Stress and Smoking cessation

So if you have a lot or even a little stress in your life when you are about to embark on the battle of this addiction to cigarettes, you might want to address other stressors in your life first or concurrently.

If you have stress (and most people do), it would be beneficial to learn how to manage your stress better.  Improving coping skills and stress management will always be advantageous in life, but especially during times when you are faced with additional challenges.

There are many reputable sites that will provide great information such as, National Institute of Health (NIH) http://www.nih.gov, Department of Health & Mental Hygiene  (DHMH) www.dhmh.state.md.us    

Consider the underlying stress, like children, finances, family issues, employment/career, health, or other responsibilities.  Be sure to put these issues in proper perspective.  If you need a plan for things that must be changed, put a plan in order.  If you must accept things as they are then take time to do so and figure out how to learn and move on.  If you feel overwhelmed or don't know where to start....if you need professional help... it is out there ...go get it!  It's a good thing!

The rewards of developing optimal skills for psychological wellness are immeasurable and WILL be integral in your efforts to quit smoking!  

Local Assistance ..more resources

Local health departments typically hold smoking cessation classes or groups.  There are many support groups also.  I will do more research and include these.
Howard County General Hospital - Wellness Center provides a free Smoke Free Lungs program.  You can attend one or all the classes. For more info go to:  www.hcgh.org
Smoke Free Lungs Meetings are on Thursday nights from 7-9 p.m. starting April 29, 2010 and run through November. 
Please remember support and education can help you live healthier and longer!

What works and what doesn't?

So it has been 50 days since my first blog and out initial efforts to quit smoking.  Not a lot has changed but a lot has happened.  Though my friend smokes a little less now, we still are not in full fledged quitting smoking mindset or mode.

I am not minimizing the efforts just facing reality.  The goal was to quit was to be on her younger daughtr's 16th birthday.. What a great gift that would be...????for everyone but especially for this phenomenal young woman who loves her mom so much and wants her to quit so badly because she is fearful her mother will die way before she is finished sharing life with her....

  Is this still possible?? Not sure??? Well I know it is from where I am sitting but I am not sure my friend is ready to pull this off?

Where is she stuck?  Why is she stuck?  where is the motivation lacking to quit? what essential supports or tools does she need?  Why is this not a priority?

We are scheduled to discuss a weekly meeting date tonight again.  Of all the things in our lives right now I cannot think of anything that is more important to me..I hope it is equally important to her!

Moments keep ticking...everyday we are closer to our death...wouldn't it seem right to want to make it last as long as we can?

one out of two deaths?

One out of every two deaths before age 65 in our society is due to smoking,” said James Mulshine, M.D., professor of internal medicine and associate provost for research at Rush University Medical Center. You can add up to 10 years to your life by quitting. This year, strive to break the addiction, and create smoke-free environments in your home and community.