Approaches To Quit Smoking Forever

On that point ?r? so numerous worn out phrases about the noesis of smoking, like that a drop of pure plant toxin kills a horse and of course the central fright of dead from cancer. The latter is not without substantive cause: cigaret smoke contains roughly three thousand of the familiar elements, sixteen of which may go the cause of the cancerous maturation. In its aspect, the alkaloid is the constituent which serve like a dose, and origin real strong ill-usage about it. Even later on just a a couple of weeks from the present moment they started smoking, the majority of persons telling that a cigarette has get an just about essential term for maintaining a good state of being. Simply if on alternate aspect on that point is no more nicotine in the blood of the consumer, than it appears other symptoms of the abstinence - this is physical and mental disorders, and those disorders go away with the accepting of a cigaret.

Consistent smoking is one of the primary causes of the blood-vessel diseases. The hardening of the arteries is on a nigher place, because of the alkaloid and its causing low of blood vessels. The vessel constriction, which happens as a resultant of the extravagant gigantism of their inward wall, leads to certain areas of the organs, the lower extremities firstly, to non get on enough liquid body substance issue, which in the end may lead to sphacelus, a life-threatening and potentially serious state that arises when a appreciable mass of system tissue dies. The tobacco user's heart itself figuratively workings at total long: each cigarette speeds up the heartbeat by 18-20 beats per minute, and the amount of heart contractions per day increases by 15-20 thousand. A precise familiar consequence of accordant nicotine intoxication is the alleged smoker's respiratory disorder, which yet may lead to the development of respiratory organ pulmonary emphysema, a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs when the tissues essential to assist the material contour and malfunction of the lungs are destroyed, feat primarily the duration of breath.

In addition the smokers has risk to evolve so much diseases like not so common and kindness conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, angina, blood stroke, ulcer, cancer, and so on. As a effect of smoke for a long time period you may drop off your feel of taste and quality to separate smells, as well as create weakening of visual percept, worsening of your face skin state, conclusion of your dentition and gums. The nicotine may effort an unpredictable menstrual cycle and sterility in women. There are a number of different methods developed to help stop smoking. Medical men advised the tobacco users to make a collection between several stop-smoking methods, to feel their effects. Simply in much cases on that point is no demand of medical intervention if the smoker has the will to leave office the cigaretties quite an solo. But there is non straight in some humans to strike hard down the bad habit. In that case man inevitably to turn over for assistance to a medico or undergo a health check care. Below is the database of the well-nigh often in use methods.

Therapy

First measure is to find whether the consumer still wants to discontinue smoke or wants to start wanting to cease smoke. In really familiar cases, the tries to interrupt smoking are failed, because the tobacco user is non sure intended that want to ending cigaretties. A clinical psychologist necessarily to find out whether it's the problem and figure out the stage that the tobacco user is in. The therapy of a man of science or some different psychological attention, must be in management to celebrated would the smoker desire to interrupt smoke.

Hypnosis.

The familiar hypnosis techs are two, and is possible to usage one by one or in combining. Ane popular know-how is in the seance with serve of the therapist, to localise the sufferer in a profound relaxation and with the power of the sound, to pull in the noxious consequences of the smoking. In case of the term being productive after coming back from the deep exponential decay state the consumer does non feel for whatsoever craving for smoke. It is recommended to have 3 or 4 sessions of such psychotherapy.

The happening in this case is entirely 10-30%. The 2nd method acting affects a medico put a sick person into a hypnotic state, during which the hypnotherapist transmitcommun with the insensible character of the person's mind, where the hurtful habit seems and beef upso to communicate. Really frequently being introduced to smoke takes position at an age when being piece of a group requires smoke. The alkaloid has a potential to cause you feels better for a low time interval of time, and after it comes the unhappiness, guiltiness or fright, which are enclosed in the unconscious mind, and there is a acting to be remote. Hence it is required to specify the belief of this psychological contact, which should be coped with ahead the follks is separated from a roll of tobacco.

Treatments with nicotine replacements.

On that point is a group of artificially occurring chemical complexes titled alkaloids, which admit lobeline and cytisine. In its pure sort, the lobeline is a complex with white colour, it is pulverization which can be perfectly resolve in fluid. The part of the lobeline to the smoking halt is large, and its support can be useful in the fight with else drug habituations like amphetamines, cocaine, or alcoholic beverage. In pharmalogically aid, the another chemical element - cytisine, is akin with the unit of the nicotine and also has a very same effects as a nicotine too.

Merely as complete of the chemical substance elements, its practice must be cautiously, because of the chance of poisoning and hard external respiration. Both of these alkaloids have a look-alike feeling on the anxious system and the metabolism as nicotine does. At the same time the tobacco user turn a los the taste sensation for cigarettes. At the same time in the moment when the tobacco user became a non-smoker, the body feels the lack of whatever elements which ahead go with the nicotine smoking, and now they are gone. To cause up for these become already a vital substance, there are any particular elements, which can be the substitutes.

Diet.

The physicians with collaborate with dietologyst, are improved a diet, which helps of the man organic structure to untroubled from the toxins and halt smoking. The quicker the alkaloid is separate from the organic structure, the faster the liabilities of positive substances contained in drug of abuse and actively used by our system decreases.

Physical exercises.

The most crucial thing is to produce to yourself an effective physical system of rules, which helps to your organic structure to addition oxygen intake. Smoke reduces the lung production and oxygen intake, which if accumulated improves the man's whole state of well-being. So much exercise programs suchlike qigong (Chinese systems of physical and mental preparation for wellbeing, martial arts and self-enlightenment), tai chi (an inner Chinese warlike art proficient for both its defensive structure education and its well-being doing goods), yoga and primary exercises of cardiopulmonary exercise are the most advantageous.

Breathing exercises.

Yoga and qigong are the almost established methods to renew the lung and body fluid flow function. It is worthy useable systems of exercises which can aid to your body to supply more oxygen.

Massage.

Massage, particularly the extremity lymph-drainage and acupressure, contribute to artwork nicotine out of the tissues, which in turn helps regenerate the organic structure's whole serve.

Acupuncture.

In compounding with another methods for fixing craving, this Eastern medical acting may be most of all utile method acting for addictions. Odd when used by itself, this method acting provides good results. Acupuncture may be of cosmopolitan nature or sense organ (inserting and manipulating acerate leafphonograph needles into active points of the sense organ).

Nicotine-replenishing substitutes.

Alkaloid spot, chewing gum or implants aid in cases when a consumer is not open to another methods, but you shouldn't overleap that when you use them, nicotine continues to be supplied to your organic structure poignant the neural system and not cathartic from the addiction. If a patient role is not free from the cause that caused the addiction then we are just talking about replacing one compound with some other. The nicotine craving comes back in you, as soon as the heal feeling of the exchange is over.

After that we orientated you with different methods, helping to conclusion smoking, for us position the desire that you will prefer one of its and in reality implement is. We hope it works and so does your body!

Are You Finding it Hard to Stop Smoking

Do you feel as if you are fighting a lost cause with your plan to stop smoking? Do you feel like you have tried giving up for too long and are annoyed due to your failure?

Do you find it encouraging to grasp that you are not the sole one who failed to stop smoking. Or maybe you find solace in the fact that a large number of smokers take several undertakings until eventually losing the smoking fixation?

It is understandable for you to feel like that, as a number of people who attempt to give up smoking share that same feeling. But remember, it's best to view those screw ups not as a admonition that you can not quit, but instead as an ordinary part of the trip to a cigarette-free way of life.

Any nicotine in your blood stream won't let you just stop. It grabs you with consistent longings until you ultimately give up and light up yet another smoke.

Those who smoke constant fight from day to day with their longings for more nicotine. It is a chemical that once in the system has a particularly tough time letting go.

Folks who have only smoked for a couple of months can still find giving up smoking to be awfully hard. For those that have smoked for many years, the postulate of quitting smoking is two fold.

Becoming entirely smokeless can regularly take many months. In the intense adventure to becoming smoke-free, it is important that you guard this saying in your head : Nothing is very unlikely, you can do it! And to help further in your journey, these are a few straightforward and effectual techniques to quit smoking.

Really deep inhaling is the biggest simple strategy you may use to help start on giving up smoking. Try and do these steps 3 times as you're feeling the will to smoke.

Breathe the deepest lung-full of air you can and slowly exhale, pursing your lips so that air comes out slowly. As you let out air, shut your eyes and gradually let your jaw sink down onto your chest.

In the primary few days, drink plenty of water to slowly flush out the nicotine and other chemicals from your system. Keep away from alcohol, sugar, and coffee, as each of these have a propensity to excite the desire to light up a cigarette.

Reduce the intake of greasy foods to little amounts as the body's metabolism might slow down a bit with no nicotine. A little dieting discipline is necessary.

