How Not to Quit Smoking - The Concept of the 'Imaginary Motivation'

I hate smoking, so why do I still smoke?

Now it occurs to me that I generally motivate myself to quit in the following manner:

(i) Make a demand to myself to quit.

(ii) Fail to quit.

(iii) Punish myself for continuing to smoke by nagging myself about it (I call it ?worry?).

(iv) Make an offer to myself ? I will stop the nagging, but only as a reward for quitting smoking.

(v) Fail to quit again.

(vi) Go back to Step (i) and repeat?.

It?s been an unconscious process up until recently, because I?ve been nagging myself for so long that it?s become second nature to me. My operative motivation, then, for quitting smoking is to relieve myself from the nagging that I impose upon myself. It?s actually designed to work like this:

1. Punish myself for continuing to smoke by nagging myself about it.
2. Make an offer to stop the nagging as a reward for quitting smoking.
3. Quit smoking in order to collect the reward.
4. Bestow the reward (stop nagging at myself).

But hey, since I?m offering myself only the cessation of something (nagging) that I don?t have to do in the first place, why not just skip Step 3 and go directly to Step 4? And that?s always what ends up happening after a few go-rounds of (i) through (vi).

The cessation of self-imposed nagging is what?s called an ?imaginary motivation?. It?s a game I can?t win, and deep down inside I know it. And when an imaginary motivation fails to produce real results, I judge and blame myself for failing to be motivated by it, thus starting the whole cycle all over again.

Roses are red
Violates are blue
I?m schizophrenic?

And so am I

There?s GOT to be a better way?

This is Chuck Thunder's psychiatrist. "Chuck Thunder" is an alias; his real name is Jake Danger. He currently resides in the cellar of Oakfield Institute for the Very, Very Nervous. His website is called Lunatic Wisdom: News From Beyond the Matrix

He has to sneak past the nice men in white coats to post his articles. He thinks he's Neo and that we're all Agents who are 'out to get him'. Don?t believe a word he says.

Do Methods For Quitting Smoking Help?

As an unwilling smoker who wants to quit smoking you commit a basic mistake. You are in search for methods to quit smoking. What you need is a method to quit smoking. If you contemplate more than one method, perhaps you are not going to follow any one of them with determination. And without determination, you will not be able to quit smoking.

Of these methods, now you have to decide which one is most suitable for you. There is nothing like easy method and the hard method. The first month of your decision is going to be tough. If you sail through this tough stormy sea, calm waters may greet you ahead.

Now, you have a well devised plan and you are brimming with motivation. In the beginning you need to take the assistance of quit-smoking aids. These may give you some psychological edge, but in reality it will not help. In the first month, you will count each day and perhaps each hour of the day.

You are stressed, beyond the limit?and yet, you need to tolerate. Diet-planning can wait, but in the meantime make a time table for physical exercises, and for breathing exercises. Have fixed hours of sleep. One good point about you, the smoker is that you don't smoke, while asleep, except in dreams.

Advertise a lot in your family, with your friends, in your office, that you are no more a smoker. Earnestly solicit the support of your well-wishers and family members in your effort to quit smoking.

When the urge becomes difficult to resist, that is the time to resist! Take a book on horror- fiction, sit on the computer, take a bath, go to the kitchen and start cooking your favorite dish.

All the tobacco products need to be out of bound for you. Destroy the existing stock. Never think of gifting them to your still smoking friends. That which is not beneficial for your health, how can it help their cause?

With your solid determination in tact, no harm is there in your taking recourse to smoking aids. Zyban, which is a prescription medicine, reduces your craving for nicotine. You can also try some herbal equivalents of Zyban and they do not require prescription, and they will do you some good. You can also take recourse to laser treatment.

But keep your will power in tact. Nothing to beat it. Will power is like the constitutional guarantee to an individual. You await a glorious time, full of inner freedom, totally devoid of smoke coils.

Good for you, better for people around you and the best happening, all things considered!

Many Stop Smoking articles are available at Quit Smoking & http://www.stop-smoking-updates.com/quitsmoking/

Many Stop Smoking articles are available at http://www.stop-smoking-updates.com/quitsmoking/ for Smoking Cessation.

Guide to quit smoking

Do you want to stop smoking easily and quickly? then do take to read this articles slowly. The mind has two parts: the conscious and subconscious. You might want to stop smoking because it's bad for your health (conscious reason), but you're still aware that smoking makes you feel good about yourself (subconscious reason).

However there is a proper way to proceed with once you have decided to quit smoking viz.

