GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Exercise, even if you do not normally do so. Daily exercise is of tremendous benefit in helping to relieve stress and enhance tissue oxygenation. It also can reduce cravings. Every time you have a craving, get up from your desk, chair, bed, or whatever, walk out the door, and run. Even if you run for only two minutes, you will find your craving reduced. Of course, you will first want to warn coworkers and household members that your are quitting smoking and may be acting strangely for several days.

• Consider joining a stop smoking group. It is often easier to go through a difficult experience like nicotine withdrawal if you have access to the support and practical advice of others who are going through the same thing.

• It can be difficult to do, but try to have patience. When cravings strike, remind yourself that an individual craving has a limited lifespan and that, with time, they will cease, as long as you continue to abstain from smoking.

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES

Select the remedy that most closely fits your emotional tendencies and concerns, and take it as needed, following the directions on the product label.

• Holly helps to reduce anger. It is beneficial if you find quitting has given rise to feelings of anger.
• Impatiens helps to lessen anxiety.
• Wild oat is good if you have difficulty sticking to the routine of smoking cessation.

ACUPRESSUR/MASSAGE

For the locations of acupressure points on the body, see ADMINISTERING AN ACUPRESSURE TREATMENT in Part Three.
• Massaging along the Bladder meridian (the inner and outer Bladder points) helps to relax the entire body. Reducing tension is important, especially during the first seventy two hours after your last cigarette.
Liver 3 relaxes the nervous system.
Large Intestine 4 and Liver 3 together help to relax the nervous system.
• Massaging along the lung and pericardium meridians helps to relax the chest. Conception Vessel 17 also helps to relax the chest.

AROMATHERAPY

For specific instructions on how to use aromatherapy, see PREPARING AROMATHERAPY TREATMENTS in Part Three.
• Essential oil of lavender promotes calmness and reduces stress reactions; orange oil is relaxing; and peppermint oil reduces nausea. Take a handkerchief and put 3 drops of lavender oil, 2 drops of orange oil, and 1 drop of peppermint oil on it. Keep this in your pocket. Throughout the day, whenever you feel you want a cigarette, take it out and inhale briefly. This is also effective for headaches associated with nicocure, especially when combined with a quick walk.