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The enjoyment of a great meal shared with good friends is difficult to match. The secret thrill of making it through a meal knowing that you didn't reach for a smoke, have an unnecessary second helping or bite your already painfully short nails will only enhance your experience. Do expect that your urges may be stronger at different meal times. Recognising when your urges are strongest will permit you to take the action that you need to defeat your urges during those times. In order to make your habit change work you can try some, or all, of these habit breaking tricks: 1. If you're eating alone, make sure that you do something the moment you've finished to break your regular routine.. 2. If you're eating with company, make the effort to join in the conversation. 3. Join the slow food movement. Eat your food slowly and really savour taste. It takes your body 10 minutes to realise it's full so this is a great way to regulate your eating habits too. 4. Wash the dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher. If you believe that even wet, soapy hands won't deter you from smoking or biting your nails, then consider wearing thick washing up gloves for extra peace of mind. 5. Brush your teeth or use mouthwash right after meals. 6. If you are stopping smoking then your smoking urges can be stronger with certain foods. Take the time to start to learn which food types increase your urge to smoke and avoid them while you change habits. 7. Your desire to smoke after meals may rely upon whether you're alone, with other smokers, or with nonsmokers. Get to know the trigger points for your smoking desires and either stay away from them or use one of the other tricks to assist you overcome temptation. Imagine how thrilled all of the non smokers are going to be when you no longer smoke at the table after meals! Whenever you quit smoking it may be helpful to know how nicotine is affecting your body and mind to ensure that you understand its not "just you", rather it is your body dealing with the removal of a chemical that it has been reliant on. Smokers need to be aware that certain needs, such as relaxation, may have been met by their smoking habit. As eating may be another way to satisfy these needs you may find you want to consume more as you change habits. It is vital that you do not replace one bad habit with another one. Have a look at ways you could increase your activity to burn off any extra food that you may be eating in your initial adjustment to no longer smoking. It can be the simplest of things you do as part of your everyday routine that contain the trigger points that you need to be aware of and manage to ensure that you continue to change habits. Its time to reclaim your meal time!
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Andrea Jordan is the Author of "Habit Breaking Facts: How to Change Your Bad Habits, Forever!" (now available electronically). Andrea is also a Corporate Lawyer and a Coach. If you would like to learn more of her coaching tips about making lasting changes to your bad habits and creating a healthier lifestyle then visit www.habitbreakingfacts.net for more information and a FREE chapter of her book. (C) 2010 Andrea Jordan. All rights reserved
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