Copyright 2005 Dave Markel
Quitting smoking is considered to be one of the most difficult
things to achieve. Many people try to give up a few times before
succeeding completely. Smokers generally have both physical and
psychological dependencies on cigarettes. The physical attribute
can be related to the nicotine cravings that many people have
when they have not had a cigarette for a certain period of time.
This amount of time differs between various people and how much
they smoke. The psychological part can have many influences such
as peer pressure or simply the enjoyment of lighting up.
If you are thinking about quitting the habit but still have some
doubts in your mind then it may be worth considering the effects
of smoking cigarettes. Smokers face a greatly increased risk of
heart disease, and cancers of lungs, mouth, throat, stomach and
pancreas. About half of smokers die of the habit. As well as all
of this smoking causes bad smell of clothes and breath and the
yellowing of teeth and nails. Smoking is also one of the leading
causes of the early aging of skin. Smokers often claim
cigarettes causes their nerves to calm down. In fact the exact
opposite is true and smokers generally tend to be more nervous.
It is never too late to quit smoking as the health benefits are
immediate. The best thing to do is to give up smoking entirely.
However this is not the easiest method. Some people prefer to
cut down on the number of cigarettes and then to give up
completely. If this is the case then should have a written plan
on how you are going to cut down. If you do decide to quit the
habit, then you must be aware that it requires strong will and
patience. You must be prepared to face a new challenge and a
change of lifestyle. However look back at all the associated
health benefits and the costs associated with smoking and you
will immediately be put at ease. Make sure to choose a right
time frame of giving up. If you decide to give up during a
difficult period of life then in turn giving up smoking may also
be more difficult.
There are a few steps that must be taken before quitting
completely. On day of giving up you must make sure that you do
not have any cigarettes lying around. The temptation of having a
single cigarette is enough to make you want give up 'giving up'.
It is also worth staying away from any friends or colleagues who
are smokers for a short while. The fact that you see them
enjoying a smoke and the breathing in of their second hand smoke
may be enough to make you give in.
Many people enjoying smoking at the same time as having an
alcoholic drink. If you are such a person then steer clear of
any bars or drinks for the first few weeks. Find a different way
to socialize or a different activity to keep you preoccupied.
Remember quitting smoking is a change of lifestyle and it can
also be a great opportunity to get involved in sports and
exercise. Combining a healthy diet and moderate exercise levels
to start off with, help with the faster restoration of the body
to a healthier state and ease the tension from not smoking.
If you find the cravings too difficult then it is worth having a
pack of chewing gum ready. Chewing gum does not ease the
cravings; however it does slightly reduce the stress of not
having a cigarette. It is also a convenient substitute for the
habit. Other alternatives include using nicotine patches for
those with more cravings.
The first few days are always the most difficult. After the
first week you will suddenly feel much more energetic than
usual. People may have symptoms ranging from breathing
difficulty in the mornings to sudden mood swings. However this
is normal and after a few months, you will start to think why
you had not given up smoking earlier!
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