I must confess today. I was a heavy smoker
for many, many years. Until one of my dearest friends died of throat cancer. He
was also a heavy smoker. Although the doctors could not confirm 100% that
smoking caused the cancer, they were adamant that the smoking could have played
a role for getting it.
Fortunately it is now 5 years since his
death that I stopped smoking. It was not easy. But eventually I succeeded. Many
smokers find the rituals involved with smoking calming and satisfying, and
handle cigarettes as a way to feel less self-conscious in public. This is a
fallacy because that was not the reason for starting to smoke. This is now only
an excuse to justify the smoking. But of course, there are many alternative things
to do with your hands when you quit. Here are 5 tips:
1. Find other objects to handle - for
instance, keep a pen and pad in your pocket or on your desk (pick this up
instead and write down your reasons for giving up smoking, or just doodle);
2. Hold a real cigarette if the touch is
all you miss - but not if handling a cigarette makes you want to light up;
3. Don’t confuse hunger with the desire to
put a cigarette in your mouth - eat regular meals and keep healthy snack foods
on hand;
4. Take up a hobby that keeps your hands
busy, e.g. gardening or wood carving.
5. Never, but never decline invitations to
parties or social gatherings due to the fact that you may be tempted to start
smoking again when you see your friends smoke or inhale the smoke of cigarettes.
You can and you will continue with your efforts to kick the habit!
Good luck!!
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