WELLNESS-You can quit smoking. No one will deny the hold that smoking has over those addicted to cigarettes, but that does not mean you can’t stop. If you are a smoker, chances are good you have tried to quit many times before and failed. As a Licensed Acupuncturist, I have helped many people kick the habit for good.
The first thing we need to do is identify what does not work for you in regards to quitting so you don’t keep making the same mistakes. Inevitably, if you have tried and failed, this can lead to more stress and in turn leads to more smoking. Recognize that you have a habit and that the cigarettes you are smoking are designed to create this physical addiction.
Here is a 4-step plan to help you kick this habit in the butt once and for all.
- Get help! This is by far the most important step in quitting cigarettes or any other addiction. Thinking you can do it alone is a big mistake and most of you have experienced the pain and isolation of trying to quit alone. You may deal with mood swings, strong cravings, or even mild depression.
This is why having a buddy, a support group, or a therapist to help you stay the course is imperative. Recognize that in some ways, smoking has become what feels like a friend, albeit a very dangerous one, and when you quit you will miss it terribly in the beginning.
2. Set small reachable goals. I suggest starting with quitting for only a day. Making the decision that you will never smoke again feels overwhelming and very often in this overwhelm, people light up again. When the first day is over you can decide to quit for another day, etc. 12 step groups have used this strategy successfully for many decades. In addition to support groups or therapy, the Acupuncture, NADA protocol has helped countless thousands with addiction. Like anything else you decide to use for help, Acupuncture also requires a commitment.
- Add things to your life instead of only taking away. When you stop smoking you will quickly see that there is a big hole where the smoking used to be. This is where you have an opportunity to fill that space with something that truly feeds your body and soul.
Your brain does not only associate smoking with the nicotine and other compounds, but it also associates it with how you go about smoking. This means if you are used to taking smoke breaks during the day, your brain wants that break almost as much as it wants that cigarette.
The best idea is that you still take those breaks, but instead of smoking, go out and walk around to block or do some deep breathing. Part of the addiction to the smoking is the ritual involved, and for now you need to trick the brain as much as possible by continuing your normal smoking rituals minus the smoke. Chewing gum is another way to distract yourself and give your mouth something to do.
- Forgive and be grateful. This is a lesser-discussed but important factor in the quitting formula. Every country is different, but I know here in the US and especially Los Angeles, there is a lot of shame and guilt around the topic of cigarettes.
If you have tried repeatedly to quit and could not, this can add to the shame and guilt. Forgive yourself for starting in the first place, and forgive yourself again if you have tried to quit and could not.
Realize that it is really hard to stop smoking, but you can do it. I tell my patients to recognize the emotional component behind smoking and to be aware of not minimizing your feelings around it.
Trying to stuff down or ignore the emotions will just make them stronger and most likely will lead to grabbing a cigarette.
Also, we often forget that we have so much to be grateful for. Stay focused as much as possible on what you already have that is working in your life, and share those ideas with your support group or quitting partner, and remember, if you fall off the wagon, just dust yourself off and get back on.
There was a time in your life when you didn’t smoke, and with proper support and a good strategy, you will get back to that point again.
(Christian Cristiano is an acupuncturist, TV host of Wellness for Realists and writes on wellness regularly for CityWatch. Christian can be reached at 323.935.3420 (d) or 310.909.6956 (m).
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 13 Issue 14
Pub: Feb 17, 2015
