Alternatives to Smoking During the Great American Smokeout
by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger
12 Nov 2007 06:00 PM
The Great American Smokeout is just a few days away. Are you ready to give up smoking for just one day?
Even if you are only quitting for a day, you may be worried about cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal. Distraction can be key! Here are some things you can do on Thursday when the cravings hit.
- Take a walk. Exercise can release endorphins -- the happy chemical in your brain.
- Call a friend. Get yourself involved in a conversation and you might just find the cravings fading into the background.
- Chew a piece of gum or have a sugar-free candy. Having something in your mouth will satisfy the oral part of your smoking habit.
- Talk to your children about smoking, and the feelings you are experiencing. Being honest about your habit (and your withdrawal symptoms) can help prevent your children from starting smoking.
- Play a game. A game site called Pogo has dedicated special games and game rooms to folks who are trying to kick the habit. It doesn't have to be Great American Smokeout day for you to play a game with other folks who'd like to quit. Visit www.Pogo.com for more details. Engage your mind in a fun game and you might just forget about the cigarette cravings.
- Grab your favorite CD and dance. You'll get the benefit of exercise (and those happy endorphins) and the mood boost from your favorite songs.
- Read a book. Get absorbed in a real page-turner!
- Head out to a smoke-free establishment with friends. You won't be allowed to smoke anyway, and you'll have friends around you for support and distraction.
- Volunteer for the Smokeout effort. Hand out flyers or keep other smokers company as they try to go a single day without lighting up.
- Start a home improvement project. Use the day to clean out the freezer or rearrange your office. You'll have a combination of mental energy and physical effort to keep you occupied.
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