Mouth cancer is a painful disease. It can affect your lips, tongue, cheeks and even your throat in a short period of time. The sign is a non-healing mouth ulcer or a red o white patch in the mouth.
This disease can affect anyone. It does not matter if you are a young or an old person.The important thing is the way of leading your life,because experts believe that mouth cancer is increasing probably due to drinking alcohol and smoking in huge quantities, and to a poor diet also.
It is believed that these people are up to 30 times more likely to develop this type of cancer thann those who do not smoke nor drink alcohol.
The Brithish Dental Health Foundation estimates mouth cancer kills 1,700 people in the United Kingdom every year, meanwhile 4,300 new cases are diagnosed.
Thereby the importance of warningpeople of all ages to check their mouth regularly, since if mouth cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully in most cases.
Rememberthat the way to diminish considerably your risk of being affected by mouth cancer is leading a healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy diet.
Regular self-examination is very important too, because you shall visit your doctor or dentist if you notice persistent ulcers, lumpsor red or white patches in your mouth.
13 Ocak 2008 Pazar
Omega-3 and Triglycerides: Could It Really Be That Simple?
We are wise to be wary of oversimplification. There is nothing that can cure everything. For example, if everyone on the face of the planet stopped smoking it would not wipe out the existence of lung disease. But I wonder how much lung disease would be wiped out if nobody smoked. My unscientific answer to that query is, “a whole heck of a lot.” Lung disease (as well as many other chronic conditions) would see a dramatic decline if smoking ceased. Yet in spite of all the warnings and scientific evidence people continue to smoke.
But I am not on the anti-smoking bandwagon…today. Today’s focus is on triglycerides. Triglycerides have become increasingly important in heart health matters. Many studies have suggested that elevated triglyceride levels not only indicate problems but are themselves the cause of some of these problems.
Triglycerides essentially have two sources in our bodies. First off our bodies produce them. They are necessary for life and are the most common type of fat in our energy storage system. The second source of triglycerides is the diet. We consume them in the foods we eat and our bodies convert some foods into triglycerides.
In some cases we might experience elevated triglycerides because of aging or certain medical conditions or even the medications we take to treat these medical conditions. But none of these reasons is the primary cause for the general increase in triglycerides. That credit goes to diet. But that is too simple and perhaps too painful. The fact is we eat too much for the amount of exercise we get and we eat the wrong types of foods.
So what are we to do? The simple (though not easy) answer is watch your diet and get some exercise. Of course while you are at it you could stop smoking. This very simple answer is a very good one. Diet is the main contributor to elevated triglycerides.
The particulars of diet I can save for another place and time. But there is one aspect of diet that we need to discuss now. That has to do with omega-3. Omega-3 is a scientific notation for an essential fatty acid that has been shown to provide significant health benefits in many areas. One of these areas concerns elevated triglycerides. In case you are unaware of it this is no secret. Sorry. I love to be the first to reveal a new discovery. But this is old news. In fact a statement made in a 2002 American Heart Association Circulation entitled, “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease,” put it this way, “The hypotriglyceridemic effects of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils are well established.” That is a fancy way of saying that omega-3 from fish oils lowers triglycerides and there is abundant scientific evidence to prove it.
So if this is not news why bring it up now? Two reasons come to mind. The first is that a well established fact in the research community isn’t the same as a well established fact where you and I live. Many controlled studies may have proven that omega-3 significantly lowers triglycerides but that doesn’t mean it is common knowledge on the street. The other reason is one we all know too well. Just because we know we should do something is not the same as doing it. I may have high triglycerides. I may also know that this condition poses a significant health risk. I may further know that changing my diet and taking fish oil supplements can greatly reduce this health risk. None of this implies that I will actually take action.
The old adage, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,” seems to always hold true. But I can give the horse a little salt to increase his thirst. Here is a little salt. In one randomized trial two groups of patients with elevated triglycerides were compared. One group received simvastatin plus 4 grams of Omacor containing 90% omega-3 fatty acids. The second group also received the same amount of simvastatin plus a placebo. The first group (the one ingesting the fish oils) showed a 20 to 30% greater reduction in serum triglycerides than the second group. They also experienced a 30 to 40% greater reduction of VLDL cholesterol. VLDL can be converted in the body to LDL cholesterol. That is the bad stuff. To further support these findings a review of human studies concluded that four grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) reduced serum triglyceride levels by 25-30%. If this is not enough encouragement consider this. The American Heart Association resisted recommending fish oil supplements for some time though it encouraged eating fish. That has all changed. The AHA now recommends fish oil supplements for people with documented coronary heart disease or those with high triglycerides.
