The month of December is full of social events, commitments, visitors, friends and family. For the closet smoker, NOT being able to enjoy smoking as they are accustomed to can be the most stressful thing about the holidays. For a closet smoker, feelings of anxiety begin to mount just anticipating the challenges of sneaking a cigarette without blowing their cover, adding to the withdrawal symptoms that result from significantly restricted nicotine use.

Quitting smoking during the holidays eliminates the stress associated with hiding smoking from others who disapprove. Additionally, it can accelerate the withdrawal period because the initial (and most intense) period of withdrawal will occur alongside other holiday distractions.

Also, consider why you are a closet smoker. Chances are the reason for hiding your habit is another source of stress, which can be ELIMINATED by quitting smoking.

Common reasons for hiding smoking: A disapproving parent, spouse or relative; Impressionable child; Friend, co-worker or relative of a cancer vicitm/survivor; Guilt or self-conscience re: cost/health/image.

Whatever the reason, closest smokers are carrying a heavy and unhealthy burden; one which is eliminated when they quit smoking once and for all. Unfortunately, the burden of hiding being a smoker can be so overwhelming that a time of joy and celebration is masked by feelings of restriction, deprivation and resentment.

Quitting smoking is a liberating and empowering experience because it is such a challenging task. Smokers really need to trust that quitting smoking is one decision that they will never regret.

Unfortunately, closet smokers don’t have a support team to call on when quitting smoking. They can’t post their plans to quit smoking on Facebook (which solicits support from friends) or recruit others for support, making quitting even more challenging. In an effort to help, Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham has a confidential, comprehensive and alternative approach to quitting smoking without pain, needles, drugs or side effect. For more information about the program, visit www.alphalaserinfo.com or call 248-594-1303.

With smoking comes lines and wrinkles in your skin which is very noticeable around the face and eyes. More than 4000 toxins come from the cigarette smoke that is carried through your bloodstream out to your skin.

Not only does your skin retain these toxins, but your skin cells wear out faster and become much less able to reproduce themselves causing skin to age at a rapid pace. The nicotine in cigarettes causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. This impairs blood flow to your skin. With less blood flow, your skin doesn’t receive the oxygen and important nutrients (such as Vitamin A) necessary to maintain healthy, vibrant skin. Many of the chemicals in tobacco smoke also damage collagen and elastin, which are fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle.

In addition, repeated exposure to the heat from burning cigarettes and the facial expressions you make when smoking (pursing lips, squinting eyes) can contribute to wrinkles.

The beauty of your skin decreases every time you smoke. Why not get back on the right track to beautiful, healthy skin? Quitting smoking is tough! Side effects can be unbearable………..and old habits die hard!

Let Alpha Life Style Center help get your skin looking great without the painful withdrawal symptoms that are typically experienced when quitting smoking cold turkey.

In addition to lung cancer, smokers are also more prone to cancer of the voicebox, stomach, mouth and throat.. In the US alone, tobacco use is the cause of about one in five deaths every year. CLICK HERE for more statistics http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm

With such a great risk of cancer, why do people continue to smoke? It often seems easier to have just one more smoke than to endure the painful withdrawal symptoms of quitting.

There is a way to help YOU get healthy and significantly reduce your risk of cancer-related illnesses without all of the discomfort typically associated with quitting cold turkey, such as irritibilitly, anxiety, short temper, inability to focus,etc.

Alpha Lifestyles Center of Birmingham offers a unique Laser Therapy program to help minimize  the withdrawal sypmtoms, greatly improving the likelihood of a full recovery and long-term freedom from nicotine addiction.

The time is NOW! The place is Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham. And the reason is YOU! Many of Alpha’s customers report that quitting smoking is THE MOST difficult thing that they have ever had to do, so why do it alone?? Let us help you help yourself. Call Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham today #248-594-1303.

Although quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for you health, it is not an easy task and often comes with a great deal of discomfort. Withdrawal symptoms and side effects from Nicotine Replacement Therapies and Drugs can dampen your determination to kick the habit.

Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham offers laser therapy for the treatment of nicotine addiction, designed to minimize (and sometimes even eliminate) the side effects/withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping nicotine use (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, nicotine gum, patches, inhalers). Laser treatment to quit smoking is a unique and comprehensive alternative to traditional methods without pain, needles, drugs or side effects.

When quitting smoking, many different areas of your body are affected, especially moods and emotions. Irritation and depression are common when quitting smoking as is difficulty in focusing on even the simplest of tasks. Click Here for some great information about the challenges of quitting smoking, the rationale for withdrawal symptoms and additional tips for managing the temporary discomfort of nicotine withdrawal.

