Overcoming Stress While Quitting Smoking

Not easy for a smoker to stop this habit, one of the obstacles is the stress that hit when not smoking.

But there are ways you can do to reduce stress while quitting smoking.

"Nicotine dependence can make a person feel anxious and restless which is often interpreted by smokers as a feeling of stress. The condition that often makes people hesitant to quit smoking," said Steven Schroeder, MD, director of the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center at the University of California, San Francisco, as quoted by WebMD, Monday (01/03/2011).

When stressed, your body releases chemicals that epinephrine can disrupt the brain's ability to focus and think clearly.

But there are various strategies that can be used to help a person cope with stress while quitting smoking, namely:

1. Do not be too hard on yourself

Eliminate the habit of smoking is quite difficult, for that someone should not be too hard on yourself.

Because this condition can lead to stress, hopelessness and even depression. Try to have thoughts that are optimistic and sure can do it.

2. Leaving aside the first long-term concerns

The first few weeks of quitting smoking is the most difficult. During this period do not burden yourself with all sorts of long-term concerns, focus on what is being done at that time or now.

3. Learn to recognize the signs of stress

Try to recognize the symptoms of stress arise, such as feeling anxious, nervous, overwhelmed in dealing with a case, headaches, sleeplessness and anger. If you're feeling under pressure, try to do something about it.

4. Doing fun activities

One of the simplest ways to reduce stress is to do a fun activity or can give pleasure, such as watching comedy movies, playing with pets, hanging out with family, listening to favorite music or soak in warm water.

5. Moving or doing physical activity

Many studies have shown that physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Almost all types of activities can help, provided truly enjoyed such as swimming or walking while looking at beautiful scenery.

6. Pouring feelings in writing

Write something that could be disturbing powerful way to reduce stress. Find a quiet place and spend time for 15 minutes to write all the things that bother.

Try not to revise it and just write it, then Tear the paper and throw it away.

7. Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques to reduce stress such as yoga, deep breathing exercises and various forms of meditation are known to help smokers quit.

Usually, all these techniques work for every person, so find a technique which can create a comfortable and work best.

8. Be patient

Almost all ex-smokers feel overwhelmed and doubt in the first few days. But try to be patient that every time you successfully resist feeling like smoking, then the closer step to freedom from cigarettes. Because life will become more comfortable, happy and healthy as non-smokers.

Picture the most feared Smokers

So far there are reminders of cigarette packets are only a few writings, but one of the most effective way is through pictures.

Photos of the most feared what smokers?

Apparently smokers are very afraid of the images of the heart that is broken. Comparison of images of healthy and damaged heart is to make smokers fear.

But unfortunately the fear is just a little.

In studies conducted UI Health Research Center in cooperation with Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) against a group of students, peasants,

women, good workers who smoke or not smoke any pictures available of the most feared.

The results of study carried out qualitative and quantitative picture found of 16 surveyed, it appears the picture comparison of healthy and damaged heart is the most feared. This picture is feared all good respondents who smoke or who do not smoke.

"There are 16 pictures there and a reminder that most people are generally afraid of the picture be a reminder that the comparison between heart health and heart broken,

and a photo of mouth cancer," says Rita Damayanti penelitinya from UI Health Research Center in the event RPP Socialization Agents Containing Materials Kind Adiktif Substance Tobacco Products in Store Kemenkes For Health, Jakarta, Tuesday (05/10/2011).

Research also found a reminder (warning) given in writing distinction is not effective and know that people prefer to use pictures as a form of memorial.

"Studies conducted in Indonesia for 78 percent of people want a reminder in the form of pictures," said widyastuti from FKM UI.

Research done in 2007 in Jakarta and Cirebon involved 1200 respondents who'd like a reminder that a greater fear of society in packets of cigarettes, whether writing or pictures.

"The smokers also agreed to provide a reminder is an image in his cigarette pack, and when asked by almost 70 percent of smokers have tried to quit," says Rita from UI Health Research Center.

From the results of the research in fact smokers are aware of known health hazards that may result from smoking, so some of them there are so many times trying to quit smoking but failed.

At this time an image health warnings to raise the cigarette on the packaging has received the consent, is still not reached an agreement in the case of the size of the image.

SMS Helps People Penance Smoking Motivation

Various ways people do to be able to quit smoking, because smoking cessation is not an easy matter.

But new research finds that an SMS that contains double the motivation to help people to quit smoking.

Mobile phones seem to have become a familiar thing for the community members, including SMS (Short Message Service) has.

