You Can Quit!

According to the CDC or Center for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking has been accounted for an estimated 443,000 deaths in the United States alone. That means 1 out of 5 deaths is caused by smoking cigarettes. In fact, tobacco-related deaths are higher than those who die from HIV, illegal drugs, alcohol use, vehicular accidents, murders, or suicides. We have all been warned in TV, radio, print ads and online. Yet, why is it simply hard to quit puffing a stick?

The Negative Health Effects of Smoking

Know that smoking causes 90% of lung cancer-related deaths in men, and 80% in women. When you smoke, you increase your risk of:

1. Heart Stroke
2. Coronary Heart Disease
3. Lung Cancer
4. Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
5. Peripheral Vascular Disease
6. Reduced Blood Circulation
7. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
8. Emphysema
9. Bronchitis
10. Infertility
11. Low Birth Weight ( for pregnant women )
12. SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( for pregnant women )
13. Low Bone Density ( for post menopausal women )
14. Hip Fracture ( for post menopausal women )

How Can You Quit Smoking for Good?

1. Educate yourself why you want to quit. Understand truly the negative effects of smoking. If you love your life, you will quit.

2. Don’t just stash away your unused pack of cigarettes. Cut them so you may not be tempted to puff.

3. Craving for nicotine? Chew on nicotine replacements instead like those cheap nicotine gums.

4. If you are addicted, ask your doctor for help, especially in coping with withdrawal symptoms often associated when you quit.

5. Get support. You cannot do it alone and having a support from family, friends, or even a group of quitters will help.

6. Manage your stress in positive ways like listening to binaural beats or having complete rest and sleep.

7. Avoid anything that can trigger you to light a stick. This can mean skipping alcohol too.

8. Clean your home. The last thing you want is to be reminded of the sight and smell of cigarettes – which means stashing those ashtrays away.

9. Get moving and exercise to keep you fit. Physical activities can help you stay away from nicotine cravings.

10. Love your fruits and veggies. Don’t ever diet when you’re fighting a rebound stage. Eating these will help put your cravings at bay.

In the end, it’s all about healthy choices that will save your day and make you live much longer. If you love yourself and your life, you will quit now. There’s no excuse not to do so. LIVE!

Stop Smoking – Why is it so hard? – Mayo Clinic