Besides losing weight, another popular New Year’s Resolution is quitting smoking. The motivation for some people is the increased risk of lung cancer, while other it’s just the simple desire to be healthier.
Many people decide to quit cold turkey, meaning they stop smoking completely without weaning off. While this may seem like the best way to kick the habit, it’s not the most successful method for most people.
How You’re Addicted to Nicotine
People who smoke are addicted to nicotine in two ways, physically and psychologically. Their body craves the nicotine because it’s become dependent on the drug. Psychologically, people believe that smoking calms them and without it, they don’t feel relaxed. In actuality, this is partly true because withdrawal effects from nicotine include irritability and anxiety. However, psychological effects enhance these feelings.
Quitting smoking without weaning puts your body at alarm. It starts to act out physically and psychologically and before you know it, you feel horrible and you search for a way to feel better, which of course is smoking a cigarette.
How to Quit Smoking Successfully
There are many quitting smoking aids on the market today. You can use milder forms such as the patch and gum. If you need something more intense to help your withdrawal symptoms, talk to your doctor about a prescription that will give you more relief. What do these methods do for you? They help you wean off nicotine slower without actually smoking, which as you know could just get you rolling back on smoking regularly.
So if you want to quit smoking due to fear of cancer or other, take advantage of what you have to help you. Before you know it, you’ll be smoke-free and happy that you finally kicked the habit!
Photo Courtesy of: AMagill on Flickr
Fri, Jan 8, 2010
Health