SMS is now not only be a means of communication but also helps the smoker to leave his bad habits.

Recent research indicates that a text message (SMS) motivation has twice as likely to be able to make the smokers 'repent'.

In a study involving 5800 smokers in England who want to quit, penelitidan control group who did not receive an SMS motivation (2885 participants).

Motivational messages sent to group called txt2stop is a boost, helping to overcome cravings and feedback effects, as well as advice on preventing weight gain while quitting smoking.

"When the cigarette craving lasts an average of less than 5 minutes.

To help divert your attention, try to drink it slowly until the desire is gone," the contents of a message of motivation, as reported by HealthDay, Friday (30/06/2011).

Saliva participants were also tested to verify whether this really works. The result, the group receiving SMS motivation more than doubled to quit smoking than those in the control group, ie 10.7 percent versus 4.9 percent.

"The findings suggest that SMS motivation should be added as a technique used to help people quit smoking," said Dr.Caroline Free, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

According to him, text messaging or SMS is a very easy way to receive support for smokers to quit.

People in group txt2stop described as having a 'friend' to encourage or 'angel' on their shoulders.

"It helps people resist the temptation to smoke," said Dr. Free, in a journal news release. The results of this study have been published in the June 29 online in The Lancet.

Foods That Can Help People Forget Cigarettes

It is not easy to make the addict really quit smoking. Strong feedback effect that makes smokers suck back the stem 9 cm. But some foods can help you reduce the effects of feedback. What?

Nicotine is highly addictive can trigger symptoms of reversal (withdrawal) in people who had just quit smoking, thus causing people often fail in an attempt to stop smoking.

There are many ways to counter the effects of such feedback, such as nicotine patches, hypnosis and some prescription drugs.

But apparently not many people know that food can also help.

Here are some foods that can help you stop smoking, as reported by Lifemojo, Thursday (13/07/2011):

1. Milk and milk products

Milk is one food that provides a comprehensive nutrition for the body.

But not many people know that milk can also help you quit smoking.

Dukes University revealed that smokers who drank a glass of milk before smoking will not like the taste of their cigarettes.

They complained that the taste of cigarettes suddenly become bitter.

You can also dip cigarettes into the milk and let it dry. This will make cigarettes taste bad taste in the mouth.

2. Certain vegetables

Some vegetables such as celery, cucumber and eggplant also left a bitter taste if eaten before smoking.

In addition, some experts claim that eating lots of vegetables may reduce the intensity of nicotine dependence.

However, vegetables such as beans and sweet corn can increase your desire to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for pleasure and satisfaction.

3. Orange juice

Smoking robs the body's supply of vitamin C, making you deficient in vitamin C which is filled with nicotine.

So if you want to kick the smoking habit quickly, start drinking more orange juice or eat more fruits such as oranges, lemons and pomegranates are packed with vitamin C as power.

4. Salt

Every time you want to smoke, you should eat something salty, or lick a little salt with the tip of the tongue.

It can kill your urge to smoke.

5. Ginseng

Ginseng has been shown to prevent nicotine-induced release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It should not be used in everyday life but can be used 3-4 times a month.

6. Chewing gum

Chewing sugarless gum when you have the urge to smoke is a good way to keep the mouth 'busy'.

Beyond Good Body The Smoker

Some people smoke a reason to keep up appearances, because if it stops the body will get fat.

But no matter how good appearance is meaningless when toxic smoke began to gnaw the organs in his body.

Since 1997 ago, the World Health Organization or WHO has released a picture that tells how severe organ damage that occurs in the body of a smoker.

Not only organ within, the surface of the skin also can be damaged over time.

Damage to various organs in the picture behind the attractive appearance of the smokers are as follows, as quoted from WHO.int, Friday (08/19/2011).

1. Psoriasis

Smokers are more susceptible to psoriasis, a type of inflammation of the skin that are chronic but not contagious. The disease causes intense itching exceptional,

with red spots and scales on the surface of the skin that can not be cured completely.

2. Cataract

Cigarette smoke triggers cataract in 2 ways, the first is directly irritate the eyes and the second by removing the toxins in the lungs into the blood vessel and then brought to the eye.

Smokers have 40 percent higher risk to suffer from cataracts and other eye disorders including macular degeneration.

3. Wrinkled

Wrinkles and other symptoms of premature aging more rapidly appear on the skin of smokers, as a result of the reduced protein, vitamin A and blood flow to the area.

