Retrain your brain to quit smoking
September 5th 2011 20:53
I encourage my patients who want to quit to write out a "pros and cons" card that will fit in their cigarette pack. On one side, write all the good things you can think of about being a nonsmoker. On the other side, write all the bad things you can think of about being a smoker. Use things that are real and important to you. Then, every time you go for a cigarette, look at each list. In this way, you can gradually reprogram your brain from thinking about how much you enjoy smoking.
Try to get yourself down to the five or 10 cigarettes you "must have" in a day. Then think about what you could do instead of smoking. If you're taking a break, remind yourself that it does not have to include a cigarette. Keep telling yourself that, whether you are at work or home. Remember that the more times you try to quit, the more likely you eventually will quit. All you really have to do, again, is reprogram your brain.
Dr. Katherine Patterson is a family physician at Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center. This column provides health information and is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for care from your health care provider.
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