Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Smoking: A Hard Habit to Break

The rising cost of health care in the United States today have made it difficult for average wage earners to get proper health care at a price that won’t make them go hungry for the next few days. Millions are also joining the ranks of the uninsured since many insurance providers are increasing the cost of their premiums. Smokers are especially at a bad position since they are considered as high-risk individuals. With 440,000 people dying from smoking-related diseases, no one can argue the insurers’ actions.

There is no easy way to quit smoking instantly but if you want to try, a method that helps you quit the habit gradually is more effective. A gradual quitting procedure reduces the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms that may discourage a smoker from quitting. A gradual method also lessens the chances of a relapse because the smoker's body is given more time to get used to a nicotine-free system. Below is a guide that can help you start to quit smoking now: If you want to save up on medical bills and get more affordable health insurance, here are five steps that can help you quit smoking:

Call or consult your doctor about your plan to quit.

Your doctor has probably given you numerous warnings before about smoking. Give him some joy while in the office by calling him up and informing him of your plan to quit. You can also set up an appointment to discuss possible strategies that you can use to make quitting easier. Ask about smoking cessation programs or a non-nicotine prescription medicine that can help you quit the habit.

Keep a list of reasons you have to quit smoking.

Seeing a reminder of the reasons you have for quitting smoking is a source of motivation and encouragement. This list will also remind you of why you do not need smoking in your life. Reasons can range from bad breath, stained teeth, and bad odor from clothes and hair to more serious health reasons like high blood pressure and lung cancer. Make several copies of this list and post them in areas that you can easily see like the fridge, your dashboard, cabinet, and places where you used to keep your cigarettes.

Decide to quit smoking.

Unless you are really keen and decided on quitting, your chances of success are limited. Make it your choice to quit smoking since doing so eases the process of quitting a long-time habit. Set a time for your quit date and do not put it off. Better yet, you can start the quitting process even before your quit date arrives. Destroy all of your cigarettes by dousing them with water or shredding them to pieces before throwing them in the trash. By doing this, you eliminate any temptation that might make you hesitate to quit. Removing all ash trays, lighters, or anything that reminds you of smoking can help get you on the right track.

Inform your family, friends, doctor, and build a support group.

Quitting smoking is best done when you have allies on your side. Forming a support group with friends and family members can make quitting easier since they can motivate you to continue and distract you when nicotine cravings arise. Your doctor can also tell you what to expect during the withdrawal phase and help you prepare better. You can work with your doctor to develop a comprehensive quitting strategy that is gradual and realistic.


Keyword: quit smoking

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Kristine Anne Gonzaga is a content writer and researcher who specializes in health topics and health-related issues. She delights in finding tips and ideas on simple and practical healthcare and sharing them through her writing.

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