Omega-3 has many sources but can be divided into two categories. The first is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is derived from vegetative sources such as flax seed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil to mention a very few. The second category is represented by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both of these are found predominantly in cold water fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel and tuna. Though all omega-3 fatty acids appear to lower triglycerides the cold water fish varieties have been shown to provide a much stronger effect. That is why fish oil supplements are much more common than alpha-linolenic acid supplements. Many quality supplements, however, provide a combination of the two types.
The nice thing about omega-3 regardless of the source is that it is naturally in our foods. We simply need to eat the right types of food. There seems to be an epidemic in our culture. That epidemic is the attitude among many that says, “I will wait until something is broken and then I will fix it with a pill.” In other words, we live carelessly until we have a health problem. Then we run to the doctor and ask for a prescription. Not only is this expensive it seems a little backwards to me. I would rather consume the types of foods that I should and prevent a few trips to the doctor.
So what is the recommendation? Eat well. For proper triglyceride levels include ample servings of cold water fish like salmon. If your triglycerides are already high consult with your doctor about supplementing your diet with fish oils from a trusted source. The American Heart Association recommends two to four grams per day of DHA plus EPA for people with high triglycerides.
One more thing. We are all aware that some fish contain poisons such as mercury. Therefore it is important to purchase fish oil supplements from a trusted source. Quality supplements are free from these contaminants. They may cost a little more in the short run but they are worth it.
About the author:
Greg has degrees in science divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer
But I am not on the anti-smoking bandwagon…today. Today’s focus is on triglycerides. Triglycerides have become increasingly important in heart health matters. Many studies have suggested that elevated triglyceride levels not only indicate problems but are themselves the cause of some of these problems.
Triglycerides essentially have two sources in our bodies. First off our bodies produce them. They are necessary for life and are the most common type of fat in our energy storage system. The second source of triglycerides is the diet. We consume them in the foods we eat and our bodies convert some foods into triglycerides.
In some cases we might experience elevated triglycerides because of aging or certain medical conditions or even the medications we take to treat these medical conditions. But none of these reasons is the primary cause for the general increase in triglycerides. That credit goes to diet. But that is too simple and perhaps too painful. The fact is we eat too much for the amount of exercise we get and we eat the wrong types of foods.
So what are we to do? The simple (though not easy) answer is watch your diet and get some exercise. Of course while you are at it you could stop smoking. This very simple answer is a very good one. Diet is the main contributor to elevated triglycerides.
The particulars of diet I can save for another place and time. But there is one aspect of diet that we need to discuss now. That has to do with omega-3. Omega-3 is a scientific notation for an essential fatty acid that has been shown to provide significant health benefits in many areas. One of these areas concerns elevated triglycerides. In case you are unaware of it this is no secret. Sorry. I love to be the first to reveal a new discovery. But this is old news. In fact a statement made in a 2002 American Heart Association Circulation entitled, “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease,” put it this way, “The hypotriglyceridemic effects of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils are well established.” That is a fancy way of saying that omega-3 from fish oils lowers triglycerides and there is abundant scientific evidence to prove it.
So if this is not news why bring it up now? Two reasons come to mind. The first is that a well established fact in the research community isn’t the same as a well established fact where you and I live. Many controlled studies may have proven that omega-3 significantly lowers triglycerides but that doesn’t mean it is common knowledge on the street. The other reason is one we all know too well. Just because we know we should do something is not the same as doing it. I may have high triglycerides. I may also know that this condition poses a significant health risk. I may further know that changing my diet and taking fish oil supplements can greatly reduce this health risk. None of this implies that I will actually take action.
The old adage, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,” seems to always hold true. But I can give the horse a little salt to increase his thirst. Here is a little salt. In one randomized trial two groups of patients with elevated triglycerides were compared. One group received simvastatin plus 4 grams of Omacor containing 90% omega-3 fatty acids. The second group also received the same amount of simvastatin plus a placebo. The first group (the one ingesting the fish oils) showed a 20 to 30% greater reduction in serum triglycerides than the second group. They also experienced a 30 to 40% greater reduction of VLDL cholesterol. VLDL can be converted in the body to LDL cholesterol. That is the bad stuff. To further support these findings a review of human studies concluded that four grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) reduced serum triglyceride levels by 25-30%. If this is not enough encouragement consider this. The American Heart Association resisted recommending fish oil supplements for some time though it encouraged eating fish. That has all changed. The AHA now recommends fish oil supplements for people with documented coronary heart disease or those with high triglycerides.
Omega-3 has many sources but can be divided into two categories. The first is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is derived from vegetative sources such as flax seed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil to mention a very few. The second category is represented by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both of these are found predominantly in cold water fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel and tuna. Though all omega-3 fatty acids appear to lower triglycerides the cold water fish varieties have been shown to provide a much stronger effect. That is why fish oil supplements are much more common than alpha-linolenic acid supplements. Many quality supplements, however, provide a combination of the two types.
