Monday, March 30, 2009

Ten Sure Ways to Quit Cigarettes That Work Every Time

Here are ten sure ways that will help you to quit smoking. They worked for me and I am sure they will work for you.

1. Tell everyone you are going to quit cigarettes. Make sure everyone knows. The whole idea here is to stop people offering you cigarettes.It is easy to accept one if people keep shoving them at you.

2. Avoid smoking areas at work. If your not there you cannot smoke.

3. Find someone who wants to quit as well. By having a partner to quit with you can motivate each other during moments when your will-power alone fails you.

4. If you find that you cannot get by on will-power use a quit cigarette aid like gum, patches or hypnosis to see you through.

5. Hide your lighter away so even if you are tempted to smoke you will not be able to light up your cigarettes.

6. Avoid cigarettes or people who have them at times you would normally smoke. For example if your having a coffee or a break or when your on the telephone.The reasoning here is your brain will associate these times a with cigarettes and give you the urge to have one.

7. If you feel your will-power waning do something to keep yourself occupied. Like reading a book, a crossword, or even go for a walk away from any cigarettes.

8. Take up exercise or a sport. You will soon find out the effects cigarettes are having on your body and will have extra motivation to quit cigarettes.

9. Put the money to one side you normally spend on a packet of cigarettes. Each time you would buy a packet put the money away somewhere. After a week count how much money you have saved. There will enough money there after twelve months to pay for a holiday.

10. This is a killer tip. Each time someone offers you a cigarette break it in half. This reinforces your will-power and will stop people from persistently offering you cigarettes.

Reference:Mark S Daniels

Why Smoking Makes You Cough!

Want to know why smoking makes you cough? Well, coughing usually indicates there is something in the respiratory passages that shouldn't be there, and in the case of a smoker that something is the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. The body is simply trying to protect itself with the cough reflex, which is a vital part of our body's complicated defence mechanism. But despite the body's best efforts to cough these toxins out, some of the poisons in the smoke remain in the lungs. What this means is that over time the smoker's health gets worse, never better, as a direct result of inhaling tobacco smoke.

My brother was no different to many regular smokers in that he'd cough a lot. In actual fact he was always coughing and cleaning his throat. If that's not the body's way of telling the smoker that enough is enough, then I don't know what is! Of course, my brother would jest that his constant coughing is a healthy way to exercise the lungs. He'd often come out with a daft idiom that goes; It wasn't the coughing that carried him off it's the coffin they carried him off in! Alas, he was carried off in a coffin as a young man in his late 40's thanks to an aggressive throat cancer.

Coughing His Way Out of a Job!

I currently work in a call center and it breaks my heart to hear my lovely work colleague sitting next to me cough, cough, cough, all day long. It worries me that he'll go the same way as my brother did. So irritating is his coughing that he's even been told that it's annoying certain co-workers that man the nearby phones. He's actually had his first official warning which states that if doesn't do something about his persistent coughing, he may have to be dismissed from the job. He told me in private that he's sooner lose his job than his cigarettes, so it looks as though his days at this company are numbered. Oh how powerful the grip king nicotine has on its smokers!

It Starts with that Morning Cough!

Not all smokers cough, and not all smokers cough as soon as they take up the habit. Some people smoke so few cigarettes in a day that they don't build up the same levels and toxins and irritations as heavy smokers do. But not coughing doesn't mean to say they're free from smoker's health risks, it simply means they may take a little longer to get sick than the heavy smoker. Most long term smokers develop what is commonly called the "smoker's cough". This usually starts by extended sessions of coughing after they wake up in the morning and progresses over time to an all day cough.

This early morning chesty cough is often followed by a gagging and spitting of brownish green phlegm. Once the smoker has relieved themselves of this irritation, many go on to light up that first cigarette of the day! This then induces yet more coughing, spitting, and gagging, after which time they have cleared their chest in preparation for the day ahead. A smoker doesn't tend to complain about this bizarre ritual, but rather take it as an expectable drawback to their love of nicotine.

