Quiting is hard, not quiting is harder
Humor about smoking in apartment complexs
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Why Smoke Quiz
Why do I smoke?
If you know the answer to this question, it will be easier to stop smoking because you can find ways to make up for the things you may miss when you stop.
Most people smoke for different reasons at different times. Reasons for smoking include psychological issues, habits, social pressures and physical dependence on nicotine. The questionnaire on the following website will help you decide which reasons are important in your smoking.
Familydoctor.org's Why Do I Smoke? Quiz
Clear the air - quit smoking today
Contents of Online Guide to Quitting from Smokefree.gov
Thinking About Quitting
* Why quit?
* What's in a cigarette?
* Reasons for quitting
o Smoking's impact on others
* Why is quitting so hard?
o Nicotine addiction test
o Smoking triggers
o Keep track of when and why you smoke
Preparing to Quit
* Overview of the basic steps
o Set a quit date
o Tell others your plan to quit
o Anticipate and plan for challenges
o Remove all tobacco
o Talk to your doctor
o Medicines that help with withdrawal
* Other support
o Benefits of a quit-smoking program
Quitting
* Steps to take on quit day
o Using your support program
o Keep busy
o Stay away from what tempts you
* Managing cravings
o Find new things to do
o Remember instant rewards
o Planning for the long-term rewards of being smokefree
* Withdrawal symptoms
* What to do if you slip
Staying Quit
* Sticking with it
o Keeping your guard up
o Fighting urges
o Staying upbeat
o Keep rewarding yourself
* Resources to help you if you slip up
PDF download: www.smokefree.gov/pubs/clearing_the_air.pdf
Internet Citation: http://www.smokefree.gov/guide/
Keys to quitting - 5. Be Prepared for Relapse or Difficult Situations
Most relapses occur within the first 3 months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. Here are some difficult situations to watch for:
* Alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.
* Other smokers. Being around smoking can make you want to smoke.
* Weight gain. Many smokers will gain weight when they quit, usually less than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don't let weight gain distract you from your main goal—quitting smoking. Some quit-smoking medications may help delay weight gain.
* Bad mood or depression. There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking.
If you are having problems with any of these situations, talk to your doctor or other health care provider.
Special Situations or Conditions
Studies suggest that everyone can quit smoking. Your situation or condition can give you a special reason to quit.
* Pregnant women/new mothers: By quitting, you protect your baby's health and your own.
* Hospitalized patients: By quitting, you reduce health problems and help healing.
* Heart attack patients: By quitting, you reduce your risk of a second heart attack.
* Lung, head, and neck cancer patients: By quitting, you reduce your chance of a second cancer.
* Parents of children and adolescents: By quitting, you protect your children and adolescents from illnesses caused by second-hand smoke.
Internet Citation:
You Can Quit Smoking. Consumer Guide, June 2000. U.S. Public Health Service. www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/quits.htm
Keys to quitting - 4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly
Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.
* The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications to help you quit smoking:
1. Bupropion SR—Available by prescription.
2. Nicotine gum—Available over-the-counter.
3. Nicotine inhaler—Available by prescription.
4. Nicotine nasal spray—Available by prescription.
5. Nicotine patch—Available by prescription and over-the-counter.
* Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package.
* All of these medications will more or less double your chances of quitting and quitting for good.
* Everyone who is trying to quit may benefit from using a medication. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, nursing, under age 18, smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or other health care provider before taking medications.
Internet Citation:
You Can Quit Smoking. Consumer Guide, June 2000. U.S. Public Health Service. www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/quits.htm
Keys to quitting - 3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors
* Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.
* When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.
* Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.
* Plan something enjoyable to do every day.
* Drink a lot of water and other fluids.
Internet Citation:
You Can Quit Smoking. Consumer Guide, June 2000. U.S. Public Health Service. www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/quits.htm
Keys to quitting - 2. Get Support and Encouragement
Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. You can get support in many ways:
* Tell your family, friends, and coworkers that you are going to quit and want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out.
* Talk to your health care provider (for example, doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking counselor).
* Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. The more counseling you have, the better your chances are of quitting. Programs are given at local hospitals and health centers. Call your local health department for information about programs in your area.
Internet Citation:
You Can Quit Smoking. Consumer Guide, June 2000. U.S. Public Health Service. www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/quits.htm
Keys to quitting 1. Get Ready
* Set a quit date.
* Change your environment.
1. Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
2. Don't let people smoke in your home.
* Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.
* Once you quit, don't smoke—NOT EVEN A PUFF!
Internet Citation:
You Can Quit Smoking. Consumer Guide, June 2000. U.S. Public Health Service. www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/quits.htm
Keys and resons for quitting
Good Reasons for Quitting
Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you will ever do:
* You will live longer and live better.
* Quitting will lower your chance of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer.
* If you are pregnant, quitting smoking will improve your chances of having a healthy baby.
* The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier.
* You will have extra money to spend on things other than cigarettes.
Five Keys for Quitting
Studies have shown that these five steps will help you quit and quit for good. You have the best chances of quitting if you use them together:
1. Get ready.
2. Get support.
3. Learn new skills and behaviors.
4. Get medication and use it correctly.
5. Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations.
Nicotine: A Powerful Addiction
If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how hard it can be. It is hard because nicotine is a very addictive drug. For some people, it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
Quitting is hard. Usually people make 2 or 3 tries, or more, before finally being able to quit. Each time you try to quit, you can learn about what helps and what hurts.
Top 10 Reasons to Quit Smoking
1. I will reduce my chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
2. I will reduce my chances of getting lung cancer, emphysema, and other lung diseases.
3. I will have better smelling clothes, hair, breath, home, and car.
4. I will climb stairs and walk without getting out of breath.
5. I will have fewer wrinkles.
6. I will be free of my morning cough.
7. I will reduce the number of coughs, colds, and earaches my child will have.
8. I will have more energy to pursue physical activities I enjoy.
9. I will treat myself to new books or music with the money I save from not buying cigarettes.
10. I will have more control over my life.
*Quoted from The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Consumer Guide - you can quit smoking
Learn how to get help to quit smoking and improve your chances of quitting. This blog pools resources that explain the best ways for you to quit as well as new treatments to help. It lists new medications that can double or triple your chances of quitting and quitting for good. It also tells about ways to avoid relapses and talks about concerns you may have about quitting, including weight gain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)