Article Treasures | Giving Up Smoking - Have You Thought About Quitting For Ever?

Have you considered stopping smoking? Well this has many benefits and these can start as soon as 20 minutes after your last cigarette is smoked. As blood pressure and heart rate increase when one smokes, these can drop and start to normalise again when you stop smoking. However, it will take about 15 years until the risk becomes almost equal to that of a non-smoker.
Many people find that the first week after making the decision to quit is the hardest. The temptation to light up when there is a stressful situation or even just boredom is the strongest at this time. As the resolution to quit is maintained, it becomes easier with each day and after a year, the temptations are rather insignificant.
In the first 6 – 8 weeks, the withdrawal symptoms are at their most unforgiving due to the nicotine addiction. Headaches, sweating, irritability, nausea and tingling hands are some of the most common symptoms experienced. As many people, especially those closest to the smoker, are most affected, it is vital that support be given to the smoker at all times – despite the temporary relief (from the suffering they all have to endure) that may come from the smoker starting up again.
Smoking bans in public areas, including work places, shopping malls and restaurants amongst others, has helped to decrease the amount of smokers as it becomes more frustrating and takes more effort to find a place to smoke. With the world going ‘greener’, many countries have put these bans in place to create a smoke-free environment and to reduce the carbon footprint man is leaving.
This isn’t only something that affects the smoker though. It is a health risk to both the smoker and those who are in close proximity to him while he/she is smoking, the onus is on the smoker to change and take responsibility for his choices.
As it is a habit, some of the ways of stopping smoking include going cold turkey, finding something to replace it – to keep your hands busy - self hypnosis, amongst others. There are also nicotine products such as patches and gum but it is argued that these are just as addictive and hence it defeats the purpose. People who have gone through this process have, many a time mentioned that the time they miss it the most is right after a meal when the urge to have a cigarette is the strongest. Others say that the first cigarette of the day is the most rewarding. Others still, say that a cigarette with a drink in the evening is the one most preferred. All smokers are different.
Many people who have quit replace the urge to smoke with food as smoking curbs the appetite and hence, the belief that quitting smoking makes people gain weight. It is believed that self-hypnosis is the best way to replace this habit and also eliminate the desire to eat as a replacement.