First sit down and write down why you want to quit (the benefits of quitting): live longer, feel better, for your family, save money, smell better, find a mate more easily, etc. You know what's bad about smoking and you know what you'll get by quitting. Put it on paper and read it daily.

Ask your family and friends to support your decision to quit. Ask them to be completely supportive and non-judgmental. Let them know ahead of time that you will probably be irritable and even irrational while you withdraw from your smoking habit. Set a quit date. Decide what day you will extinguish your cigarettes forever.

Talk with your doctor about quitting. Support and guidance from a physician is a proven way to better your chances to quit. Begin an exercise program. Exercise is simply incompatible with smoking. Exercise relieves stress and helps your body recover from years of damage from cigarettes.

Do some deep breathing each day for 3 to 5 minutes. Breathe in through your nose very slowly, hold the breath for a few seconds, and exhale very slowly through your mouth. Have your teeth cleaned. Enjoy the way your teeth look and feel and plan to keep them that way.

Drink lots of water. Water is good for you anyway, and most people don't get enough. It will help flush the nicotine and other chemicals out of your body, plus it can help reduce cravings by fulfilling the "oral desires" that you may have.

Learn what triggers your desire for a cigarette, such as stress, the end of a meal, arrival at work, entering a bar, etc. Avoid these triggers or if that's impossible, plan alternative ways to deal with the triggers.

Find something to hold in your hand and mouth, to replace cigarettes. You might try an artificial cigarette.

Lastly believe in yourself. Believe that you can quit. Think about some of the most difficult things you have done in your life and realize that you have the guts and determination to quit smoking

"Visit http://noneedwait.blogspot.com For More Tips"

Dr Steve Marllett (Wolrd Health Member)

4 Steps To Quitting Smoking

First off, I would like to congratulate you. Since you are reading this you have taken your first vital step in quitting smoking. And taking that decision is very important and took a lot of courage. But wanting to stop the habit is just the start. There are really only four steps you will need to take to kick the habit each with sub-steps of their own. Only 4 steps you may say, that sounds easy. Well it isn't but with some hard work and dedication you will be successful.

So what are these steps? Well you have to decide to quit. Deciding isn't the same as wanting, and trust me; this is the most important point in the whole project. Next you have to get yourself ready to kick the tobacco. After that comes the actual process of quitting. Lastly are the things you will need to do once you have quit.

So how do you make the decision? First thing you should do is sit down and think of think of the reasons you want to quit smoking and write them down. Then read them aloud to yourself a few times. And be sure to keep this list so you can refer to it later. This will help you visualize your goal. Tell your family, friends, and co-workers about your decision. Having their support will be a great help, plus will it will re-enforce your decision.

Next you need to get yourself prepared to quit. Put the list of the reasons you want to quit someplace where you will see it all the time, like the refrigerator door. You could also take a copy of it to work with you. Take up a hobby, this will be a great way to take your mind off the weed when you actually quit. And be sure you instil in your own mind that this is going to be a tough task that needs to be taken seriously. And now that you have taken the decision and are ready don't procrastinate. Start quitting NOW.

Now for the actual quitting process. The hardest part is actually the simplest, just STOP SMOKING. That's right quit right now. Don't try and cut down, or switch to low tar and nicotine smokes, it does not work period. Now I know how that sounds and you are correct, it isn't that simple, but it really is. The actual action of quitting is not hard it is the anxiety and withdrawal symptoms which are difficult. But there are ways to alleviate these. Eat healthy snack foods such as raw vegetables or fruit when you feel the urge to smoke. Or take a walk, or listen to some music. Reading also another great way to take your mind off the craving. Also re-read the list you wrote during the decision stage.

If you feel you need help there are medical aids such as the patch as well as hypnotism, plus some excellent books you can read to give you more ammunition against the smoking habit. Don't feel bad if you need help, everybody needs help sometimes.

Now that you have quit you will need to keep it up. Cigarettes are a strong habit and you will need to keep that habit at bay. I mentioned taking up a hobby in the decision phase. That will really help you keep off of the weed. Take up exercising. I find that first thing in the morning is the perfect time for a quick work-out. I always really wanted that first smoke in the morning and doing a bit of exercise instead put the smokes right out of my mind. And realize how much better you feel now, how much better food tastes, how wonderful all the scents you couldn't smell before are.

In closing I would like to congratulate you on wanting to quit smoking and wish you the best of health and happiness.