The nice thing about omega-3 regardless of the source is that it is naturally in our foods. We simply need to eat the right types of food. There seems to be an epidemic in our culture. That epidemic is the attitude among many that says, “I will wait until something is broken and then I will fix it with a pill.” In other words, we live carelessly until we have a health problem. Then we run to the doctor and ask for a prescription. Not only is this expensive it seems a little backwards to me. I would rather consume the types of foods that I should and prevent a few trips to the doctor.
So what is the recommendation? Eat well. For proper triglyceride levels include ample servings of cold water fish like salmon. If your triglycerides are already high consult with your doctor about supplementing your diet with fish oils from a trusted source. The American Heart Association recommends two to four grams per day of DHA plus EPA for people with high triglycerides.
One more thing. We are all aware that some fish contain poisons such as mercury. Therefore it is important to purchase fish oil supplements from a trusted source. Quality supplements are free from these contaminants. They may cost a little more in the short run but they are worth it.
About the author:
Greg has degrees in science divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer
Weight Loss? 2 Basic Skills You Need
If you have been dieting, there is a good chance you have lost weight. Unfortunately, large numbers of successful dieters quickly regain the poundage. If you wish to maintain the weight you have lost without developing substitute excesses such as overspending, overworking, excessive drinking or smoking, you must satisfy the emotional hunger that causes people to overeat. To do this you need to master two basic skills – self-nurturing and setting effective limits. Self-nurturing is the ability to check our feelings and needs throughout the day in order to know and honor ourselves and better meet our needs. Setting effective limits is the skill of having reasonable expectations and following through with them. That enables us to take action and have more power and greater safety in our lives.
People who have mastered these two skills are far more likely to be healthy and happy. Learning them is not a quick fix and takes time. But, from the first moment you use them, you will begin to feel better and more satisfied. After these skills are used over and over again, they become integrated into our brains, and the changes are developmental, that is, we begin to feel as if we have a new life.
These are not new concepts. In fact, the essential elements of self-nurturing and setting limits have been part of the scientific literature since at least 1940. The problem is that the current methods used to help people lose weight, don’t involve these skills. So, people lose weight then regain it and begin to believe that they cannot solve their weight problems. They feel powerless and discouraged. All that is unnecessary.
Our patterns for self-nurturing and limits skills were implanted early in life in the feeling brain. The various healing methods for feeling better and turning off the drive to overeat, which are based on insight, knowledge, or analysis, are processed by the thinking brain. Unfortunately, they target the wrong part of our brain. So, we know what we should eat, but we can’t do it. The drives to overeat are too strong.
The Solution Method enables you to reach your feeling brain and retrain it will the skills of nurturing and limits. It’s just like learning to type. The more you practice it, the sooner the skills become automatic. When they do, your inner life naturally favors a life in which the whole range of excesses (not just overeating, but overspending, overworking, drinking too much and smoking) fades. What follows is nothing less than a personal transformation. But, it requires time – usually 18 months to master the basic skills. Group meetings, such as the support provided by the Buddy system, are key.
Until recently, most people were unaware of this method. That proved to be a blessing. It enabled us to study it in relative obscurity. We have been able to train thousands of people in this method.
While using The Solution, you will become aware that there are two worlds: the world above the line and the world below the line. With training, you pump your self-nurturing and limits skills so that you spend more of your day above the line or in a state in which you are emotionally balanced, spiritually connected and intimate with others. Moreover, the annoying drives that cause your excesses – what we call “external solutions” – fade. Life without the self-nurturing and limit setting skills forces you to spend too much time below the line. Life below the line keeps you out of balance. Your excesses flourish, and your life has few rewards.
There are a few explanations for why you lack these skills to nurture yourself and set limits. Modern life requires more skills. Earlier generations were faced with far fewer choices and a less changing society. Indeed, communities were more nurturing. Further, your parents may not have had the ability to teach you these skills. Because these skills are transmitted early in life and are harder to learn later in life, the legacy of imbalance is often perpetuated from one generation to another.
Self-nurturing and limits skills consist of clusters of questions that we ask ourselves over and over – until they become automatic.
The following are the questions for the nurturing skills:
How do I feel?
What do I need?
Do I need support?
The following are the questions for the limits skills:
Are my expectations reasonable?
Is my thinking positive and powerful?
What is the essential pain? What is the earned reward?
The questions posed by the nurturing cycle enable us to access our deepest
feelings. The limits cycle contains our feelings and helps them mature. The goal of the method is the interweaving of the skills. Initially, you use the skills intentionally. That moves us from an imbalanced state to one that is balanced.