There are masses of oral substitutes available in the stores at this time. You can use cinnamon sticks, dental gum, or synthetic cigarettes as a substitute.

These things make it simpler for people to get over the requirement of popping a gasper into the mouth. By the 1st week of being a non-smoker, you will find that you will not have any use for oral replacements any longer.

Breaking out in a sweat helps to flush out nicotine thru your sweat. Also, if you see yourself getting more and more fit each time you work out, possibilities are you will feel more reluctant to light a stick knowing pretty well what it could do to you.

Encircle yourself with encouraging folks. Ask for support from folks who are important to you. Your folks, pals, even trusted fellow workers. It helps to have people who care for you inspire you to keep going.

People who smoke also have developed habits or rituals that accompany their smoking habit. These might include meeting buddies at work during smoke breaks or frequenting a favorite bar to smoke and enjoy a beer.

When you are ultimately in a disposition to quit smoking your trigger spots will continue to be there. It's important for any person who is attempting to stop smoking to include other changes into their lives.

If you usually meet for a smoking break twice each day it may be helpful to use that time to go for a walk. Through monitoring of your environment and adjusting your strategies it is possible for you to stop smoking whatever smoking level you had acquired.

Giving up smoking could take a divergent period for every individual and there is no one correct or particular stop smoking program that will lead to success. Should you are aware of your triggers and are in a position to avoid them when compulsory, you will have an improved possibility of stopping smoking and sticking to it.

Any craving for nicotine can continue for years following your success at stopping smoking, so don't be surprised when you fancy a gasper awhile after you stop smoking. Just consider your own health and the health of those around you, and that alone should be encouragement enough to get you to start taking cigarettes seriously.

A Novel Way To Quit Smoking

Smoking is a silent killer and that is reason why doctors exhort you to quit smoking. Everyday millions of people all over the world buy cigarettes in order to relive their mind, in spite of the very bold, very prominent warning on the cigarette packet which declares that smoking kills. How can we, being the most intelligent of Gods creations do something so blatantly stupid?

Smoking is extremely harmful for health and there is much research to prove that. But people, once addicted to nicotine just cannot seem to quit smoking! It is surprising how people let something as insignificant as a chemical dictate their lives and eventually bring about their downfall, causing much distress, not just to them but to their near and dear ones as well.

Hypnosis

So how does one get rid of this habit? How can one get free of the clutches of tobacco and quit smoking? One word. Determination. You have to really WANT to quit smoking. But Im not talking about taking nicotine substitutes like chewing gum and other drugs which contain smaller quantities of the chemical. Really, what is the point?

You should try something like hypnosis. People have successfully used hypnotherapy all over the world in order to quit smoking. The reason being that the success of the venture is totally dependent on your acceptance. If you have good levels of receptiveness, it is going to go a long way in helping you get out of the habit of smoking. Nearly 70% of those who have undergone hypnosis have experienced success. But at the same time, I must stress that Hypnosis is not for everyone. How soon can you expect results? NINE DAYS!

How It Works

The reason for this success rate is that Smoking is really not as simple as an addiction. In fact it is a combination of two addictions. The physical craving for nicotine and the psychological craving or the habit of smoking. Now most methods focus only on the physical aspect of the addiction and the psychological aspect is heavily neglected, as a result of which they are not successful. But hypnosis focuses on the root cause the psychological addiction. Therefore, it is so successful.

Another thing you must do is look for all of the things which trigger of your habit of smoking. Is it the people you hang out with? Is it stress related to work? Is it being in certain situations? Look for these situations and then find out what you can or cannot do to avoid them. You definitely need to avoid them and stay away from them. Make an active effort.

This is basically what you need to contribute from your part. It is actually that simple. Hypnosis is really powerful and if you let it cure you, if you are willing to be healed then it will definitely work for you. But surprisingly what people find hard is acceptance.

How hard can it be to want to quit smoking and live a healthy life? You will in fact not even be exposing your near and dear ones to second hand smoke! So start taking active steps to quit smoking today.

Aromatherapy Recipes to Quit Smoking

Aromatherapy uses volatile oils and essential oils derived from plants in order to promote physical and/or psychological well-being. Essential oils make use of hydrosols, CO2s and absolutes to change a person's mood and emotions. The art of aromatherapy has been used to alleviate stress and to elevate mood, so that environmental and physical stressors can be handled more effectively. Aromatherapy can be used to diminish the irritability and stress associated with quitting smoking.

Aromatherapy for Irritability

Mandarin and Lavender Air Freshener

In a small bowl, mix 18 drops of mandarin oil with 12 drops of lavender oil. Allow the scented oil to sit in a safe place where it will not be spilled. Do not cover the mixture, but allow it to permeate the room. Mandarin oil has a fruity, sweet smell that has been used to help diminish issues with insomnia as well as stress, and lavender oil has a light floral scent that helps with alleviating depression, headaches, migraines and stress. Lavender oil has also been used to help alleviate the symptoms associated with allergies and asthma and can therefore prove helpful with any respiratory conditions that you might experience because of smoking.

Mandarin and Roman Chamomile Air Freshener

In a small bowl, blend 18 drops of Roman chamomile with 12 drops of mandarin oil. This oil can be used to create an air freshener that can last throughout the day. The oil should be placed in a safe place where it will not spill. Mandarin will help to alleviate stressful conditions and tension, while the Roman chamomile can help with headaches, insomnia, nausea, and stress relief.

Stress Relief

Grapefruit, Jasmine, and Ylang Ylang Diffuser

To create a diffuser for stress relief, blend 12 drops of grapefruit oil with four drops of jasmine oil and four drops of ylang ylang oil. Place the mixture in a dark-colored glass bottle and put a lid on the bottle. Roll the bottle between your hands to mix the oils. Open the bottle, and place four to six thin bamboo sticks into the diffuser to get a pleasant scent throughout the day.

Grapefruit oil has a citrusy odor and has been successfully used to help diminish problems associated with toxin buildup in the body. Jasmine oil is often used for alleviating depression and fatigue, both common symptoms that occur when one quits smoking. Meanwhile, ylang ylang oil promotes relaxation and diminishes muscular tension. The latter oil also alters your mood, diminishes nervous tension,helps to alleviate palpitations and aids in diminishing high blood pressure.

Recipe 2: Bergamot and Frankincense Massage Oil

To make a massage oil for stress relief you will need to blend the essential oil with a carrier oil in order to dilute the essential oils before they are applied to your skin; carrier oils are used as a base for your blend. There are several carrier oils that you can choose from, but if you are allergic to nuts, stay away from those oils created from nuts. Mix 10 drops of Sweet Almond oil as a carrier oil with 6 drops of bergamot oil and 2 drops of frankincense oil in a cobalt bottle made of glass. Place a lid on the bottle, and roll the mixture between your hands to blend it.

Bergamot oil helps to elevate your mood, and to diminish stress, and frankincense helps with alleviating respiratory issues, especially issues related to a severe cough, and it is also used to alleviate anxiety. When applying as massage oil, be sure not to get it in your eyes, mouth, or other sensitive areas. If you develop a rash or other allergic symptoms like swelling, and/or respiratory difficulties, contact a doctor for medical advice immediately and cease using the mixture.

Best Tips to Quit Smoking the Natural Easy Way

If you are quitting smoking, you know how powerful the cravings or urges to smoke can be. Although at times it can feel impossible to quit smoking, you are not at the mercy of cravings. When an urge to light up a cigarette strikes, remember that although the craving may be strong, you can overcome those urges.

To help you challenge your beliefs about what you can and cannot do, here are 20 empowering truths to help you ride out the longing to smoke and stopping smoking for good.

Achievable

Coming off cigarettes, changing your way of life-it's not easy. But it's not impossible, either.

Accountability

Hold yourself accountable for your actions. At the middle of each day, take a direct and honest assessment about whether or not your current choices feel good to the heart and spirit of who you are.

Adventure

The road into creating change is quite an adventure. It's not just about what you are moving away from, but the life, strengths, and empowerment you are moving toward.

Balanced

Before moving forward, stop, breathe, and let the frustration dissipate. Nothing good comes from having the stress of frustration in the lead.

Body Care

Coming off cigarettes is an enormous change for your body. Follow through on those gentle nudges to take more care of yourself. Eat healthier foods, drink plenty of water, walk in the sunshine, and breathe.

Breathe

Make conscious efforts to take slow, deep breaths and practice blowing your troubles away without the smoke of cigarettes. Long, slow, and relaxed. Inhale life, exhale tension. Let go, relax, and repeat.

Caring

Shift your focus away from "not smoking" toward new ways of loving yourself, taking care of your needs, articulating your desires, and allowing yourself pleasure.

Change

Quitting involves a change in perspective, attitude, and lifestyle. Give yourself time and opportunity to learn new skills, develop new patterns of behavior, adopt new habits, and build new relationships.