The skin of a smoker is usually dry and stripes especially around the lips and eyes.

4. Deaf

Because cigarette smoke can form blockages in blood vessels, so blood flow to organs in the ears can also be affected.

As a result of hearing and deaf risk is reduced while the risk of infection in some parts of the ear will increase.

5. Cancer

More than 40 compounds in cigarette smoke is a carcinogen or cancer-promoting. A smoker has a 20-fold risk for lung cancer than nonsmokers.

The longer the smoke, the greater the risk of cancer in other parts, especially the nose and respiratory tract, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, breast and kidney.

6. Cavities or the date

Chemical balance in the oral cavity is disrupted by cigarette smoke, thereby triggering the formation of tartar that make teeth appear yellow.

Smokers are also 1.5 times more at risk to experience tooth loss, decay or rot.

7. Emphysema or shortness of breath

In addition to triggering lung cancer, smoking also causes some air pockets in the lungs had collapsed.

The result is shortness of breath due to the capacity to accommodate the oxygen is reduced, which in a certain severity level must be resolved by punching holes airway in the neck.

8. Bone

Carbon monoxide is incomplete combustion results in cigarette smoke or vehicle can be sabotaged function as oxygen-carrying hemoglobin.

Because the distribution of oxygen is interrupted, the bone susceptible to thinning and 5 times more risk of developing back pain.

9. Heart disease

An estimated 1 in 3 people in this world of death caused by heart problems, while cigarettes are one of the main triggers to the problem.

Related deaths due to heart problems, smoking kills about 1 million people / year in developing countries and about 600,000 people / year in developed countries.

10. Peptic ulcers

Toxins in cigarette smoke reduces the immune response to bacterial infection in the digestive tract, making it easy going injury and inflammation.

Also more difficult to neutralize stomach acid, but if it happens then an ulcer treatment becomes more difficult if it is exposed to tobacco toxins.

11. Fingers change color

Direct contact between the toxic tar in cigarettes with fingers while holding it may impact directly.

These impacts are easily recognized by discoloration of the skin or fingers that became somewhat yellowish brown.

12. Cervical cancer and miscarriage

In any part, the risk of cancer in smokers has increased even in the female reproductive system, especially the cervix or neck of the womb.

Disruption of blood flow in smokers causes the oxygen supply to the fetus is less, so the risk of low birth weight or miscarriage even higher.

13. Sperm defects

The number of sperm that have a normal form in smokers has decreased, so the quality is generally lower for could fertilize her partner. Even if successfully impregnated, the fetus is the result of fertilization of sperm of smokers tend to be more vulnerable to miscarriage.

14. Buerger's disease

Death of living tissue in some organs which then rot can also be caused by cigarette smoke.

Some of the toxins in cigarette smoke can trigger thromboangitis obliterans or Buerger's disease, namely the removal of platelets by inflammation in blood vessels. Decaying tissue occurs because blood flow to the part stopped.

Successfully Stop Smoking Faster When Accompanied by Doctor

Quitting smoking is not an easy thing to do. But smokers with other addictions or have mental disorders that accompany the more successful will stop if it is followed by counseling by physicians.

The survey found about 4 out of 10 smokers have other addictions like alcohol and drugs and mental disorders. These conditions make cigarette addicts have a very big challenge to get away from dependency.

But the new study found patients with other addictions can be 5 times more likely to quit smoking if he received counseling from physicians who provide primary care.

"Helping them get away from the habit of smoking not only improve health but also reduce health care costs associated with smoking," said Dr. Michael Ong of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, as quoted from HealthDay, Saturday (27 / 8 / 2011).

Dr. Ong said it is most effective when primary care physicians in providing assistance to patients who want to quit smoking. But counseling is done should be continuous, because if just once it would be very easy for smokers resumed smoking.

"We showed that smoking counseling can be an effective way to stop smoking, physicians should only take one thing at a time like this which should be prioritized first," says Dr Ong.

In this study Dr. Ong and his team saw the success rate among nearly 1,400 smokers trying to quit. The results obtained about 6 percent of smokers with impaired kormobid (another addiction or mental illness that accompanies) koseling successfully quit without assistance, and about 10.5 percent of smokers can quit without another addiction without the help of counseling.

But a far different results obtained, approximately 31 percent of smokers with the disorder who received counseling kormobid successfully quit, while smokers who are not accompanied by disruption kormobid about 35 percent successfully quit.

The results of this study was published on August 23, 2011 in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.