The month of May marks the cause of Anti-tobacco, and a time to promote a healthier lifestyle.
There are many problems caused through and by smoking, in as much as there are many problems caused through bad eating habits, and poor levels of physical activity.
We will not be getting into these statistics, or the repercussions of smoking. However, here is some help for those who are keen to quit and look at following a different lifestyle.
1. Plan a date that you want to quit, then work towards that date, as recommended below.
- Have your nicotine replacements or other quit smoking medications ready. And remember, some of the non-nicotine medications require you to start taking them up to two weeks before your quit smoking date.
- Keep a water bottle around that you can refill. It makes getting a cleansing drink easier. It'll also help keep your stomach full. An empty stomach can sometimes set off cravings. We recommend you carry a bottle of water with you for most of the first week after you've quit smoking.
- Buy things you can chew on: carrot sticks, celery, toothpicks, cinnamon sticks, sugarless candy, sugarless gum. Stock the fridge with healthy snacks and sprinkle the candy throughout your house, in the car and at work. Keep it all as handy as you did your cigarettes -- right in your pocket is best.
- Get something for your hands to do. Get a squeeze toy or a handball.
- Make a list of your "Reasons I Want To Quit Smoking.” Post copies of it around your house, car and workplace.
- Do one last double-check to ensure that you haven't overlooked a spare pack of cigarettes in the glove compartment or the pocket of an old coat.
2. Join a Support Group
The Smokenders smoking cessation programme originated in 1969 and has successfully been operating in South Africa since 1980. This programme is based on many years' research in the fields of physiology, behaviour modification and psychology and has become one of the most successful smoking cessation programmes offered in the world today.
You will look better!
You will feel better!
You will be free!
You will be yourself again!
Smokenders knows smoking has very little to do with cigarettes. Smoking is not just a bad habit, but also a highly complex behaviour pattern. Removing the cigarette leaves you with 80% of the problem unsolved. That's why stopping and staying stopped is so difficult. It's also why 'cold turkeys' take up eating, drinking or other substitutes.
At Smokenders we are all smokers who battled to stop smoking and finally quit with Smokenders. Our years of experience as smokers, and the subsequent training based on research and education means a lot of empathy and understanding to help our smokers attain and maintain a new healthy life.
For more info about Smokenders, please visit:
http://www.smokenders.co.za/?gclid=CPPahoGv8swCFWMq0wodQwEOzQ
Please let us know of if you or a family member has quit smoking and how they managed to do so.
Article written by Sumeshnee Reddy for BMT College.