I learnt a lot about the dangers of smoking and passive smoking after my brother got ill, and one thing that alarmed me more than anything was that a smoker will only quit when he or she wants to, and not when they need to. Even after ill health directly linked to smoking, some smokers still continue to pursue their habit of a lifetime until there is no life left to pursue.

I've come to understand that only a smoker can fully understand and sympathise with a fellow smoker on the difficulties of smoking cessation. Advice given out by those who have never smoked will most likely fall on deaf ears. The smoker's cough is the body giving advance warnings that the build up of toxins in the throat and lungs is becoming too much to bear. Sadly, so many smokers ignore the signs and advice given out from their own bodies and medical professionals that they take their stubborn denial to the grave with them. Still dying for a fag?

Reference:Andy Maingam

Ready to Quit Smoking? Six Steps to Ensure Your Success

The idea of giving up cigarettes can be daunting and even a bit frightening. It's a lifestyle change.

Along with the physical addiction to nicotine there are several psychological barriers that you will need to overcome. Consider the following as you prepare to make changes for a smoke-free lifestyle.

First -Understand the addiction. Nicotine is the additive drug found in tobacco products. Be prepared for the temporary symptoms of nicotine withdrawal . There are several nicotine patches and gums available which ease the physical aspects. Seek advice from your physician to determine which option is best for you. The following are some withdrawal symptoms you may experience. The important thing to remember is that these are temporary. Hang in there and don't be discouraged. What you're experiencing is common and it will pass.

Cigarette cravings will be most prevalent the first week, lessening over time.

Hunger pangs, sometimes confused with cigarette cravings.

Irritability and anxiety, usually lasting 2 to 4 weeks.

Temporary feelings of depression.

Decreased concentration, lasting a couple weeks.

Insomnia (sleepless nights) may occur initially, lasting a few days.

Light-headedness from increased oxygen, lasting a day or two.

Coughing or dry throat may result to rid extra mucus caused by smoking.

Second- Be clear on why you want to quit. Your reason for giving up cigarettes is likely because there is something you wish to gain in your life. What benefits will you get from quitting? What makes it meaningful to you? Are you looking for increased energy as when you hike, go for a jog or climb a flight of stairs?

Do you want to sing at the top of your lungs? Do you want freedom from a controlling habit? Are you seeking increased social acceptance? Do you want to experience more joy in your life? Are you seeking a healthier lifestyle? Whatever your motivation for quitting, be sure to keep it the forefront of your thinking. Visualize yourself living out your ideal lifestyle. Focus your thoughts on what you are gaining not what you are giving up. This is your life. Whatever difficulty you face as you transition to smoke-free lifestyle is worth it. Remember what you stand to gain.

Third- Be Aware of your smoking patterns. Smoking is a habit. Habit is formed by repetition. Over prolonged periods the repetition of smoking becomes associated with your daily routine. What everyday activities do you connect with smoking? Talking on the phone, finishing a meal, driving in the car, waking up, feelings of stress or relaxation?

Identify the parts of your routine that trigger the urge to smoke. Once you know what they are, you can begin to think of ways to disrupt these triggers and break the habit. This often requires lifestyle changes. Begin with those triggers which are strongest. What other behavior can you introduce in those situations? Wash the dishes, brush your teeth, have a glass of water, call a friend, read your email, workout, go for a walk or a bike ride, eat healthier, avoid alcohol, take a warm bath? Modify your lifestyle to create an environment that facilitates changing the old patterns.Change is not only possible it is inevitable. Stick with it. It will pay off.

Fourth- Recognize "gremlins" and negative self-talk. The gremlins referred to here are actually our fear habits. We all have them. This is the part of us that hates change and will do anything to keep the status quo. We may do this as a way of protecting ourselves from the uncertainty that may result from the change. Or sometimes it comes in the form of self-sabotage because we don't think we are worthy of a better life.