Does stress drive us to smoke…or does smoking cause us stress?

Many smokers use stress as an excuse for putting off quitting smoking because they are conditioned to use cigarettes to cope with stress.  For this reason, quitting isn’t usually recognized as a stress-reduction technique.  But, whether it is stress to the body, pocketbook, conscience, image, family or property, smoking actually causes stress.  Smokers-please take a moment to discover just how much less stressful life will be without cigarettes. 

As a smoker: choosing to continue a behavior that is proven to be harmful (or is already problematic) causes stress; Spending money on cigarettes (that would be better spent elsewhere) causes stress; There may be someone in your life pressuring you to quit, further contributing to your stress; You may be ashamed of being a smoker, which is stressful; And maybe you’re even hiding your habit from disapproving friends, family members, co-workers or people you worship with…… being deceitful  ALWAYS compounds stress. Also, do you remember the anguish of burning a hole in your new couch, car seat or favorite sweater?

These are all in addition to the stress associated with the growing inconvenience of merely being a smoker: When will I be able to smoke? Where will I be able to smoke? Will I have enough time to smoke? Do I have enough cigarettes? How cold is it?

If you’ve heard you inner, addictive mind suggest that you’re under too much stress to quit smoking right now, review this article again and reconsider how much stress quitting smoking can eliminate. The empowering and liberating feelings that emerge from quitting smoking will fuel your ability to manage the other, UN-modifiable stressors in your life. Remember….smoking is a MODIFYABLE behavior.

The decision to quit smoking doesn’t usually occur overnight. Only you will know when the time is right. Quitting for good usually takes practice…..so don’t get discouraged. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF  about the effects that smoking has on your life. Write them down so that you can literally SEE how much stress can be eliminated altogether by quitting.  Good Luck!

Kelly Lewis-Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham 

The tobacco company is targeting individuals who resolve to quit smoking in 2011 suggesting that they switch to smokeless tobacco pouches. Matthew Myers, President-Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says “These ads are trying to take advantage of the fact that around the first of every year many people try to quit smoking altogether. These ads aren’t designed to help people quit, they’re designed to keep people using tobacco.”

The Food & Drug Administration, which regulates tobacco advertising, is reviewing the Reynolds ad campaign which includes ads showing the tobacco-filled white pouches falling from the sky like confetti and one featuring the product ringed into a holiday wreath. 

 Tobacco companies are experiencing declining revenues from cigarette sales as a result of  rising taxes, smoking bans and declining social acceptability, so it is no suprise that they have stepped-up the marketing of their smokeless tobacco products.

As a result of the increasing stigma associated with being a smoker today, there appears to be a growing number of “closet” smokers; smokers who hide their habit from others.  This time of year a disproportionate number of closet smokers seek assistance with quitting smoking because, for the closet smoker, the holidays can be a perfect time to quit. Traditional thinking about quitting smoking (or making any major lifestyle change)  typically disqualifies the holidays as a fitting time to quit smoking because of the added stress during the holidays. This is not necessarily the case with the closet smoker.

The month of December is full of social events, commitments, visitors, friends and family. For the closet smoker merely NOT being able to enjoy smoking as they are accustomed to can be the most stressful thing about the holidays.  For a closet smoker,  feelings of anxiety begin to mount just anticipating the challenges of sneaking a cigarette without blowing their cover. Feelings of stress and anxiety are also withdrawal symptoms that result from significantly restricted nicotine use

If you are even considering quitting smoking sometime in the future, I urge you to consider why now is the perfect time.

Quitting smoking during the holidays eliminates the stress associated with hiding smoking from others who disapprove.  Additionally, it can accelerate the withdrawal period because the initial (and most intense) period of withdrawal will occur alongside other holiday distractions.

 Also, consider why you’re a closet smoker. Chances are the reason for hiding your habit is another source of stress, which can be ELIMINATED by quitting smoking.

Common reasons for hiding smoking: A disapproving parent, spouse or relative; Impressionable child; Friend, co-worker or relative of a cancer vicitm/survivor; Guilt or self-conscience re: cost/health/image/

Whatever the reason, closest smokers are carrying a heavy and unhealthy burden; one which is completely gone when they quit smoking once and for all.  Unfortunately, the burden of hiding being a smoker can be so overwhelming that a time of joy and celebration is masked by feelings of restriction, deprivation and resentment.

