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Quitting Smoking Stress: Understanding and Managing It
Many people think of stress as tension or pressure. Actually, stress is just the way we respond to change. Understanding stress and its effects can help you use it to your advantage and turn potential stressors into positive challenges.
The Mechanics of Stress
Stress is defined as a response by your body to any demand made upon [...]
Illinois Smoking Cessation: Stopping Smoking in the Workplace Continues to Be a Challenge
A new survey of employers by the non-profit Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) finds the new Illinois smoking cessation law, the Smoke-free Illinois Act*, helps companies and their employees overcome some barriers, but removing smoking from the worksite is still a challenge.
MBGH conducted its second annual Smoking Cessation Survey in June of this year [...]
Marijuana vs Tobacco: Consider the Facts
A very common question from people trying to quit smoking is: “Will smoking marijuana help or hurt as I try to quit smoking cigarettes?” Whether marijuana will relieve side effects or withdrawal symptoms is dubious. But the risks of using any tobacco product and of smoking pot are unmistakable.
Marijuana has been used as a medical treatment for thousands of [...]
Herbs for Smoking Cessation
Lobelia contains an alkaloid named lobeline. Lobeline, which has a molecular structure similar to nicotine, attaches to the same receptor sites as nicotine and helps to curb the craving and desire for tobacco products. Lobelia also alleviates lung congestion because it has expectorant properties (meaning it loosens mucus and facilitates removal from the lungs).
Licorice supports the adrenal [...]
Practical Quitting Smoking Tips
Action Steps
• Throw out all cigarettes, break them in half, wet them down.
• Clean out all ashtrays in your home, office or car.
• Throw or give cigarettes away.
• Discard all matches and lighters.
Physical/Exercise
• When the urge to smoke hits, take a deep breath. Hold it for ten seconds, then release it slowly.
• Taking deep, rhythmic breaths is similar to smoking only [...]