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Whelehans Pharmacy:Three Steps to giving up smoking

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Three Steps to giving up smoking

Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacies, Pearse St and Clonmore, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie

Step 1 - Preparing to stop
It is important that you stop smoking because you want to. Think of the many benefits that you will gain by stopping smoking. Do not expect giving up smoking to be easy, remember that the first 3-4 days will be the most difficult. If you can, give up with a friend, or family member, who also wants to quit.

Some tips include: Set a specific date to give up and cut down on the number of cigarettes that you smoke before that date. Get the support of your family and friends to help you give up. Set yourself a reward for the end of your first day, first week, first month. Get rid of everything smoking related, such as cigarettes, ashtrays, and lighters, on the day before you give up.


Step 2 - Stopping

Your initial goal is to get through the first day without smoking. If you need to put something in your mouth, chew sugar-free gum, or something else that is healthy and non-fattening, such as fruit. If you need to do something with your hands, find something to fiddle with, such as a pencil, a coin, or a stress relief ball.

Step 3 - Staying stopped

Take it one day at a time. Think positively, remain determined, and reward yourself. At the beginning, it may help to change your normal routine, to avoid situations that you would normally associate with smoking. Avoiding alcohol for a while may also help. Most importantly, do not give up trying to quit, even if you fail the first time. Most people need several attempts at quitting long-term before they stop smoking completely.

Disclaimer: Hypnosis is not a medical treatment and Not meant as a substitute to medical assessment with your doctor or other health professional

For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore). Find us on Facebook.