit is being kicked out!
It makes entire sense to reflect on smoking close treatment in this day and age. You can in fact acquire injections that control your cravings for a month at a time. At this moment that's kicking the routine! It's not just about nicotine patches and chewing gum any longer. Fight away that nicotine urges with recent equipment. What extra option do you really include? Allow me to review the remuneration of smoking and the problem. All right, there are no remuneration. On the other hand, there is abundance of drawbacks to encourage you. Number one; smoking kills and absolutely destroys your physical condition and body as you age. Number two; visualize how greatly money you drop to your cigarette inclination. Number three; it stains your teeth and leaves you with bad mouthful of air. And lastly, smoking ages you far too rapidly. Talk about impulsive lines and wrinkles. Smoking destroys the collagen in your look and leaves you looking like a snip.
Discover a stop smoking treatment that actually works for you and the stage of your dependence. Kick that unclean routine before it kicks you off of the primitive loop. Out of all the smokers I've known, their lives enhanced noticeably subsequent them giving up smoking. More money, well again fitness, extra power, fewer fitness issues! Set off ahead and start a new-age smoking close treatment practice at the moment. Your health depends on it. You've got to live life to the fullest!
It makes entire sense to reflect on smoking close treatment in this day and age. You can in fact acquire injections that control your cravings for a month at a time. At this moment that's kicking the routine! It's not just about nicotine patches and chewing gum any longer. Fight away that nicotine urges with recent equipment. What extra option do you really include? Allow me to review the remuneration of smoking and the problem. All right, there are no remuneration. On the other hand, there is abundance of drawbacks to encourage you. Number one; smoking kills and absolutely destroys your physical condition and body as you age. Number two; visualize how greatly money you drop to your cigarette inclination. Number three; it stains your teeth and leaves you with bad mouthful of air. And lastly, smoking ages you far too rapidly. Talk about impulsive lines and wrinkles. Smoking destroys the collagen in your look and leaves you looking like a snip.
Discover a stop smoking treatment that actually works for you and the stage of your dependence. Kick that unclean routine before it kicks you off of the primitive loop. Out of all the smokers I've known, their lives enhanced noticeably subsequent them giving up smoking. More money, well again fitness, extra power, fewer fitness issues! Set off ahead and start a new-age smoking close treatment practice at the moment. Your health depends on it. You've got to live life to the fullest!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Making Healthier Choices
One of the key components to successfully overcoming a smoking habit is to replace cigarettes and behaviors associated with smoking with healthier alternatives. For some, the choice of a healthier lifestyle is prompted by a health crisis, or out of concern for loved ones. Whatever your reasons for giving up smoking the benefits will far outweigh any costs you incur during the process.
A strategy that many people find helpful is to replace the cigarettes with something else that will keep your hands and/or mouth busy, such as low-fat snacks, straws, toothpicks, knitting, chewing gum, and so on. Because the behaviors are such a strong aspect of the habit, using these techniques helps alleviate the feeling that you are missing something. The main thing is to find out what works for you. Making healthier choices may mean deciding to spend your time away from friends or coworkers when they are smoking, seeking environments in which you will not feel tempted, and so on, so spend some time thinking about these factors and coming up with viable alternatives.
As part of your overall healthier lifestyle you may choose to also pursue more physical activity, which can help distract you from your cravings, as well as relieve stress, and contribute further to looking and feeling better. As you learn to pay more attention to your body health and make it a priority, you will likely start finding it easier to make healthier dietary choices and avoid the things that are not good for you. Once you start feeling good naturally you will have less reason to return to the need for unhealthy substances.
There are many products and services to help you through the process of quitting smoking. From nicotine patches or gum, to hypnosis procedures you can receive from a professional or pursue on your own through books and tapes, there are lots of alternatives. Choose several methods or techniques that seem most likely to help you, then stick with the plan you have made. It is advisable to create clear goals, rewards, a support structure, and backup plans ahead of time to help you reach each step of your journey towards quitting cigarettes completely and successfully. It is normal to encounter setbacks, but a dedication to pursuing healthier choices for yourself and your family will help you keep your mind on track, and your eye on the prize.
Spend some time researching the different approaches to stopping smoking, online, at the library, or through a local support organization. There are many people who would be happy to help you succeed, so take advantage of as much support and encouragement as you need. Envision a longer, healthier life and a higher quality of living for both you and your loved ones in the years ahead.
A strategy that many people find helpful is to replace the cigarettes with something else that will keep your hands and/or mouth busy, such as low-fat snacks, straws, toothpicks, knitting, chewing gum, and so on. Because the behaviors are such a strong aspect of the habit, using these techniques helps alleviate the feeling that you are missing something. The main thing is to find out what works for you. Making healthier choices may mean deciding to spend your time away from friends or coworkers when they are smoking, seeking environments in which you will not feel tempted, and so on, so spend some time thinking about these factors and coming up with viable alternatives.
As part of your overall healthier lifestyle you may choose to also pursue more physical activity, which can help distract you from your cravings, as well as relieve stress, and contribute further to looking and feeling better. As you learn to pay more attention to your body health and make it a priority, you will likely start finding it easier to make healthier dietary choices and avoid the things that are not good for you. Once you start feeling good naturally you will have less reason to return to the need for unhealthy substances.
There are many products and services to help you through the process of quitting smoking. From nicotine patches or gum, to hypnosis procedures you can receive from a professional or pursue on your own through books and tapes, there are lots of alternatives. Choose several methods or techniques that seem most likely to help you, then stick with the plan you have made. It is advisable to create clear goals, rewards, a support structure, and backup plans ahead of time to help you reach each step of your journey towards quitting cigarettes completely and successfully. It is normal to encounter setbacks, but a dedication to pursuing healthier choices for yourself and your family will help you keep your mind on track, and your eye on the prize.
Spend some time researching the different approaches to stopping smoking, online, at the library, or through a local support organization. There are many people who would be happy to help you succeed, so take advantage of as much support and encouragement as you need. Envision a longer, healthier life and a higher quality of living for both you and your loved ones in the years ahead.
10 Tricks To Quit Smoking
Have you decided to stop smoking? It doesn't have to be hard! One of the keys for breaking the habit once and for all is to tap into the power of your mind. Here are some tips to help you succeed.
1. Make quitting smoking your number one goal. Rather than having a long list of different goals, make quitting smoking your number-one top priority. By focusing on quitting smoking as your most important goal, you increase your chances of success.
2. Keep the end result in mind. Focus on how much better your life will be as a non-smoker. Think about how you'll be able to breathe better and your energy level will increase. Imagine all the things you can do with the money
you'll save each year by not purchasing cigarettes. And most importantly, focus on how you'll add many; many healthy years to your life, so you can do all the things you've wanted to do, spending time with people you care about. Make a long list of all the positive benefits of being a non-smoker!
3. Make it easier on yourself. Think of ways that you can make quitting easier for yourself. Can you quit with a friend or family member? Could you ask a co-worker to go for a quick walk with you on breaks and avoid the smoking area? Could you take a smoking cessation class? Could you learn self-hypnosis? Could you stock up on fruit, veggies, or sugar free gum?