Choice

Stopping smoking is a very personal matter that ultimately rests on a quiet and private decision you make inside yourself. Nothing can happen without that decision, and everything can happen with it.

Creativity

Write, dance, sing, draw, design, or decorate. You are much more likely to overcome an urge to smoke when you actively connect your physical body with your creative spirit.

Dependability

Keep your promises to yourself. Acknowledge excuses as excuses and discover new creative ways to move beyond them. Show yourself that your personal choices are important.

Destiny

You can change your stars; you can be successful. You are the master of your own destiny, free to make choices today that lead to the life you will lead tomorrow.

Diversion

When the urge to smoke gets bad, have something to do. Keep your mind busy. Keep your hands busy. Read a book. Write in your journal. Call a friend. Do whatever it takes, but delay, delay, delay.

Emotional Healing

If you're using your smoking habit to deal with difficult emotions, such as sadness, depression, or anxiety, then most certainly you'll find yourself with emotional side effects from quitting smoking.

Empowerment

Believe in your inner ability to carry you through this challenge. No challenge or obstacle has the power to defeat the inspiration and determination within you.

Encouragement

Get excited!! Find a way to elevate yourself. Take a higher road. Rally your inner power when you are at your lowest points by getting excited again about what you want and what you're moving toward.

Enjoyment

Smoking is often a desire for carefree enjoyment. If you're going to give up smoking, you're also going to have to look for new ways to enjoy yourself. Do not put off joy-do whatever you can to feel good now.

Expansion

Is it fair that you have to go through this withdrawal period? Maybe not, but fair is not the point. The point is that you want something more for yourself, and what you want is worth your effort.

Flexibility

Cut back on cigarettes gradually or quit smoking "cold turkey." Find the method that works best for you. If one way doesn't work, do the other.

Focus

List all the reasons you want to quit. Every night before you go to bed, remind yourself of the big picture and the life you are choosing to live.

Another Reason to Quit Smoking

According to the American Chemical Society's journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, scientists have found that the chemical extracts contained in cigarette butts can prevent pipe corrosion. If the chemicals in cigarettes are so binding that they can harden a strong steel pipe and keep it from breaking what do you really think it is doing to the soft tissues of you lungs and your delicate body? My mouth flew open in amazement when I read the new usage for cigarette butts that China has found.

We already knew some of the dangers that smoking can cause and the chemicals contained therein so everyone should know that the industrial chemicals that cigarette have in them have real life industrial uses and protecting pipes is one of them. Let's go over some of the chemical that cigarettes contain and some of the chemicals industrial uses:

Ammonia

Quite tasty. We all know that ammonia is a cleaning solvent and used in some fertilizers but did you know that it is a colorless gas?

Formaldehyde

One of the more common uses for this one besides cigarettes is to preserve dead corpses. In one laboratory study, rats when exposed to formaldehyde became sick with nasal cancer.

Tar

This is one of the chemicals that really make your lungs absorb and deposit the smoke into your lungs. This is the same tar that is used for streets and roads.

Fennel and Fenugreek

I've uses these two herbs because I have PCOS, but I am a woman. I guess I understand why men's sperm count lowers and their testosterone drops when smoking cigarettes. Fennel and fenugreek have both been ancient remedies for stimulating breast growth in women and to make a body more feminine. Now men have to worry about lung cancer and breast growth when smoking cigarettes. Great.

I don't have to beat you over the head to tell you that cigarettes are poison and so is the smoke and now you see the butts from them are as well. In China where the study discovered it's usage for pipes, they said cigarette butts were being tested because they were killing so many fish because of its toxic chemicals and they were trying to find ways to recycle the butts to get it out of its water supply. I would hope that anyone reading this will think twice before they fire one up next time.

Advice to Quit Smoking

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug which makes it exceedingly difficult for many people to quit smoking. If you are trying to quit smoking, it is important to plan in advance and make use of all the resources you have at your disposal to help kick the habit.

Make a Plan

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to quit smoking is not taking the time to draw up a specific plan of action. It is easy to say you are going to quit and perhaps to go without smoking for a day or two, but success is less likely when you are not committed to plan. In your plan you should set a definite date after which you will be smoke-free, and various milestones along the way. If you currently smoke heavily, it may be easier to cut back gradually rather than attempt to go cold turkey overnight. Using nicotine alternatives like nicotine gum or patches also can help you quit, and should be part of your plan. Another important part of a quitting plan is to prepare for withdrawal and how you will deal with it. Many people that try to quit smoking relapse when they begin feeling withdrawal symptoms, such as increased stress, moodiness and weight gain. Adding exercise to your quitting plan can be helpful as it will reduce weight gain and can reduce stress.

Get Help

When you are trying to quit smoking you don't have to go it alone. Family and friends should be used as a support group to assist you with quitting and who will hold you accountable to your quitting plan. After you draw up your plan, tell a close friend or family member about it and have them check up on your progress. You can even give them a copy of the plan. Having to answer to someone other than yourself will make it easier to resist smoking so as not to disappoint your friend or family member. If you have cravings to smoke, call a friend and have them reiterate why you wanted to quit in the first place. Smoking support groups also can be a useful resource for keeping yourself accountable and connected with others who are facing a similar struggle.

Make a Smoke Jar

Adding extra incentives to quit can help you stay true to your plan. Consider placing a "smoke jar" in the care of your friend or family member. Use the jar to save the money that you would have spent on cigarettes each day. Write in your plan that if you stay smoke-free for a certain number of days you will get to use the money in the jar toward a luxury you've always wanted but never had the extra cash to purchase. Have your friend promise to donate the money in the jar to a cause that you loath--such an organization supporting political views you don't agree with--if you fail to achieve your goals.

Best Food to Help You Quit Smoking

Do you really want to quit smoking? If the answer is yes, so it's time to consume more vegetables, decrease meat, and change your cup of coffee with a glass of milk. Those foods will help you with your struggle.

A study in the Duke University found that fruits, vegetables, and dairy products can make cigarettes seem taste bad. Whereas on the other hand, foods like meat, coffee, and alcoholic beverages will make smoking taste more enjoyable, said F. Joseph McClernon, PhD, a psychologist from Duke University.

An old concept said that the content of nicotine inside cigarettes was the only causes of addiction. "However, we had studied it more deeply. And apparently addicted to cigarettes can also be caused by taste sensor, smell, vision, and smoking habits, "said McClernon.

Studies conducted on 209 smokers aged 21 years and have a habit of smoking at least one pack of cigarettes every day. They were asked to write down a list of foods that can increase and reduce their smoking pleasure. Apparently, almost 70% of smokers claimed that beverages with caffeine content, alcohol and meats will make cigarettes taste more delicious.

But oddly enough, 45% of smokers also told some foods, like fruits, vegetables, beverages without caffeine content (like water and juice), and dairy products, can actually make their cigarettes taste bad. These findings convinced us that those kind of foods really can affect the taste of cigarettes and it will make you quit smoking faster.

Here are 3 types of food that will help you quit smoking :

1. Milk and the dairy products

Milk will make the cigarettes tasteless. After had a glass of milk, you can not enjoy cigarettes with the same sensation and satisfaction. Milk will kill the cigarettes' taste.

Try this : Dip your cigarette into the milk. Let it dry and try to smoke it. This trick can be used to help you quit smoking. You won't like the taste.

2. Orange juice

When someone has a smoking habit, he or she will lose the intake the vitamin C in a large amount. And usually the body will adapt these conditions and replacing them with some unnatural elements from nicotine.

So, if you want to be free from smoking habit faster, it is important to start consuming more vitamin C. Orange, lemon, black currant, pomegranate, and other fruits with vitamin C are great for people with nicotine addiction.

3. Celery

With other vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, beans, and even cucumbers can also affect the taste of cigarettes. Consuming these vegetables will reduce the addiction to nicotine (note: you must be free of alcohol). Chewing celery stalk will prevent us from craving or addiction.

If you don't like celery, you can replace it with carrot. But, do not eat too many sweet vegetables, because the excess amount of glucose will activate parts of the brain that cause a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. In other words, the glucose will keep you addicted.

I hope those foods will help you to quit from smoking habit. Beside that, don't forget to consume high fiber foods and exercise regularly.

Affirmations to Quit Smoking

Do we need to start with the awful statistics that are associated with smoking? Do you really need to hear again about the downward spiral your health can take should you continue to or begin smoking? How about the money that you will be flushing down the toilet? Honestly when it comes to smoking there really is nothing positive to say. What needs to be focused on is how to quit this nasty habit once and for all.

Most every smoker that you will run into will tell you that they can quit smoking, the problem is that a huge portion of the simply do not want to quit. Trying to quit smoking can be really difficult but it is not impossible. If you have the right attitude when you make the choice to stop smoking you are going to have a much better chance of being successful. You can change your whole lifestyle if you have the right attitude, strength and determination to get through this difficult time.

