Are you a quitter... well we hope not. Maybe you would prefer the term "becoming a non-smoker", we do.

Becoming a non smoker is not an easy thing to do, nicotine addiction is a real and serious issue. Nicotine is an addictive drug, yes it’s a drug. Nicotine causes a short-term increase in blood pressure, heart rate and the flow of blood from the heart. It causes changes in the brain that make you want to use it more and more. In addition, addictive drugs cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

The good feelings that result when an addictive drug is present — and the bad feelings when it’s absent — make breaking any addiction very difficult. Nicotine addiction has historically been one of the hardest addictions to break.

The symptoms of withdrawal are;

• irritability
• impatience
• hostility
• anxiety
• depressed mood
• difficulty concentrating
• restlessness
• decreased heart rate
• increased appetite or weight gain

In the United States alone, an estimated 400,000 deaths each year are caused directly by cigarette smoking. And if thats not enough to prompt you to kick the habit, consider your loved ones, your children, and if all else fails… let us appeal to your vanity. Smoking causes premature aging of the skin, creeping and verticle lines around the mouth, very unattractive to say the least. Along with a myriad of health issues that range from Emphysema to of course, Lung Cancer.

Okay, enough with the reasons why smoking is BAD…

The list is long and you would not be here reading this if you needed convincing.

What can you do to increase your chances of being a successful quitter?

1. Forgive slip ups, and don’t let them deter you… keep going.

2. Look around you.. notice how non-smokers look healthier and seem to have more energy, avoid smokers if possible for a time.

3. Keep healthy and low-cal snacks around, or even a small stress ball to help keep your hands busy.

4. Take up an activity (like Yoga maybe?) that will keep you physically active, meditation is also a great way to calm frayed nerves.

5. Enlist the support of friends, they can be your greatest source of comfort. If you know an ex-smoker talk to them about how they got through the rough spots.

6. Go online and do some research, knowledge is power.

7. Keep track of the money you are saving, and buy yourself a reward!

8. Talk to your Physician.

9. We offer herbal and homeopathic ways to curb your addiction and get your lungs back to health. Click here for details.

Here’s to becoming a “Non- Smoker” !

-Yoga Lizard