Stan Johnson got fed up with smoking a few years ago. He now wants to help others do the same. Visit his site at: Quit Smoking Today

Planning to Quit Smoking

Millions of people smoke, and to many, particularly those that have been smoking for some time, the prospect of quitting seems daunting. An addiction to nicotine is a serious one, and is multifaceted: there is a physical component, in that your body craves the nicotine the cigarettes contain, and a psychological one, in that many habits and situations become associated with cigarettes for the smoker. For these reasons it is important that you come up with a plan of attack in order to quit smoking: although the cold-turkey technique works for some people, the vast majority of smokers will have success only with a more comprehensive plan.

When you first consider the prospect of quitting smoking, it's probably going to seem far fetched, but keep in mind that thousands of people - people that are no different from you - quit smoking every year. If they can do it, there's no reason that you can't. Many smokers also feel that after a certain age it is "too-late" to quit smoking. Simply put, this isn't true, and should not be used as an excuse to avoid an attempt to quit smoking: the health benefits of quitting smoking begin the very day you stop.

Before you actually have your last cigarette, begin to build up your willpower. Your willpower is going to be your most important tool in quitting, and it's very unlikely that you will be successful without it. Spend some time thinking of the reasons you want to quit smoking. Learn about the health benefits of quitting, for both yourself and the people around you. Do some math and come up with some figures for the amount of money you'll save by not buying cigarettes, and think of something you'll use that money for.

Once you've built up your willpower, it's time to have your last cigarette. To keep your spirits up, understand that the human body is incredibly resilient, and your health will improve as soon as you stop smoking - literally. 8 hours after your last cigarette, carbon monoxide levels and oxygen levels in your blood stream will return to normal. At 24 hours after your last cigarette, you statistically reduce your chance of a heart attack. Only 48 hours after your last cigarette, your sense of taste and smell will improve as your nerve endings start growing.

As you continue to stay smoke free, think of the longer-term benefits to quitting in order to keep your willpower up: even after 2 weeks your lung power will begin to increase, and continue to do so over time. Other aspects of your health will continue to improve in various ways. The ultimate motivator should be the knowledge that 15 years after quitting, your risk of death is almost the same as someone who has never smoked - a remarkable fact that illustrates our the human body's surprising ability to restore itself.

By coming up with a concrete plan to quit smoking you will greatly increase your chances of success. Crucial is understanding the important role that your willpower will play in the process, and planning to build up this willpower weeks before you attempt to quit. Once you've stopped you have to keep the strength of this willpower up, and to do so, remind yourself of the health benefits you will be privy to immediately after butting out that last cigarette.

QUITTING SMOKING AND UNDERSTANDING HOW NICOTINE AFFECTS THE BODY

This is the time of year when we make New Year's resolutions. One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to quit smoking. It is important to understand why you are addicted before you start any program. Understanding how nicotine affects the body is the fist step in quitting smoking. The second step is picking the right program for you to help you achieve your goal of becoming a non-smoker.

Nicotine is a type of chemical called an alkaloid. Many plants containing alkaloids are poisonous and produce a bitter taste when eaten. Nicotine is found in cigarettes, but it has other uses as well. Weed killers and insecticides also contain nicotine. Nicotine is extremely potent. A person would die if the nicotine found in 2.5 cigarettes were directly injected into a person's bloodstream.

Nicotine enters the bloodstream through the lungs. It quickly reaches the brain, where it affects certain chemicals that change the way you feel. Eventually the brain becomes dependent on nicotine to control these chemicals that make you feel "normal."

Nicotine is more addictive than heroine is. As smokers become addicted to nicotine, they will develop a tolerance to nicotine- meaning that they need to smoke more cigarettes in order to feel the same effects they did when they first started.

Nicotine can have different effects on people. Some say nicotine relaxes them when they are upset. Others say that it energizes them and raises alertness when they are tired. The affects vary according to each person and how much they have inhaled. Nicotine also causes the heart to beat faster, veins to constrict, blood pressure to rise, and the adrenal glands to pump out adrenaline that raises the metabolism and suppresses hunger.

Nicotine interferes with the transmission of information between the nerve cells. It also affects sections of the brain that regulate pleasurable feelings, called "reward circuits." The neurotransmitter dopamine is one chemical affected by smoking; nicotine raises the level of dopamine in the brain's reward circuits, causing the smoker to experience pleasure. Other chemicals impacted by nicotine are serotonin, which controls mood, norepinephrine, which affects arousal and appetite, and beta-endorphin, which reduces anxiety.