Most smokers find themselves as outcasts these days, being forced to smoke outside away from the entrances of many establishments and workplaces. The days when smoking was viewed as something cool are long gone as smokers are quickly being alienated and shown that as long as they are smoking the are unwelcome. So smokers really need to admit to themselves is it really fun or worth it to have to stand out in below zero weather in order to indulge in a cigarette? What point is there of going out if the place that you want to visit does not allow you to smoke? Wouldnt it be much more simple to quit all together?

You need to gather up all of your strength to begin your journey into being smoke free otherwise you are likely going to set yourself up for failure. The very first thought that should pop into your head is seeing yourself as being a non smoker. Do this several times per day before you officially quit. Take a little time several times per day without the label of being a smoker. Think about the following

- Your home smelling like lilacs or whatever your favorite aroma might be.

- not getting up and rushing to get that first cigarette instead getting up to start running to get yourself into shape.

- think of all the time you will save in the morning.

- how great all your clothes will smell and how much less perfume you will need to use to cover the smell of cigarette smoke.

- how healthy your lungs will start to become and how much younger that you will begin to start looking.

- not having to look like a big loser standing out in the bitter cold or scorching heat in order to smoke.

Begin to imagine that what a better life you will be able to lead once you have stopped smoking with the tips that have been mentioned in this article. You may even have some ideas for more things to add to the list. The trick to making the affirmations work for you is to make sure that they are running through your head several times per day. The mind is a very powerful tool that can assist you in finally kicking the smoking habit as long as you believe in yourself strongly enough.

Basics to Quit Smoking

FACT: Cigarette smoking causes approximately 440,000 deaths annually in the United States. It is also the most preventable cause of death in the country.

FACT: Smoking is associated with an increased risk for at least 15 types of cancers. In fact, it is the most important risk factor for lung cancer.

FACT: More than 8.6 million people in the United States have at least one serious illness caused by smoking.

FACT: Research has shown that women who smoke during pregnancy are at increased risk of pregnancy complications, premature deliveries, low-birth-weight infants, stillbirths, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

FACT: An estimated $92 billion in productivity losses occurs annually from deaths due to smoking. The economic costs of smoking are more than $167 billion, including an additional $75.5 billion in smoking-related medical expenditures.

FACT: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., 85-90 % of all COPD cases are directly attributed to smoking. 12 million Americans currently have COPD, another 12 million likely have the disease and are not even aware of it. The cost of COPD to the nation in 2002 was estimated to be $32.1 billion.

Quitting smoking is very difficult. It takes some individuals many attempts before they are successful. The key is to not quit quitting!

How to help Children Avoid Second-hand Smoke If you must smoke, take your butt outside. ~Author Unknown

Quitting smoking is a great gift to give your child,and it is the single most important thing you can do for your health.

1. If parents or caregivers will not quit smoking, do not smoke in areas where your child spends most of their time or around your child.

- Smoke outside in a special jacket to keep smoke off your clothes, or avoid smoking at home.

- At a minimum, smoke in one room that the child does not go into.

- Do not smoke in the car (even if the child is not present) as smoke stays in the car upholstery.

2. Reinforce with your child the need to avoid tobacco smoke.

- Encourage them to leave the room if someone is smoking.

- Practice assertiveness skills to ask someone to stop smoking around them or ask an adult for assistance in removing them from the situation.

Assertiveness Skills

1. Describe the situation; just the facts: "Smoke bothers my breathing."

2. Say how you feel: "I can't breathe well and it scares me." Don't blame the other person for your feelings.

3. Ask for a specific & small change: "Could you please stop smoking near me?"

4. Say how this change will make you feel: "It will make it easier for me to breathe and I will feel better."

Are You Committed To Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of those dangerous habits that very many people in the world engage in. Those who indulge enjoy it and rarely think of giving up the habit. For most of them, the habit helps them to calm down, ease tension and even assist in weight loss. The studies that have been carried out show that the dangers often outweigh the benefits it has. If you are ready to learn how to stop smoking, there are some helpful hints that you can use to make it easier.

Resources are now available everywhere that are aimed at helping those that want to quit smoking. If you are looking to quit forever, the first thing that you need to do is to make that commitment and be prepared to do the hard work. Kicking the habits may not be any easy fete to achieve especially for those that have been smoking for a long time.

This will make sure you are not tempted to smoke. Make sure you inform a friend or a family member that you are willing to stop smoking so that they can help you achieve your goal by keeping you in check whenever you want to slip back. It will be even better if the person you choose wants to quit also because you will encourage each other.

Commitment goes as far as ridding your abode anything that has something to with cigarettes; lighters, ashtrays or even cigarettes themselves. This will stave off the urge and the temptation to have a puff. You could go a step further and tell a friend or family member of your resolve to stop smoking, as this will create a sense o accountability to them should they find you smoking.

After the personal commitment and resolve, get an ideal stopping aid. Conventional aids like nicotine patches or gums have proven not effective for everyone and have actually a success rate of only 11% in users. Surely these are not reasonable odds. Try a web-based course like the quit smoking today and the step by step tutelage might help you do away with the smoking habit. Again, your body needs to be fully receptive of the changes. Therefore regular exercise and a healthy intake of proteins are highly advised to deal with this aspect.

The process will take some time therefore you should have patience and stick to it. The withdrawal symptoms that you experience should not deter you from achieving your goal.

Beneficial Quit Smoking Tips that are Unlike Any Other

If you're preparing or considering giving up smoking then no doubt you've been inundated with wise tips to help you quit and tips to keep you from falling back into old patterns. Over the years of my hypnosis practice I've found some tips that are not necessarily obvious but are key to helping smokers make the transition to being a non-smoker.

These quit smoking tips take you beyond the everyday such as don't hang around other smokers or tips to help you with cravings that I've covered elsewhere. These tips will give you something entirely new and original to think about to ensure you have plenty of tools to keep on the road to quitting - permanently.

Small Goals and Small Victories:

Start with peanuts when you decide to quit smoking.

In other words, break everything that is big and seems intimidating and overwhelming down into smaller components. Make all of your non-smoking goals small goals and all of your victories small as well.

Do not think in terms of many years from now, or worse, in terms of forever. This will do nothing but stress you to the max. Instead adopt for a realistic and optimistic attitude and a timetable for giving up the nicotine habit. And celebrate all of your small successes. A success of one day may seem insignificant at first but it can lead to a two day success, three, four and so on. It all contributes to your success in the larger scheme of things and it all matters.

The Emotional Phases of Saying Goodbye:

There is rocky emotional terrain to navigate as you leave the smoking habit behind. You must prepare yourself to have to deal with emotions of a disquieting and uncomfortable nature.

Smoking is a habit that you became emotionally connected to and that is why you must go through a series of phases to let it go. They are similar to the phases one suffers when a death occurs or a relationship ends.

Chemical dependency on nicotine is very powerful and that is why it takes effort and strength to say no (and mean it). Smoking has also become a relationship in your life that is repetitive and has always been something you could count on. This is why the draw to hold onto it has such a strong hold over you.

Prepare to mourn your loss by going through six phases that are a necessary and healthy element of letting go. These phases include:

* Phase One- Denial

* Phase Two- Anger

* Phase Three- Bargaining

* Phase Four- Depression

* Phase Five- Acceptance

* Phase Six- Complacency

Stop Skipping Meals- Eat Properly:

If as a smoker you were used to skipping meals then it is time to change that unhealthy habit pronto!

Going without eating meals can lead to your blood sugar going up and down like crazy. This was not something that would cause you a problem as a smoker but it is a different story once you quit.

If you go without eating foods and/or if you do not eat the right type of foods (i.e. healthy and nutritious foods), it can wreck havoc with your ability to focus and can cause anxiety. Do not allow this to happen by consuming the healthiest diet possible on a daily basis.

However do not eat excessively. Bear this important point in mind - eating smaller amounts of food more often is wiser than eating larger portions of food at a sitting.

Drinking an acidic fruit juice the first three to four days following your last cigarette is a good idea. Cranberry juice is an excellent choice. The acidic nature of the juice helps to remove nicotine from the blood stream that much faster. Guard against drinking too much juice after this period of time however as it can lead to another problem - excess pounds.

No More Puffs- Ever!

It has often been said that no one can take just one puff without wanting to take a second, and a third and on it goes.

Addiction and dependency get you in their grip and do not want to let go. Exposing yourself to nicotine caused chemical changes to take place in your brain. In fact, millions of nicotine receptors developed in as many as 11 areas of your thinking center. This is a very big deal and must be treated as so much more than a small habit.

Give it up completely or not at all. There is no happy medium and no neutral ground in between.

The Connection between Caffeine and Nicotine:

Here is something you may not know - caffeine and nicotine have a special relationship. If you drink coffee or tea regularly then it is wise to reduce your consumption as you enter nicotine withdrawal.

