QUITTING SMOKING?
With so many methods claiming to make it easy for you to kick the habit, it
should be a cinch to quit smoking. So what's stopping you?
MAKE A PLAN
Perhaps the best advice out there if you're not one of the
people who feels that they can just go cold turkey, is to MAKE A PLAN.
Write out a plan and set a date to start implementing
it. Evaluate your smoking habits honestly so that you can consciously
avoid stressful situations and triggers.
Don't toss your plan in the trash if it doesn't work outright
... modify it, stick with it and make it work.
ACTIVITIES
Inactive types will do best with starting a new exercise
program, walking (leaving the cigarettes at home, of course).
If you are unusually nervous, take naps, warm baths or showers, meditate or
read.
Whatever approach you take, don't feel that you won't be able to go back to your normal activities.
You will and when you do, you will not be tempted to smoke.
ADJUST YOUR DIET
You are detoxing. Plan to drink a lot of water.
Eat, fresh fruits, juices and vegetables. Take vitamins, minerals, and herbs
to help reduce cravings and irritation.
Herbs that can help to calm your nerves and reduce cravings include valerian and
gotu kola.
Eat several leafy green salads daily, snack on fruits, vegetables, whole unsalted (preferably organic) nuts and seeds. Eating fish more than twice weekly limits tobacco damage. Avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol, junk food.
MORE HELPFUL TIPS
Put as much time as possible between cigarettes, taking note of what is
triggering your cravings whenever possible.
Cravings generally pass in 3-5 minutes. Taking deep breaths helps
a lot. Don't think of the cravings as torture. Realize that this
is temporary.
Avoid smoking sections in restaurants (if there are any left in your city),
avoid being around smokers as much as possible.
If you previously hung out with the office smokers at work, don't stop to chat
with them where they smoke just so you can get a second-hand fix.
Don't give up if you can't tackle the addiction by yourself. Look
into counseling and support programs.
Try not to substitute one addiction for another and make a
conscious effort to balance your meals and exercise.
When you get down to about 7 cigarettes a day, it's time to
set up a new plan to quit altogether and get ready to stick to it.
Remember that you CAN
quit. Keep trying and building on the methods that you have had some
success with.