COMMON RATIONALIZATIONS*

Rationalization Response

I'm under a lot of stress, Your body's used to nicotine, so you and smoking relaxes me. naturally feel more relaxed when you give your body a substance it's come to depend on. But nicotine really is a stimulant - it raises your heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline level. Most ex-smokers feel much less nervous just a few weeks after quitting.

Smoking makes me more Trouble concentrating can be a short- effective in my work. term symptom of quitting, but smoking actually deprives your brain of oxygen.

I've already cut down Cutting down is a good first step, to a safe level. but there's a big difference in the benefits to you between smoking a little and not smoking at all. Besides, smokers who cut back often inhale more often and more deeply - negating many of the benefits of cutting back. After you've cut back to about seven cigarettes a day, it's time to set a quit date.

I smoke only safe, low-tar These cigarettes still contain harm- low-nicotine cigarettes. ful substances, and many smokers who use them inhale more often and more deeply to maintain their nicotine intake. Also, carbon monoxide intake often increases with a switch to low-tar cigarettes.

It's too hard to quit. Quitting and staying away from I don't have the willpower. cigarettes is hard, but it's not impossible. More than 3 million Americans quit every year. It's important for you to remember that many people have had to try more than once, and try more than one method, before they became ex-smokers, but they HAVE done it, and so can you.

I'm worried about gaining Most smokers who gain more than weight. 5-10 pounds are eating more. Gaining weight isn't inevitable - there are certain things you can do to help keep your weight stable. (See "Tips To Help You Avoid Weight Gain".)

I don't know what to do That's a common complaint among with my hands. ex-smokers. You can keep your hands busy in other ways - it's just a matter of getting used to the change, of not holding a cigarette. Try holding something else, such as a pencil, paper clip, or marble. Practice simply keeping your hands clasped together. If you're at home, think of all the things you wish you had time to do, make a list, and consult the list for alternatives to smoking whenever your hands feel restless.

Sometimes I have an This is a common feeling, especially almost irresistible urge within the first 1-3 weeks. The to have a cigarette. longer you're off cigarettes, the more your urges probably will come at times when you smoked before, such as when you're drinking coffee or alcohol or are at a cocktail party where other people are smoking. These are high-risk situations, and you can help yourself by avoiding them whenever possible. If you can't avoid them, you can try to visualize in advance how you'll handle the desire for a cigarette if it arises in those situations.

I blew it, I smoked a Smoking one, or even a few, cigarette. cigarettes doesn't mean you've "blown it." It does mean that you have to strengthen your determination to quit, and try again - harder. Don't forget that you got through several days, perhaps even weeks or months, without a cigarette. This shows that you don't need cigarettes and that you CAN be a successful quitter.
 

Page  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11
12  |  13  |  14  |  15