The form the gremlin takes is the negative self-talk that occurs when we begin to make changes. These are the thoughts you have which attempt to justify why you shouldn't even try to give up cigarettes. "I'm going to be more stressed." "I'll gain weight." "I'll be irritable." " I won't be able to enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee." "I'll never succeed." "Why even bother?" You know the rest. These are self-limiting beliefs which are false. Recognize this negative self talk exists and be prepared to disarm it. Often just by noticing it, we weaken its power over our behavior. So when the negative self-talk starts in, don't listen to it. You know better. It's possible to be successful. You can give up smoking. You deserve to achieve a better lifestyle. Don't lose sight of this!

Fifth- Create an environment of encouragement. Find a least one person who will be your champion and hold you accountable. You need support. Don't be ashamed to seek it out. Be proud of yourself for quitting. Share the hurdles and victories with someone who cares. Reward yourself for the effort and sacrifice you are making. Treat yourself to something special, using the money you are saving by not buying cigarettes. Ask family and friends to support your decision by not smoking around you. Encourage them to join you in quitting as well.

Sixth -Be prepared for the possibility of a relapse. There's a good chance that this is not the first time you've tried to quit smoking. If this is true for you, then you have already experienced a relapse. A relapse can occur at anytime; sometimes within the first day or six months or even years after quitting. This experience can leave you feeling like a failure and often drains motivation to continue the process of quitting. The key here is to remember that quitting is a process; and the relapse is a common part of the process for many people. Instead of focusing on the relapse, turn your attention on what can be learned from the experience.

What can you do differently? What caused you to take that cigarette? Was it a familiar smoking pattern? What was the social situation? Who were you with? Was the any negative self-talk occurring at time? With this information you can focus on what to do differently in the future. Remember your reasons for quitting in the first place. These reasons are no less important now. Be good to yourself, avoid self pity and get rid of the cigarettes. Changing habits and routines can be a challenging process but not impossible. A relapse does not mean defeat. You can still be successful in achieving a smoke-free lifestyle. Keep at it!

Reference:Carla Paton

Lung Repair After Smoking - How to Clean Your Lungs

Aside from the brain, the lungs are the most delicate organ in your body. Healthy lungs are filled with tiny passage ways and air chambers. As you breathe, fresh air containing life sustaining oxygen, is drawn into your lungs. Once inside these tiny chambers, oxygen is passed to the red blood cells in exchange for carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is expelled from your system as you exhale.

This process takes place about 17,000 times each day.

In order to complete this process, the passage ways in your lungs must be clean and free of sediments that could clog the tiny passage ways and interfere with the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange. In order to keep the chambers clear, your lungs contain thousands of tiny hair like stalks called cilia. The cilia continually sweep impurities and sediment out of the lungs to keep them clear.

When you smoke, toxins and chemicals are drawn into the lungs. If you are just an occasional smoker, the cilia can easily keep the lungs clean. But if you are a heavy smoker, the cilia cannot effectively do their job. As you continue to smoke, many of the tiny cilia are damaged, making the cleaning process even more difficult. Over time, toxins from cigarette smoke begin to clog the tiny air chambers.

Because the smaller number of healthy cilia can no longer keep the lungs clean, your body resorts to a second method in an attempt to clean your lungs; a cough. This smokers cough is your body's way of assisting the cilia to clear your lungs.

So, what can you do if you've been smoking for a while and have a nasty cough? The solution is simple. You should help your body clear the lungs. You can do this using a simple combination of food supplements and vitamins that rinse the toxins out of your lungs and flush them out of your body. This easy process will clean out your lungs 15 - 20 times faster than your body can do it on its own.

Reference:Jo Mark

What Happens When You Stop Smoking

What happens when you stop smoking? Well the two first very obvious signs are, you can breathe and there is more money in your pocket. Your sense of smell will start returning and you will be able to taste and appreciate that lovely food (and wine) you have.

