Your "No Smoking" Lifestyle

Nothing is permanent in this world except change. So when you plan to quit smoking, bring about other changes in your lifestyle as well. Take a look at all those things that have become routine, and break that routine. Try to do things differently, and you will make a lot of difference.

What we are trying to do as part of this exercise is create a new environment for you. It is probably not possible for you to move house, so we need to bring about a few other changes as part of your exercise to stop smoking. Let everything have a new feel about it. If there was a favourite chair in which you used to sit while you smoked, change the upholstery of the chair, or maybe stash that particular 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, so much the better (though consult your doctor first). Regularity is the key. It is not getting started that is the difficult part; it is sticking to a regular exercise routine.

What about those who have never worked out before? You might need to start off under the personal supervision of an instructor, and that may require that you go to a gym. But there are two simple things that anyone can do, for which you do not need the help of any instructor.

These are walking and swimming. Anybody can walk, and those of you who know how to swim can swim. For these two activities you hardly need any kit, and experts say that these two exercises are excellent stress busters.

Take a break from 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, get rid of everything 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 to 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.

Watching television does not fit into this list. The reason is that TV is not something that demands much of our attention. We can easily do something else while we are watching TV and what could be easier than having a smoke while our eyes are glued to the TV? 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 just doesn't help you do that.

Make a list of those things that build up your stress, and try to steer clear of them. If that is not possible, try to find some effective 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, meditation or even music. Try using the de-stressing ball. If you do not have one of those, try wriggling your fingers and toes. That too is a natural method of beating stress.

Develop New Interests

Try developing new interests or hobbies, such as gardening or painting. Things like this will keep your mind off the urge to smoke. All of us have a certain measure of creativity that often remains untapped. It would be a wonderful thing if you could try working on that creativity. Join a dance class or a drama class. Or you could try learning a new skill, like pottery or clay modelling. Try to involve yourself with other people. Do some social work, or try helping out at the local volunteer organizations.

Do not feel shy about telling these new acquaintances that you are trying to stop smoking. You will be surprised at how understanding people will be. The advantage of making new contacts is that it not only takes away all your brooding time, but it also makes your life a lot richer. In other words, it lends a lot of meaning to your life as you become accountable to more and more people.

Such activities make us appreciate the meaning of life much better, and we will stop to think twice before we waste this life away at the end of a cigarette.

The next section is: Smoking & Your Eating Habits