You Need Them Desperately, And They Need You To Need Them,

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Thursday, 24 July 2008

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By:Mike Durand

Some smoke to reduce stress, others to relieve boredom. A cigarette helps fill in the gaps in your day or creates an occasion where there was none. Sure, smoking has been your best buddy in many a situation. Always there when you need a break, not asking for much in return. A cigarette can help you think, or stop thinking, stop to smell the roses, or distract you from the desire to do so. However, the more you rely on them, the more they start to take over, and then you are dealing with a different kind of relationship.

If cigarettes were a person, I guess you could be called co-dependent. You need them desperately, and they need you to need them, or, at least their manufacturers do. But that complicates what initially seemed like such a nice, simple agreement between the two of you. You continue needing them in spite of the harm they start doing to you, your friends and family start to become concerned, but you find some way of justifying your situation. I can stop anytime. Without them I might feel lonely or empty or develop an even worse habit…

Breaking a habit is never easy, and requires that we really be willing to imagine better things for ourselves. That can require a leap of faith, a departure from our comfort zones, the reinvention of ourselves. These things don’t happen overnight, meaning you have to go through the awkwardness of transition, risk temptation, and rely on all your inner reserves of strength and determination. Failure is an imminent possibility, and is in fact, quite likely to happen several times before you succeed. At least now you are smoking on purpose.

The good news is, you can start small, and take advantage of many helping hands along the way. Try imagining a smoke free life first of all. Then try cutting back, just to see. Read about how other people have managed to break free. Investigate your options in smoking cessation programs and products and start thinking about which ones might work best for you. Make a plan, talk to your loved ones, and then make a commitment, asking for their support.

Before you quit, decide what your strategies are going to be for replacing your habit. There are many effective approaches to stress management which will help reduce the need to smoke, and relieve your symptoms during the withdrawal process. The next time you feel the need to take a breather, step out for some fresh air. Smell the roses. Take a walk. The air around you may start to smell fresher, and so will you. Drink more water. Take up a new hobby or rediscover an old one. In less time than you might think, your life may just seem fuller than you could have imagined.

Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com

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