4. Make a commitment to yourself. Plan the date and time that you will smoke your last cigarette. Make this promise to yourself as if your life depends on it. Why? Because it does! Write down the "sneaky tricks" that could try to lure you in for "just one" smoke (you know, the things that have triggered you in the past). Write down your strategy for outsmarting these sneaky triggers.
5. Put your plan in writing. Write down everything you've thought of while reading this article, plus any other ideas that you believe will help you to remain smoke free. More ideas: stay away from other smokers for a while; get rid of your cigarettes and ashtrays; ask a friend to call you every day for moral support.
6. Flip off negative thoughts like a switch. Instead of thinking, "This is hard" change it to "Its getting easier and easier". You could even come up with your own mantra. My favorites: "I take care of health."; "I can handle this."; "I can do it!" Have a positive statement you can say to yourself throughout the day to keep you on track.
7. Give yourself rewards. Why not have a quit jar and put all the money that you would have spent on cigarettes in it? You could save up for a tropical vacation or a down payment on that new sports car. Think of a nice reward to give yourself for being smoke free for one day, one week, one month, and so on! Mark them on your calendar so you have something to look forward to.
8. Approach quitting with a "I can. I will. I must." attitude. If your child or loved one was burning in a building and you were the only one there to get them out, would you just "give it a try?" Would you simply "give it a shot?" Or would you "give it everything you've got?" Of course you would do anything and everything, whatever it took. Well, aren't you worth the same? So approach quitting smoking with the same attitude, because you're truly saving your own life - you're worth it!
9. Visualize your way to success. Every morning and evening, close your eyes for a few moments and rehearse in your mind how you will say "no" to any temptations to having a cigarette, and notice how good it feels to be in control of your triggers and urges. Also, picture and imagine yourself as a happy non-smoker for 3 to 5 minutes each day. See yourself as happy, healthy and active doing all the things you love to do.
10. Learn to Manage Stress. Stress is everywhere, and while we think that cigarettes help us to relax, in reality, nicotine is a stimulant to the body. During the first few days of quitting, you will likely have thoughts to have a cigarette when you feel stressed. Learning to take long, deep breaths throughout the day can be a good start. If you can learn to tackle stress, you can tackle kicking the habit much more easily.
1. Make quitting smoking your number one goal. Rather than having a long list of different goals, make quitting smoking your number-one top priority. By focusing on quitting smoking as your most important goal, you increase your chances of success.
2. Keep the end result in mind. Focus on how much better your life will be as a non-smoker. Think about how you'll be able to breathe better and your energy level will increase. Imagine all the things you can do with the money
you'll save each year by not purchasing cigarettes. And most importantly, focus on how you'll add many; many healthy years to your life, so you can do all the things you've wanted to do, spending time with people you care about. Make a long list of all the positive benefits of being a non-smoker!
3. Make it easier on yourself. Think of ways that you can make quitting easier for yourself. Can you quit with a friend or family member? Could you ask a co-worker to go for a quick walk with you on breaks and avoid the smoking area? Could you take a smoking cessation class? Could you learn self-hypnosis? Could you stock up on fruit, veggies, or sugar free gum?
4. Make a commitment to yourself. Plan the date and time that you will smoke your last cigarette. Make this promise to yourself as if your life depends on it. Why? Because it does! Write down the "sneaky tricks" that could try to lure you in for "just one" smoke (you know, the things that have triggered you in the past). Write down your strategy for outsmarting these sneaky triggers.
5. Put your plan in writing. Write down everything you've thought of while reading this article, plus any other ideas that you believe will help you to remain smoke free. More ideas: stay away from other smokers for a while; get rid of your cigarettes and ashtrays; ask a friend to call you every day for moral support.
6. Flip off negative thoughts like a switch. Instead of thinking, "This is hard" change it to "Its getting easier and easier". You could even come up with your own mantra. My favorites: "I take care of health."; "I can handle this."; "I can do it!" Have a positive statement you can say to yourself throughout the day to keep you on track.
7. Give yourself rewards. Why not have a quit jar and put all the money that you would have spent on cigarettes in it? You could save up for a tropical vacation or a down payment on that new sports car. Think of a nice reward to give yourself for being smoke free for one day, one week, one month, and so on! Mark them on your calendar so you have something to look forward to.
8. Approach quitting with a "I can. I will. I must." attitude. If your child or loved one was burning in a building and you were the only one there to get them out, would you just "give it a try?" Would you simply "give it a shot?" Or would you "give it everything you've got?" Of course you would do anything and everything, whatever it took. Well, aren't you worth the same? So approach quitting smoking with the same attitude, because you're truly saving your own life - you're worth it!
9. Visualize your way to success. Every morning and evening, close your eyes for a few moments and rehearse in your mind how you will say "no" to any temptations to having a cigarette, and notice how good it feels to be in control of your triggers and urges. Also, picture and imagine yourself as a happy non-smoker for 3 to 5 minutes each day. See yourself as happy, healthy and active doing all the things you love to do.
10. Learn to Manage Stress. Stress is everywhere, and while we think that cigarettes help us to relax, in reality, nicotine is a stimulant to the body. During the first few days of quitting, you will likely have thoughts to have a cigarette when you feel stressed. Learning to take long, deep breaths throughout the day can be a good start. If you can learn to tackle stress, you can tackle kicking the habit much more easily.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Want To Get Rid Of Bad Breath? Quit Smoking!
One of the effects that smoking has on you is that it causes bad breath as well as other dental problems. There are several reasons why smoking causes problems with your breath and oral hygiene. While there may be some temporary fixes to banish bad breath, the easiest way to get rid of the bad oral hygiene is to quit smoking.
The main reason for bad breath when smoking is found to be caused by the chemicals found in cigarettes. These are then moved into your mouth, where they can build up. Tar and nicotine easily begin to build up on the mouth surfaces. They can stick to places like the teeth, gums, tongue and side of the cheeks. This causes smoker's breath to form.
One of the major results of the chemicals in the cigarettes is that it allows bacteria to form in your mouth. The first way in which bacteria is able to stay in your mouth is from these chemicals. When they stay on your mouth's surface, it allows the bacteria to stick to certain places, giving them a place to thrive.
Another reason why smoking causes bad breath, is because it dries out your mouth. In consequence, this stops the saliva from continuously flowing and cleansing out your mouth. This is what causes the growth of certain types of bacteria in your mouth, which then lead to a continuous odor on your breath. Because the saliva is not able to move as freely, it can't clean out the bacteria that move through your mouth. These same parts of smoking also cause cavities and yellowing of teeth to form easier.
Another reason why smoking will cause bad breath is because it raises the temperature in your mouth. This causes oral tissue cells to be damaged and killed. These will then not be able to protect the mouth efficiently, causing the bacteria to be able to move into the mouth easier. This may eventually lead to more serious problems with your oral hygiene.
More serious problems with smoking and dental hygiene may include gum disease and oral cancer. This can cause long term effects by someone who smokes. The tobacco that moves into your system causes your immune system to limit how it can fight infection. It also stops the growing of blood vessels. Both of these contribute to one who smokes getting gum disease or oral cancer.
