I don't know about you but I dare
anyone to say s/he has never tried to rationalize things before. Infact, one might find oneself rationalizing once a hard decision is to be taken almost every time. When it comes to our lifestyle, rationalizing a
bad habit is human nature, especially if it is a habit that has been done for quite a
while.
Smoking is not different as many
people toy with the idea of quitting smoking, only to settle back into old
habits at the sign of stress or simply as a fear of change. For those who struggle tremendously with
quitting smoking, the belief that "some people just can't quit"
resonates with their broken confidence in their ability to quit.
The biology of addiction & withdrawal
as well as psychological dynamics of smoking scheme to undermine the smokers'
self-confidence, which is a central component of long-term quitting success.
While changing smoking status can be
hard,no excuse is good enough not to stop. It is important therefore, to know & understand some of the most common
excuses you might be using to delay stopping and/or justify your smoking habit.
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1) The damage is done
Some people practice self-deceit claiming that they are so
far gone that there is virtually no reason for them to even try to quit. This
is a self-defeating and self-fulfilling prophesy as researchers have confirmed
that 48 hours after your last cigarette, the body will begin to heal.
This means that as soon as a person quits, the body begins
to repair itself with marked improvements seen in breathing and sense of taste
and smell just a few days after stopping. By quitting, we will also be improving
the health of our family and friends by not exposing them to passive smoking or
second hand smoking.
2) I'll gain weight
Some folks think they need to smoke to control their weight
and if they stop, their body weight will balloon. This common misconception is
a very dangerous trend that should be nipped in the bud. According to the
experts, nicotine does not stop you from becoming hungry instead the habit
might reduce the opportunity for one to eat. Anyway, undertaking some regular exercise
or eating low-fat food options is much more beneficial for weight control
3) I'll get stressed
It is amazing how many people once stressed, resort to a
puff. Despite what you may think, nicotine doesn't calm you down as nicotine
cravings between cigarette sessions make you feel stressed and anxious. Quitting
the habit ensures these cravings over time reduce and is eliminated.
4) Quitting will ruin my social life
For many people, cigarettes are an important part of their
social life with some of us only having a cigarette when with friends who smoke
or during nights out. You may also have bonded with colleagues during cigarette
breaks.
However, cigarettes are not the ultimate party trick as
there is a lot more to explore around us helping us to expand our horizons. It's
a good idea to give up friends who are impatient with you for giving up the
cigarette.
5) Smoking looks good
For some people, holding a stick of tobacco wrapped in
paper seems attractive and fashionable. Teenagers may think it makes them look
older or cooler but many people find the sight of a smoker unattractive. Yellow
fingernails, blackened fingers and a stained tongue are not a pretty sight.
Smoking also makes your complexion dull and prematurely
ages your skin. So if you don't want to look old before your time, it's a good
idea to quit. Also, cigarette smoke sticks to our bodies long after having
the last cigarette of the day. Some people think kissing a smoker is like
'kissing an ashtray'. If you'd prefer to smell fresher, now's the time to quit.
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There is some truth in smoking is an addiction that's
undeniably tough to quit but it's not impossible. However, to quit requires a lot of determination, so when you catch yourself making any
of these excuses or inventing new ones, think again and reconsider for your health depends on it!
To spread the 'No Tobacco' gospel, join the campaign for Tobacco Control legislation in Nigeria by signing up as a Cause Champion. Simply send your 1) Name, 2) Email address, 3) Telephone No and 4) Location to info(at)socialresponsibilitymanagers.org. Signing up will get you a chance to have a specially designed Facebook, Twitter and G+ profile banner graced with Stella Damasus' and Fela Durotoye's pictures.
You should also actively participate in the discussions presently ongoing on the following social media platforms:
- Twitter: Follow @TobaccoCtrl
- Facebook: Visit and like Tobaccoctrl
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