Your sinuses will be clearing and your lungs will become deeper. You will for some time be occasionally coughing up some nasty stuff that your lungs have been wanting to get rid of. You as a person will smell a lot better including your hair, skin and breath. Another side effect is that quite possibly the opposite sex (or spouse) will be standing a lot closer to you.

You will have to clean/dry-clean your clothes and spring clean your house and car. That's the only way to get rid of that stink. You will have more energy and for no reason will feel like running down the road or across the park. Your heart will be pumping good blood through you and you will feel like superman.

After a few months you will feeling quite smug about yourself and avoiding 'those smokers' who are polluting your space. You will have abandoned those fears you once harbored about heart attacks, strokes, cancers, emphysema, amputations, wrinkly skin and a whole list of other nasties too big to fit this article.

If you have kids you are leading the way just not for them but every single person who knows you. This is what happens when you stop smoking. The plus factors just keep on rolling in. People with young families will love you for it and overall it seems that you are a nicer, better person for it.

Am I over the top here. No, no and no! If anything, I am understating it. I myself don't think about it much now (5 years) but a warm glow comes over me when it comes to mind, like writing this article.

Reference:Daton Caedea

Stop Smoking - The Most Important Factor to Consider When You Decide to Quit Smoking

I think it's safe to say that just about everyone who is currently a smoker would like to quit. Not sure? Ask yourself this question. Knowing what you know now, if you could go back in time to the day before you became hooked on cigarettes, would you do it? There's your answer. Just about everyone answers a resounding 'yes' to that one. So, now that you know you want to, what's stopping you? What's the most important factor to consider when you decide to quit smoking?

In the opinion of a happy ex-smoker, the most important factor to consider when you decide to quit smoking is the psychological factor. The factor that leaves you feeling miserable and deprived. The one that makes you treat everyone like crap hoping that one of them will suggest you should keep smoking and try another time. The one that eventually creates whatever scenario it needs to so you can resume smoking once again.

Despite what you may believe, the physical effects of quitting smoking aren't that big a deal. It's the massive brainwashing job we do on ourselves that makes it so difficult to stop smoking. You're probably doing it right now.

So much attention is paid to dealing with cravings and nicotine replacement and support groups. The physical cravings don't last that long. Nicotine replacement is completely illogical and doesn't work. Trying to break a nicotine addiction with nicotine is pretty stupid if you asked me. Support groups can be of some benefit, but the real secret is to sort out the psychological aspects before you decide to quit.

If you can get a handle on the psychological aspects and deal with your self sabotage before it happens, you'll be well on your way to success. It really isn't that hard to stop smoking. All you have to do is take action.

I've been where you are. Wanting to quit so badly but not knowing where to start.

Reference:Stephen Zane

Quit Smoking For Good - Stop Smoking For Your Health

Quitting smoking can be one of the hardest things that you do and finding a solution that works best for you is important. The first thing you want to do is to visit your doctor and talk with them to find out what options are available to you so that you can stop smoking. If you have been smoking for a long time than they can be even harder for you to quit and stay off cigarettes. There are some great new products that are on the market that can help you kick your nicotine habit and this is important because you want to be healthy and live a long life.

If you have a family than it is more important that you stop smoking so that you can be around to see your kids grow up to be adults. Even though you may not have any pain or discomfort currently smoking can only cause harm to you in the future. Once you have contracted cancer or any other disease from smoking it is hard to get rid of. The best thing that you can do is prevent this by stopping smoking now so that you do not have any medical issues later on in life. You will feel better want to have kicked the habit because you will be able to breathe better and have more endurance.

Remember that if you are trying to quit smoking there are many remedies that are available to you. You want to consult with your doctor and find out what products work well that are available to you on the market. There are also natural quit smoking methods that you can use that will help you kick this habit.

Reference:Bryan Burbank

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