| The prospect of quitting smoking seems | | | | up, it's time to have your last cigarette. |
| daunting for the millions of people who | | | | You first need to understand that the human |
| smoke, and particularly for those that have | | | | body is extremely resilient if your want to |
| been smoking for some time. No one will argue | | | | keep your spirits up. However, bear in mind |
| that an addiction to nicotine is a serious | | | | that your health will improve as soon as you |
| one and it is also multifaceted: indeed, | | | | stop smoking - and I mean literally. Only 8 |
| there is a physical component to it since | | | | hours after your last cigarette, oxygen |
| your body craves the nicotine the cigarettes | | | | levels and carbon monoxide levels in your |
| contain, and there's the psychological one, | | | | blood stream will go back to what they're |
| in that many habits and situations become | | | | supposed to. Did you know that you |
| associated with cigarettes for the smoker. | | | | statistically reduce your chance of a heart |
| Consequently, in order to quit smoking, it is | | | | attack merely 24 hours after your last |
| important that you come up with a plan of | | | | cigarette? Furthermore, after only 48 hours |
| attack: if the cold-turkey technique works | | | | of smoking your last cigarette, your sense of |
| for some people, the vast majority of smokers | | | | smell and taste will improve as your nerve |
| will succeed only with the help of a more | | | | endings will start growing.In order to keep |
| comprehensive plan.The first time you will | | | | your willpower up, think of the longer-term |
| consider the prospect of quitting smoking, | | | | benefits to quitting smoking as you continue |
| it's probably going to seem far fetched. | | | | to stay smoke free: your lung power will |
| However, I want you to keep in mind that | | | | begin to increase after only 2 weeks and will |
| thousands of people - people just like you - | | | | continue to do so over time. Of course, other |
| quit smoking every year. If they can do it, | | | | aspects of your health will improve in |
| there's no reason that you can't do it too. | | | | various ways continuously. I think that the |
| Also, many smokers also feel that it is | | | | ultimate motivator should lie in the |
| "too-late" to quit smoking after a certain | | | | knowledge that 15 years after quitting |
| age. Simply put, this isn't true, and you | | | | smoking, your risk of death is almost |
| should not use that as an excuse to avoid an | | | | identical as someone who has never smoked. |
| attempt to quit smoking: the health benefits | | | | Don't you think that this illustrates |
| of quitting smoking will begin the very day | | | | remarkably well how the human body's can |
| you will stop.Begin to build up your | | | | restore itself.There's no doubt that |
| willpower before you actually have your last | | | | developing a concrete action plan to quit |
| cigarette. Your willpower will become your | | | | smoking will increase tremendously your |
| most important tool in quitting. In fact, | | | | chances of success. What is crucial in this |
| it's very unlikely that you will be | | | | process is for you to understand that your |
| successful without it. The first thing you | | | | willpower play an important role and that |
| should do is spend some time thinking of the | | | | planning weeks ahead before you attempt to |
| reasons you want to quit smoking. Do some | | | | quit smoking will help you build up your |
| research do learn about the health benefits | | | | willpower. Once you've quit smoking you have |
| of quitting, for both yourself and the people | | | | to keep this willpower strong, and to achieve |
| around you. The most encouraging step you can | | | | this, always remind yourself of the many |
| take is to do some math and write down some | | | | benefits to your health you will be privy to |
| figures for the amount of money you'll be | | | | the second after butting out that last |
| able to save by not buying cigarettes. Then | | | | cigarette.After losing a good friend to lung |
| think of how you'll use that money for. Will | | | | cancer, Nathalie Lafleur decided to help as |
| it be a trip to celebrate? A nice dinner in a | | | | many people as she could to quit smoking. |
| fancy restaurant?Once your willpower is built | | | | |