Did you resolve to quit smoking this year? It’s tough to do, but it’s a very powerful factor in improving health.
Smoking kills tens of thousands of Canadians a year. While it is well known that smokers have a higher risk for lung cancer, but fewer people realize that smoking also raises your risk of heart disease.
Nicotine is addictive. When you inhale from a cigarette, nicotine enters your bloodstream instantly and triggers release of dopamine into the brain. The brain gets used to the stimulation, and then craves it. In order to quit, you have to be ready to deal with the cravings and the withdrawal symptoms.
Here are some tips on quitting:
• Set a quit date.
• Declare that you are going to quit, by telling family, friends, and co-workers.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist what product might help you.
• List the benefits of quitting, such as looking better and feeling better.
• Write down strategies for managing withdrawal.
• Practice how you will deal with cravings
• List your triggers