One of the ways that most smokers will get rid of bad breath is by using a certain type of smoke screen gum. This will neutralize the odor causing bacteria on your tongue after you smoke a cigarette. However, this type of gum is usually fairly expensive and does not eliminate the bad breath after you smoke another cigarette. The bacteria is still able to move inside your mouth, and the chemicals that stick to your teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks still remain in place. Most quick remedies that are there for smokers are used for shorter term fixes and are unable to eliminate the complex problems that form in your oral hygiene from smoking.
The easiest way to prevent dental problems and bad breath is by stopping smoking all together. This will begin to change several of the problems that have occurred with bad breath because of smoking. After you quit smoking, the saliva in your mouth is able to move more freely. This will naturally begin to get rid of the extra bacteria that were able to grow in your mouth. The next thing that will happen is the blood vessels and the tissue cells will begin to repair. Nutrients, such as Vitamin C, which were being killed by the bacteria before, will have a chance to repair and build back in your mouth. This is one of the main agents that will fight the bacteria.
Eventually, the chemicals, tar and nicotine that were beginning to stay in your mouth will also be washed away. This will leave no room for the bacteria to stay in your mouth and cause the bad breath. When you quit smoking, your mouth will begin to rebuild the damaged areas. These will not only help to prevent bad breath, but also things such as stained teeth, and more serious problems dealing with gum disease and oral cancer.
Deciding to quit smoking is a choice that will help with your health in many areas, including your oral hygiene. By deciding to quit smoking, your mouth will be able to function better and remain healthy. If you want to eliminate your bad breath or smokers' breath then deciding to quit smoking is the best way to do it.
The main reason for bad breath when smoking is found to be caused by the chemicals found in cigarettes. These are then moved into your mouth, where they can build up. Tar and nicotine easily begin to build up on the mouth surfaces. They can stick to places like the teeth, gums, tongue and side of the cheeks. This causes smoker's breath to form.
One of the major results of the chemicals in the cigarettes is that it allows bacteria to form in your mouth. The first way in which bacteria is able to stay in your mouth is from these chemicals. When they stay on your mouth's surface, it allows the bacteria to stick to certain places, giving them a place to thrive.
Another reason why smoking causes bad breath, is because it dries out your mouth. In consequence, this stops the saliva from continuously flowing and cleansing out your mouth. This is what causes the growth of certain types of bacteria in your mouth, which then lead to a continuous odor on your breath. Because the saliva is not able to move as freely, it can't clean out the bacteria that move through your mouth. These same parts of smoking also cause cavities and yellowing of teeth to form easier.
Another reason why smoking will cause bad breath is because it raises the temperature in your mouth. This causes oral tissue cells to be damaged and killed. These will then not be able to protect the mouth efficiently, causing the bacteria to be able to move into the mouth easier. This may eventually lead to more serious problems with your oral hygiene.
More serious problems with smoking and dental hygiene may include gum disease and oral cancer. This can cause long term effects by someone who smokes. The tobacco that moves into your system causes your immune system to limit how it can fight infection. It also stops the growing of blood vessels. Both of these contribute to one who smokes getting gum disease or oral cancer.
One of the ways that most smokers will get rid of bad breath is by using a certain type of smoke screen gum. This will neutralize the odor causing bacteria on your tongue after you smoke a cigarette. However, this type of gum is usually fairly expensive and does not eliminate the bad breath after you smoke another cigarette. The bacteria is still able to move inside your mouth, and the chemicals that stick to your teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks still remain in place. Most quick remedies that are there for smokers are used for shorter term fixes and are unable to eliminate the complex problems that form in your oral hygiene from smoking.
The easiest way to prevent dental problems and bad breath is by stopping smoking all together. This will begin to change several of the problems that have occurred with bad breath because of smoking. After you quit smoking, the saliva in your mouth is able to move more freely. This will naturally begin to get rid of the extra bacteria that were able to grow in your mouth. The next thing that will happen is the blood vessels and the tissue cells will begin to repair. Nutrients, such as Vitamin C, which were being killed by the bacteria before, will have a chance to repair and build back in your mouth. This is one of the main agents that will fight the bacteria.
Eventually, the chemicals, tar and nicotine that were beginning to stay in your mouth will also be washed away. This will leave no room for the bacteria to stay in your mouth and cause the bad breath. When you quit smoking, your mouth will begin to rebuild the damaged areas. These will not only help to prevent bad breath, but also things such as stained teeth, and more serious problems dealing with gum disease and oral cancer.
Deciding to quit smoking is a choice that will help with your health in many areas, including your oral hygiene. By deciding to quit smoking, your mouth will be able to function better and remain healthy. If you want to eliminate your bad breath or smokers' breath then deciding to quit smoking is the best way to do it.
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking
There are many health benefits to be gained from quitting smoking. The human body is a remarkable piece of engineering which can recover (to a certain extent) from years of smoking in a very short period of time. If you?re a smoker, you undoubtedly know this. The health benefits of quitting smoking are widely available for view on just about any anti-smoking site. What these sites often fail to cover is the real, practical benefits of quitting smoking. As a former smoker myself, I shall explain in this article how a cessation of smoking pragmatically improved my life.
The major problem that quitting smoking fixed up for me was my awful habit of procrastinating. For years I had become increasingly idle, and I almost solely place the finger of guilt at my former smoking habit. Taking in 40 cigarettes a day for 10 years clogged up my lungs to the extent that I felt like I permanently lived with a plastic bag over my head. Being always short of breath and having little muscle power, I would find myself lazing around more than I would being proactive.
After packing in cigarettes, my lung capabilities returned and my energy levels soared. As a result, I was able to exercise strenuously again, getting into the best shape of my life. To this degree, I saw a massive lift in my self-esteem and confidence. This domino effect continued, as the self-esteem and confidence saw me winning the attention of the opposite sex, as well as improving my networking capabilities with colleagues in my work industry.
Then there was the financial gain. One of the major benefits of quitting smoking is actually seeing money appear in your wallet again. I made a vow that I would set aside ?9 (approximately the cost of two packets of cigarettes) in my desk drawer for every day I managed to stay a non-smoker. I was quite astonished to see how quickly the cash piled up, and by the end of the month I was nearly ?300 better off. After two months of not smoking, I had enough saved money for a holiday.
Finally, there was the sheer liberation from the fear that cigarettes generated. I no longer felt panicked about being down to my last couple of cigarettes. I ceased to be anxious in bars without a packet with me. I didn?t have to travel to the all-night store at 2am in heavy rain to get a fresh pack for consumption in the morning. This experience was like having a 200 lbs weight lifted from my shoulders, and is easily one of the greatest benefits of quitting smoking.
In conclusion, you should really look at what you can gain on a practical level by quitting cigarettes. There is too much emphasis on the health angle and, sadly, health alone is not enough of a motivator to many smokers who have already decided to take that gamble. Quitting smoking gives you release, a liberation and the restoration of many fabulous physical and mental facilities. Ask how these benefits can directly affect your quality of life, and then make the firm decision to take action to quit.
