How to quit smoking - some tips
Ready to quit? Protect yourself and your loved ones by giving up smoking for good!
Avoid the traps: If you always smoke when you are in a bar, then when you are actively trying to quit, avoid putting yourself in this setting. You will have much better luck if you avoid situations where you would normally smoke.
Find new habits: When you feel like grabbing a cigarette, take a walk, or do some deep breathing exercises. Many reformed smokers talk about how the only deep breaths they ever took were when they were inhaling. Try it without the cigarette! Your lungs will love you.
Keep busy, stay active: Find ways to keep your hands occupied. Many people find knitting, needlework, or even jigsaw puzzles help. Take your mind off of cigarettes by walking, gardening, biking, or do some yoga stretches. Being active will not only keep your mind busy, it has the added benefit of making you feel better and helping to prevent weight gain.
Discover your healthy appetite: When you are craving a cigarette grab a vegetable stick or apple slice. Even chewing gum can make the craving go away. What you are attempting is amazing, so get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and eat three healthy meals daily. Give yourself a pat on the back for making a major, positive change in your life.
Know what to expect: In the beginning you may experience temporary withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, irritability, tiredness, and trouble concentrating. These are signs that your body is recovering from the effects of smoking and will most likely end within a couple weeks.
Don’t quit your goal to quit: Experience a relapse? Get right back on track. It doesn’t mean you can’t quit. Keep thinking of yourself as a non-smoker, and before you know it, you will be! Reach out to others if you need a boost of confidence. The American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society, hospitals, offices, and community groups offer programs for support.
Found at Oprah.com
Popularity: 13% [?]