How I Quit Smoking

First of all let me say, you can quit, even though it may take several attempts! Look at it as a process and don't give up on yourself if you backslide. Awareness was a major factor for me. Because I grew up in a smoking household, it wasn't until my first attempt at quitting that I even realized how gross akes you smell! Although I started smoking again, I was much more conscious of other people's reactions to my foul habit. I became more considerate as well. In my early 30s I got serious about quitting due to health problems. My first long term success lasted two years, and I used a self-hypnosis tape. Again, increasing awareness was important. The tape made me realize the many cues I connected with my habit, such as finishing a meal, writing a letter, talking on the phone, etc. Although the tape did help me quit for a while, the hardest part was the extreme irritability and nastiness of the first few weeks. If you've ever quit smoking, you know what I'm talking about! It's as if you can't think of anything else for a while there. The bad news is that I did start smoking again. I made the choice at that point to not smoke in my home, which helped me smoke less and keep those cues disconnected, at least some of them. When I decided after a couple of years to quit again I went to an acupuncturist. What a miracle! Of course, I still had to exert my will power not to smoke, but the acupuncture completely erased the irritability and nastiness of those first weeks, so making that minute-by-minute choice became much easier. Acupuncture is based on the eastern belief that energy runs through the body in meridians or pathways associated with the various organs and systems. Acupuncturists insert fine needles into points along those meridians that affect the energy and thus the associated organ. The needles are so small that they seldom hurt unless the organ is in pretty bad shape. My acupuncturist used ear points; the ear has points for every meridian in the body. He needled points for my lungs, liver and one associated with addictions. The great thing about ear acupuncture is that he could tape small metal bb's to the points as well that continued to stimulate the organs. I kept these in place for about a week. I repeated this sequence a couple of times, and it really worked! I haven't smoked in 10+ years now, and I must say that acupuncture really made quitting much easier. If you live in or near a city with an acupuncture school, they often have clinics where you can get low-cost or free treatment. Check it out! Remember; don't get discouraged if you start again. It really is a process. The bottom line is to use what works for you. I found acupuncture to be a great adjunct to awareness and just plain old will power and would recommend it for anyone. Give it a shot! Julie Hartmans has eclectic interests and a beautiful boy who is the joy of her life. Her current straight gig is teaching. She loves to dance, sing, read, swim, go to movies, and learn about all things metaphysical. She’s been known to dabble in astrology and numerology, and finds alternative healing and the paranormal endlessly intriguing. Her writings appear in the Alternative Healing section of Fitness Heaven.

Myths about acne!

Myth #1. Acne is caused by stress.
Stress doesn't cause acne, but it can sometimes make acne worse. Stress can cause your glands to produce more oil, which can lead to a breakout.

Myth #2. Acne is caused by diet.
Extensive research has not found a connection between diet and acne. Food - even French fries, chocolate and pizza - doesn't cause acne. Eating greasy foods doesn't make your glands put out more oil.

Myth #3. Birth control pills can cause acne.
Sometimes, birth control pills can make acne worse in the first few months of taking them. But some birth control pills are even recommended to improve acne. Acne may get worse after the pill is stopped.

Myth #4. Acne is caused by poor hygiene.
Acne isn't caused by dirt or surface oil. It's caused by a process happening inside the body.

Myth #5. Tanning will help clear up acne.
Tanning does not help clear up acne. In fact, some acne treatments make your skin more sensitive to UV light. And tanning increases your risk of skin cancer. Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths, and use sun protection when you're outdoors.

Myth #6. Acne just has to run its course.
The truth is, acne can be cleared up. If over-the-counter products don't work, see your doctor. There are good treatments that can help you beat the zits and avoid scars.

The truth about acne
No one knows exactly what causes acne. But it has something to do with hormones. Acne usually develops when the body's production of hormones called androgens kick into high gear during the teenage years.

Androgens stimulate the sebaceous glands, which produce an oily substance called sebum. Too much sebum can block the openings of the glands and form a plug.

* If the plug stays below the skin's surface and is light in color, it's a whitehead.
* If the plug enlarges and pops out with a darkened tip, it's a blackhead.
* If it's red, swollen and pus-filled, it's a pimple.
* If the plugs are large, red and painful, they're called cysts (if they have pus) or nodules (if they're solid). Cystic or nodular acne is a severe type and is more likely to cause scarring.

Young men produce more androgen than girls. So, they are more likely than young women to have more severe, longer-lasting forms of acne .

Treating acne
The treatment for teenage acne depends on how severe it is. For mild acne, wash your face twice a day with a mild soap, and pat dry. Apply an over-the-counter acne cream that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Many teens can manage their acne with over-the-counter treatments. But about four out of 10 teens get moderate to severe acne, which may need to be treated by a doctor.

For more severe acne, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics, birth control pills, corticosteroids or vitamin A derivatives (retinoids). One vitamin A derivative, Accutane (isotretinoin), is approved for treating severe acne when other treatments haven't helped. It's very effective, but it's used as a last resort because it has serious risks.

Good skin care is always important when you have acne.

* Wash your skin gently. Vigorous washing and scrubbing can irritate the skin and make acne worse.
* Do not squeeze or pop pimples. This could cause infection and scars.
* Use skin products labeled "noncomedogenic." This means they're less likely to clog your pores.
* Use acne treatments as directed, and be patient. It may take six to eight weeks to see results.

Kicking the Habit: How to Choose a Quit Date

Congratulations! You've decided to quit smoking. Now you just need to decide when. Many smoking cessation programs suggest that the first step to quitting is choosing a quit date. But how do you make that choice? Does when you quit have an impact on how successful you'll be?

If you're ready to make the commitment, here are some things to think about when choosing your quit date.

Choose to quit within the next several weeks. This will give you time to prepare yourself, but not enough time to change your mind.

1. Give yourself time to heal if you've experienced a recent loss or traumatic event. The grieving process is hard work. It can drain your energy and affect your ability to concentrate. The stress after a trauma or loss will likely increase your urge to smoke, too.
2. If you are facing a stressful event, such as marriage, buying a home or graduating from college, wait a while. Stress will probably make you want to smoke more often. And your focus is going to be on your big event, not on quitting. You are more likely to absently reach for a cigarette when your mind is somewhere else. The fewer distractions you have, the more likely you are to succeed.
3. When making your decision, try to pick a date that holds special meaning for you. Is there a day that holds unique meaning in your life? Would you like to link the day you quit to a special event? Some people choose a random date, but others prefer to pick a birthday, anniversary or some other special day. Others opt for a more symbolic choice, such as the Great American Smokeout, Independence Day or New Year's Day.
4. If you smoke at work, consider quitting on a weekend. When you return to your job on Monday, you'll already be enjoying the benefits of being smoke-free for two days.

Stay focused

Write your quit date on your calendar where you can see it every day. Don't come up with excuses to wait. Stay committed to your plan.

Choosing a plan

If you haven't done so already, work with your doctor to choose the smoking cessation plan that is best for you. You may decide to go cold turkey or use nicotine gum, the patch or some other option. Whatever you choose, take some time to prepare yourself mentally for the challenge ahead. The more prepared you feel, the better your chances will be of kicking butts for good.

MAKING THE TEXT LARGER ON A PAGE

I know many of us wish the text was larger on some web pages, to do this, hold the CTRL key down on your keyboard, and scroll the wheel in the middle of your mouse, down (or up). Watch the web page while you're doing this & you will see the text getting larger, scroll it up & it will make the text smaller. This really helps if your eyes "aren't like they used to be" like mine.

"Rajoshik" a symbol of history. Dhaka, Bangladesh.