The major problem that quitting smoking fixed up for me was my awful habit of procrastinating. For years I had become increasingly idle, and I almost solely place the finger of guilt at my former smoking habit. Taking in 40 cigarettes a day for 10 years clogged up my lungs to the extent that I felt like I permanently lived with a plastic bag over my head. Being always short of breath and having little muscle power, I would find myself lazing around more than I would being proactive.
After packing in cigarettes, my lung capabilities returned and my energy levels soared. As a result, I was able to exercise strenuously again, getting into the best shape of my life. To this degree, I saw a massive lift in my self-esteem and confidence. This domino effect continued, as the self-esteem and confidence saw me winning the attention of the opposite sex, as well as improving my networking capabilities with colleagues in my work industry.
Then there was the financial gain. One of the major benefits of quitting smoking is actually seeing money appear in your wallet again. I made a vow that I would set aside ?9 (approximately the cost of two packets of cigarettes) in my desk drawer for every day I managed to stay a non-smoker. I was quite astonished to see how quickly the cash piled up, and by the end of the month I was nearly ?300 better off. After two months of not smoking, I had enough saved money for a holiday.
Finally, there was the sheer liberation from the fear that cigarettes generated. I no longer felt panicked about being down to my last couple of cigarettes. I ceased to be anxious in bars without a packet with me. I didn?t have to travel to the all-night store at 2am in heavy rain to get a fresh pack for consumption in the morning. This experience was like having a 200 lbs weight lifted from my shoulders, and is easily one of the greatest benefits of quitting smoking.
In conclusion, you should really look at what you can gain on a practical level by quitting cigarettes. There is too much emphasis on the health angle and, sadly, health alone is not enough of a motivator to many smokers who have already decided to take that gamble. Quitting smoking gives you release, a liberation and the restoration of many fabulous physical and mental facilities. Ask how these benefits can directly affect your quality of life, and then make the firm decision to take action to quit.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tools to Help You Stop Smoking
There are many tools available to help you successfully navigate the first few difficult weeks after quitting cigarettes.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
This includes nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, sprays and lozenges. Sprays and inhalers require a prescription but the rest can be purchased directly, at your convenience. These products can help you slowly decrease your intake of nicotine, while also breaking the behavioral habits associated with smoking. It is important that you follow directions for use carefully and consistently in order to get the desired results without added risk to your health. Gradually reducing your nicotine consumption in this way can help relieve the unpleasant symptoms of sudden nicotine withdrawal, and therefore significantly increases your chances of quitting successfully.
Non-nicotine medications
Medicines such as Bupropion SR require a doctor's prescription, and are used to ease withdrawal symptoms and decrease the urge to smoke. Possible side effects include sleep disturbance and dry mouth. As with any medication, your doctor can help you determine if this is something you want to try as part of your stop smoking strategy.
Note: neither nicotine replacement therapies or other medical treatments to help stop smoking are safe for use during pregnancy, so if you are pregnant and trying to quit, it is essential that you consult with your doctor and explore non-medicinal approaches. Quitting before getting pregnant is the best way to protect the health of your baby.
There are drug-free methods of quitting smoking, including hypnotherapy, acupressure and meditation, all of which can help reduce cravings naturally, as well as promote a deeper sense of calm and relaxation to help you through your early quitting stages. Nicotine withdrawal is an unpleasant but temporary experience. Understanding what you should expect during this phase, and having a plan for dealing with the symptoms as they arise will vastly improve your chances of quitting successfully.
Stopping smoking will involve making changes in your behavior, as well as in how you think about cigarettes, so any tool you use to help you stop smoking will work best in combination with a clearly defined strategy and an understanding of why you want to quit. Your desire to stop smoking is your strongest weapon against nicotine addiction, and is the most crucial component of any plan to quit smoking. Develop a clearly defined set of reasons to quit, and goals to reach so that you can remind yourself of these during moments of temptation. Know ahead of time what techniques you will use in order to reach those goals, and have a support network to help you along the way. One step at a time, you can walk away from your smoking habit and leave it behind forever.
Prepare Yourself Mentally to Quit Smoking
What many people may not realize is just how much of the effort to quit smoking relies on changing your thought processes and self-perceptions. While the actual smoking behavior is all that others see, like the tip of the iceberg, a smoking habit is supported by many underlying, unseen factors including your reasons for smoking. These may vary widely, including:
- stress relief
- weight loss
- boredom
- fitting in with a group of people
- image
- nicotine addiction
Understanding your own reasons for smoking is the first step in creating a customized plan for quitting. By finding healthier replacements to address your underlying needs, you will be less likely to succumb to temptation when obstacles arise. Because every individual is different, it is essential that you tailor your stop smoking plan to suit your own unique situation.
Another element of mental preparation is in trying to retrain yourself to see cigarettes not as something pleasurable, but as something you no longer want in your life. This can be a major adjustment, however all the evidence about the dangers of smoking as well as your personal reasons for quitting, can be utilized as reminders. Make a list of all the negative things about smoking that you are looking forward to freeing yourself from, as well as the positive changes you are striving towards, and review these often.
Part of your transition will involve learning to identify yourself as a non-smoker, and changing your behaviors accordingly. Take some time to think about what this will mean for you. Do you need to make changes regarding where you spend your time, and who you spend it with? At what times during your day might you feel the most lost without a cigarette? What temptations are you likely to encounter during your normal routine? Thinking about these things before they occur will help you be prepared with solutions all ready to meet the challenges as they arise.
Another component of mentally preparing yourself to quit smoking is the power of positive thinking and visualization in helping pave the way to success. If you can easily imagine yourself overcoming your smoking habit, and start to really feel how great it is going to be to quit, this will provide additional motivation and momentum towards reaching your goals. Along with specific visualizations, you can also learn relaxation techniques that will help overcome your cravings, and reduce any underlying stress that is contributing to your habit.
Doing some reading and research ahead of time using the many available resources will help give you an idea of what to expect during the quitting process, and learn about what types of strategies have been used successfully by other former smokers. You can then choose a combination of different approaches as seems appropriate, and keep other strategies in mind as a back up plan. If you look, you will find there is plenty of help along the way; take advantage of as many stop smoking methods as necessary to help you stay quit, and look forward to celebrating your milestones.
How To Remove Cigarettes From Your Life
Keep a journal and write in it whenever you begin to get the overwhelming temptation to light up. Instead of picking up a cigarette, pick up a pen to write with. Write down your feelings at the moment, your frustrations and your good days you have. This helps with releasing many of the cravings you will have and go through, it also helps in taking your mind of smoking on to something else.
Ready yourself for the times of challenge ahead of you, which will happen at some point in your quest to beat smoking. Make a solidified plan for when these temptations hit you to smoke and instead go jogging, take a nice walk, swim, take a bike ride or anything you enjoy that will keep you from smoking.
You can also speak with your medical doctor about some of the quit smoking medications and devices available. He can help determine which ones may work the best for your specific problem with this habit. Many of these quit smoking helpful devices and treatments come in the form of patches, inhalers, nasal sprays, gum and even the use of anti-depressant medicines which helps you with relieving the withdrawal and temptations to pick up a smoke.
