HARRY - How do you beat the smoking habit..naturally?

JOEL - There are many stop smoking programs that people have proposed. Some involve a mixture of natural herbs and spices. Others involve drugs, hypnosis, acupuncture, etc.. You can find lots of them just by doing a search on the internet. Actually, the best way is to just quit "cold turkey".
The most important ingredient for stopping is the motivation. There are of course many health, financial, and social related reasons that might compel one to quit, and they are all good ones. The Doctrine and Covenants tells us that those who obey the admonitions to avoid tobacco are promised health and strength, wisdom and knowledge, and protection from the destroying angel. (D&C 89:18-21)
However, the most compelling reason that has helped LDS Church members or investigators of the Church stop smoking is the fact that God has commanded us to not take tobacco into our bodies. This of course requires that the person obtains a strong testimony of the Church and gospel in order to understand the importance of obedience to this requirement of God in order to obtain eternal life. Jesus said, "If ye love me keep my commandments".(John 14:15) Jesus will love you no matter what you do. But those who love Him will show it by keeping His commandments. If you love God and truely want eternal life with Him, you will succeed.
The following is probably one of the best programs to naturally quit the smoking habit. The most important part of the program is choosing a date when you will quit completely and work towards that date. Involve the Lord in your efforts to quit by asking Him for strength through prayer.

Getting Ready to Quit
* Set a date for quitting. If possible, have a friend quit smoking with you.
* Notice when and why you smoke. Try to find the things in your daily life that you often do while smoking (such as reading the paper or driving a car).
* Change your smoking routines: Keep your cigarettes in a different place. Smoke with your other hand. Don't do anything else when smoking. Think about how you feel when you smoke.
* Smoke only in certain places, such as outdoors.
* When you want a cigarette, wait a few minutes. Try to think of something to do instead of smoking; you might chew gum or drink a glass of water.
* Buy one pack of cigarettes at a time. Switch to a brand of cigarettes you don't like.

On the Day You Quit
* Get rid of all your cigarettes. Put away your ashtrays.
* Change your morning routine. When you eat breakfast, don't sit in the same place at the kitchen table. Stay busy.
* When you get the urge to smoke, do something else instead.
* Carry other things to put in your mouth, such as gum, hard candy, or a toothpick.
* Reward yourself at the end of the day for not smoking. See a movie or go out and enjoy your favorite meal.

Staying Quit
* Don't worry if you are sleepier or more short-tempered than usual; these feelings will pass.
* Try to exercise-take walks or ride a bike.
* Consider the positive things about quitting, such as how much you like yourself as a non-smoker, health benefits for you and your family, and the example you set for others around you. A positive attitude will help you through the tough times.
* When you feel tense, try to keep busy, think about ways to solve the problem, tell yourself that smoking won't make it any better, and go do something else.
* Eat regular meals. Feeling hungry is sometimes mistaken for the desire to smoke.
* Start a money jar with the money you save by not buying cigarettes.
* Let others know that you have quit smoking-most people will support you. Many of your smoking friends may want to know how you quit. It's good to talk to others about your quitting.
* If you slip and smoke, don't be discouraged. Many former smokers tried to stop several times before they finally succeeded. Quit again.

Sources of Information:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute

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