2008 Woodie Awards
Choosing to relinquish smoking for New Year's
Jon Brockman
Issue date: 12/8/05 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
Just like thousands of other people, I will choose the New Year to stop smoking. While this is one of the more popular resolutions, many fail on their first attempt.
There are many ways to make the process easier.
"Make a smaller goal," Janice Putnam of Central's Health Center, suggestsed. "Try 24 hours instead of trying to quit forever." For some, the feeling of quitting indefinitely may seem overwhelming. Take small steps, try not to smoke in your car or in the house.
This may reduce the anxiety of quitting cold turkey.
For those who do not believe they can quit cold turkey, Putnam recommends the help of pharmaceutical aids. For those who enjoy the feeling they get from smoking, a nicotine replacement works best, such as nicotine patches or gum. People who smoke in order to curb anxiety or stress find that anti-depressants work best. The trick is to find the right treatment for the type of smoker you may be.
After someone quits, Putnam recommends replacing areas frequented by smokers, with a non-smoking location, such as a gym. Many ex-smokers have a hard time quitting because they don't have anyway to keep themselves busy. The trick is to replace one habit for another. Exercise can be a great replacement because you can repair the damage you did after years of smoking.
Many people chose to exercise after quitting because they believe they will gain weight.
"80 percent [of people who quit smoking] gain weight," Putnam said, "but the average weight gain is only five pounds." For those who continue to smoke, more than 50 percent gain weight. Smoking does not prevent weight gain as many would believe. The lack of exercise is what will eventually add the pounds.
Another option is to find a buddy, preferably someone who has quit smoking. Any kind of support will help you along the way.
Most people fail on their first attempt, but don't let that discourage you. The Smoking Sensation Course is a four-week Blackboard-based course designed from the American Lung Association's "Freedom from Smoking" campaign. It is a one-credit elective course scheduled from Jan. 30 through Feb 24, and Mar. 20 through April 14. Through Blackboard, students will be able to track their progress and have access to stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing exercises. The deep breathing exercise changes chest pressure by filling lung capacity, and slows the heart rate, which decreases anxiety. Putnam says this exercise can curb a craving in less than 10 minutes.
It is also important to remember that if you break down and have a cigarette, it is merely a lapse, not a relapse. If you do slip, keep going ahead with your plan. If you smoke for another month, you will just have to start all over again.
Good luck and happy New Year.
There are many ways to make the process easier.
"Make a smaller goal," Janice Putnam of Central's Health Center, suggestsed. "Try 24 hours instead of trying to quit forever." For some, the feeling of quitting indefinitely may seem overwhelming. Take small steps, try not to smoke in your car or in the house.
This may reduce the anxiety of quitting cold turkey.
For those who do not believe they can quit cold turkey, Putnam recommends the help of pharmaceutical aids. For those who enjoy the feeling they get from smoking, a nicotine replacement works best, such as nicotine patches or gum. People who smoke in order to curb anxiety or stress find that anti-depressants work best. The trick is to find the right treatment for the type of smoker you may be.
After someone quits, Putnam recommends replacing areas frequented by smokers, with a non-smoking location, such as a gym. Many ex-smokers have a hard time quitting because they don't have anyway to keep themselves busy. The trick is to replace one habit for another. Exercise can be a great replacement because you can repair the damage you did after years of smoking.
Many people chose to exercise after quitting because they believe they will gain weight.
"80 percent [of people who quit smoking] gain weight," Putnam said, "but the average weight gain is only five pounds." For those who continue to smoke, more than 50 percent gain weight. Smoking does not prevent weight gain as many would believe. The lack of exercise is what will eventually add the pounds.
Another option is to find a buddy, preferably someone who has quit smoking. Any kind of support will help you along the way.
Most people fail on their first attempt, but don't let that discourage you. The Smoking Sensation Course is a four-week Blackboard-based course designed from the American Lung Association's "Freedom from Smoking" campaign. It is a one-credit elective course scheduled from Jan. 30 through Feb 24, and Mar. 20 through April 14. Through Blackboard, students will be able to track their progress and have access to stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing exercises. The deep breathing exercise changes chest pressure by filling lung capacity, and slows the heart rate, which decreases anxiety. Putnam says this exercise can curb a craving in less than 10 minutes.
It is also important to remember that if you break down and have a cigarette, it is merely a lapse, not a relapse. If you do slip, keep going ahead with your plan. If you smoke for another month, you will just have to start all over again.
Good luck and happy New Year.