The Hand To Mouth Habit
I’m going to mention smoking and habits associated with addictions. Before I lose 1/2 the readers of this article… if you don’t want to listen to a lifelong “passive smoker“, you can jump straight to the last paragraph: Hand To Mouth Habit. I’ve been told it’s the easiest way to quit smoking.
By the way: I’m not a smoker and don’t judge people who do. This is simply an article on “How To Quit” if you want to. I could be more addicted to smoking than most… after all, I grew up in the 70’s when car windows were wound up and hard to see through for the smoke. 
My father passed away with emphysema and a great difficulty of breathing. That was very hard for me to get through, knowing the pain he suffered. It takes many years to get over the loss of a loved one. I don’t know if I ever will…
Anyway, here are my 2 cents worth…
Motivating someone to quit smoking is easy, right? Show them the ways their body can break down with each cigarette, total up the rising costs of tobacco products, and take them to someone with emphysema - that will make them quit. Yeah right! While these are all images and situations that will certainly make most smokers cringe, that doesn’t mean that it will necessarily help them kick their habit. If you’re trying to make this year the year you quit, here’s what you can do.
Create a specific date for quitting
Instead of simply saying that you want to quit smoking, put a date on it. This will help you recognize that you need to prepare your life for this radical change. Give yourself a few weeks to get ready and then you can start your journey towards a nicotine free life.
- Get rid of tobacco products – Creating an environment that supports your smoke free lifestyle is also very important. By taking away the ashtrays, the smoking areas, and the secret stash of smokes, you will reduce the chances you will stray and start smoking again.
- Let everyone know – By telling your friends and family what you plan to do, they will be able to support you as much as they can. If you have loved ones that smoke too, they may not be supportive at first, but stay firm in your goals and avoid them if you have to.
- Reward yourself – Quitting smoking is a big step. Make sure to reward yourself from time to time with non-food rewards: music, clothing, etc.
Get help – If you’ve been smoking for a long time and have smoked a lot of cigarettes each day, cold turkey may not be the best choice. You can talk to your doctor about medications that can help you get through the rough stages of the beginning. Just remember, your doctor will likely blame every illness under the sun on your smoking. Hopefully, you have a doctor that understands that you need support rather than suggestions of quitting cold turkey.
The Hand To Mouth Habit
One of my mentors, Kurek Ashley, mentions one of the main addictions of smoking: The hand to mouth habit. Giving up the chemicals is easy. Giving away the addiction of putting your hand to your mouth is the hard one to break! Why don’t you simply replace the cigarette with a bottle of water? Carry around a handy bottle of H2O and whenever you feel a bit restless, have a swig of life supporting water. Talk about replacing a bad habit with a good one. Why don’t you give it a try?
Of course, there’s no point giving up any habits that you don’t really want to give up. Others may tell you to do it but do you really want to give it up? That’s your own choice. If you do… great! If you don’t… well that’s your choice and no one else’s.
Have a most outstanding day
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
SeanRasmussen.com © 2004 - 2008
Tags: , Goals, Kurek Ashley, Lifestyle, Motivation, Sean, Success
March 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I too have had someone very close to me die from lung cancer caused by smoking, my grandmother “Nana”. Both Nana and Grandad were introduced to smoking when they were in the army. Cigerettes were part of their “rations” that they recieved while serving. Neither smoked before entering service, but both were fairly heavy smokers by the time their term of service was over.
Grandad quitting when I was still quite young, though Nana could not get rid of the habbit until it was too late. I remember going to a health and fitness expo with them as a teenager and there was a machine that you blew in to test lung capacity. Everyone gave it a go, though when it came to Nana’s turn the needle did not even move. Virtually registered 0. She had to rest after trying several times. That is a day I will never forget. That is the day that I realised what smoking can truly do to someone.
I recall Jamie McIntyre saying at a seminar “You can not smoke and be intelligent at the same time” A statement that I find very accurate.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Yes. It is certainly a burdon that is placed on others, including friends and family. It is however a very sensitive topic to approach and is certainly right up there with racism and discrimination. I have met some very angry non-smokers and likewise the same kind of smokers when they are asked about the topic.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
A smoker will never quit until he decided to and take full responsibility to quit. Most of the grown up men/women who smoke knew from the very start what they are up to and what they will get from cigarettes. However, they just don’t have the will to quit smoking. I think, for them to quit, they should have the will and the drive to do so. The people around them could be a great help. Replacing a cigarette with a bottle of water is really a great idea. If a smoker decided to quit smoking, let him try all the things that we think could help, there’s a pill to help him quit right? Support and help, he will be needing it most.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Yes. Point taken. The will has to be there.
March 8th, 2008 at 3:43 am
Well, I don’t smoke
My hand to mouth habit would be one with food. Most importantly during a delectable soap of some sort- I kid you not - I only realized how deeply involved I was in this habit when I decided to lead a more conscious life AND obtain the Smoking Hot Bod
..
in terms of weightloss, I see this wonderful posting still applies. All the pictures of obesity and heart clogged arteries in the world won’t nix a habit. It may help create a reason to.. but it isn’t enough.
Anyway, your tips are useful
thank you for a great post
March 25th, 2008 at 8:54 am
I have known people who have smoked for many years. I also know what its like to be a “passive smoker.” Our perspectives are shaped by people we know and have known as well as by how connected we are to our fellow human beings. To develop understanding and empathy is useful in encouraging people to empower themselves. Its also useful to realize that you can lead a donkey to water, but you can’t make him drink. Knowing smokers and disagreeing with their habit is an exercise for non-smokers in learning to overcome a sense of helplessness, an exercise in assertiveness (i.e. to speak up in non-smoking areas), and an exercise that you can only change yourself and your own reactions, not how other people think and value or devalue themselves. Its all good.
March 25th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Hi Jemi. Well said. People are more motivated from pain that they are motivated from pleasure. Yet when it comes to giving up a short term pleasure (smoking)for a long term resulting pain (death), then the pain is welcome. As long as it’s coming tomorrow!
March 25th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Hi Liara. I can’t wait until the governments impose a “Passive Smoking Tax” on us
March 29th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Hi Sean,
You have described the hand to mouth theory as the actual habit to break , not the chemical ediction. I would like to support this as I am a reformed smoker & found that the hand to mouth activity during smoking was without any doubt what so ever, much harder to eliminate than the chemical ediction. I smoked quite heavily for 30 years so you would agree I was so called hooked. I am proud to anounce that that I went cold turkey 7 months ago , & can honestly sayhave not so much as touched a cigerette since. Obviously it was not easy to quit after such a long time , and just like you teach Sean when the (WHY or GOAL) is big enough the how dosn,t matter. So I do honestly feel for those smokers who say they can,t quit ,as I was one until I was introduced to 21st century where I learned to look at life from a whole new perspective & from that point on I discovered my …WHY… which has given me the desire & drive to do whatever I want in life from this point on. So perhaps those who are struggling with smoking or any other issues should develop a reason or WHY to stop.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:30 am
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October 9th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I am glad to read this post. As a female, smoking is more harmful to me than it is for men.