Lynn Jaffee is the author of the book, Simple Steps: The Chinese Way to Better Health. She is also a licensed acupuncturist practicing in Minneapolis, MN. For more information and articles, visit her website at http://www.acupunctureinthepark.com or her blog at http://www.acupuncturetwincities.com
A few years ago, I was walking with a friend around one of the city lakes that has made Minneapolis famous. My friend was from out of town and during our walk, he lit up a cigarette. We kept walking and talking, but very shortly after lighting up, my friend put out his cigarette because he was getting dirty looks from a number of people we were passing.
While I was sorry that my friend was uncomfortable, I was also glad in a way. I was glad that I live in a place where smoking is becoming unacceptable in many places. I was also glad because shortly after my friend went home, he quit smoking. This was no easy task, because he had been smoking for over thirty years, but he did it, and is still smoke-free today.
As an acupuncturist, I have helped a number of people successfully quit smoking. I have found that those people who have been successful have a few things in common, which I believe have contributed to their success.
-Every person that I have helped quit smoking realized that tobacco was detrimental to their health was ready to quit.
-They realize that there is no magic bullet. While acupuncture helps with the frequency and intensity of cravings, they realize that quitting is up to them.
-They generally cut down from smoking a pack or even two a day, to a few necessary cigarettes each day. Necessary cigarettes are those that are smoked out of habit, such as smoking with your first cup of coffee, or on the drive home from work. Generally, before they quit, they are down to five or six cigarettes a day.
-They have a definite quit date. This gives them a psychological edge in preparing to quit.
-They have used acupuncture most frequently in the first week or two after they have quit smoking. After the first few weeks, they have used acupuncture infrequently, and only as needed.
-Each person I have worked with has commented that getting tobacco out of their life was actually easier than they thought it would be. Few gained weight, and most felt better than they thought possible.
If you are a smoker, quitting is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health. Acupuncture can help—do it today!
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