Why Should I Quit Smoking?

There should only be one reason why you should want to quit smoking and that is your health. No other reason should be as important. Smoking is a horrible habit and yet it is not that easy to quit. They say that smoking is harder to quit then cocaine; nicotine is so addictive that some people may never be able to quit. Reasons for quitting may vary and you should make a list of the pros of smoking and the cons and see which one out weighs the other. The goal of the list is to show you that there are more cons than pros.

Smoking as you may know is the leading cause of diseases such as cancer and emphysema. Smoking is also related to other symptoms such as stress. Many people claim they reason they smoke is due to stress. Smoking no matter what great a shape you are in will hurt you in the long run. You will no longer have the stamina you once had. Even during the simplest activity you will become winded. You will be more prone to have bronchitis and others around you may end up with bronchitis because of the second hand smoke.

That leads us to our next point as to why you should quit smoking. Not only are you hurting yourself but you are also hurting other people around you. Studies have shown that people who have never smoked came down with lung cancer. Most people who smoke most often drink coffee. These two in combination with each other can cause some damage. There are some people who smoke only when they drink coffee, so they tend to drink coffee more as a way to explain why they smoke so much.

Other people like the idea of smoking with a group of people at work. Usually when people go outside to smoke they get together and socialize. You will hear a lot of people say I am a social smoker. Social smoker or someone who smokes all the time makes no difference. Once you get started it may be hard to stop. You want to quit for all the right reasons.

Why would you want to have yellow teeth or yellow skin? Smoking is actually known to cause anxiety. Breathing problems can occur as well. Plus think out how much money you will save by saving on smoking. Health wise, it is very important to quit while you can. There are so many techniques and methods that you can choose from. Unless you have the desire to quit smoking very badly, it is not recommended that you quit cold turkey.

Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking and see if there are any ideas that he can offer you. You don't have to quit smoking overnight and you should not expect to but over time you will see great changes in your health, everyday that you stop smoking.

Tips to Quit Smoking

Not everyone can choose to quit smoking all on their own. There are many people who need help in quitting. Others just don't know where to start. Here are some tips to help you quit.

Tip # 1: Don't quit cold turkey. While there are many people who can do this, there are also many that cannot. Try tapering off slowly. Pretty soon, you will down to maybe a quarter of a pack a day and then you will down to nothing.

Tip # 2: Try using aides to help you quit. Try Nicorette Gum or the Patch. There is nothing wrong in getting a little extra help while trying to quit. It should not matter if you needed help or quit on your own. As long as you quit.

Tip # 3: Find some support: Support can come in many different ways. You can ask a group of friends to help you. If you have friends that smoke, tell them you are quitting and then ask them not to smoke around you. There are also professional groups that you can join to help you stop smoking and talk to others who are going through the same thing.

Tip # 4: Change your habits. For example, if you usually smoke at breakfast while drinking coffee. Cut out coffee, if you normally eat in the kitchen, try eating in the living room watching TV. The TV will act as a distraction from the need to smoke. A lot of people out there smoke because they are bored.

Tip # 5: Try to get more sleep. Quitting smoking usually takes a toll on your body because the body is lacking something it is used to getting on a daily basis. By getting a lot of rest will reenergize you. Every day you will get stronger and stronger. Get the rest while you can

Tip # 6: Drink Plenty of Water. Sounds strange for quitting smoking, it sounds more like a weight loss tool. But water actually washes away the nicotine toxins in your body and it will curtail the need to smoke. Water can help with the withdrawal symptoms that you may be experiencing.

Tip # 7: If you tend to smoke more when you are stressed out, instead of reaching for a cigarette, you can reach for a cup of hot tea and lemon. Tea is very soothing and it is a great stress reliever. Stay away from coffee when it comes to stress because most people will admit that with them, smoking and drinking go hand in hand.

Tip # 8: Take it one day at a time. Don't ever make an exact date to quit. By saying that I will have stopped smoking in three weeks, it will make you smoke more when you have not realized your goal. Just take it day by day. You will reach your goal. By putting more pressure on yourself, you will not do as well.

Why is it so hard?

If you can understand why it is hard for people to stop smoking it may be easier to actually quit. Many people believe they do not have the will power to stop but chances are that is really not the problem. For one Nicotine in the cigarette is a drug that is found naturally in tobacco. It is a very addictive drug and it has been said that it is as addictive as either cocaine or heroine and just as hard to quit.

When you decide to quit, you will experience Nicotine withdrawals, these symptoms mirror people who go into detox to quit cocaine. You will feel dizzy which only lasts 1 to2 days in the beginning, depression, feelings or frustration or even anger. One common withdrawal symptom is irritability, you may have trouble sleeping or trouble falling asleep, and you may experience trouble concentrating, restlessness, headache, tiredness or increased appetite which is the kicker. When a smoker quits smoking, because they feel so horrible from not smoking they just want to feel better so they start smoking again.