Make sure all tobacco and cigarette products are cleared out of your work area, cars, home and other areas which you will be occupying. This is important to your reaching your goal to quit smoking. If you don't have easy access to cigarettes then you will be more apt to occupy yourself with something else when an urge hits you.
Programs are also available in groups of people who are struggling with the same demons you are in trying to quit smoking and get in better health. You can join one of these groups supporting quitting the smoking habit at some schools, gyms and other facilities in your local area. These groups offer a added area of support for you because these people are all going through exactly what you are and understand you.
Quitting smoking has so many more benefits than that of smoking. Your lungs have a better capacity for working, your tastes and smell of things will also begin improving, circulation will be improved, having shortness of breath will get fewer, excessive coughing will quiet down along with congestion in the sinus areas too,
And your risk of heart disease is reduced. With all these good things why shouldn't you stop smoking right this minute?
Make a commitment to yourself and your family to stop smoking today. You'll be doing your body and health a tremendous favor along with your loved ones who want you to be with them for many, many more years to come. Go ahead write down and commit to a specific date you are going to be quit smoking by and stick to it no matter how bad the temptations to smoke are. Your support group of loved ones believes in you and you should believe in yourself too. You can get through this and you can do this.
Ready yourself for the times of challenge ahead of you, which will happen at some point in your quest to beat smoking. Make a solidified plan for when these temptations hit you to smoke and instead go jogging, take a nice walk, swim, take a bike ride or anything you enjoy that will keep you from smoking.
You can also speak with your medical doctor about some of the quit smoking medications and devices available. He can help determine which ones may work the best for your specific problem with this habit. Many of these quit smoking helpful devices and treatments come in the form of patches, inhalers, nasal sprays, gum and even the use of anti-depressant medicines which helps you with relieving the withdrawal and temptations to pick up a smoke.
Make sure all tobacco and cigarette products are cleared out of your work area, cars, home and other areas which you will be occupying. This is important to your reaching your goal to quit smoking. If you don't have easy access to cigarettes then you will be more apt to occupy yourself with something else when an urge hits you.
Programs are also available in groups of people who are struggling with the same demons you are in trying to quit smoking and get in better health. You can join one of these groups supporting quitting the smoking habit at some schools, gyms and other facilities in your local area. These groups offer a added area of support for you because these people are all going through exactly what you are and understand you.
Quitting smoking has so many more benefits than that of smoking. Your lungs have a better capacity for working, your tastes and smell of things will also begin improving, circulation will be improved, having shortness of breath will get fewer, excessive coughing will quiet down along with congestion in the sinus areas too,
And your risk of heart disease is reduced. With all these good things why shouldn't you stop smoking right this minute?
Make a commitment to yourself and your family to stop smoking today. You'll be doing your body and health a tremendous favor along with your loved ones who want you to be with them for many, many more years to come. Go ahead write down and commit to a specific date you are going to be quit smoking by and stick to it no matter how bad the temptations to smoke are. Your support group of loved ones believes in you and you should believe in yourself too. You can get through this and you can do this.
For Women Smokers Only
Government statistics show that men succeed at quitting smoking almost twice as often as women do. Why is it harder for women to quit smoking than it is for men?
Most women started smoking during their teen years, to make them look more sophisticated, and appear older. Over the years, their wish came true. Female smokers look between five and ten years older than their actual age. This is because smoking harms the skin tissue that keeps it taunt and resilient, in addition to all the other ways smoking ages your body.
The Surgeon General first reported on smoking and health in 1964. At that time, about twice as many men were smoking than women were. Now, the roles have reversed, and there are more women smoking than men.
One of the reasons that more women are smoking, and that they find it harder to quit than men do, is that many women smoke for emotional reasons. In addition to the nicotine addiction, women must deal with the reasons why they smoke before they can successfully quit smoking for good.
Women have much greater responsibilities now than they did fifteen or twenty years ago. It is more challenging to raise children; there are job pressures and insecurities, as well as financial concerns to deal with. For many women, a cigarette gives them a five or ten minute break from the pressures of their daily life. That is hard to give up.
Another major concern of women smokers is that they will gain weight when they stop smoking. The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia found that the average weight gain for women that stopped smoking was about five pounds. Women who quit as part of an overall health improvement program, that included regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management had no weight gain at all.
Next time you light up, take a minute and think about why you want that cigarette. Is it because of an addiction to nicotine? On the other hand, is it because you need a moment to escape from the daily race? Keep track of how many times you use your smoking habit as an escape route. Then, find another activity that you can use to get away from your stress. A five-minute walk around the office, a soothing cup of tea, or even a ten minute music break with relaxing music and headphones can provide a much needed break, without harming your health.
Once you incorporate better stress management methods into your day, you will find it much easier to deal with the nicotine addiction, and quit smoking for good.
Most women started smoking during their teen years, to make them look more sophisticated, and appear older. Over the years, their wish came true. Female smokers look between five and ten years older than their actual age. This is because smoking harms the skin tissue that keeps it taunt and resilient, in addition to all the other ways smoking ages your body.
The Surgeon General first reported on smoking and health in 1964. At that time, about twice as many men were smoking than women were. Now, the roles have reversed, and there are more women smoking than men.
One of the reasons that more women are smoking, and that they find it harder to quit than men do, is that many women smoke for emotional reasons. In addition to the nicotine addiction, women must deal with the reasons why they smoke before they can successfully quit smoking for good.
Women have much greater responsibilities now than they did fifteen or twenty years ago. It is more challenging to raise children; there are job pressures and insecurities, as well as financial concerns to deal with. For many women, a cigarette gives them a five or ten minute break from the pressures of their daily life. That is hard to give up.
Another major concern of women smokers is that they will gain weight when they stop smoking. The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia found that the average weight gain for women that stopped smoking was about five pounds. Women who quit as part of an overall health improvement program, that included regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management had no weight gain at all.
Next time you light up, take a minute and think about why you want that cigarette. Is it because of an addiction to nicotine? On the other hand, is it because you need a moment to escape from the daily race? Keep track of how many times you use your smoking habit as an escape route. Then, find another activity that you can use to get away from your stress. A five-minute walk around the office, a soothing cup of tea, or even a ten minute music break with relaxing music and headphones can provide a much needed break, without harming your health.
Once you incorporate better stress management methods into your day, you will find it much easier to deal with the nicotine addiction, and quit smoking for good.
Using Acupuncture To Quit Smoking
After dinner, Donna was sitting in a comfortable armchair and was enjoying an after dinner cigarette. She got up and went to go check her email account. She saw an email that said, "Stop Smoking Now!"
This email definitely caught her attention. She had already been smoking for a few years and was definitely noticing the signs that her body was not responding well to the abuse that it was taking.
She thought to herself, "Maybe this is the message from God that I need to stop smoking?" She knew that she was not a strong willed person and that she was also allergic to many medicines. So she thought, "how can I stop smoking?"
She went to the computer and did a couple quick searches on the Internet. She found herself reading an acupuncture quit smoking - stop fact sheet that was revealing a possible way for her to escape her destructive smoking habit.
