How Bad Friends Remind Me Of How Cigarettes Are

Is there a soul out there who has never had a bad friend? "Oxymoron!" you say. "How can a friend be a bad friend?" Well, from experience I can tell you something:

Once upon a time when quite young there was an older guy who was quite colorful. He was funny and always liked the excitement of a trick he'd play on someone. I wasn't an angel myself, and his expertise at doing mischievous things really impressed me like no one.

So all through childhood we became infrequent pals. My path was much straighter than his. He went to various schools for behavior; but whenever I'd see him, we would pal around.

But looking back, he had me on a failure track in that I did things too early... Rather than stick with my own age, I'd elect to be with him and his escapades.

It took me years--maybe sixty--before I clearly saw that our friendship in youth was not healthy as I grew up. I am sure several things I didn't do well came in part from being his friend.

I do not see him now. If I did, I would be cordial. I don't begrudge our youth. But I would be wary of his friendship right now.

The same is true of someone else. This second guy was more of an intellectual, and I thought of him as a cool mentor on topics that I knew little about. But knowing him deprived me of recognizing the truth about how I should live. However, I do respect him for what he's done in life, But I would not want to be involved with him for my sake.

Cigarette smoking is so much like these bad friends. On the surface they're something cool. They make us feel as if we've been transported to a better realm in our lifestyle. Life is more exciting. We feel a lot older (when we're quite young) and in the 'know' about aspects of life that others might not share.

Our cigarettes give us a new camaraderie with other folks who smoke, too. We're like a band of cool rebels-recognizing life's deal and escaping it some.

We really cannot perceive the truth of cigarette smokes. How could they be so bad?... There is always a 'drunk uncle' who lived to be ninety, And didn't he smoke, too? And that guy down the street: he has a cigarette-in-mouth every time we see him. He looks as fit as a fiddle.

There is an old saying: "For every prejudice there is a lie someone swears by"- and just like some bad friends cigarettes can make you lie to yourself about their worth.

The funny thing is, that once you swear off bad friends, you sense a new freedom in life. Suddenly, you are the true master of your realm.

I hasten to add candidly: cigarettes will get by just fine without your love... just as my bad friends don't miss me. There are always others to whom they can befriend... And the world goes around and 'round...


Humbler Acts, the creator of THE WIZARD'S OUTRAGEOUS SCHEME FOR STOPPING SMOKING, teaches you how you cn learn to stop smoking thoroughly by applying his plan of recording dreams and linking them to Seven Forces. Oxford educated, Humbler lives in St. Louis, MO-in retirement-with his wife of fity years.
( http://www.stopsmokingwiz.com )

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The Ordeal Of Quitting The Smoking Habit

Quitting the smoking habit not only extends the life-span of a smoker, greatly improving their health on many levels, but it also increases happiness and instills a sense of pride and accomplishment for those who can truly stop. There are so many reasons a smoker should quit. The mortality ratio for ex-smokers decreases substantially after they quit, and the numbers don't lie. This fact alone should be enough to motivate most smokers to give it up and live longer. Unfortunately, it doesn't, and the warning label printed on the side of each cigarette pack doesn't seem to have much impact as well. So there has to be more to smoking than apparently social pressure, common sense and good judgment can control.

Most smokers want to quit, but they become so habituated to smoking that it is very hard for them to change their routine. They smoke when having a cup of coffee, after sex, after eating, when they drink a beer, or talk on the phone, and they smoke when they get stressed or while driving in traffic. For some, smoking is a tranquilizer. The act of smoking becomes so intertwined with other familiar activities that it becomes engrained as an unconscious behavior so linked to these other actions that it is inseparable.

More than being just a bad habit, however, smoking has been found to be a serious addiction. Pound-for-pound, nicotine is more addictive than heroin, so a smoker usually can't just put their cigarettes down and walk away. It is often one of the hardest things a person can do in life.

Those that can stop find rich rewards. Their relationships improve, loved-ones don't mind kissing them again, their breath smells better, their teeth get whiter, the yellow on their finger tips disappear, and their house and cars smell fresher. Most dramatically, ex-smokers notice more money in their budgets. Most ex-smokers also start to notice dramatic changes in their overall health and vitality, almost immediately. They sleep better, sex is better, their appetites improve, food tastes better, their sense of smell returns, and they can climb stairs without shortness of breath, and even sing longer in the shower.

