Welcome to The Ultimate Relaxation Guide
Executive Relaxation Station Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Executive Relaxation Station. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Stop Smoking For Good
from: Sean HarderMost of us have been fooled by the industry to believe that nicotine addiction is the problem that needs to be overcome in order to be successful. Drug companies are making a fortune with their gum, pills, and patches which do nothing more than make a prolonged withdrawal from nicotine. The truth is, that nicotine withdrawal lasts a maximum of 48-72 hours, and is only characterized by headache, some irritability, difficulty concentrating, and mild depression.
What you are really experiencing is the desire for the habit and the ritual. Most smokers have associated their smoking with various activities and cues. They use them to take a break and relax from the situations they are in. They are also very unconscious about their smoking and when they start to keep track of how many cigarettes they have the numbers dramatically decrease. Up to half of all cigarettes smoked are not remembered or realized by the smoker. It is an automatic behavior.
Consider the following informal study:
A group of 120 smokers (who smoked at least a pack a day) were divided into three groups. Each time they had a craving, one group would go have a cigarette, one group would have to sit in a room and refrain from smoking, and the third group pretended to have a cigarette by using a straw that resembled a cigarette.
Interestingly, there was almost no difference in reduction of craving between the smoking group and the pretending group. They both had dramatic reduction in craving and increased well-being. The other group however, rated increased craving and anxiety.
After getting the participants feedback we came to a few conclusions:
1. That smokers strongly associate their smoking to a feeling of distraction and taking a break.
2. That when they smoke, it is the only time they take time for themselves and breath deeply, invoking the relaxation response in their body. Remember, nicotine is a stimulant drug and does not promote relaxation.
3. Smokers tend to concentrate better when smoking. Stimulant drugs can improve concentration, and the mini withdrawal between cigarettes can cause the opposite. Concentration does tend to return after about a week of not smoking.
Based on these, we developed some strategies for quitting:
1. When you decide to stop smoking, make sure that you continue to take the same breaks of the same duration, at the same times that you would normally have a cigarette. During these mini breaks, do not eat, but do practice breathing as if you were smoking. You don't need a fake cigarette, but if it helps to have something to do with your hands etc. go ahead.
2. I don't recommend this, especially if you associated smoking with coffee drinking, but if necessary use caffeine to help you concentrate for the first little while. Use diet soft drinks or tea instead of coffee if you can because these have less caffeine and will be easier to get rid of when the withdrawal is done. This stimulant is not quite as strong and is better than using nicotine patches or gum because it is different. If you choose to do this, only do it for a few days and then cut it out gradually.
Accept that you might have a little, or maybe more than a little weight gain. This is a natural response even if you don't eat significantly more. My experience shows that very often within a year, your weight will start reducing on its own, once your body gets use to the metabolic changes. In the meantime, increase your exercise. See the sections on fitness and overall health.
The overall benefits will be worth it if you give it enough time. If you want more advice on quitting smoking click here.
This article was written in 2003 by Sean Harder creator and owner of WholeLifeGym.
http://www.wholelifegym.com
About the Author
Sean has been a therapist and life coach for 13 years. He is published author and founder of WholeLifeGym.com.
Executive Relaxation Station News
PITTSFIELD Astronaut tells students about mission - Central Maine Morning Sentinel
PITTSFIELD Astronaut tells students about mission Central Maine Morning Sentinel, ME - The team's mission was to prepare the International Space Station so it can sustain a crew of six people. The first module for the space station launched ... |
Recalling Chatham’s Role In World War II And Honoring Its Veterans - Cape Cod Chronicle
Recalling Chatham’s Role In World War II And Honoring Its Veterans Cape Cod Chronicle, MA - There were three Coast Guard facilities, including the lighthouse, a lifesaving station on Morris Island that doubled as a base for anti-submarine ... |
Obama bringing renewed interest to Hawaii - Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Obama bringing renewed interest to Hawaii Honolulu Star-Bulletin, HI - As long as Obama continues to vacation in Hawaii, the state will enjoy additional notoriety as the ultimate place of relaxation where the US president comes ... |
Microsoft VP incorporates running and the bus into his "exercise ... - Seattle Times
Microsoft VP incorporates running and the bus into his "exercise ... Seattle Times, United States - On most workday mornings he runs four miles to the Montlake Freeway Station on 520 near the western start of the bridge. He hops on a bus there and rides ... |
New hotel part of Leonardtown's revitalization - Business Gazette
 Business Gazette | New hotel part of Leonardtown's revitalization Business Gazette, MD - They operated a Relax Inn hotel there until it was demolished in 2007. The clientele was "50 percent good travelers and 50 percent [St. Mary's County ... |