Do you find that you are in the same place as Donna? The rest of this article will give you some good information about how you can use acupuncture to help you quit smoking.
First of all...what is acupuncture. Acupuncture is the ancient technique of inserting thin needles into specific parts of the body. The main purpose is to restore a person's health and well being. It is one of the Chinese methods that is used all over the world today.
Acupuncture quit smoking stop techniques are great for people that are unable to take stop smoking products because of allergies or a medical condition. The only other option for them is to try and quit smoking using the cold turkey method. The cold turkey method is completely dependent on determination and on the will only. A non smoker may think that it would be easy to quit cold turkey, but for most smokers they find that this is practically impossible.
Acupuncture can help people that struggle with the cold turkey method as acupuncture quit smoking stop treatments will result into reduced cravings with fewer withdrawal symptoms. These benefits will lead to the a much greater chance of stopping smoking.
When the acupuncture quit smoking stop program is combined with correct behavioral therapy the results are practically guaranteed.
If you think that you may want to try it, you should first ask your doctor for a referral for an acupuncturist that has experience in similar treatment. It is important that you find a good acupuncturist that has experience with this type of treatment.
It is also important that you find a good acupuncturist because in this type of proceedure, they will be inserting needles into your skin and it is of utmost importance that you go to a place that has a high-standard of hygene and acupuncture supplies.
After this, go to the clinic and get your initial exam and attend the training sessions. An acupuncture quit smoking stop program may be over after one session, but in some cases there maybe more.
"Yes, this is the solution for me!" Donna exclaimed. She picked up the phone and called her doctor, to chat about the best acupuncture quit smoking stop clinics in her city.
This email definitely caught her attention. She had already been smoking for a few years and was definitely noticing the signs that her body was not responding well to the abuse that it was taking.
She thought to herself, "Maybe this is the message from God that I need to stop smoking?" She knew that she was not a strong willed person and that she was also allergic to many medicines. So she thought, "how can I stop smoking?"
She went to the computer and did a couple quick searches on the Internet. She found herself reading an acupuncture quit smoking - stop fact sheet that was revealing a possible way for her to escape her destructive smoking habit.
Do you find that you are in the same place as Donna? The rest of this article will give you some good information about how you can use acupuncture to help you quit smoking.
First of all...what is acupuncture. Acupuncture is the ancient technique of inserting thin needles into specific parts of the body. The main purpose is to restore a person's health and well being. It is one of the Chinese methods that is used all over the world today.
Acupuncture quit smoking stop techniques are great for people that are unable to take stop smoking products because of allergies or a medical condition. The only other option for them is to try and quit smoking using the cold turkey method. The cold turkey method is completely dependent on determination and on the will only. A non smoker may think that it would be easy to quit cold turkey, but for most smokers they find that this is practically impossible.
Acupuncture can help people that struggle with the cold turkey method as acupuncture quit smoking stop treatments will result into reduced cravings with fewer withdrawal symptoms. These benefits will lead to the a much greater chance of stopping smoking.
When the acupuncture quit smoking stop program is combined with correct behavioral therapy the results are practically guaranteed.
If you think that you may want to try it, you should first ask your doctor for a referral for an acupuncturist that has experience in similar treatment. It is important that you find a good acupuncturist that has experience with this type of treatment.
It is also important that you find a good acupuncturist because in this type of proceedure, they will be inserting needles into your skin and it is of utmost importance that you go to a place that has a high-standard of hygene and acupuncture supplies.
After this, go to the clinic and get your initial exam and attend the training sessions. An acupuncture quit smoking stop program may be over after one session, but in some cases there maybe more.
"Yes, this is the solution for me!" Donna exclaimed. She picked up the phone and called her doctor, to chat about the best acupuncture quit smoking stop clinics in her city.
Should Smoking be Banned?
Should Smoking be Banned?
Author: Tima.ashar
Why is it that countries everywhere want to ban smoking and related advertisements and also benefit from taxing its sales, both at the same time? The same goes for alcohol and other such commodities.
Smoking and drinking are universally prevalent habits. That itself is the biggest argument against any such bans. Why then would any lawmaker try to wipe it out?
The main motive behind such moves seems to be a paternalistic one - to protect others from harming themselves. As adults our personal habits are chosen by us and we are solely responsible for them. It seems there is a tendency to consider the civil population as a group or community whose welfare one is responsible for. In fact, no one can hold another person responsible if somebody dies of smoking induced cancer, except that person himself/herself.
If the above is true, than why would anyone think of imposing such bans? If the victim is solely responsible for his/her actions, then why should such actions become a subject for regulations, unless they are considered harmful to others?
This last point has in fact been explored in case of smoking, and passive smoking is one argument made in favor of banning public smoking.
Several habits are a matter of personal freedom and these must be kept out of reach of bans and impositions.
A just point made by someone on the internet was that smokers do not continue to smoke due to lack of knowledge of its harmful effects. It at all it is, it is considered a vice. That is what motivates such bans.
Or is it that governments can't tolerate anything more popular than themselves?!
For more information on smoking visit - anti-smoking information
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/national,-state,-local-articles/should-smoking-be-banned-29126.html
About the Author:
The author is a freelance writer and associated with http://www.stop-smoking-guide.info
Author: Tima.ashar
Why is it that countries everywhere want to ban smoking and related advertisements and also benefit from taxing its sales, both at the same time? The same goes for alcohol and other such commodities.
Smoking and drinking are universally prevalent habits. That itself is the biggest argument against any such bans. Why then would any lawmaker try to wipe it out?
The main motive behind such moves seems to be a paternalistic one - to protect others from harming themselves. As adults our personal habits are chosen by us and we are solely responsible for them. It seems there is a tendency to consider the civil population as a group or community whose welfare one is responsible for. In fact, no one can hold another person responsible if somebody dies of smoking induced cancer, except that person himself/herself.
If the above is true, than why would anyone think of imposing such bans? If the victim is solely responsible for his/her actions, then why should such actions become a subject for regulations, unless they are considered harmful to others?
This last point has in fact been explored in case of smoking, and passive smoking is one argument made in favor of banning public smoking.
Several habits are a matter of personal freedom and these must be kept out of reach of bans and impositions.
A just point made by someone on the internet was that smokers do not continue to smoke due to lack of knowledge of its harmful effects. It at all it is, it is considered a vice. That is what motivates such bans.
Or is it that governments can't tolerate anything more popular than themselves?!
For more information on smoking visit - anti-smoking information
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/national,-state,-local-articles/should-smoking-be-banned-29126.html
About the Author:
The author is a freelance writer and associated with http://www.stop-smoking-guide.info
Can Anybody Kick The Cigarette Habit?
Why is it there are solutions for anything and everybody? One may find him/herself with a broken leg and a cast is set along with some crutches. Voila! Eventually that leg is healed! There are countless scenarios and solutions from say, a broken leg to weight loss/gain to hair loss to skin care. We all want to better ourselves. We all want a viable solution...
Smoking is a nasty habit. But why kick the cigarette habit when it seems nearly impossible to quit? What are the ways to quit smoking anyway? What is the BEST stop smoking treatment? A patch? A pill? A prayer?