Each smoker has their own individual reason for doing it and derives their own sense of pleasure or satisfaction from it. It is up to each individual, therefore, to assess their own smoking behavior, and their lifestyle, and find a way of quitting that best works for them.

Because smoking is so addictive, over eighty percent of all smokers who quit often experience some form of withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness, restlessness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, chest pains, and of course, coughing. Many ex-smokers experience some psychological issues as well, including short-term depression, lack of concentration, anxiety, irritability, and increased appetite. Some people chew gum or over-eat to help manage their cravings. Some lose their energy, drive, and focus, and want to sleep more, while others experience a surge of energy.

Most severe symptoms wear off after just two or three days, and certainly after about two weeks. Even the most extreme symptoms eventually disappear after a month or more. Those who can stay the course find that they have more energy and feel much better about themselves. Anyone who can stop smoking performs one of the greatest individual accomplishments they will ever achieve in their life.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_E_Salois

Top 10 Ways to Reduce Stress Associated With Quitting Smoking

People who think that smoking helps them relax are simply fooling themselves, experts say. Nicotine withdrawal produces several symptoms including anxiety and restlessness, which most people confuse with the feeling of stress. This is why they prefer to light another cigarette after the other. Basically, smoking makes them feel 'better' as they feed their body with another dose of nicotine.

Stress is the major reason why many smokers fail in their attempts to quit. The good news is - there are several ways to reduce the 'stress' associated with quitting smoking. Following these steps will make quitting as easy and smooth as possible.

1. Understand that it's natural to feel stressed.
Knowing that anxiety and stress are natural symptoms of nicotine withdrawal helps condition your mind to the challenges that come with quitting smoking. Recognize that you're going to experience stress and accept it. But, you have to be optimistic. Develop a 'can-do' attitude. This will motivate you to resist the stressful period of smoking cessation.

2. Resolve stressful issues that can aggravate your condition
Before you start quitting, take away all those petty stressors. No matter how small they are, they can make you feel sick as they pile up. You can't fix all the stressful issues that bugging you but at least, do something to lessen the burden.

3. Know your stressors
When you know what makes you feel anxious, you can find ways to avoid them. Recognizing your stressors allows you to deal with quitting smoking easier. For instance, if feeling hungry makes you feel anxious, then you need to make sure you eat on time.

4. Ignore long-term problems (for now)
The smoking cessation period isn't going to last your entire life. To avoid suffering from too much stress, you want to set aside the things that have been worrying you for so long. It could be your goal of getting a job promotion, buying a car, etc. Set them aside just now and focus on quitting smoking.

5. Keep moving
Many studies have shown that exercising boost the production of chemicals in the brain that are responsible for the feeling of well being. Some studies reveal that exercising reduces depression by up to 80%. Give yourself time for some physical exercises. Go to the gym on weekends, jog in the morning, walk your dog, and keep moving.

6. Learn some relaxation techniques
When you're in the middle of a stressful event, practicing some relaxation techniques can greatly help. They include deep breathing, guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, yoga, and more.

7. Call a friend
Social support plays a vital role in the success of a person trying to quit. Having someone who listens and understands what you're going through can help alleviate the stress and anxiety you feel during the smoking cessation period.

8. Be patient
Whenever you feel excessively overwhelmed on some things, always remind yourself that smoking cessation is only temporary. The nicotine within your body gets weaker and weaker each day. And eventually, it won't make you feel stressed.

9. Forget that you're stressed
If you think of stress every now and then, it will worsen your condition. Distracting yourself by doing things that you find enjoyable is one way to forget about the stress associated with quitting smoking. Dine out. Visit the spa, shop, and sooth yourself in a warm bath, get some massage - pamper yourself. You deserve it after all.

10. Keep a healthy diet
While eating vegetables and fruits don't directly affect how you feel, they can make your body stronger, preventing the onset of health problems that can just make you feel more stressed.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Antonio Howell, MD. Help to Quit Smoking Today.

Visit Help to Quit Smoking at http://drantoniohowell.com/

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Top 9 Medical Methods to Quit Smoking

If you're among those people who tried to quit smoking, you'll probably know that willpower alone is not sufficient enough to get you through. The withdrawal period and the symptoms that go with it can overwhelm the unprepared. While it is true that proper mindset is important, medical intervention can also plays an important role in helping you get through the rough times.

1. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) (patches, nicotine gum, etc).
With NRT, nicotine is directly delivered into your system usually through your skin. NRT gums, patches, and lozenges contain lower dosage of nicotine compared to cigarettes. The problem with NRT is that you're substituting nicotine with nicotine, only that you don't smoke it. However, you can still get addicted with nicotine gum just like your addiction to cigarettes therefore NRT is not a good solution in my humble opinion.

2. Chantix (Varenicline)
Varenicline creates a sort of barricade between nicotine and your brain so that your body does not feel any physical gratification every time you smoke. However side effects are noted among its users. The most reported side effects include headache, nausea, and insomnia, and in worst cases suicidal tendencies have been recorded.

3. Bupropion (Zyban)
Bupropion Hydrochloride creates "feel good" chemicals identical to what you feel when you smoke. A 36% success rate has been reported from clinical trials. However, like varenicline, side effects like headaches, insomnia, nausea, and dry mouth are experienced. Seizures are also experienced by some users.

4. Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture uses needles to restore your energy flow. Needles are inserted in different energy point. Acupressure uses the same concept as acupuncture, only that it uses hands and pressure. However, there is no concrete study to support the success of these methods.

5. Laser Treatment
This is among the most expensive smoking cessation therapies. The process involve in this method is identical to that of acupressure and acupuncture, only that it uses laser lights.

6. Lobelia
In effect, lobelia fools your body and makes it believe that it's getting the same sensation that of nicotine. However, because of the high toxicity of this herb, it is not commercially sold. Low doses of lobelia can speed up your pulse and respiration, high doses on the other hand slows them down. Sweating, heart palpitations and dizziness are the known side effects of this drug. Extreme caution is recommended.

7. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy has been a practice for centuries, however its success as smoking cessation therapy greatly depends whether you believe it to work or not. When combined with other forms of therapies, it shows improvements for smokers with the right mindset.

8. Bioresonance
Like laser treatment, bioresonance is not readily available and very expensive treatment. It electronically changes your body's energy frequencies. However, further research is needed to support its effectiveness in smoking cessation.

9. Other Herbal Alternatives
Peppermint and cinnamon bark are among the known beneficial alternative herbs to help smokers quit. There are a lot of herbal medicines available online through different health stores. Just be very extra cautious when buying these alternative medicines.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Antonio Howell, MD. Help to Quit Smoking Today.

Visit Help to Quit Smoking at http://drantoniohowell.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antonio_Howell_M.D.

Increase Your Happiness by at Least 25%!

Research has shown that this one thing can make you 25% happier. It can improve your health, make you immune to anger, improve your relationships, even increase your success. It is not something you can buy, but is instead something that you must practice --every day. What is it you ask?

GRATITUDE -the simple act of being grateful for all you have. If you are a student of the Law of Attraction (the belief that your thoughts determine what you experience) you know that gratitude plays a huge role in creating abundance of all kinds in our life. But in order for gratitude to make a significant impact in your world, it is not enough just to say thank you when someone gives you a gift, or holds the door for you, or compliments you. True gratitude recognizes all kinds of things in your life from the very small to the very large, from being grateful that an awesome pair of shoes came in your size to being grateful for the beautiful children you just sent off to school.

It is so unfortunate how much time people spend complaining! They complain about their job, spouse, weight, money, the weather, the traffic, their co-workers, their parents, the list goes on and on. They are so stressed and hurried they rarely, if ever, take the time to just STOP. To breathe. To quietly think about the many wonderful things in their lives. And its amazing what happens to you mentally, emotionally, and physiologically when you begin to tally all that you're grateful for. Your whole outlook changes, your feel better, you approach situations from a more positive, caring place and what a ripple effect that has!

Imagine starting each day listing 10 things you're grateful for. They can be anything at all. Acknowledge the small things; from the perfect omelette to a quick commute to having your umbrella with you when it unexpectedly starts to rain. Acknowledge the big things, from the blessings of a healthy family to coming home to a warm house. But try for 10 different things for at least 10 days. SImply write down what comes to mind each morning, At the end of the 10 days you'll have 100 wonderful things in your life that you're grateful for and 100 things that you can look back on when you're feeling not so wonderful yourself. A simple "thank you" can change you day but practicing gratitude can change your life.


As a Professional Organizer and Certified Life Coach, I work with my clients to create a clutter-free environment and lifestyle. Because of the relationship between one's physical environment and one's habits, behaviors and state of mind I encourage my clients to continue our relationship beyond the physical organizing process through Coaching, providing the support they need to achieve the lifestyle they want. For additional information please visit my website http://www.morethanorganized.biz.

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