Body Tip #3

Smoking. It is a disgusting activity that tons and tons of people participate in. Every time I walk down the street I bump into at least 3 people puffing on a cigarette, and I always want to stop these people and ask them why they are doing what they are doing to their bodies.

Both of my parents have smoked for as far back as I can remember. My dad has quit a few times over the years (cold turkey, we'll talk about this later) and my mom has been going strong and consistently since her late teens. There are TONS of unpleasant side affects to smoking and I have noticed almost all of them in my parents. There is the cough, you know, that dry hack that hurts to listen to. The yellow nails and teeth. The smoke smelling clothes and hair. Shortness of breath...

and let's not forget cancer, ladies and gentlemen. Smoking causes cancer. Thank God my parents haven't developed lung cancer from their bad habits.

I realize that smoking is a hard thing to give up. Nicotine is addictive. Here are some tried and true ways to quit smoking, along with a few helpful links.

1. If you are brave and strong like my dad, you can try to quit cold turkey. This is when a person decides that they are going to quit smoking and just does it. That day. That second. They are done. This is not an easy thing to do, because you are going to have cravings and probably other physical signs of addiction come into play. It will be a hard way to go, but in the end not smoking will be worth it. This site has some tips on what small things you can do to help fight cravings, such as eating small bites of food and chewing them for longer.


2. Try chewing nicotine replacement gum, sucking on lozenges or using a nicotine inhaler. These products work by releasing nicotine into the body in small doses to help you fight cravings. Patches, as well as other methods, have a gradual step process where a person starts off getting a high amount of nicotine and as time goes on they get less and less from the product until they no longer need it. Patches can be found here. Lozenges can be found here. Gum can be found here. There are, of course, many other brands and products on the market.

3. Get some talk therapy. Like it or not cigarettes cause an addiction. Talking to someone about why you started smoking, why you keep smoking and what you are going through while you are quitting, can help. One thing that you could try is going to a Nicotine Anonymous meeting. These people understand what you are going through and are looking to help.


4. Seek alternative therapies. Some people get massages. Some people get acupuncture. Some people get hypnotized. Try one or all. Do what it takes.







Here is a funny little video about quitting smoking. Humor helps in all hard times.




Photos are click-linked.