Although the majority of smokers continue smoking because they are addicted to cigarettes and not through free choice, it does not mean that it is impossible to quit. As most everyone is aware the dependence on nicotine delivered swiftly to the brain with each inhalation is a major component of this addiction. Obviously, this means is that to stop smoking there are powerful cravings and needs that have to be conquered in order to do so. Being aware of the health benefits when you quit smoking may help in overcoming the addiction.
Health concerns are the reasons why nearly nine out of ten smokers want to stop followed by financial influences and, although about half of smokers attempt to quit every year, only about 3% are successful.
Some changes to your health may take several years, but there are many immediate health benefits from stopping smoking and some of them can take place quickly depending how long a person has smoked.
1. Within the first day of quitting smoking circulation of the body improves and carbon monoxide and nicotine is eliminated from the body.
2. The excess risk of lung cancer and the deterioration in lung function stops after a week.
3. There will a considerable improvement in your appearance, the color and tone of your skin, within a month and the coughing and wheezing will decline significantly between 3-9 months.
4. The most important health benefit is that the excess risk of a heart attack will be halved compared to that of a smoker within the first year.
5. After 15 years the danger of a heart attack will be as if you had never smoked.
Contrary to what many smokers believe, which is that they will become more depressed if they quit smoking, all the evidence points to them having better health and a happier lifestyle. It is never too late to stop smoking, but make haste because every cigarette smoked damages the body, and the lungs in particular, that may not be evident immediately.
If you want good, clear advise about How To Stop Smoking then visit Stop and Quit Smoking Now.info and discover what you should do to start making changes to your health.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Ward
Saturday, August 30, 2008
No One Can Do It For You!
How many times has your wife, or your husband, or other family member nagged you about your smoking habit? No doubt you have thought about it, and probably agreed with them many times over, but has it actually inspired you to quit? If that answer is no, then you should realise by now that you can't quit because someone else tells you to, it has to be for you, on your terms and it has to be sincere. Otherwise, you are probably doomed to failure.
Your loved ones might think they are helping, or encouraging you to quit, but they're actually not doing you any favors by continually going on at you to give up. Human nature dictates that by doing this, you'll naturally rebel against them, especially if they are expressing a negative or judgemental attitude towards you.
Smoking is an addiction, not just a bad habit. You can't just tell someone to quit, they have to want to. Smokers have an ingrained "defence mechanism" against almost all the important reasons for quitting. Consider how many times have you said these things to yourself, or to other people who nag you to quit smoking:
* "It's my only bad habit"
* "It helps me relax and unwind after a stressful day"
* "My grandfather lived until he was 90 and he smoked 60 cigarettes a day"
* "You spend money on - insert your own reason here - so it's the same amount as the cost of my cigarettes"
Do you recognise these tactics? Smokers use them all to time to justify their habit to themselves, and in their minds, to those who are questioning them about why they don't want to quit. Your spouse or partner can say it as many times as they like, but you'll always find an answer - that is unless you really want to quit!
So, how can you take that all-important step towards quitting smoking for YOU? First of all, you need to re-train your brain to get rid of all of these ill-conceived excuses. Find a good reason for you to quit, for yourself and not for others. It doesn't matter what your reason is, as long as you believe it. It could be money orientated, maybe you want to save up for that expensive car you've always dreamed about, or you'd love to go on an extended vacation. Health, of course, is a big issue too. If you've been feeling a bit breathless lately, or an annoying cough won't go away, it could be time to stop and consider how quitting smoking would relieve this.
Whatever your personal motivation is, the important thing is to find it, and to start planning your "quit smoking day" - not for your wife, nor your husband, partner or friend - but for you!
Your loved ones might think they are helping, or encouraging you to quit, but they're actually not doing you any favors by continually going on at you to give up. Human nature dictates that by doing this, you'll naturally rebel against them, especially if they are expressing a negative or judgemental attitude towards you.
Smoking is an addiction, not just a bad habit. You can't just tell someone to quit, they have to want to. Smokers have an ingrained "defence mechanism" against almost all the important reasons for quitting. Consider how many times have you said these things to yourself, or to other people who nag you to quit smoking:
* "It's my only bad habit"
* "It helps me relax and unwind after a stressful day"
* "My grandfather lived until he was 90 and he smoked 60 cigarettes a day"
* "You spend money on - insert your own reason here - so it's the same amount as the cost of my cigarettes"
Do you recognise these tactics? Smokers use them all to time to justify their habit to themselves, and in their minds, to those who are questioning them about why they don't want to quit. Your spouse or partner can say it as many times as they like, but you'll always find an answer - that is unless you really want to quit!
So, how can you take that all-important step towards quitting smoking for YOU? First of all, you need to re-train your brain to get rid of all of these ill-conceived excuses. Find a good reason for you to quit, for yourself and not for others. It doesn't matter what your reason is, as long as you believe it. It could be money orientated, maybe you want to save up for that expensive car you've always dreamed about, or you'd love to go on an extended vacation. Health, of course, is a big issue too. If you've been feeling a bit breathless lately, or an annoying cough won't go away, it could be time to stop and consider how quitting smoking would relieve this.