They continue to smoke until they feel like their old self again. That is why6cold turkey sometimes is not a good idea because it is a shock to the body and you feel horrible and some people feel it is not worth feeling lousy just to stop smoking.

There are many reasons to quit; one great reason is for your health and for the health of others. It is estimated that people who smoke will die from smoking related illness. Smoking cause's lung cancer but it can cause lung cancer in people who do not smoke; second hand smoke is just as bad as smoking. Smoking also increases lung problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis; non smokers can experience these ailments as well.

For women there are additional health risks especially for women who smoke and take birth control pills, it can cause strokes in women who do both. Low birth weight babies are also good possibilities if you smoke or are around smoke while pregnant. Miscarriages are also a possibility. Is it worth risking the life of your unborn baby just to have a drag of a cigarette?

If you do quit, the first 20 minutes you heart rate will drop and your blood pressure will drop as well, 12 hours after quitting the carbon monoxide level drops back to normal in your blood and 2 to 3 months after you quit, blood circulation increases as does your lung function, is it worth it now?

Tips to Stop Smoking

If you are considering quitting then here are some tips to help you. The first tip is Tell Others your Plan to Quit. Quitting may be easier to stay focused when you tell people you are quitting. Plus they will offer their support which you may need in the first day or so. If you hate people who constantly ask how you are doing, when you tell people you are quitting ask them not to ask, rather tell them how they can help.

Next, remove the Cigarettes and Other tobacco from Your Home, Car and Work. You know the old expression out of sight, out of mind. Clean these areas that smells like smoke, use deodorizers and air fresheners to get rid of the smell, if you can't smell it you will not want to smoke it. Then make a list of why you want to quit. If you have superficial reasons for quitting then you won't last. Make sure your reasons are valid so you will stick to it.

You are not the first person to quit and you won't be the last. So keep that in mind if other people with less resolve than you can stop then so can you. If you are pregnant then it is the perfect time to quit, you don't want to risk the health of the baby by smoking. Smoking while pregnant causes low birth weight and sometimes miscarriages.

Distract your self from smoking, take up a hobby where you can keep your hands busy, like gardening or needlepoint. Idle hands tend to make a smoker want to smoke. Don't think you can do it all; expect to relapse because if you expect it then chances are you might not because you think you will. Become more physically active, start exercising or take walks, keep your mind on something else.

Nicotine is a powerful addiction and every hour that do without a cigarette brings you one step closer to beating the nicotine. Keep a journal as to how you feel day to day, it will be like a therapy, it will help you. Count the days that you have stopped smoking you will find great encouragement from this. Try chewing gum or lollypops in order to satisfy the oral fixation of having a cigarette in your mouth. Before you know it you will have stopped smoking and you will feel great.

Quit Smoking Advice

If you have finally picked a good time to stop smoking there are good times and bad times to do so. If you are under type of stress then it is not the best time to quit. People who smoke tend to smoke more when they are under pressure from work or a family crisis. Stress and smoking go hand in hand and when you decide to stop smoking while there is work stress or home stress, you may end up smoking more than you did before.

Chose the method of smoking wisely. If you decide to go cold turkey you may find it difficult, so don’t quit all at once, try to wean your way off, if you smoke 12 cigarettes a day then next day smoke one less, each day smoke one less and before you know it you will have stopped smoking. When you just stop, some people gain weight so by cutting down by one a day you won’t feel the need to over eat because you are still smoking just not as often.

If you decide to get the patch, consult your doctor before undertaking, the patch or the gum or any stop smoking pills. There is nicotine in these patches and pills and they may not be for you. Always consult your doctor before doing anything radical like quit smoking, just get a clean bill of health before you start with patches and pills.

Another great way to stop smoking and it does not require pill, patches or even cold turkey, it is Hypnosis. Find a licensed Hypnotherapist and find out what exactly is entailed with Hypnosis in order to stop smoking. It is a proven method and people liked it because they did not even realize that they had stopped smoking. But only use a licensed Hypnotherapist, you can find them in your Yellow Pages.

Others have tried many, many ways and they have not all worked. You must have the will not to want to smoke, if deep down you don’t want to stop then chances are any method you try won’t work and you may end up smoking more. So unless you are 100 percent committed to quitting don’t attempt it because it won’t work. Until you can wake up in the morning and say this is the day, you just aren’t ready.

Don’t let anyone badger you, you quit when you are ready.

Non-Smoking Gisele Puts On 15 Pounds

Gisele Bundchen has put on 15 lbs since giving up smoking. The Brazilian supermodel says she is enjoying food so much more since kicking her habit.

She revealed: "When you stop smoking you gain weight because food tastes better than when it tasted like an ashtray."

It was recently claimed the beauty was pregnant with American footballer Tom Brady's baby after she was seen with what appeared to be a baby bump. While her family were quick to deny the claims, Gisele - who previously dated actor Leonardo DiCaprio - has made no secret of her desire to have children soon.