According to the American Heart Association, in the United States an estimated 25.5 MILLION men and 21.5 MILLION women still smoke, many of whom want to quit or have tried some sort of stop smoking treatment. It is no shock these people feel the negative effects of smoking (shortness of breath, loss of taste buds, etc.) Not to mention they are at a much higher risk for heart disease and health failures.
Nicotine is addictive and this addiction IS a disease. So why do people smoke cigarettes? The answer is, there is no ONE reason. Every one person has his or her reason. And one must not place blame.
Instead, one must understand his/her cigarette habit and decide, "The effects of cigarette smoke, both inhaled and second hand cigarette smoke IS not for me!" He or she should want to quit, want to live a longer, healthier lifestyle.
Does one take a stop smoking vaccine? Go to a stop smoking support group, full of strangers who also want to quit? What about zyban? Quit smoking, cold turkey? Does one merely read a stop smoking ad in a glossy magazine and think, "Ah, that will be so simple?" No. Nothing in life is simple. Especially when it comes to the cigarette habit.
Ways to quit cigarette smoking are numerous. But one must be ready and willing to kick the cigarette habit.
For example, a good friend of mine ordered a stop smoking cd; he quit smoking through hypnosis. Another friend, well, she quit when she found out she was pregnant and instead, chewed gum. Everyone has his or her preference. Ultimately, anybody can kick the cigarette habit, but only once they have made the absolute decision to do so.
Smoking is a nasty habit. But why kick the cigarette habit when it seems nearly impossible to quit? What are the ways to quit smoking anyway? What is the BEST stop smoking treatment? A patch? A pill? A prayer?
According to the American Heart Association, in the United States an estimated 25.5 MILLION men and 21.5 MILLION women still smoke, many of whom want to quit or have tried some sort of stop smoking treatment. It is no shock these people feel the negative effects of smoking (shortness of breath, loss of taste buds, etc.) Not to mention they are at a much higher risk for heart disease and health failures.
Nicotine is addictive and this addiction IS a disease. So why do people smoke cigarettes? The answer is, there is no ONE reason. Every one person has his or her reason. And one must not place blame.
Instead, one must understand his/her cigarette habit and decide, "The effects of cigarette smoke, both inhaled and second hand cigarette smoke IS not for me!" He or she should want to quit, want to live a longer, healthier lifestyle.
Does one take a stop smoking vaccine? Go to a stop smoking support group, full of strangers who also want to quit? What about zyban? Quit smoking, cold turkey? Does one merely read a stop smoking ad in a glossy magazine and think, "Ah, that will be so simple?" No. Nothing in life is simple. Especially when it comes to the cigarette habit.
Ways to quit cigarette smoking are numerous. But one must be ready and willing to kick the cigarette habit.
For example, a good friend of mine ordered a stop smoking cd; he quit smoking through hypnosis. Another friend, well, she quit when she found out she was pregnant and instead, chewed gum. Everyone has his or her preference. Ultimately, anybody can kick the cigarette habit, but only once they have made the absolute decision to do so.
Create Pressure To Help You Stop Smoking By Letting Other People Know You've Quit
Almost every smoker reaches a point with their addiction where they want to quit, and for most them is a very difficult task. Although people tend not to think of it this way, an attempt to quit smoking is an attempt to break an extremely serious addiction - in some studies nicotine is shown to be as addictive as cocaine. It is important therefore, that you provide yourself with as much support as possible when you attempt to quit smoking: when you first quit, you shouldn't hesitate to tell people.
A lot of people, when they first attempt to quit smoking, have a tendency not to tell the people around them. There are a few reasons for this: in some cases, the ex-smoker feels that they will be putting pressure on their friends, especially those friends who smoke, or trying to make them feel guiltily; in other cases the ex-smoker will keep the quitting attempt to his or herself because of a subconscious fear of failure - if no one knows you tried to quit, then no one will know if the attempt failed.
If you don't tell anyone that you've quit smoking, you're leaving yourself completely alone with no support group. Most people will find that if they make a point of telling their friends and associates that they've quit smoking, they'll be rewarded with instant support. At times of weakness, your friends are going to step in and make sure you don't smoke in front of them.
As an added bonus, smoking friends that you have are probably going to be very interested in your attempt - after all, all smokers want to quite on some level. Your smoking friends will show interest in your progress and techniques, which will give you an opportunity for some positive reinforcement - a chance to remind yourself that what you're trying to do is a good thing, and that you are doing well.
Anyone who is a true friend will neither offer you cigarettes nor allow you to smoke in front of them. This support system is crucial when you attempt something drastic like trying to quit smoking. Many people, out of a sense of stubbornness, have a tendency to want to "go it alone" when they try and quit smoking. For one reason or another a lot of people don't like the idea of needing help (this is the same logic, of course, that leads many smokers to say things like "I could quit whenever I want to - I just don't want to now.") In order to be successful in your attempt to quit smoking, though, you will need help, and there is absolutely no shame in seeking support from your friends.
Rather than keeping it under wraps, every smoker who's trying to quit should inform all of their friends, and ask them to support him or her if they see a lapse. With a group of friends watching out for you, your attempt to quit smoking will have a much higher chance of success, and may even lead to some of your friends trying to quit as well.
A lot of people, when they first attempt to quit smoking, have a tendency not to tell the people around them. There are a few reasons for this: in some cases, the ex-smoker feels that they will be putting pressure on their friends, especially those friends who smoke, or trying to make them feel guiltily; in other cases the ex-smoker will keep the quitting attempt to his or herself because of a subconscious fear of failure - if no one knows you tried to quit, then no one will know if the attempt failed.
If you don't tell anyone that you've quit smoking, you're leaving yourself completely alone with no support group. Most people will find that if they make a point of telling their friends and associates that they've quit smoking, they'll be rewarded with instant support. At times of weakness, your friends are going to step in and make sure you don't smoke in front of them.
As an added bonus, smoking friends that you have are probably going to be very interested in your attempt - after all, all smokers want to quite on some level. Your smoking friends will show interest in your progress and techniques, which will give you an opportunity for some positive reinforcement - a chance to remind yourself that what you're trying to do is a good thing, and that you are doing well.
Anyone who is a true friend will neither offer you cigarettes nor allow you to smoke in front of them. This support system is crucial when you attempt something drastic like trying to quit smoking. Many people, out of a sense of stubbornness, have a tendency to want to "go it alone" when they try and quit smoking. For one reason or another a lot of people don't like the idea of needing help (this is the same logic, of course, that leads many smokers to say things like "I could quit whenever I want to - I just don't want to now.") In order to be successful in your attempt to quit smoking, though, you will need help, and there is absolutely no shame in seeking support from your friends.
Rather than keeping it under wraps, every smoker who's trying to quit should inform all of their friends, and ask them to support him or her if they see a lapse. With a group of friends watching out for you, your attempt to quit smoking will have a much higher chance of success, and may even lead to some of your friends trying to quit as well.
