A Few Tips to Help You Quit Smoking
Research has shown that secondhand smoke is bad for children and loved ones. So the question is: Why are you still smoking? We all know that smoking is not good for you, but if you suffer from allergies or asthma, these conditions can be further aggravated by smoking. Here are a few tips to help you give up smoking.
Tip #1: Recognize your battle. Anyone who has tried smoking can tell you that smoking is highly addictive. According to the American Cancer Society, nicotine, a drug found in tobacco, is just as addictive as heroin or cocaine. You should give yourself a big pat on the back for wanting to quit smoking – and understand that it isn't as simple as deciding to not have that second piece of pie. You are both physically dependent and emotionally addicted to nicotine. Being physically dependent to nicotine will cause unpleasant symptoms as you give up smoking. Being emotionally addicted to nicotine makes it also hard to quit. Understanding this combination makes you more capable to fight this battle!
Tip #2: Decide to quit. For some, this is designating a "Quit Day," and for others, this means throwing out any extra cigarettes in the house. Before you decide on a method, make the conscious decision: "I am quitting smoking." According to the American Cancer Society, smoking causes 1 out of every 5 deaths, and 8.6 million people suffer as a result of smoking. Make the decision today that you will quit for your health and for others in your life.
Tip #3: Enjoy instant gratification. As a new nonsmoker, you'll start to notice new benefits in your daily life. Your clothes no longer reek of smoke odors. Food will start to taste better. Your sense of smell will return. Everyday activities won’t leave you out of breath. Your breath will no longer smell like tobacco and your teeth will become whiter. These are all the wonderful benefits of becoming a nonsmoker. If you think that these are it, the benefits just keep coming as you see your health continually improving and as you live your new life as a nonsmoker.
Tip #4: Get and develop a strong support network. When you think about quitting smoking, start to make a list of people who you think will help you become a nonsmoker. Think about activities you'll want to do instead of smoking. These people will now become a strong support network for you. Try spending more time with nonsmokers who will encourage you to become a nonsmoker too. Talk to your friends and family to help you avoid giving in when those cravings for a cigarette come. With a strong support network, you have a stronger chance for success. Only you can decide what creating a strong support network means and your support network may change and develop over time. Don't ignore the benefits of developing new hobbies and interests that will replace the activity that smoking once was for you.
Source:
http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/index