http://voices.yahoo.com/how-quit-smoking-possible-1434637.html?cat=5
How to Quit Smoking; Is it Possible?
Why is it so hard for smokers to quit smoking? Well I have observed a few things about smokers. The things I have observed are this, based on those I have known who smoke and continue to do so.
The people who I have observed smoking, do so for a couple of reasons. Usually the ones who you will find who are beginning to smoke will be teenagers or even in some cases younger children.
Usually they smoke because they have seen their parents or other caregivers smoking.
At first the smoking is done as a form of rebellion, most everyone knows that teenagers and children are not allowed to smoke legally, in most states you have to be at least 18 now. You cannot even buy cigarettes unless you are 18 in the state of North Carolina. Another reason some people begin smoking is because someone has told them it would make them lose weight, or would calm their nerves.
The only reason I mentioned the things above is because of the fact in order to stop smoking you sort of need to know why you started in the first place. If you don't know the reason you started smoking, it can make it very hard if not nearly impossible for you to stop smoking.
Now if you can figure out why that you started smoking you will find that you can stop smoking. At least you will find it a lot easier than someone who has smoked for years and forgotten why they started in the first place.
Okay, so now you have a starting point. Think back to when you first started smoking was it for any of these reasons...
#1 To fit in or be popular,
#2 To lose weight.
#3 To calm your nerves.
#4 To feel more grown up.
#5 Some other reason.
Okay, now that you have thought about why you started, I would suggest the following write down whether or not the smoking helped you. We'll start with number one. Did smoking make you popular, or did it just make you smell like smoke? And cost you lots of money. (Seriously think about it)
Okay, now think about number two on this list, did you need to lose weight first? Did the smoking really help? Or did you do anything else differently? Such as start walking more, (since your gas money was now being spent on cigarettes) or did you eat less? Maybe drink more water? Trying to get the smoky taste out of your mouth?
What about number three? Did smoking really calm your nerves? Or did you begin worrying about all of the health problems you were creating for yourself by smoking? (Maybe you did not at first, but at some point, maybe you did start to get concerned) or you would not be trying to stop now right?
Did you smoke more thinking subconsciously that you would not develop any of the health problems others had? But then get a smokers cough or stains on your teeth and fingers caused by smoking? Did this bring calmness to your life or did this bring extra stress due to mounting health concerns, and increasing costs of maintaining your habit? (Seriously think about it)
Okay, number four, the last reason I have listed on here, did smoking cigarettes really make you feel all grown up? Or did it take awhile?
Did it make you feel all grownup to spend all your hard earned money on cigarette's, lighters, and cough drops? What about now with mounting medical problems likely to be in your near future, if you do not stop smoking?
Okay, so maybe you have thought of all of these things and more, and perhaps you know all the reasons why you should quit. And perhaps you have known people who have quit, but whatever they did, just does not seem to work for you. So what can you do?
Well first decide do you really want to feel better, do you really like spending all the money your spending on cigarette's I mean you are just burning up your hard earned money.
Okay, now have you decided? What I am going to say may sound very harsh but you can do it and you will be healthier for it. First off take all of your cigarettes and ashtrays and cigarette lighters or matches and dispose of them. (put into a trash bag and throw away) if you have other uses for lighter's or matches then save those but get rid of the cigarette's, if you must keep your ashtrays use those for collecting spare change.
What will work, but it may be hard depending on how long you have been smoking, also your personal tolerance level for withdrawals. Many people do have nicotine withdrawals which can be intense. But if you can just try to endure these for a time you will become a healthier and happier person, not to mention you will save yourself a lot of money because you will not be spending it on cigarettes.
The first thing after you have made a commitment to stop smoking is to write down a list of positive's that you can read whenever you are wavering in your goal.
Here are some suggestions...
Number 1
You will not smell like smoke.
(You did know that a smoker smells like an ashtray right?)
Number 2
You will be able to put what you were spending into your vacation account or retirement accounts.
(You did know that every little bit adds up, and you're spending a lot of money on this habit)
Number 3
This can be the starting point for a healthier life.
(You did want to live to see your grandchildren, right?)
Well those may not be exactly what you were thinking of but maybe these will help you to get some ideas.
The first day of not smoking you need to have a plan in place as to what you will do to replace your cigarette time. For instance do you normally have a cigarette when you first get up in the morning?
Well instead of doing that from now on make the first thing you do to make up your bed neatly, then go get a shower, and brush your teeth. You will feel much better. Also the shower will wake you up and give you energy. Next go eat breakfast, a good wholesome breakfast. Then clean up your kitchen.
Now instead of having a cigarette after breakfast as many smokers do, find something else to do.
If you live in a safe neighborhood where you can go for a walk, take a walk around the block a couple of times. Enjoy your neighborhood. The fresh air and sunshine will help you feel much better, if you will do this every day it will be easier for you. Only walk as far as you feel able to begin with.
Now when you get back to the house, don't sit down grab the paper and a cigarette. Think of something else you can do, even if it is cleaning house, exercising or even laundry. Maybe even just surf on the computer, or do some writing for associate content.
Whatever you do don't pick up your cigarettes. And try to remember that those around you do care for you, and want you to be healthy. So instead of getting upset with them over the least little thing just speak nicely, even if you are cranky and irritable. You can do that.
And remember as you keep working towards your goal of quitting smoking you will find that each day will get easier. Not at first but in time. Remember to take one day at a time, then anytime you think of buying cigarette's take that money and set aside in a bank, and don't touch it or let anyone else. Then at the end of a couple of months you will have enough money to go buy a new outfit or something for your home, or even to go spend a weekend away. Depending on how much you normally spend on cigarettes.
Also remember when you do stop smoking some of the goals you have started out with, when you started smoking you will have met. You will find that you will have now become very popular amongst your friends, family and co workers who will want to know how you did it.
You will have lost weight if you have gone for a walk or exercised any time you thought of smoking.
And if you also cleaned and decluttered your home you will have found you also have a clean, neat and orderly home.
You will have calmed your nerves, because you won't be creating more bills for yourself due to creating unneeded health problems, which you would not have had if you had not started smoking.
Also if you save the money you would have spent on cigarette's you will find that you have more money to spend on luxuries or to pay off outstanding debt.
And finally you will have finally grown up, because you will have learned that everything that smokes is not something to be desired. And now you're ready for grown up pleasures, such as extended vacations, bills paid, living a healthy life, getting to see your children graduate, and get married also maybe seeing your grandchildren. Some may even see their great - great grandchildren.
By stopping smoking today you will extend all your blessings here in this life. Such as the ability to do all those things you never had time for when you were raising a family.
So next time you decide to take a cigarette break, think about it, do you really want that cigarette as bad as you would like to be able to do something else.
Resources
whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Benefits_Time_Table.htm
www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27001051/
quitsmoking.wikia.com/wiki/Cold_turkey
No comments:
Post a Comment