Quitting smoking is a liberating and empowering experience because it is such a  challenging task. Smokers really need to trust that quitting smoking is one decision that they will never regret.

Unfortunately, closet smokers don’t have a support team to call on when quitting smoking. They can’t post their plans to quit smoking on Facebook (which solicits support from friends) or recruit others for support, making quitting even more challenging. In an effort to help, Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham has a confidential, comprehensive and alternative approach to quitting smoking without pain, needles, drugs or side effect. For more information about the program, visit www.alphalaserinfo.com or call 248-594-1303.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 603,000 people, including 165,000 children, die each year worldwide due to secondhand smoke.  This equates to around one out of every 100 deaths.  A recent study revealed the following statistics

·         40% of children, 33% of male non-smokers and 35% of female non-smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke.

·         Each year, exposure causes approximately 379,000 deaths from heart disease; 165,000 from lower respiratory infections; 36,900 from asthma and 21,400 from lung cancer.

·         47% of deaths from secondhand smoke occurred in women; 28% occurred in children and 26% in men.

·         Childhood deaths tended to be most common in low and middle-income countries, while adult deaths were spread across countries of all incomes.

It is hoped that the recent public smoking bans that have taken effect in various cities and states across the United States will lower these numbers in the years go come.  Not only is it important to quit smoking for you own health, but for the health of your friends, family and others around you.  Alpha Life Style Center offers the help you or a loved one needs to quit smoking.

November 18th marks the American Cancer Society’s 35th annual Great American Smokeout, which encourages smokers to either pre-plan to quit on that day, or use the date to create a plan if they haven’t yet.

The concept started with a 1971 event held in Randolph, MA, where a campaign asked people to give up cigarettes for a day and donate the money they would have spent on them to a scholarship fund. In 1974 Minnesota held the state’s first Don’t Smoke Day on November 18. On the same date two years later, the California division of the American Cancer Society got nearly one million smokers to quit for the day. The first national Great American Smokeout was held in 1977.  Since then, The Great American Smokeout has been promoted by numerous celebrities, including Sammy Davis, Jr., Edward Asner, Natalie Cole, Larry Hagman, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, Mr. Potato Head and many others.

While you can stop smoking on November 18, 2010, any day is a great day to make the decision to quit smoking!  Whenever you make the commitment to quit, make sure to utilize the resources available to aid in the process.  You don’t have to go through it alone!

Thankfully, this isn’t the case anymore. Today, we are much more health conscious and more aware about how dangerous smoking is for our health. In fact, smoking is prohibited in almost all public places and cigarette companies are no longer allowed to advertise on TV, radio, and in many magazines.

What are some facts about smoking that almost everyone knows?

Smoking Causes Cancer

Smoking Causes Emphysema

Smoking Causes Heart Disease

Smoking can shorten your life by 10 years or more.

As a teenager, these side effects may seem so far into the future that they do not phase you.  However, let’s take a look at some side effects that affect even those who are still in High School.

Smoking can cost a smoker thousands of dollars a year. (Spring Break?)

Smoking causes Bad Skin. It’s tough being a teen. Your skin is something that makes you extremely self-conscious. Why contribute to acne, paleness and wrinkles?

Smoking causes Bad Breath. Who will you impress with smokers breath?

Smoking causes bad Smelling Clothes and Hair. Again, do you really want to smell bad on your big date?

Smoking causes reduced athletic performance. We all know that the jocks are the popular kids in High School. But not if they can’t perform..

Teenager Smoking

This is just a small list of the many consequences of smoking.  Smoking is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. Like heroin or other addictive drugs, the body and mind quickly become so used to the nicotine in cigarettes that a person needs to have it just to feel normal.

All forms of tobacco including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco are hazardous to your health. The only thing that really helps a person avoid the problems associated with smoking is staying smoke free or quit while you are ahead. The good news is that the number of teens who smoke has dropped dramatically over recent years. Today, about 20% of high school students smoke – which means 4 out of 5 don’t.

If you do smoke and want to quit, there are different approaches to quitting that work for different people.  For some, quitting cold turkey is best and others find that a slower approach is the best way to go. Perhaps using an alternative approach, such as Cold Laser Therapy, will do the trick.

When quitting, it can be helpful to realize that the first few days are the toughest. So don’t give up too easily. Some people find they have a few relapses before they conquer quitting for good.  To keep your attitude positive, remember that staying smoke free will give you a whole lot more of everything – more energy, better performance, better smell, better looks, more money in your pocket, and, in the long run, a longer life to live!