This is also the case if you consume other sources of caffeine such as soda pop or chocolate drinks. If you do not then you may find yourself riddled with anxiety and not able to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Cutting your caffeine in half until you have been nicotine free for at least a few weeks can make the transition that much easier for you.

The Pitfalls of Alcohol Consumption:

If you drink alcohol, be careful of how much you consume once you first give up smoking and start showing the symptoms of withdrawal.

This is true regardless of whether you drink often or once in a while. You already have enough to deal with so you do not want to compound your problems any more.

Dreams of Smoking:

While you were a smoker you probably did not dream of smoking but you may find that once you bid farewell to the habit your slumber hours may be filled with images and dreams of your former favorite habit. This is normal and not a cause for concern.

Just let the dreams come as they are a sure sign that you are beginning to heal. Do not give them any more power than that. They are a step away from your past life as a smoker and a step towards the new and improved life you are building for yourself.

Avoid Leaning on a Crutch:

It may be tempting to find a crutch to lean on but this can lead to dependency which is not what you want. You are in the process of leaving one form of dependency behind. Remember? This means any form of a crutch be it a person, place, activity, service or product, etc.

You need to find your own lifeboat instead of clinging to an artificial one. Your strength to get through this must come from within, not without. You are more inclined to suffer a relapse if you lean on any crutch that is external to yourself. Of course this does not mean that you cannot look for support, encouragement and a good listener whenever you need that extra boast of incentive to keep on track.

Get Exercising:

This is not strange when you really think about it. Getting movement going - however minimal - starts you down a path of quitting. After all how many athlete's have you seen smoking? Not many. It's difficult to get to a good level of fitness if you smoke. But if you begin to exercise - walking is fine to begin - you'll be surprised with how much you get motivated.

Obviously if you're taking medication or haven't done any exercise for many years talk to your physician first. But chances are spending a few dollars on comfortable walking shoes and finding a friend to walk a few miles a day with you will start the ball rolling.

Remember - you heard it here first.

In Conclusion:

Taking the step towards becoming a non-smoker is significant and then keeping on the path can be challenging for many. Feeling confident you have tools and resources available to help you complete your quest to be smoke-free is key to success.

Here I've provided some tips and suggestions to provide you extra help and some of which you'll connect with and find useful, and other tips you may not - everybody will be different. Try the various "caps" on your head and keep the ones that fit... and discard the ones that don't.

Are You Wanting to Quit Smoking

There are many people who smoke cigarettes that really do want to quit this costly habit. Smokers know smoking cigarettes can endanger their health, set an example for their children that they do not want, cost an extraordinary amount of money they know they could spend on other things, and annoy those that they are close too.

Many people think they can get a person who smokes to quit, but it cannot be done in this manner. A person who smokes has to decide that they want to quit and this is the only way for a smoker to quit. A smoker will need to identify why they smoke, what they use smoking for, and what satisfaction they feel from smoking.

There are smokers who use a cigarette as a crutch when they are having moments of discomfort or stress, and in some instances this may work, but not always. In some cases a cigarette is used as a tranquilizer to help create a moment of peace in their lives. Those whom smokes heavily throughout the day to try to handle severe personal problems are apt to discover that cigarette smoking will not help in dealing with their problems.

There are some who find it easy to stop smoking when they find that life is going well, but could feel a lapse into smoking when they are having a crisis in their life. There are some who substitute eating, social activities, physical exertion or drinking for smoking when they are feeling moments of tension. By choosing a substitute for smoking will depend on what can achieve the same effects of what the habit of smoking has without any appreciable risks.

When a smoker understands their own smoking behavior, they can be able to cope successfully with why they smoke and decide the best approach to quit smoking for the lifestyle they lead.

Since smoking is a form of addiction, 80 percent of smokers, who quit generally experience some withdrawal symptoms. Some physical symptoms may include chest pains, diarrhea, lightheadedness, and headaches. There are a few psychological symptoms that may appear when a person quits smoking, and they are as follows: short-term depression, anxiety, and the inability to concentrate. Irritability is the main psychological symptom that occurs when a person quits smoking. In some cases, there are some who feel that they could commit an act of violence, but none ever have committed an act of violence due to the feeling of irritability from quitting smoking.

For some who have quit smoking have found that they lose all their energy and drive, and feel the need to sleep more. On the other side of the coin, it has been noticed that some have the totally opposite reaction. These people have found that they have a sudden increase in energy and cannot find enough activities to burn off their excessive energy. Both of these extremes will eventually level off after two to three days. After ten to fourteen days after quitting smoking, most symptoms subside. It is true that after people quit smoking, they do have more energy, generally will need less sleep, and feel better about themselves.

Once a person quits smoking not only will their life be extended, they will find a new fond sense of happiness and meaning to their life. Many smokers have stated that immediately after they quit smoking, they start noticing dramatic changes in their vitality and overall health.

It does not matter how long you have been smoking, but stopping can be beneficial in many ways to quit smoking. The mortality ratio of an ex-smoker decreases after they quit smoking. If a person quits before they develop a serious disease, their body could eventually be able to restore itself completely.

Aromatherapy Blends to Quit Smoking

One of the biggest problems that cigarette smokers face when quitting is the stress and anxiety they experience. Aromatherapy offers an alternative treatment to ease the discomforts of nicotine withdrawal and prevent backsliding into smoking. Aromatherapists can create a special blend to overcome the particular difficulties that a patient is having when kicking the habit.

Relaxation Oils

You can use several essential oils for relaxation and to relieve stress. Lavender is a popular oil for its relaxing scent and ability to calm anxiety. Ylang ylang, thyme, pine, palmarosa, marjoram, cedarwood, frankincense, and geranium are also oils that are used in aromatherapy to ease stress and anxiety.

Stress and anxiety are symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that can be the most difficult to overcome. This stress often causes smokers to resume the habit to relieve the stress that they are experiencing.

You can blend stress-relieving aromatherapy oils together to get optimal results. Experiment with these combinations to find a pleasing aroma that helps you to relax.

Methods

Use aromatherapy oils in a variety of ways to provide the stress-relieving benefits. Put a blend of essential oils combined with a carrier oil directly on your skin. Never apply essential oils directly to the skin without a carrier oil. These oils are extremely strong in this state and may cause irritation. A few drops of essential oils in bath water is sufficiently diluted to avoid irritation.

Blend the oils together and add them to a bowl of boiling water. Inhale the scented steam to gain the benefits of the oil for nicotine withdrawal.

Use drops of oil on cotton balls and place them in areas where you might need a little stress relief. The workplace is one area that can be very challenging when you are quitting smoking. Keep some aromatherapy oil on your desk if this is a troublesome place for you. The car is another place that many people smoke and might find difficult in the early stages of nicotine withdrawal. Using aromatherapy oils in the car can get rid of the smoky smell while relieving your tension from withdrawal symptoms.

Benefits

Relaxation and stress relief are only two of the benefits of aromatherapy that can help with nicotine withdrawal. Fatigue and difficulty with concentration are symptoms of withdrawal as well. Cinnamon is an essential oil that can restore concentration and energy levels for those who are suffering from withdrawal.

A Good Job Can Help People Quit Smoking

Getting a job can have many benefits on peoples life as a whole ranging from their personal life to professional life. One of the benefits that getting a job can have on their overall health and general wellbeing is the fact that it can actually lead them to quit smoking. Smoking tobacco is one of the most publicized and popular addictions and habits in the world, yet people to this day refuse to see the dangers associated with it and refuse to quit. While it is an individuals option to smoke or not, there are of course innumerable benefits of quitting smoking in regards to both health and financial aspects alike. So, how can getting a job help you give up smoking?

In recent years, smoking discount cigarettes has been banned in many public places. This also includes the workplace. Every job that you apply for will ask whether you smoke or not, and this can sometimes be a contributing factor as to whether you get the job or not. Smokers will not be given the chance to take a short break to smoke a cigarette, nor are they allowed to smoke in the building and therefore, the lack of cigarettes for an elongated period of time can positively contribute to helping you fight the habit and defeat it.

Another great means of combating your cigarette addiction is to work overtime during your lunch or take up a hobby to take advantage of during your lunch break, subsequently resulting in you forgetting about cigarettes all together.

Another aspect of getting a job that can help fight your smoking addiction is the financial aspect. When you are getting paid, you will then realize how much smoking actually costs if you are a regular smoker and therefore, when you are earning your own money, you will likely want to spend it on luxury or invest it into the future rather than spending it on cheap cigarettes and tobacco products.

When you get your pay slip and see how much you earn, this can prove to be a contributing factor to fighting tobacco reliance and addiction which can in turn benefit your life as a whole as well as allowing you to save up for more important things in your life.

