Kick the habit in 2010
Groups now forming to help you stop smoking
Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to help you stop smoking for good. Using the NADA ear protocol in a group setting has been shown to reduce cravings, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Five fine gauge, sterilized, one-time use stainless steel needles are inserted just below the skin in each ear. Participants sit in chairs quietly in a circle for 45 minutes. The procedure functions as an adjunct to a comprehensive addiction treatment program including such things as education, family involvement, mutual support group involvement, and supportive health care.
- Daytime and evening times available
- 1 hour group sessions just $20.00 per person
- Space is limited
To reserve your space please call: 414-758-1314
Wisdom Acupuncture
6944 N. Port Washington Road
Glendale, WI 53217
Helpful Hints for Quitting Smoking
- Identify your personal reasons for quitting.
- Set a quit date, usually within 10 days to several weeks. If you smoke mostly at work, try quitting on a weekend. If you smoke mostly when relaxing or socializing, quit on a week day.
- Identify your barriers to quitting (such as your spouse smokes or you’ve relapsed before due to depression or weight gain). You’ll find sources of help in this booklet to overcome these barriers.
- Make SPECIFIC plans AHEAD OF TIME for dealing with temptations. Identify two or three coping strategies that work for you (such as taking a walk or calling a friend).
- Get cooperation from family and friends. They can’t quit for you but they can help by not smoking around you, providing a sympathetic ear and encouragement when you need it and leaving you alone when you need some space.
- Relaxation or stress reduction: Deep breathing exercises, meditation, massage or exercise
- Boredom or Loneliness: Find something you’re passionate about such as art, music, or literature
- To feel more comfortable in social situations: Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a support group or splurge on a makeover
- A meal doesn’t feel quite complete without a cigarette: Eat a healthy meal and then top it off with a delicious dessert
How to manage cigarette cravings:
Remnants of old habits such as smoking with your morning coffee, after meals or business meetings, and while you’re stuck in traffic can trigger cravings. There are ways to anticipate those moments and deal with the possible withdrawal symptoms.
Cravings associated with meals:
For some smokers, having a cup of coffee after a meal goes hand-in-hand with lighting up, and the idea of giving that up may look like a hard prospect. People have been able to successfully replace that special moment, at least in the early stages, with something that works for them. It could be a piece of fruit, a dessert, or a piece of dark chocolate. Eventually, you will re-discover the real savor of a good meal or a nicely brewed cup of coffee and will find that cigarette smoke spoils its taste.
Alcohol and cigarettes:
Many people have a habit of smoking when they have an alcoholic drink. If you feel cravings after drinking with friends or family you may have to try non-alcoholic drinks. Nuts and chips to munch on are also great cigarette substitutes.
Social Smoking:
When friends, family, and co-workers smoke around you, you are in risk of never being able to give up smoking. If you don’t address this directly it can increase your risk for relapse. Talking about your decision to quit is the first step, your social circles need to know that you are changing your habits. It may involve a change of habit on their part too, for example, they won’t be able to smoke when you’re in the car with them or in your presence.
Know that in every social circle there are non-smokers, sometimes former smokers, and people that can be of some inspiration in finding new and better habits. In your workplace, don’t take all your coffee breaks with smokers only, do something else instead, and find other non-smokers to have your breaks with. Your decision to quit could be a good role model for your friends and give them the incentive to quit as well.
The main thing is to stay strong and not compromise. This is a crucial change in your life. Let others around you know that you are serious about quitting.