Smoking is deadly.
Emphysema, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Heart trouble, arteriosclerosis and many other health problems come from smoking including lung cancer, the number one preventable killer in the US.
"But I enjoy it", "It helps me calm down" and "I know people who have lived to an old age" you might say.
Smoking is addictive, it is a stimulant, that because of our deep breathing, seems to relax us.
There are other less toxic ways to calm down.
Those that have lived to an old age that smoked, what did they die of? Could they have lived longer if they quit? How many died because of smoking and just weren't counted in your statistics? Quitting smoking alone is tough.
There are many options for support including Quit Smart on the web, other sites, the American Cancer Society, nicotine patches and some medications.
Combinations of methods may be helpful.
There are medications that help address the nicotine addiction such as Chantrix.
Nicotine patches and lozenges are an option, but both the medication and nicotine replacements do best with a supportive program.
Hypnosis is an intervention I strongly believe in.
It helps in several ways.
It helps us to address needs previously met by smoking such as reduction of anxiety and taking time for ourselves.
It helps us become more aware of barriers that block our way from becoming smoke free.
It also reduces or eliminates the craving and helps us to know that we will succeed.
Hypnosis combined by skill building (such as relaxation exercises and being clear of some of our reasons to quit), exercises, and ongoing support are additions to hypnosis I recommend to succeed, one day at a time, in remaining a non-smoker.
We can fight the addiction.
The physical withdrawal lasts perhaps three days, the rest is not buying in to lies you tell yourself and using the tools you are given.
How important is your life? Seeing your children or grandchildren grow up? The risk of burning yourself or others to death or an auto accident due to a dropped cigarette? How much have you spent? What could you have done for your family if you used your funds otherwise? Mean questions? Terrible consequences though if you don't look at them honestly.
Worse if you choose to do the same you continued to do.
It is a choice you know, a choice to smoke and deny the impact on yourself and others or making a decision to live and accept help.
Where you get the help is up to you.
'tDon't deny, minimize or put off doing something now.
You don't have to be 100% ready, just be willing to take a look and get information and help.
Your life, your health and family and friends that care about you are just some of the reasons to quit.
The time is now.
You CAN do it.
You don't have to do it alone.
You can take time for yourself, relax, have more money saved, and improve your health.
You can make an impact on your children.
You can take pride in knowing you are free from the addiction.
There is a lot of support out there.
You don't have to do it alone, what we can't do alone we can beat together.
You just have to take the first step, there can be others along the way to walk with you.
Take care.