You may be surprised to learn that there are stop smoking classes in many cities throughout the United States. You can attend a stop smoking class in your area or you can order the materials and study at home.
People who do not smoke or have never smoked might think it is strange to attend a stop smoking class, but anyone who has quit understands how difficult it is. Support is very helpful, whether it be from family and friends, a group or a counselor. Sometimes, just talking to someone can help a would-be ex-smoker resist the temptations and urges that come up on a daily or even hourly basis.
Addiction to nicotine is hard to overcome. Going "cold turkey" can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that vary from person to person and are hard to describe. Personally, I experienced pulsing nerves, shakiness and moodiness. I felt that it was harder to concentrate and I gained weight.
On the plus side, my food tasted better, my sense of smell became better and my sinus problems went away. I was able to exercise more without getting out of breath so easily. And, I saved money. In my opinion, effective stop smoking classes are well worth the money.
Nicotine replacement like patches and gums prevent the withdrawal symptoms. If you go cold turkey, withdrawal symptoms typically last only a few days. If you can make it through the first three days, it becomes easier and easier. The patch prolongs the addiction and the manufacturers recommend that you use them for at least six weeks.
Some people choose to use a combination of nicotine replacement and counseling or a stop smoking class. Some stop smoking classes even include a kind of "cigarette replacement" for their customers to use while they are quitting.
It might be better to come up with your own personal replacement for smoking, because the addiction to nicotine is only part of the reason that people smoke. Habits are problems, too. And, changing your habits can be difficult.
Usually there are certain activities that "trigger" the urge to smoke. You may want to smoke after dinner, while driving or during social situations. One of the steps for a successful quit is to identify your personal "triggers" and plan to change the way that you have "habitually" responded to them. In other words, stop lighting up and do something else.
Sometimes smoking becomes automatic. You may not have even realized that you lit a cigarette. It can help to keep a "smoking journal", writing down when and why every time that you take out a cigarette. This may even help you to cut back before you quit.
Basically, the steps that you would learn in a stop smoking class go something like this. Choose a date to quit. Make sure it is not a special occasion or holiday.
Plan "how" you will quit. Either by attending stop smoking classes, getting counseling, using nicotine replacement or another therapy. If you need to make an appointment or order materials, get everything together before your quit date.
Identify your personal triggers and come up with healthy habits to replace the smoking habit. Some people exercise more, practice meditation or spend more time on their hobbies.
Remember to eat right, get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Drinking coffee or alcoholic beverages are common triggers for people who smoke.
You will also learn about the health risks associated with smoking; lung cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer, gum disease, heart disease, etc. The Surgeon General has advised that the single best thing that a smoker can do for his or her long term health and quality of life is to quit smoking.
People who do not smoke or have never smoked might think it is strange to attend a stop smoking class, but anyone who has quit understands how difficult it is. Support is very helpful, whether it be from family and friends, a group or a counselor. Sometimes, just talking to someone can help a would-be ex-smoker resist the temptations and urges that come up on a daily or even hourly basis.
Addiction to nicotine is hard to overcome. Going "cold turkey" can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that vary from person to person and are hard to describe. Personally, I experienced pulsing nerves, shakiness and moodiness. I felt that it was harder to concentrate and I gained weight.
On the plus side, my food tasted better, my sense of smell became better and my sinus problems went away. I was able to exercise more without getting out of breath so easily. And, I saved money. In my opinion, effective stop smoking classes are well worth the money.
Nicotine replacement like patches and gums prevent the withdrawal symptoms. If you go cold turkey, withdrawal symptoms typically last only a few days. If you can make it through the first three days, it becomes easier and easier. The patch prolongs the addiction and the manufacturers recommend that you use them for at least six weeks.
Some people choose to use a combination of nicotine replacement and counseling or a stop smoking class. Some stop smoking classes even include a kind of "cigarette replacement" for their customers to use while they are quitting.
It might be better to come up with your own personal replacement for smoking, because the addiction to nicotine is only part of the reason that people smoke. Habits are problems, too. And, changing your habits can be difficult.
Usually there are certain activities that "trigger" the urge to smoke. You may want to smoke after dinner, while driving or during social situations. One of the steps for a successful quit is to identify your personal "triggers" and plan to change the way that you have "habitually" responded to them. In other words, stop lighting up and do something else.
Sometimes smoking becomes automatic. You may not have even realized that you lit a cigarette. It can help to keep a "smoking journal", writing down when and why every time that you take out a cigarette. This may even help you to cut back before you quit.
Basically, the steps that you would learn in a stop smoking class go something like this. Choose a date to quit. Make sure it is not a special occasion or holiday.
Plan "how" you will quit. Either by attending stop smoking classes, getting counseling, using nicotine replacement or another therapy. If you need to make an appointment or order materials, get everything together before your quit date.
Identify your personal triggers and come up with healthy habits to replace the smoking habit. Some people exercise more, practice meditation or spend more time on their hobbies.
Remember to eat right, get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Drinking coffee or alcoholic beverages are common triggers for people who smoke.
You will also learn about the health risks associated with smoking; lung cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer, gum disease, heart disease, etc. The Surgeon General has advised that the single best thing that a smoker can do for his or her long term health and quality of life is to quit smoking.
0 comments:
Post a Comment