Why should I quit smoking? It’s a great question that sooner or later every smoker will
ask themselves. We will all eventually get to that point. If you are reading this, than you are probably there now.
You have been hearing it from your family and your friends, as more and more of them quit smoking, and then want to convert you. Then there is your doctor, who would make more money from you if you continued to smoke, but never the less he wants you to quit too. Your dentist may even get in on the act. “You’re teeth are getting yellow, do you smoke?” Not to mention society in general. No smoking in restaurants, office buildings, pretty much any indoor public place. Where I live, even the bars have gone smoke free. Times sure are changing.
Therefore we get to the point where we ask ourselves, “Is this really worth it?” When
we are standing outside in January, freezing our collective butts off, that’s when we usually ask this question. We have to leave our desks every couple hours. We make excuses like, I am going to get a coffee, might as well have a smoke while I am out.
I guess the things that bother me the most about smoking is the smell. We have seen our friends turn up their noses when they come into our house. Or the kids will get in the car and say “Eww, it stinks in here”. We don’t smell it on ourselves very much, but believe me it’s there.
I quit smoking about 8 years ago, cold turkey. I didn’t really miss it after a little while. During this time, I noticed a lot of things about smoking. First of all, everything smells like smoke. You’re clothes, you’re house and car. Everything you use on a daily basis smells like smoke. I always had mild allergies. The whole time I smoked they seemed to bother me all the time. After I had quit for a while, my sinus cleared up. I felt like I could breathe better than before. Overall I just felt better and healthier.
Then about 2 years ago, when I had some stress in my personal life, I started smoking again. I know what you are thinking. DUMMY!
So before long, I was right back where I was when I was smoking the first time. The nose problems started again. After about 1 year, I caught a cold that felt like it held on for about 6 months. Things that I know are directly related to smoking.
Which led me to ask myself a question, but I changed it around a little bit. I asked myself “why shouldn’t I quit smoking”.
Do I enjoy spending at least forty dollars a week to smoke? No.
Do I like feeling like I have a cold for months at a time? No
Do I enjoy having a hard time climbing a few flights of stairs? No.
Whichever method you choose to quit smoking, remember to ask yourself these questions everyday. This will help you to stay focused on your goal. If you need more incentive, put all the money you would spend on cigarettes in a jar. Don’t count it or think about it. After 1 year, open it up and you will be thrilled with yourself. Treat yourself to a vacation, knowing you have a long and healthy future ahead of you.