She revealed: "Everybody is different, but for me, having a family will be my greatest achievement."

When you have a family that you can raise the way your parents raised you then I think you have succeeded. I have that dream.

"I don't know when it's going to happen. Everything in life has to be planned. I'm very old-fashioned. I believe in being married and going to your husband and saying, 'Let's have a kid'."

Here's some tips on quitting smoking

How to dampen that urge

There are seven major coping skills to help you fight the urge to smoke. These tips are designed for you, the new nonsmoker, to help you nurture the nonsmoking habit.

1. Think about why you quit - Go back to your list of reasons for quitting. Look at this list several times a day - especially when you're hit with an urge to smoke. The best reasons you could have for quitting are very personally yours, and these are also your best reasons for staying a nonsmoker.
2. Know when you're rationalizing - It's easy to rationalize yourself back into smoking (see "Common Rationalizations"). Don't talk yourself into smoking again. A new nonsmoker in a tense situation may think, "I'll just have one cigarette to calm myself down." If thoughts like this pop into your head, stop and think again! You know better ways to relax - nonsmokers' ways, such as taking a walk or doing breathing exercises.
Concern about gaining weight may also lead to rationalizations. Learn to counter thoughts such as "I'd rather be thin, even if it means smoking." Remember that a slight weight gain is not likely to endanger your health as much as smoking would (cigarette smokers have about a 70-percent higher rate of premature death than nonsmokers). And review the list of healthy, low-calorie snacks that you used when quitting.
3. Anticipate triggers and prepare to avoid them - By now you know which situations, people, and feelings are likely to tempt you to smoke. Be prepared to meet these triggers head on and counteract them. Keep using the skills that helped you cope in cutting down and quitting:
.Keep your hands busy - doodle, knit, type a letter. .Avoid people who smoke; spend more time with nonsmoking friends.
.Find activities that make smoking difficult (gardening, washing the car, taking a shower). Exercise to help knock out that urge; it will help you to feel and look good as well.
.Put something other than a cigarette in your mouth. Chew sugarless gum or nibble on a carrot or celery stick.
.Avoid places where smoking is permitted. Sit in the nonsmoking section in restaurants, trains, and planes.
.Reduce your consumption of alcohol, which often stimulates the desire to smoke. Try to have no more than one or two drinks at a party. Better yet, have a glass of juice, soda, or mineral water with a celery stick to nibble on.
4. Reward yourself for not smoking - Congratulations are in order each time you get through the day without smoking. After a week, give yourself a pat on the back and a reward of some kind. Buy a new record or treat yourself to a movie or concert. No matter how you do it, make sure you reward yourself in some way. It helps to remind yourself that what you're doing is important.
5. Use positive thoughts - If self-defeating thoughts start to creep in, remind yourself again that you're a nonsmoker, that you don't want to smoke, and that you have good reasons for it. Putting yourself down and trying to hold out through willpower alone are not effective coping techniques. Mobilize the power of positive thinking!
6. Use relaxation techniques - Breathing exercises help to reduce tension. Instead of having a cigarette, take a long deep breath, count to 10, and release it. Repeat this five times. See how much more relaxed you feel?
7. Get social support - The commitment to remain a nonsmoker can be made easier by talking about it with friends and relatives. They can congratulate you as you check off another day, week, and month as a nonsmoker. Tell the people close to you that you might be tense for a while, so they know what to expect. They'll be sympathetic when you have an urge to smoke and can be counted on to help you resist it. Remember to call on your friends when you're lonely or you feel an urge to smoke. A buddy system is a great technique.

Not smoking is habit-forming

Good for you! You've made a commitment not to smoke, and by using this booklet, you know what to do if you're tempted to forget that commitment. It's difficult to stay a nonsmoker once you've had a cigarette, so do everything possible to avoid it.

If you follow the advice in this booklet and use at least one coping skill whenever you have an urge to smoke, you will have quit for keeps!

Relapse: If you do smoke again
If you do smoke again - and many successful ex-smokers relapse at least once before they quit for good - here's what to do:

.Recognize that you've had a slip. A slip means you've had a SMALL setback and smoked a cigarette or two. But your first cigarette or two didn't make you a smoker to start with, and a small setback doesn't make you a smoker again.
.Don't be too hard on yourself. One slip doesn't mean you're a failure or that you can't be a nonsmoker, but it's important to get yourself back on the nonsmoking track IMMEDIATELY.
.Identify the trigger: Exactly what was it that prompted you to smoke? Be aware of the trigger and decide NOW about how you'll cope with it when it comes up again.
.Know and use the coping skills described above. People who know at least one coping skill are more likely to remain nonsmokers than those who don't know any.
.Sign a contract with yourself to remain a nonsmoker.
.If you think you need professional help, see your doctor. He or she can provide extra motivation for you to stop smoking. Your doctor also may prescribe nicotine gum as an alternative source of nicotine while you break the habit of smoking.