Maybe you have researched different ways to quit smoking
and are ready to stop for good. Whatever aid you choose to
help stop smoking, there are other things you can do to
help you succeed.
For instance, if you think that the sight of cigarettes or
related paraphernalia might give you the urge to relapse
and take the smoking habit back up, it would be best to
banish all such items from your sight. Habits like smoking
can be in part triggered by visual cues, so get those
cigarettes, lighters, matches and ashtrays out of sight.
There is a lot of truth to the adage "out of sight, out of
mind", at least when it comes to quitting smoking. You'll
make it that much easier on yourself by getting those
reminders out of the way.
A common stumbling block that can lead to failure is
keeping cigarettes around. It is far too easy to
rationalize "just one" cigarette. Keep them away, and
you'll be much less tempted to relapse.
No matter how well you manage to hide the reminders and
temptations, you are almost sure to have withdrawal
symptoms. Get ready for these; they may pass within the
first week, or persist as long as a month.
The first few days will be the biggest hurdle, so be
prepared for the worst. A stop smoking program may help
prepare you for withdrawal, or at the very least let you
know what to expect.
There will of course be cravings for cigarettes and
increased appetite. These are typical withdrawal symptoms.
Here are seven coping strategies for withdrawal to help you
succeed:
1. Headaches and dizziness are common when you first quit.
Over the counter pain relievers such as aspirin, as well as
cold compresses are usually effective in managing these
symptoms.
2. Fatigue during the first two to four weeks are reported
by many who quit, but can be greatly reduced by maintaining
an exercise routine and making sure to get enough sleep.
Also, some have success with meditation. When you're trying
to quit smoking, any strategy is worth trying.
3. Coughing will likely increase for a short time after you
quit, while your lungs attempt to rid themselves of the
residue left by smoking. The cough will disappear gradually
over several days; be patient. It can be helpful to sip
water or have a cough drop or piece of hard candy.
4. Tightness in the chest may occur during the first week.
Breathe deeply and relax - it will pass soon enough.
5. Difficulty sleeping is common in the first few days
without cigarettes. Try to avoid caffeine late in the day
as well strenuous activity right before going to sleep,
drink a glass of milk, or take a hot bath.
6. Constipation may occur. Make sure to get plenty of fiber
(fruits, vegetables, and grains are good sources), drink
lots of water, and get some exercise in daily, and you
should have no problem.
7. Difficulty concentrating may occur during the first few
weeks. If losing focus becomes a problem take a break and
do something physical for a few minutes.
Use whichever of these seven tips you need to help you
succeed and become a non-smoker. What better gift can you
give yourself than to stop smoking?
----------------------------------------------------
Grab lots of information about how to stop smoking at
http://www.onlinestopsmokingtips.com . There is
encouragement to help you quit smoking, information about
how to stop, and facts on what cigarettes are doing to your
body.
No comments:
Post a Comment