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Getting Ready to Get Ready to Quit Smoking |
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Written by Tom Ferguson
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Wednesday, 24 October 2007 |
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Nearly everyone old enough to read knows the health hazards of smoking. Why, then, don’t the 75 percent of people who smoke who say they want to quit, give up the habit?
Nearly everyone old enough to read knows the health hazards of smoking. Why, then, don’t the 75 percent of people who smoke who say they want to quit, give up the habit? Fear of Failing
“I tried quitting smoking before. . . and started smoking again.” Most people try to quit smoking several times before they fi nally succeed. They may not realize that each attempt gives them new information about what works and what does not work. You can use what you learned in your past experiences in your current effort. The only way to fail is to stop trying. Fear of Withdrawal
Nicotine is an addicting drug found in cigarettes. When you do quit smoking, you will probably experience some withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms vary in kind and duration from person to person, but are usually most intense in the fi rst 5-7 days. They gradually diminish over a few weeks. Once you are committed to taking the necessary steps to quit smoking, you can better recognize and manage sometimes uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. It helps to think of this time as a transition period during which your body and emotions are returning to normal. Fear of Inability to Cope
Without Cigarettes I’ll feel too stressed out.” Finding a way o reduce stress without cigarettes can be an opportunity to try other ways to relax, such as walking, deep breathing, or taking a class to understand mind/body health. I’ll gain weight.” Only one-third of people who quit smoking gain weight. Exercisingr egularly and avoiding high-calorie foods (those with a lot of sugar and fat) will help you minimize weight gain. Understanding your fears and learning new skills to overcome them are part of the process of getting ready to get ready to quit smoking. |
Are you ready? 