In general, smoking is indeed an option that most people are tempted with during their life, but that temptation can lead to addiction and tobacco reliance has many downfalls and negativities associated with it. While it is an individuals own right to smoke or not, getting a job and beginning your new career in the workplace can prove to be a beneficial aspect when it comes to fighting and overcoming tobacco addiction and therefore, it is something to keep in mind if you are a smoker who is beginning a new job.

People can break the habit if they really want to quit it and getting a job and starting work can be a contributing and supporting factor that will benefit their life and even their finances.

A Guide to Quit Smoking

million Americans have stopped smoking forever, if you're ready to become one of them then read on!

Smoking is the cause for two in five deaths in the United States causing the deaths of 410 thousand people each year, but there is some better news to this sad figure. If you stop smoking, your body will begin to feel the good effects of stopping smoking just twenty minutes after you stop. Because smoking affects both your brain as well as your body, it is a habit that's hard to break, but deciding on a plan of action can help dramatically.

Once you've taken the choice to quit smoking,you should keep a notebook and write down when you smoke and identify why you smoke, these are your triggers and you should try to find ways to avoid and weaken your triggers.

After you've worked out your triggers, you are definitely ready to comlete the first step. Start by choosing a quitting date on your calendar and make sure that you stick to it, you should also make sure that everything around you is ready for you to quit smoking by getting rid of all your cigarettes and cigarette related items such as lighters, cigarette papers, and ash trays. You should include your house, your car and your work place. As you prepare to stop smoking, it's important to realise that you are not alone, you can get your friends and family to help you.

You can ask your fellow smokers to not give you cigarettes and have them not smoke around you, don't allow people to smoke where you live. After a few weeks, get out your smoking journal again and read it thoroughly to remind yourself of your triggers in-case some are slipping by unnoticed, this can often happen to start. You may also try to avoid you triggers by replacing the situations with something else, an example of this would be if you usually smoke after you come home from work, go for a jog instead or take your dog out for a walk.

Stay away from areas where you would use to go to smoke, this is a great time to explore new places and meet new people, you should also be ready for urges and have cigarette substitutes close at hand such as some candies, mints or toothpicks; all of these will keep your mouth occupied and help you stop any urges to smoke that you may encounter.

Whilst you are quitting, sometimes it will help to use a nicotine patch,gum, or a special inhaler containing nicotine, you can get many of these in your local pharmacy but you should always talk it over with your doctor to find out what is the best option for you for you. Using these items can dramatically raise the chances of you quitting successfully.

When you quit, it's essential for you to prepare for the fact that you might relapse, this is okay and even normal; most smokers try multiple times to quit before they succeed, but this doesn't mean you can't stop on your first time.

Quitting smoking can be one of the best decisions that you'll ever make, and in no time you'll be noticing the many health benefits and will be saving a lot of money too!

A Quick Guide on How to Stop Smoking

Most smokers will say, "You should tell me how to stop smoking and not why should I quit." There is no best time and right way to quit smoking. If you are planning to quit smoking, below is a guide on how to stop smoking:

1) Make a clear decision that you are quitting. You are the only who can decide for yourself if you want to quit. You must be willing to quit smoking and no one should be forcing you to do it. Think for reasons why you want to stop smoking. Here are probable reasons:

a. You are worried to acquire different kinds of health problems such as heart diseases, diabetes and cancers.

b. The health of your family members is at risk as well.

c. There are more benefits of not smoking than smoking.

2) You need to make a plan in your goal of quitting. Set a quick date. It is important that you set a date when you plan to start. Make sure that the date you will choose will not be next month: the sooner the better. If you chose a date too far, you are giving yourself room to change your mind or rationalize everything.

3) Ready your list of activities to do in case you feel like smoking. Your list could include the following:

a. Involve into sports like swimming, badminton or volleyball.

b. Plan an adventure getaway with your family.

c. Play with your dog.

d. Cook a sumptuous meal.

e. Watch a movie.

f. Eat your favorite fruit.

g. Wash your car.

4) Prepare yourself for the "quit day." Here are some suggested things to do to prepare for your quit day.

a. Choose a date and then mark it on your planner.

b. Announce to your family, friends and relatives about your plan.

c. Remove all smoking accessories such as ashtrays, lighter and of course cigarettes in your work, home or car.

d. Gradually reduce puffing cigarettes. If you puff five times a day, you can start decreasing it to four or three times a day.

e. Buy oral substitutes such as chewing gum, candies, chocolates, carrot sticks, coffee stirrers, toothpicks, straws and cinnamon sticks.

f. Practice saying, "Thank you, but I do not smoke."

g. Have a support system. There are available group programs of smokers who want to be non-smokers. There are also organizations that are willing to help you cope with your decision to quit smoking.

h. If you have attempted a number of times to quit smoking, analyze why you were not successful. List down the possible reasons. Then, think of solutions on how to avoid it from happening again.

A Quit Smoking Journey

This journal is the story of my quit.I quit smoking over five years ago and I have never looked back.Not only was it one of the most extraordinary journeys of my life, but it tested my courage, my faith and my resolve. ... and I won.I'm smoke-free.I haven't touched a cigarette since I quit.It's an amazing feeling, knowing that you beat the most addictive drug in the world.A profound pride fills your heart.It's worth it.

I'm sharing this journal with you because I think it can offer you hope, faith, wisdom, a bit of humor...but mostly it will inspire you.It will make you want it all the moreTo be free of the smoking habit; to kick cigarettes to the curb; to live free.

- You can be free, too. -

The Beginning 30 years and two packs a day.

This lens is for you and the fabulous quit you're going to have!

I have this wonderful Quit going that I would do anything to protect. I officially quit Jan. 11 at 1am. Seemed auspicious and I was right. It was perfect. I'm smoke-free and on the most incredible journey of my life.

I wish I could describe the fear I started this journey with. I can't. Suffice it to say I was near to paralyzed thinking about quitting. It has, as it turns out, been the MOST freeing experience of my life. With the amazing courage my Self gathered, the gods and red hot Jolly Ranchers, I'm still quit. And I love it. I share this very personal quitter's journal in the hope that if you want to quit smoking, you'll find some strength in my own journey, as I found in others'.

Once you make the decision and have it firmly fixed in your mind, it becomes the most amazing ride of your life.

________________

"We, the massive gathering of those who have released nicotine from our lives, grow with each passing moment. We grow in numbers because people begin to care about their lives. We grow in strength because people wake up to their own fortitude. We grow in heart because we embrace our quits as the lifesavers they are. We grow in devotion as we learn it's not a burden to leave poison behind. We grow in Self as we eliminate fear by doing. We'll keep growing in numbers. Watch us."

________________

And so it starts....I made a promise to my husband and children...a few years ago and broke it. After chest pains, trouble breathing and a cough that's gross, I'm going to try this time. I'm scared as hell, but want to live. I've actually never been more scared than I am at the thought of quitting smoking.

Day 1 It's a fix. There's no question in my mind now.

It's only a few hours into the day, but I've been puzzling more than a few images out for days now, leading up to this. It's so hard to see it for what it is sometimes. An addiction and one of the most horrendous drugs ever conceived.

I hate that it's robbed me of health, life and reality. I detest that I allowed it to go on this long. It's taken from me 30 years of clean breathing. It's a fix. I think about the glamorous side (without the consciousness of it) and if I concentrate really hard, I can feel that `ahhhh` as I inhaled the first one of the day, or the first drag of a really-anticipated smoke. Then I force myself to move the `ahhhh` from `AHHHHHHHHHHHHH` to the horrific, gut-wrenching choking cough that accompanied most cigarettes toward the end of my smoking career.

I work at remembering the feeling of coughing so hard, my body felt spasmed. Sometimes not being able to catch my breath for a long minute. Not being able to inhale one deep puff without coughing. Nor a breath. Some sad limbo in between being a smoker and being a breather, without being able to do either sufficiently. Glamorous. Fond memories. It will be years before my bladder muscles finally catch a break and are able to start doing their damn job again. Bloody cough.

I don't particularly want to go through the last 3 days again, ever. I was a wreck, worrying I'd fail immediately, feeling guilty for waiting so long, so scared about `losing` my cigarettebuddies, etc,etc,ad nauseum Man that was stressful. I woke up this morning feeling like my world had suddenly, overnight gone quiet.

I'm not stressed. And the guilt is gone. For the first time in weeks, I visited the web this morning, with a great-tasting mug of coffee and had fun reading. No tears. It's very liberating.

I know there will be hard moments coming. Or maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones who maintains total control and breezes through. Either way, the gods are placing this all in front of me for lessons not yet revealed.

Nothing like kicking a heavy addiction to see what we're made of, eh?

________

I had a huge very unpleasant situation with my youngest kid. Had I had cigarettes in the house I would have smoked. Had I wanted to, I could have crossed the street to the Walgreen`s 40 ft. away.