Remember that every year the tobacco companies pour millions of dollars into research to keep you addicted! The time is right to stop smoking and get healthy. For more information on quitting smoking you can go to my website at http://www.healthsolutionsandyou.com

Libby Sustacheck has over twenty years of experience in the healthcare field working with such industry giants as Kaiser Permanente and Aetna. She has assisted many organizations with their wellness programs. libbys@libbyshealthsolutions.com

Exercise And Quitting Smoking

When you plan to stop smoking, bring about other changes in your life style as well. Take a look at all those things that have become a kind of routine and break that routine. Try to do things differently and will make a lot of difference.

What we are trying to do as part of this exercise is that we are trying to create a new environment for you. It is not possible for you to shift to a new apartment so bring about a few changes in the way things are as part of your exercise to quit smoking. Let every thing have a new feel about it. If there was a favorite chair in which you used to sit when you smoked, change the upholstery of the chair or maybe you could stash away the chair into a corner.

Try to set a new routine. Try working out or going to the gym. If that is not possible, try waking up a little earlier and go for a short morning walk. If you can make that a run or a jog, it is going to be very stimulating and is going to be the best way to start your day.

Exercise does not necessarily mean pumping metal. If you do have the time to go to a gymnasium everyday, then that is well and good. But I suppose most of us do not have the time for a regular work out in a gym. So what is the other alternative? Do it at home of course.

But whether it is at home or at a multi-gym, there is something that I want to tell you. Regularity is the rule of the day. It is not getting started that is the difficult part, it is sticking to a regular exercise routine that is difficult and this is what proves to be the stumbling block for most people.

Most people have a wonderful start. In fact it is truly spectacular. They buy track suits and gym-wear, running shoes and a whole lot of other gear. Their first day at the gym is almost a celebration. Then as the days go on, they find it increasingly difficult to meet the domestic and professional demands and so their routine slows down and finally comes to a complete workout burn out.

One mistake that many people make is that they choose the evenings or a work out. If that can suit your lifestyle, then thats fine. But for most of us, by the time the evening lifts up its curtains we are completely pooped. We find ourselves physically and mentally drained. And at that time our bodies will be just too tired for a work out. So it is best to set aside some time for exercise in the morning itself.

There are two advantages of setting apart time in the morning. The first advantage is that in the morning our bodies are fresh and full of energy. Now over here I want to make one point clear.

Many people believe that exercise depletes the body of energy but the case is just the opposite. Exercise pumps up more blood through the different parts of the body and warms up the body, so in fact, after exercise we feel more charged and ready to face the challenges of the day.

The second advantage is that in the morning we can plan for the whole day without letting the exercise routine affect the rest of our activities.

What about those of us who have never worked out before? In such cases you might need to start off under the personal supervision of an instructor and that may require that you go to a gym. But what I would suggest is that there are two simple things that any one can do for which you do not need the help of any instructor.

You know what these are? They are walking and swimming. Any body can walk and those of you who know how to swim can swim. For these two activities you do not need much gear and experts say that these two exercises have no side effects and are excellent stress busters.

So in the morning wake up just half an hour earlier, put on your walking shoes and hit the roads. Most roads will be less crowded at this hour and less polluted too. It is a wonderful way to start a day.

Take a break form coffee and try tea instead. If you are moving around the house, try playing music. Redecorate your room by adding a few pictures here and there preferably of scenery. And while you are redecorating, do what I mentioned earlier that is get rid of every thing that even remotely reminds you of smoking.

Plan your day in such a way that you have something enjoyable to do at the end of the day. It does not have t be something that involves money. We do not want you end up bankrupt. It can be something as simple as spending some time with the family playing a board game or something. Or it can be going out for a walk together.

But I would like to add that watching television just does not fit into this list. The reason is because T.V is not something that demands too much of our attention. We can easily do something else while we are watching TV and what can be easier than taking a smoke while our eyes are glued to the T.V. While you are working on breaking the habit of smoking, you need to move about with people. You need the company of people who can take your mind off that craving and TV doesnt help you do that.

Make a list of those things that build up your stress. Try to steer clear of them. If that is not possible try to find out some stress busters and use them. Do not use stress as an excuse to start smoking. There are a hundred other methods of beating stress. As mentioned earlier, you could try breathing exercises, mediation or even music. There is another excellent way of beating stress and that is using the distressing ball. If you do not have one of those, try wriggling your fingers and toes. That too is a natural method of beating stress.

The point that we are trying to drive home over here is that you need a break from whatever you have been doing for this exercise of quitting to work. Since it is impossible to change your job or your home, you have to bring about as many changes as possible to get that whole new feeling.

About the author:
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