People begin smoking for a wide variety of reasons. Many years ago, it was “the” thing to do. Everybody smoked. In the early part of the 20th century up into the 70s a person was actually in the minority if they did not smoke. Today, a younger person will often mistakenly believe it is “cool.” Many females—and some males, too—believe it can assist them with weight management. The reasons are as varied as the cigarette brands themselves. What often starts out as being cool or being part of the crowd, however, ends up being one of the most difficult addictions of all to heal. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English language, an addiction is described as follows:
A compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance; and—the condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.
Smoking/nicotine is undeniably an addiction. Whether the choice is cigarettes, cigars, chewing, or a pipe, the use of nicotine is an addiction. Like other addictions, it is an addiction that we often use to shield ourselves from painful feelings. Issues such as anger/rage, self-esteem, guilt, depression, loneliness, fear, sexual abuse, abandonment, shame and rejection, and anxiety disorders are just a few of the reasons why people have such a hard time giving up smoking. All people know on some level that smoking is hazardous to their health. That is not news. However, hearing people nearly choke to death coughing or seeing pictures of blackened lungs, and of cancerous lips, for example, does little to persuade the addicted person to kick the habit of smoking.
Quitting smoking is indeed a very personal choice. If a person decides to quit smoking for anyone besides him or herself, it usually is not a lasting choice. Deciding to quit smoking absolutely must be for yourself and no one else. Do not try to quit for your children, or your husband, or your wife, or your boyfriend, or your girlfriend, or your doctor, or your best friend! Make the decision to quit smoking for YOU. You already know the benefits of quitting smoking. There will be no more foul-smelling breath and clothes, no more spending copious amounts of money every day or week or month, no more sneaking, no more having to stand out in freezing cold or flaming hot temperatures at the back of a building (if you are even allowed that freedom nowadays), and no more feeling like a second-class citizen. Most importantly, however, you will no longer be contributing to your potentially premature demise through such life-altering, debilitating illnesses as cancers of the lungs, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat; emphysema; chronic bronchitis; chronic lung disease; chronic heart and cardiovascular disease, and reproductive problems. It has been estimated that smoking can actually cause a person to die 13 to 14 years earlier than a non-smoking person. That’s a lot of living to consider!
Although it is widely known that there are many quit smoking aids “out there” few of them are actually successful. It should be noted that quitting smoking is NOT for sissies. Be sure to have a buddy—someone you can call up if you are having a difficult moment. Do not focus on “I can never have another cigarette!” Focus on “I am choosing to be smoke-free today.” Your self-talk is so important, particularly during the first six weeks. If you slip “off the wagon” DO NOT chastise yourself. Beating yourself up if you have a relapse will only add to your guilt, and can actually give you a reason to start smoking again. Simply pick yourself up and begin again, commending yourself in the process for the time you were smoke-free. Nicotine addiction is a serious dependency that requires a serious approach to quitting! In fact it has even been reported in recent years that it is THE most difficult of all addictions to cure. Even though quitting smoking is a life-changing event, however, it doesn’t have to be the most dreaded and difficult event of your life! And, yes, there IS good news!
Acupuncture, hypnotherapy, emotional clearing, learning to self-nurture (being your own best friend), flower remedies, herbal and aromatherapies, EFT (emotional freedom techniques), laser treatments, and use of the ancient Hawaiian healing method known as ho’oponopono are all natural ways to free yourself of the smoking habit. Get plenty of rest, ask for help, diligently visualize yourself as a non-smoker, exercise!!! Treating yourself to a massage and detoxification (such as an ionic foot bath) to rid your body’s cells of the nicotine (using money you would have spent on tobacco), drinking plenty of water, spending less time with friends who smoke, and the use of hard candies are also very beneficial.
Keep a smoking journal and record:
• why I like to smoke
• why I don’t like to smoke
• when do I feel I need a cigarette the most
• when do I feel I need a cigarette the least
• what is my most favorite cigarette of the day and why
• what is my least favorite cigarette of the day and why
The benefits of keeping a smoking journal are that you will discover insights about yourself and your feelings that may have been so deeply hidden you didn’t even realize their existence. Becoming aware of your innermost feelings is a vital step toward facing your addiction(s) and is the first step to resolving some of the issues that have prevented you from quitting smoking.
Implementing a regular exercise routine is possibly one of the most important tools in your “quit smoking toolbox.” You do not have to start out running marathons. In fact, it is better to start small and continue your exercise program than to start out attempting to run 5 miles a day and giving it up after 3 days. There are so many ways to exercise, and many of them can really be enjoyable. Walking is one of the very best forms of exercise. There is also swimming, biking, jogging, water aerobics, dancing, jumping rope, yoga, tai chi, using stationary equipment such as treadmills and bikes, trademarked programs like “Jazzercise” and “Nia,” regular participation in sports, e.g., golf (don’t ride in the carts), bowling, basketball, softball, volleyball. There is an almost endless list of ways to get your body in motion, and exercising regularly will do wonders for your mindset, which will in turn keep you more determined and focused on your goal to be smoke-free. In fact, prolonged, continuous exercise contributes to an increased production and release of endorphins, resulting in a sense of euphoria that has been popularly labeled "runner's high."¹ Endorphins reduce sensations of pain and affect the emotions, so the more endorphins that are released (from exercising), the better a person will feel. Exercise really is a key component to the success of becoming smoke-free!
You CAN do it! And perhaps not today, but someday very soon, you will be SO glad you did!
¹Taken from Wikipedia at http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Endorphins
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Contributor's Note
In addition to being an artist, I am a freelance writer and find that diversity in my writing assignments as well as doing the research for the articles is a rewarding way to spend my time. Not only does it build upon my own knowledge base, it also gives me a newer awareness or broader viewpoint about topics which I may have shunned, therefore providing me with an acceptance or tolerance of all people and their ideas.
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