But I didn't smoke. I cried for an hour. I hid under the covers. And I heard my husband say `I love you and I'm behind you all the way`. That sounded so damn good.

Believe me, under any other quits or times, I would have smoked after that argument. I may still have a problem in the future. But for today, I didn't.

And the weirdest/coolest thing is that I'm feeling so good about myself right now. Saucy, ya know?

Let's put it this way. Had I smoked a damn cigarette, I'd be smoking still. Probably non-stop. One pack in a few hours. I know me and this is the `other` scenario.

However, because I was able to breath/cry through this whole stressful mess, I'm all proud of myself. Like as though I hit a challenge and met it with flying colors.

Hey...wait a minute. I DID hit a challenge and pass it with flying colors!

Yehaaaaaaa

Onward and upward. I embrace the empty headedness to come over the next while. What a groovy and free escape for a bit, eh? Bonus Quit Brain Vacation.;)

Day 2

Jolly Rancher Hot Cinnamons are DA BOMB!!

Lovely bite to the end of my tongue like a smoke.

My husband brought them home for me last night and I think I`m in love again ;)

No question about wanting a cigarette. I didn't wake with the craving, I woke with an itch, dead center of my back. The kind you just can't reach.

My guy was really weirded out when I came jumping out of the bedroom and threw myself at the doorjamb hoping for relief. I know he thinks I'm nuts. This confirms it.

Still `nice`. I didn't cough this morning. Coffee tastes so bloody GOOD!

I want a smoke.

o O (remember...that `ahhhh` yeah baby...remember that AHHHH after you light up. Yeah, but remember when you still had the smoke in your lungs. Tried to exhale and coughed like you were going to die. Silly bitch)

I'll fight through this crave. I'll protect MY quit. I'll guard it with my life.

Wait...it IS my life. I guard it or I die.

Day 3

Today seems as though it's going to be a day for reflection. Both positive and negative, but reflection nonetheless. Cool part is, it's reflection without the stinky smell of cigarette smoke.

I woke this morning, with energy I haven't felt in quite a while. I didn't feel half-drugged or groggy. That in itself is nothing short of a miracle folks. And my sleeping isn't all messed up like some people who have quit. I'm not having any bad dreams...yet. They may come. No clue. So far so good.

I wondered, over the last few months what people could possibly mean by `hell of a journey`. I could not bring myself to see quitting smoking as a journey. Before I started this, I saw it more as a burden. A confiscation. A punishment. The ultimate sacrifice.

Yeah, NOT.

It's one bloody incredible journey and I'm only STARTING. I can't imagine how cool it could be at 100 days. Although, it might be like the first bit of a new love interest. Remember those first feelings? Remember not being able to stop kissing? Remember how incredible it feels? But hey, three years later, it's still wonderful. Just a different kind of wonderful. From lingerie to fluffy flannel. Wonderful and secure.

I hope my quit either stays exciting or moves toward that lovely, snug, comfortable stage. Like a favorite pair of slippers.

REVELATION TIME

It dawned on me this morning (and NEVER has before) that I have NEVER been an adult without being a smoker. I began at 13 and don't even know how to be an adult without a cigarette. How bizarro is that?!

THINGS I NEVER KNEW

How good my skin smells in the morning. My hands smell like cinnamon and soap. (subject to change depending on activity)

My kid's hair smells amazing.

My husband's neck smells wonderful.

The lock of grey at my left temple is actually silver.

Coffee tastes AWESOME

Human breathing isn't meant to be heard

Day 10

We've all heard the lists of ways to overcome a crave and keep on track of this `quit thing`. We've all gone over this stuff in our minds, until it feels like our ears will fall off.

Do we really listen? Do we really read? Do we REALLY see?

When I read about well-loved online friends who have passed on, or have just received their diagnosis, I feel horrible. The humanity of who I am causes me to thank the powers that be that it wasn't me, and then the human in me realizes the sorrow of the situation.

Truth is, there SHOULDN'T BE a reason to quit. There SHOULDN'T BE a list of friends passed. These things are wrong in their very existence. The TRUTH is, there should never have been a REASON that quitting exists.

But they do exist. Tobacco has forced these existences. And so we deal with the news of a friend's passing, or give hugs in a post to a friend who's been given bad news. And we keep on journeying.

For six weeks before my quit 10 days ago, I sat on a quit forum most evenings, reading and crying. I wept so many tears. I cried for people I didn't know. I cried when I read about chest pains and tumors, tiredness and declining health. I cried when I read of parents passing, I cried when I read about the births of babies and dedicating quits to children.

I cried. I rarely spent time on the forum in those weeks, doing much but reading and crying. And getting very very scared.

I cried for families. I cried for people struggling to kick a habit.

Mostly I cried for myself. I wanted what so many have. I wanted the joy of saying `I've made it through ...... week`

I wanted to know what it felt like to surrender to my own courage for once.

I surrendered to what I was crying out for. I let my tears guide my actions.

Trust me friends, it's one hell of a journey. One wild ride. And so worth it.

So read, and cry. Read all about those who have passed. Of the families who watched them die. Of those who have faced the most horrendous news. Read them all. Cry until your eyes are swollen. Cry for them...but most of all cry for you.

Better you to cry, than your loved ones.

Day 28

Celebrating that in our life which brings us joy and healing, is probably the most important thing we can do for ourselves. All too often our lives are too busy/too complicated/too stressful/too _____ to allow the celebrations we really feel in our soul.

How many times in the average lifespan do we think we're going to get the chance to celebrate our own strength?

As someone said yesterday, those in their first days/weeks are the ones slaying the biggest beasts.

I remember (what seems like a lifetime ago) how those first days felt. No....not days. Those first minutes and hours. That's how the first days are. Broken down into non-smoking minutes, each minute testing our courage, our strength and our ultimate resolve. How indecent can a human habit become.

You who are beginning this amazing journey are wonderful. You believed in yourselves enough to undertake this enormous leap of faith.

The interesting difference from this leap of faith to others we've taken in our lives, is that this one centers on faith in ourselves. Got that? Read it again. Faith in yourself.

That's the entire crux of watching your stats grow. Your heart will continue to fill with love for yourself, with each passing hour/day/week/month of your non-smoking life.

Imagine that. Love by deprivation. Freedom through courage.

Celebrate, friends. Celebrate each time you look in the mirror. Celebrate each morning you wake and can breath. Celebrate each lovely email from a friend wishing you well.

Celebrate.

1 Month

For those new to their quit...

I have two words for you.

*Perspective*

*Attitude*

Here's the perspective...Yes It Can Be Done

Don't believe me? Check out the names on the anniversary list. Read the stats people post with their messages. We're doing it.

Daily....hourly....by the minute.

PEOPLE ARE QUITTING SMOKING. And being successful at it. You're no different. You can do this. You're here already. You must want it.

So, that being said, kick all those nasty doubts from your mind and hitch your britches up, full blown wedgie to wake you up and get on with the business of nurturing your quit/health/life.

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But that perspective needs a good Attitude to fuel it.

Give it one. I know you have an attitude buried somewhere beneath all that nicotine-gooed spirit. By giving your Attitude room to breath (literally), you're giving your soul the freedom to exist again, without the chains of slavery to this addiction.

I want to see some attitude. Tell your Self it's time for a few changes. They won't always be easy, but it beats the hell out of the alternative.

You want this quit. You have to want it or it won't work. Simple really. This is where the attitude comes in though. You want it or you wouldn't be here. By building your attitude, you build your courage. By building your courage, you build your quitdays. By building your quit days, you get to live.

Pretty cool.

I love you for being here and trusting me to help you through.

Day 42

Being on day 42, I'm just now finding myself coming into that back-to-concentration period. I'm finally getting work done again and actually hearing what people are saying to me.

I've been lucky. My family has been tolerant and lovely. Although, I've done more out loud belly laughing in the past 42 days than I have in a very long time. I'm always laughing and looking for reasons to laugh, but it's been delightful. The CRS (quit related stupity) will give me a suddenly lucid image of something I thought of and I'll burst out laughing. They're ready with the appropriate meds...LOL

It's like drifting back into a world at real speed. For the first 35 days or so, it was like moving around in Jell-O. Good, hot, cinnamon Jolly Rancher Jell-O, but slow mo. I played Snood, ate jolly ranchers and existed in a basic stupor the first week. Progressing to coherent from there.

This stuff feels amazing. Lovely. I'm still fascinated at how wonderful this feels. And I'm not sure if it's more from being nic-free, or it's actually knowing that if I trust my courage, it won't let me down.

Day 50 - Two Hands

Two Hands

We start out with two hands. Young, fresh and ready for the sensory banquet that is life.

Little boys go through life one-handed for a few years (some more than others) holding dear to the very body part they will base a good deal of decision making upon. Little girls tend to abuse the world one-handed, clutching their dolls on one hip, reaching for their future with one hand outstretched.

