Smoking Cessation - Stop Smoking Now
By Dr. Richard BoyumShort and sweet--quit. If everyone stopped smoking, lifetime cancer death rates would drop 40% and death rates from heart attacks, strokes, and lung disease would drop 40%. There are no good reasons to smoke, only bad reasons. Knowledge applied is wisdom. You know smoking is harmful for your health, so stop. Ethical decisions are based on not hurting yourself and others, so be an ethical person and stop smoking. Smoking is not a reasonable behavior, so be reasonable and stop. The following are some ideas that may help you:
Most college students plan on quitting, so be a leader and quit first.
Know that cigarettes and nicotine can be used to manage stress or depression. Consider other stress management techniques, such as exercise and recreation. Counseling or antidepressant medication may also be something you might want to check into.
Figure out what else you can do with the money you spend on cigarettes.
Consider visiting your doctor to get a nicotine patch and a medication called Zyban to help you stop. Research indicates that these really can make a difference.
Imagine your life in the future. What do you want and what do you see? Today's behavior dictates future health. A life without cigarettes in the future is better than one with them.
Think about each cigarette you smoke. Ask yourself, "What would I do now if I don't smoke this cigarette?"
Remember, you go through your sleep cycle without a cigarette. So try to go through the same number of hours in your wake cycle without one.
Quit with a smoking friend and ask non-smoking friends to support your behavior. Let people know each and every day that you are smoke free.
Find rewards to honor and reinforce your healthy new behaviors.
When you do social drinking avoid social smoking at all costs.
Stop--just Stop Right Now! Quit--just Quit Now!
Research shows that in some individuals smoking may contribute to depression and anxiety.