Whatever your personal motivation is, the important thing is to find it, and to start planning your "quit smoking day" - not for your wife, nor your husband, partner or friend - but for you!
Your Mind Controls You!!
According a recent publication in Science magazine, researchers have made an amazing discovery that gives hope to people who find it difficult to give up smoking. It's all in the brain it seems. This may not be a surprise to most people, but the good news is that scientists have pinpointed an exact section of the brain that they think might control the addiction to smoking.
The study was based on an observation that stroke victims, who have suffered damage to an area of the brain called the insula, were able to quit smoking instantly and easily. In addition to this, the craving to smoke no longer existed; it was as if these people had never smoked a cigarette before.
Experts believe that the insula (or insular cortex) processes conscious desires, including cravings for alcohol and food, as well as nicotine. Studies also show that this part of the brain influences people's emotions, in this particular case disgust at the concept of smoking after the insula has suffered damage.
Although the research is still in its early stages, it is likely that further investigations will take place, with a view to developing a new solution to nicotine and drug addiction. Based on the notion that the normal behaviour of the insula could be manipulated, it is possible that neurological scientists will now consider developing new medications to help smokers who are desperate to give up.
Of course, this potential miracle remedy could be a long way off yet, and people with a smoking addiction - or drug or alcohol dependence - should not hold out in the vague hope that an instant answer will be provided any time soon. It is, however, a good sign that help is at hand sometime in the future.
Until then, there is plenty of good advice and a whole host of resources available to help smokers who want to give up. Among them are excellent counselling services, smoking cessation programs, nicotine replacement products, hypnotherapy or acupuncture, and self-help guides. It doesn't have to cost a lot, if anything at all. Don't forget though, the biggest and best resource of them all is you; good old-fashioned willpower, the desire to live longer and stay healthier, as well as the rising cost of tobacco products all come into account. Don't leave it too late, think about stubbing out that last cigarette now and set yourself free from the chains of smoking addiction.
The study was based on an observation that stroke victims, who have suffered damage to an area of the brain called the insula, were able to quit smoking instantly and easily. In addition to this, the craving to smoke no longer existed; it was as if these people had never smoked a cigarette before.
Experts believe that the insula (or insular cortex) processes conscious desires, including cravings for alcohol and food, as well as nicotine. Studies also show that this part of the brain influences people's emotions, in this particular case disgust at the concept of smoking after the insula has suffered damage.
Although the research is still in its early stages, it is likely that further investigations will take place, with a view to developing a new solution to nicotine and drug addiction. Based on the notion that the normal behaviour of the insula could be manipulated, it is possible that neurological scientists will now consider developing new medications to help smokers who are desperate to give up.
Of course, this potential miracle remedy could be a long way off yet, and people with a smoking addiction - or drug or alcohol dependence - should not hold out in the vague hope that an instant answer will be provided any time soon. It is, however, a good sign that help is at hand sometime in the future.
Until then, there is plenty of good advice and a whole host of resources available to help smokers who want to give up. Among them are excellent counselling services, smoking cessation programs, nicotine replacement products, hypnotherapy or acupuncture, and self-help guides. It doesn't have to cost a lot, if anything at all. Don't forget though, the biggest and best resource of them all is you; good old-fashioned willpower, the desire to live longer and stay healthier, as well as the rising cost of tobacco products all come into account. Don't leave it too late, think about stubbing out that last cigarette now and set yourself free from the chains of smoking addiction.
Great Reasons To Quit Smoking
Now is a great time to quit smoking.
By deciding to live the smoke free life, you are deciding to improve the health of children.
- The risk of children smoking is twice as high when the parents smoke.
- Children of smokers are more likely to have asthma, chronic bronchitis, and respiratory infections.
- The risk of Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) is higher when the parents smoke.
By deciding to live the smoke free life, you are deciding to improve your health.
- You will breathe more fully.
- You will cough less.
- Your sense of smell will improve.
- You will be less winded at the top of the stairs.
By deciding to live the smoke free life, you are deciding to improve your finances.
Two packs a day is enough to pay one or more mortgage or rent payments. How would you like one rent-free month every year?
By deciding to live the smoke free life, you are deciding to enjoy a longer life.
Statistically speaking, smoking a pack a day for fifteen years takes away a year and a half of your life. Double that if you smoke two packs a day.
On the other hand, fifteen years after quitting, your lung cancer rate has dropped to half of that of a smoker, and your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker.
By deciding to live the smoke free life, you are taking charge of your life.
Giving up smoking is giving up being controlled by external factors. The success you feel when you accomplish this task will overflow into your whole life.
Be proud of yourself. You've made a great decision to live the smoke free life.
I'm Doug Wake and I'm very passionate about personal growth. Sign up for free newsletters including the Smoke Free Life Newsletter at http://smartestguyiknow.com/smoke-free-life
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Wake
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