Life moves on. Sometimes we reach out with two hands. More often in our busy lives, we reach out with one hand, snaking around the myriad of daily obstacles.

Smokers live life never really knowing the delights of a two-handed world. Smokers hug one-armed and talk one-handed, limiting the amazing benefits of hand gesturing. Smokers clutch the package of cigarettes tucked into their hands, comfortable beside the ridge of lighter they always carry. Smokers read one-handed, missing the delights of a quiet and unbusy hand to better turn pages with ease.

I believe the one-handed method of living is a micro/macro cosmic thing. It's not just 3D that smokers live one-handed. Its the emotions they cheat themselves of by feeding a heavy addiction. They cheat themselves and others of their true selves.

If I showed my former smoking self a film of me now, my former self would have laughed in my face. It is that dramatic an impact, the quit.

I have lived the past 50 days two-handed. Full complete movement. Reaching for all that I was missing before. Reaching daily for life. Savoring more moments than I ever thought possible. Being delighted at coming out of a daydream only to realize I'm holding my coffee mug with two hands, the delicious chill of the wintry morning gone from both hands. Two hands warm from the mug, reaching out to warm the cheeks of my daughter just in from outside.

Two hands to reach out to the wonderful people who remind me daily why I'm quit.

Two hands

Day 64

My truth for today -

Yesterday my family left me to my own devices for most of the evening and I walked down to get Chinese food for my dinner. As I walked past the convenience store, I thought (and for about .04 seconds it was a pretty STRONG thought) that I should go in and buy some smokes.

I want you to know something. It was MAJOR strong, but NOT. And ONLY .04 seconds (best not to question some things...)

I wish I knew how to describe this. Ok...like as if, you're getting your tongue pierced. You see the needle coming but you close your eyes and you end up NOT feeling a thing.

I'm serious. I'm kind of confused because it seems like it 'should have' lasted longer, been stronger, etc. Or maybe I'm just shocked that given all the perfect circumstances, it still didn't happen.

All I could see was my kids faces when they smelled the cigarette smoke on me. And my own incredible disappointment at being stupid. Whatever it was, the .04 seconds passed quickly (as you can well imagine) and off I went, laughing, the whole episode soon forgotten in a rich steam of pan-fried dumplings and sesame chicken.

Remember when you borrowed something from someone and the responsibility could be overwhelming?

This is different because we're not responsible for someone else's something. We're only responsible for this now. No one else can do our job in this. We're irreplaceable and if our quit gets lost it's our fault. There is NOTHING else to blame.

Talk about total artistic control...

A Matter of Choice

There is a time when you MUST surrender. You must let go.

That will either be by dying or by quitting. One way or the other you're GOING to quit smoking.

You have two choices.

You can do it with attitude....or you can do it feeling deprived. It's going to get done. You just have to decide how that's going to be.

This is something in your life. We have many somethings. Not many that serve up death on a platter. But our lives are full of many somethings.

On occasion we must release ourselves from one of those things. The type of scent because it's not made anymore....our fav zine has gone out of print....you get the idea.

Smoking isn't going to be a part of your life anymore. Yes you might crave. Yes you might "feel" like your world is coming unglued at times.

Welcome to the real world. The world this side of the smoke screen.

We ARE very capable of this change. But we don't always believe we are. The fear can be paralyzing; often prolonging for years, what we should have done.

It's a matter of perception. See it as being deprived and your quit will make you angry and resentful. See it as a gift of courage and strength to yourself, and you've got the makings of a firm and solid permanent quit.

It's a matter of choice. Don't let anyone tell you differently. You must choose. You will choose, eventually.

It's up to you how you want to do this.

Day 171

The faces of quitters are woven with lines of wisdom. Wisdom emerging from fully cemented quits and from newbie determination. These lines crocheted across the faces of those gone before, give us a chance to emmulate them.

We are every race, every religion, every econimic class, every political view and both genders. We are variation itself. We are the hands across the globe, reaching for a smoke free world.

We are quitters who choose to share our experience, our laughter, love and pain. We share our frustrations hoping others will benefit from hearing of our adventures.

We are the legion of ex smokers who thought it was cool. It`s not cool now. We are the hopefuls who now know it kills. We are the successes amongst the statistics. We stay quit in the moment.

This is the essence of the us. Our diversity, our common goal...this is what holds us together. What causes us to reach out to those just coming to the path. This is what offers us a hand when we are the ones in need.

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`You cannot step into the same river twice`

Hericlitus spoke those words around 500BC.

Wise words. Think about them.

We stepped in the river at this very spot yesterday. Today, we reach our toes toward the water, but it isn`t the same water. Time has moved the river. The flow of the water carries a new river to us each passing moment.

We are like the river. We change moment by moment. You are not exactly the same person you were an hour ago. New cells have grown, hair is longer (if only by a microamount) and you have had thoughts for an hour longer than before. Perhaps a new piece of wisdom has been gained.

The trick, is to accept and revel in the everchanging flow of life. Allow yourself to change. Grow.

When we try to make life remain the same, we wonder why we fail. Life changes just like the river. Just like us. Life moves along, with no attention to whether we`re moving with it. Life doesn`t care if we do or not.

Life offers us its new self each moment. It is up to us whether we reach out and embrace it in all its panoramic change.

One can never know what lies ahead on this everchanging road. Might be good, might be not so good. But we cannot know until we set out. We cannot reap the possible rewards unless we keep on going.

Stagnation only leads to death of the spirit.

Be ACTIVE in seeking the nectar in life and drink it down.

You deserve it.

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If you think smoking kills, give stress a try.

Stress kills more people each day than ANY other leading cause. Stress is responsible for most heart attacks. It is suicides and worry over crime. It is the push that locks our door twice. Stress is the fuel for violence in the home and schoolyard, work place discomfort and road rage.

Stress is responsible daily for people hurting themselves, overdoing something, not measuring up and putting others down. Stress is THE number one killer.

So..with that being the case, why add stress to your life when you have just eliminated one of the most horrendous killers of our time?

Breathing releases stress, mediation the same.

Relax into your quit. Accept that it is with you forever.

Release the STRESS of wanting a cigarette and live longer.

It`s an amazing journey. Put the stress away long enough to enjoy it.

This Moment Right Now

Ever wanted to know the secret of life? That`s it. This moment right now. Shout it out, write it down and memorize it like your life depends on it. It does. This moment right now. The four most magical words on our planet.

The moment before this one is now a part of our past. Existing only as a memory. It cannot be relived or changed in any way. It is the way it is. Final and complete. Sealed into history.

In the moment after this one, we could be dead. The finality of death may have taken us in any moment past this one. The grim reaper reaps when he`s meant to. We cannot deny OR defy death. It IS our future. Whether or not we are comfortable discussing it, death is our path eventually. Could be in the next moment or in 60 years. But it WILL come.

The only thing that matters is THIS MOMENT. It is the one with potential. We are alive in this moment. In another we may be dead. For this moment we are alive, we exist, we can accomplish something. Whatever you choose that something to be, this moment has possibilities. Limitless potential.

Take hold of this moment. If you deny it, you throw away the chance to be alive. If you waste it, you will never know if you could have been alive in that moment or not. You won`t be given moments forever, to toss frivolously away. You cannot snub a gift so precious.

Live the moment. It truly is ALL that we have.

One Year Patches and Pills and Gum Oh My!

I`ve been reading a good number of siteslately asking about lozenges, hypnosis, patches, wellbutin and other quit aids.

It`s just like losing weight (I can hear all you ladies groan). There is NO magic pill. No one can hand you anything to help cause the weight to drop off. And no one has invented a formula so that we can wake up 40 lbs less.

Quitting smoking is precisely the same thing. There is NO magic pill.

Nothing on this planet will aid you in your quit if you don`t want to quit. Someone in a hypnosis thread said something about not being suggestable enough. Not the case.

Its all a matter of how much you want this.

Habits are hard to break. Trust me, I know this. But after trying various and sundry quit aids over the past ten years, including hypnosis, gum, acupuncture, acupressure and reflexology, I completely understand now that unless you want this quit, nothing will work.

You must decide what is most important to you.

Life and health, or death and a thousand loved ones tears.

You MUST decide. It`s ENTIRELY your choice. It doesn`t help to come to cry about how much you don`t want to quit. So long as you carry that attitude, you won`t have a chance.

We ALL wanted the magic pill.

We ALL wanted it to be easy.

We ALL were scared.

Suck it up, decide you want this quit more than anything in the world and start making it yours. Start living. Put dying on hold.

It`s an either / or situation.

Either you want to be smoke free or you don`t. Very simple.

We either put a cigarette to our mouths and light it......or we don`t.

Life doesn`t get much simpler than that.

Hang in there

It`s worth it.

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