Tips to Quit Smoking Today
It would be difficult to believe that there would be anyone in the world today who is not aware of the dangers of smoking. There is so much media attention on the subject plus anyone can just see what heavy smoking does to a person. Whether you are a person who is a smoker or a friend of smoker, you will probably be interested to know that you can quit smoking today. But first, what is the most important prerequisite to quitting smoking? You have to want it. If you don't want to quit smoking then you will only try to make an attempt to please others but it will not work. The desire to quit smoking must come from within. For example, there have been stories of some who when they saw another with emphysema caused by smoking it scared them so much that they quit.
Nicotine in tobacco is highly - addictive. Even the habit itself is addictive. For many smokers a cigarette is associated with relaxing, calming nerves, keeping your weight low, and taking a break. Many soldiers in the U.S. Army who were non-smokers complained that the smokers were able to take more breaks during training so they could smoke. In fact, if you are a non-smoker and work in an office building it can get rather irritating to see your friends be able to go outside and take a smoke break. They are only supposed to smoke one but end up smoking two or three while outside and overextend their break time.
If you have made the move to quit smoking or if you are advising a friend on how to quit smoking then here are some tips you need to know. Some might want to use nicotine patches to help them but remember that the smokers will have to wean themselves off of the nicotine eventually.
For the smoker, set a date as to when to stop smoking. If you tell others about it then you will have a sense of accountability to them to follow through with what you said. On that day, you need to make sure all of your cigarettes are gone and you will not light up. During this time, you need to get yourself a support group. Tell people who you know are going to support you and not criticize you in your adventure. This is important because in just a short time you will become very irritable and you will need understanding and supporting friends and family around you.
When you quit, you are going to feel very short-tempered, sleepy, hungry, and a little lazy. All you can do is stay with it because if you back down now, you'll have to go through it the next time you quit. When you feel the urge to smoke, chew some gum. The nicotine patches help to curb this craving tremendously but beware that when you do get off the nicotine patches, you will have to go through the pain as well. This is why it is especially important to tell family members that you are quitting because when you get cranky (and you will) they will at least understand you.
And lastly, if you cannot make it and smoke again, don't worry about it. Just try to quit again. Most smokers never quit the first time. You will gain some weight after you quit but remember that a little weight usually does not kill someone but smoking more than likely will.
Nicotine in tobacco is highly - addictive. Even the habit itself is addictive. For many smokers a cigarette is associated with relaxing, calming nerves, keeping your weight low, and taking a break. Many soldiers in the U.S. Army who were non-smokers complained that the smokers were able to take more breaks during training so they could smoke. In fact, if you are a non-smoker and work in an office building it can get rather irritating to see your friends be able to go outside and take a smoke break. They are only supposed to smoke one but end up smoking two or three while outside and overextend their break time.
If you have made the move to quit smoking or if you are advising a friend on how to quit smoking then here are some tips you need to know. Some might want to use nicotine patches to help them but remember that the smokers will have to wean themselves off of the nicotine eventually.
For the smoker, set a date as to when to stop smoking. If you tell others about it then you will have a sense of accountability to them to follow through with what you said. On that day, you need to make sure all of your cigarettes are gone and you will not light up. During this time, you need to get yourself a support group. Tell people who you know are going to support you and not criticize you in your adventure. This is important because in just a short time you will become very irritable and you will need understanding and supporting friends and family around you.
When you quit, you are going to feel very short-tempered, sleepy, hungry, and a little lazy. All you can do is stay with it because if you back down now, you'll have to go through it the next time you quit. When you feel the urge to smoke, chew some gum. The nicotine patches help to curb this craving tremendously but beware that when you do get off the nicotine patches, you will have to go through the pain as well. This is why it is especially important to tell family members that you are quitting because when you get cranky (and you will) they will at least understand you.
And lastly, if you cannot make it and smoke again, don't worry about it. Just try to quit again. Most smokers never quit the first time. You will gain some weight after you quit but remember that a little weight usually does not kill someone but smoking more than likely will.
Help Quit Smoking Fact
You have been trying many ways to quit smoking without much success. You may have successfully quit smoking for a while, but ended up smoking even more a few months later. You are desperate to quit smoking, but your mind keeps telling you it’s not going to be easy. Why is it so hard to quit smoking? Is it all in the mind, or is it something more sinister wreaking havoc in your body that stops you from quitting smoking?
Let’s examine the reasons why you are still smoking.
You find it difficult to quit smoking because:
you are stressed.
you feel lonely.
you have nothing better to do.
you feel you can work better when smoking.
it’s cool to be seen smoking.
you need to smoke when you are in the toilet.
your friends are smokers.
it feels good to smoke after a meal.
you frequent the pubs and it’s hard to resist a smoke with an alcoholic beverage.
Can you identify with these situations? If you do, then it’s unfortunate because these are the reasons many people give up trying to quit smoking before they even start. All I can say is that these are nothing but mere excuses your mind keeps telling you not to quit smoking. Granted, different people have different triggers that get them reaching for the next cigarette. But the overwhelming reason why you are still smoking is due to one simple fact...
...And the fact is, you are addicted to the chemical nicotine.
When you inhale cigarette smoke, nicotine is rapidly absorbed into your blood and starts affecting your brain within seconds. The result is the release of the chemicals that stimulate feelings of pleasure and well-being. These feelings last for a few minutes, after which the effect of nicotine starts to wear off, so you continue smoking throughout the day to maintain the pleasurable effects of nicotine.
In order to successfully quit smoking, your body needs to get rid of it’s dependence on nicotine. If you don’t smoke for 2 weeks, your body will physically adjust to again functioning without nicotine and the more than 3,500 chemical particles and 500 gases present in every cigarette. The key is to stop smoking long enough for your body to completely flush out and not be dependent on nicotine.
Let’s examine the reasons why you are still smoking.
You find it difficult to quit smoking because:
you are stressed.
you feel lonely.
you have nothing better to do.
you feel you can work better when smoking.
it’s cool to be seen smoking.
you need to smoke when you are in the toilet.
your friends are smokers.
it feels good to smoke after a meal.
you frequent the pubs and it’s hard to resist a smoke with an alcoholic beverage.
Can you identify with these situations? If you do, then it’s unfortunate because these are the reasons many people give up trying to quit smoking before they even start. All I can say is that these are nothing but mere excuses your mind keeps telling you not to quit smoking. Granted, different people have different triggers that get them reaching for the next cigarette. But the overwhelming reason why you are still smoking is due to one simple fact...
...And the fact is, you are addicted to the chemical nicotine.
When you inhale cigarette smoke, nicotine is rapidly absorbed into your blood and starts affecting your brain within seconds. The result is the release of the chemicals that stimulate feelings of pleasure and well-being. These feelings last for a few minutes, after which the effect of nicotine starts to wear off, so you continue smoking throughout the day to maintain the pleasurable effects of nicotine.
In order to successfully quit smoking, your body needs to get rid of it’s dependence on nicotine. If you don’t smoke for 2 weeks, your body will physically adjust to again functioning without nicotine and the more than 3,500 chemical particles and 500 gases present in every cigarette. The key is to stop smoking long enough for your body to completely flush out and not be dependent on nicotine.
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