Friday, January 4, 2008

Be Tobacco Free in 2008

The Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing has been getting the usual calls at this time of year for smoking cessation classes (amongst the other “behavior change” programs such as weight management, diabetes education and stress management).

What is unusual are some of the newer reasons why smokers want to quit. Aside from the health implications, we are hearing more smokers say it has become very uncomfortable to smoke in public nowadays. As much as we health educators love the culture shift, we still have to remember that smokers, just like non-smokers, all have ways of dealing with stress and health habits.

Studies have shown that people stop smoking more easily when they know exactly why they’re quitting. Maybe you don’t want to smoke around your kids. Or you’re tired of that smoker’s cough. Or you can’t afford it anymore.

It helps to have a practical, effective method to follow. You need an approach that makes you feel ready for the challenge. A good first step is to end your emotional ties to smoking. Write a “goodbye” letter to cigarettes. It may sound like a silly thing to do, but it’s another way of putting your reasons to quit front and center. It’s something you can use in the future when you’re feeling the urge to light up.

The second thing to do is prepare by cleaning up your surroundings and creating a smoke-free environment. Once you remove the reminders of smoking, you’re a big step closer to being ready for the big day. We bet you’ll have a great feeling of satisfaction when you’re done, like when you clean out your closets or garage.

The next thing to do is create a cigarette-free zone. Don’t put yourself in the path of temptation. Go through every place where you may have cigarettes and get rid of them. Oh, and get rid of those butts in the ashtray too (and while you are at it, throw out the ashtray).

Before you think that you can’t do any of this on your own, sign up for our next living tobacco-free class. We will guide you and support you in your quitting efforts: 75 percent of our participants stay tobacco free. The next session begins Jan. 17. For more information, call us at (772) 223-4916.

--Lani Kee
Manager, Center for Health and Healing


To hear Lani discuss tips on how to reach your New Year’s resolutions such as quitting smoking or losing weight, listen to Martin Memorial Healthcast. You can access the weekly podcast by visiting www.mmhs.com/content/healthcasts.htm.

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