Stop Smoking Stop Smoking

Smoking is a terrible habit that I am thankful that I never picked up.  As a matter of fact, I’m the only adult in my entire family that never once started smoking and I come from a very large family.  I’m sure that the reason I never started is because as a child all I can remember is my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles complaining about how hard it is to quit.  I listened but I also remember disliking how it smelled and having cigarette smoke blown in my face. 

If you’re a new smoker then you have a chance to kick the habit before you become addicted.  Regardless of what you think, or what ever image smoking conjures in your head, smoking is not cool. There are many reasons you should kick the habit now but here are the top 10:

1.       Smoking is Expensive.  A one pack a day smoker can save roughly $1500 a year or more, depending on the cost per pack where you live.

2.       Be a role model.  You have a big influence on the children around you and your own children will want to emulate your habits. 

3.       Become more social.  Fewer and fewer people are picking up the habit and fewer places are allowing smoking in public places. It’s pretty hard on your non-smoker friends and associates as well to have to wait on you to light one up.

4.       Reduce your risk of serious health problems.  Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 20 years, you know how many health related problems arise from smoking, such as cancer, and heart diseases.

5.        Improve your breathing.  Smoking reduces your lung capacity and oxygen levels and can cause long term respiratory problems.

6.       Sleep better.  It’s a know fact that smokers have more restless and sleepless nights than non-smokers. 

7.       Improve your sensation of smell.  Once you get rid of the nicotine you will start to literally smell the roses.  You will regain the ability to identify aromas that are no longer masked by cigarette smoke.

8.       Improve your sensation of taste.  Just as above, once the nicotine is gone everything will taste better.

9.       Improve your personal appearance and hygiene.  Smoking leads to bad breath, yellow teeth and fingers, and is believed to cause your skin to age quicker.

10.   Become healthier and more physically active.  Smoking is like an anchor holding you back. It reduces your energy levels and stamina and can lead to other health problems.

For those of you that already know the dangers of smoking and are probably suffering some of the consequence, you’re searching for ways to quit smoking.  Below you will find several methods that former smokers have used to kick the habit.  Some will work better than others but none of them will work if you truly do not want to quit.  You have to want it or it will not happen, no matter how many products or services you shell your hard earned money at.

1.       Nicorette Gum.  This product comes in several different flavors and it is meant to supply you with low levels of nicotine that your body is craving.  Available over the counter.

2.       Nicotine Patches.  This product delivers nicotine into your body through dermal contact.  It works in stages with each stage containing lower levels of nicotine.  Available over the counter.

3.       Chantix (Varenicline).  Chantix is a brand name of the drug Varenicline which is available only through prescription.  It is supposed to block the pleasure effects of nicotine on the brain.

4.       Acupuncture.  Many people swear by the effects of this practice for the cessation of smoking.

5.       Hypnotism.  Like the above, this is a practice that many people find affective but you have to allow yourself to be susceptible to suggestion.

6.       Laser Therapy.  This practice operates on the same principles of acupuncture by delivering low level laser to the energy points related to addiction, on your hands, face, wrist, and ears.