VIDEO: If you’re looking to quit smoking this Z’man, this video may help you. See the damages done to a smokers body, with these real demonstrations. (Warning: Video contains graphic images). (Click here to download and print a sign to hang up in your dorm or office). Here are 6 ways to help you quit, from turnto23.com.
1. Chew Mints
The taste of menthol or peppermint makes a smoker’s mouth feel cool, fresh, and clean, which tricks the brain into feeling less desire for that hot intake of smoke. Stash mints everywhere, so they’re always handy: car, purse, pocket, around the house.
2. Drink Water
To overcome cravings and strengthen the positive goal of becoming healthy, a great trick is to drink a glass of water very slowly when a craving hits. “Envision that the water’s washing away the urge to smoke and washing away all toxins from smoking at the same time,” Susan Gayle tells smokers. Gayle, an addiction counselor in New York and the author of popular stop-smoking self-help CDs, points out that a craving lasts just 15 seconds. “By the time you’ve finished the glass, you’ve distracted yourself, and the craving’s gone.”
3. Chew Gum
This tip may sound obvious, but experts say there’s a reason they recommend gum — it really works. The flavor of the gum keeps the mouth fresh, making smoking less attractive. The act of chewing relieves the desire for oral stimulation and keeps the mouth busy, as well. Smokers often opt for nicotine gum, but many stop-smoking experts say a sugarless mint-flavored gum works just as well or better.
4. Eat Red, Purple Grapes
Not only is chewing grapes another substitute oral-stimulation technique, but natural chemicals and antioxidants in grapes work to relieve cravings, said Gayle.
5. Use A Calendar
It takes 21 days for a new thought pattern to become automatic, which is what’s required to eliminate a habit, experts say. Three weeks without smoking is enough to make it stick. But as any smoker or alcoholic who’s tried to quit can tell you, the first few days are the hardest. After that, cravings weaken, and the intervals between cravings lengthen, giving smokers longer periods of feeling good.
Put a calendar where the smoker in your life can see it, and mark off each day he’s gone without a cigarette. Reward him at the end of the first and second weeks with something he really wants: a new shirt or tickets to a game or concert. At the end of the third week, do something significant to commemorate the occasion, such as dinner.
6. Use Nicotine Patch Or Gum
Not all experts agree on the usefulness of nicotine substitutes, also called nicotine replacement therapy, since they don’t break the physical addiction to smoking. But they can be useful tools in overcoming the psychological side of the smoking addiction, which is a big part of the equation for many smokers. Still, experts say, patches and gum should only be used in combination with counseling or a support group; they’re not likely to work on their own.
Patches and gum come in three different strengths. Smokers should start with the strongest amount if they smoke more than 25 cigarettes a day, the weakest version if they smoke fewer than seven cigarettes a day.
this was obviously not written by a smoker in other words none of the above an help a addicted smoker quit!!!! after miking over a pack a day for 5 years i can only thank Allen Car autherof The Easy Wat to Quit Smoking for helping me quit its been 2.5 years and have not and will not be’h take even a puff!!!
this was obviously not written by a smoker in other words none of the above can help a addicted smoker quit!!!! after smoking over a pack a day for 5 years i can only thank Allen Car author of The Easy Way to Quit Smoking for helping me quit its been 2.5 years and have not and will not be’h take even a puff!!!
cigaretts help me learn better !
“The taste of menthol or peppermint makes a smoker’s mouth feel cool, fresh, and clean, which tricks the brain into feeling less desire for that hot intake of smoke.”
Nonsense. The only way I see this working is if you smoke menthol cigarettes instead of brushing your teeth for the same “fresh clean” feeling.
Never knew water had magical powers to stop addiction. I’m going to go downtown and sell this magical water to all the crack heads and make billions. Just like this moron who wrote these six steps.
“but many stop-smoking experts say a sugarless mint-flavored gum works just as well or better.”
Who are these “many” experts? I have internet and a keyboard too, I guess that makes me an expert as well. Quitting smoking takes dedication and commitment. Not some magical fruit or beverage.
I agree with the comments. Whoever wrote this article is obviously not a smoker and probably never smoked in his or her life.
Am I the only one who has read the famous Allen Carr book and has not quit? I’d love to hear some feedback
to # 5, i also read the book and quit for 3 months. I think that the book alone isnt a magical trick. Rather if one has something pushing him externally, some type of incentive (wife, kids, health, or one day he is just ticked off at the habit- all these reasons come about for every smoker once in awhile) then he can use the book as a springboard to help him out. Many of my friends read the book which then produced no results. That is because the had no incentive at all.
I also red Allan Carrs book and didn’t quit although it did help many people I know.
I always thought I would quit when I got married
Then, I thought I would quit when I had a baby
Now, I think I’ll quit when the Dr tells me-1 more puff and its all over!
a middle aged man goes to the Dr for a checkup..afterwards he asks-
“Dr, how long do u think I’ll live?” the Dr asks- “Do u smoke?” the man says “no” the Dr asks “do u drink?’ the man says “no” the Dr asks “Do u, party, gamble, drive wild cars, etc..” the man says “no” the Dr says- why do u want to live??
you definitely need a bit of will and it s hard but i truly believe the book is the only way to stop and really kick the habit. its been 2.5 years and i don’t even remember the last time i even had a urge for a smoke!!! thanks again AllenAcarr
HAVING BEEN A 18+ YR SMOKER I WILL SAY U NEED TREMENDOUS RESOLVE TO STOP AND THE URGE DOES NOT GET ANY EASIER AS TIME GOES BY.
HOWEVER THAT BEING SAID KEEPING IN MIND HOW WORTHY IT IS NOT TO SMOKE AND THE KNOWING SATISFACTION THAT U BEAT IT-MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT!!!