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Keep your hands busy
with crossword puzzles, crafts, doing repairs. Take a walk, write
letters, try new recipes, garden. Chew gum or eat a low-calorie
snack. While watching TV, keep prepared vegetables on hand as
substitutes for cigarettes.
For long trips, take along low-calorie foods, such
as apples, oranges, carrots, and celery. Suck on cloves, cinnamon
sticks or ginger. Get out of the car often and stretch. Take a
smoke-free friend along.
When in social situations, avoid alcohol, coffee
and other drinks you associate with smoking. Sip slowly on a glass
of ice water with lemon, non-alcoholic punch or a spiced drink.
Socialize with nonsmokers at parties.
After meals, leave the table, save dessert and
beverages for later on. Brush your teeth right after eating to
reinforce the fresh taste in your mouth. Or substitute a mint or
sugarless gum. Then take a short walk after dinner.
While under stress, sit down, close your eyes, take
10 deep breaths and hold the last one while lighting a match.
Exhale slowly and blow out the match. Pretend it's a cigarette and
crush it in the ashtray. Then call a friend who knows you've quit
and share your feelings.
When the urge is intense, try the 4 Ds: (1)
Delay-wait a few minutes, (2) Deep breathing-take 4 deep breaths,
(3) Drink cold water or juice-the carbohydrate energy in juice helps
replace nicotine's stimulating effect, (4) Do something else.
Break old habits: Visit places where smoking is
prohibited. Enjoy healthy physical activities, such as swimming and
walking. Discard all cigarettes and matches. Have your teeth
professionally cleaned. Dry-clean your clothes. Air out your
house. Clean your car.
http://www.lewistownhospital.org/body.cfm?id=216
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