It’s extraordinarily powerful to be at the grocery store, stuck in traffic or home alone with the refrigerator packed with food and know that all you have to do is reach for these skills, and, in a matter of moments, you can move yourself above the line. Your drive to overeat will fade. You’ll stop wanting the food. You’ll still enjoy it. But, food becomes just food, not a fix.
What’s more, the groups are fun. We use a buddy system and a warm and wonderful Internet community for support.
People who have mastered these two skills are far more likely to be healthy and happy. Learning them is not a quick fix and takes time. But, from the first moment you use them, you will begin to feel better and more satisfied. After these skills are used over and over again, they become integrated into our brains, and the changes are developmental, that is, we begin to feel as if we have a new life.
These are not new concepts. In fact, the essential elements of self-nurturing and setting limits have been part of the scientific literature since at least 1940. The problem is that the current methods used to help people lose weight, don’t involve these skills. So, people lose weight then regain it and begin to believe that they cannot solve their weight problems. They feel powerless and discouraged. All that is unnecessary.
Our patterns for self-nurturing and limits skills were implanted early in life in the feeling brain. The various healing methods for feeling better and turning off the drive to overeat, which are based on insight, knowledge, or analysis, are processed by the thinking brain. Unfortunately, they target the wrong part of our brain. So, we know what we should eat, but we can’t do it. The drives to overeat are too strong.
The Solution Method enables you to reach your feeling brain and retrain it will the skills of nurturing and limits. It’s just like learning to type. The more you practice it, the sooner the skills become automatic. When they do, your inner life naturally favors a life in which the whole range of excesses (not just overeating, but overspending, overworking, drinking too much and smoking) fades. What follows is nothing less than a personal transformation. But, it requires time – usually 18 months to master the basic skills. Group meetings, such as the support provided by the Buddy system, are key.
Until recently, most people were unaware of this method. That proved to be a blessing. It enabled us to study it in relative obscurity. We have been able to train thousands of people in this method.
While using The Solution, you will become aware that there are two worlds: the world above the line and the world below the line. With training, you pump your self-nurturing and limits skills so that you spend more of your day above the line or in a state in which you are emotionally balanced, spiritually connected and intimate with others. Moreover, the annoying drives that cause your excesses – what we call “external solutions” – fade. Life without the self-nurturing and limit setting skills forces you to spend too much time below the line. Life below the line keeps you out of balance. Your excesses flourish, and your life has few rewards.
There are a few explanations for why you lack these skills to nurture yourself and set limits. Modern life requires more skills. Earlier generations were faced with far fewer choices and a less changing society. Indeed, communities were more nurturing. Further, your parents may not have had the ability to teach you these skills. Because these skills are transmitted early in life and are harder to learn later in life, the legacy of imbalance is often perpetuated from one generation to another.
Self-nurturing and limits skills consist of clusters of questions that we ask ourselves over and over – until they become automatic.
The following are the questions for the nurturing skills:
How do I feel?
What do I need?
Do I need support?
The following are the questions for the limits skills:
Are my expectations reasonable?
Is my thinking positive and powerful?
What is the essential pain? What is the earned reward?
The questions posed by the nurturing cycle enable us to access our deepest
feelings. The limits cycle contains our feelings and helps them mature. The goal of the method is the interweaving of the skills. Initially, you use the skills intentionally. That moves us from an imbalanced state to one that is balanced.
It’s extraordinarily powerful to be at the grocery store, stuck in traffic or home alone with the refrigerator packed with food and know that all you have to do is reach for these skills, and, in a matter of moments, you can move yourself above the line. Your drive to overeat will fade. You’ll stop wanting the food. You’ll still enjoy it. But, food becomes just food, not a fix.
What’s more, the groups are fun. We use a buddy system and a warm and wonderful Internet community for support.
YOUR HEALTH RESOLUTIONS FOR A HEALTHY CHINESE NEW YEAR
The Year of the Green Wooden Rooster is upon us. At the stroke of midnight on the 9th of February 2005, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated. Since the year of the Rooster is about to commence, wouldn’t it be nice to have some health resolutions for a healthy Chinese New Year?
When you have a never-ending to-do list in today’s fast-paced world, you are becoming busier than ever. Therefore, many other things are dropped down on your priority list. Usually, one of the first ones to drop in the list is health. This should never be the case.
There are a lot of creative ways to help keep you in peak condition. Below are some suggested health resolutions to help you get started:
1. Exercise. Exercise offers so many important benefits that it should always be a part of one’s weekly routine. The benefits of regular exercise include a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, bowel cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity. In addition to feeling better, regular exercise can help ease stress, anxiety and mild depression.
2. Have a healthy diet. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. A healthy diet helps prevent or reduce the severity of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and can also help reduce the risk of some cancers.
3. Put together a good health care team. This includes a dentist, a nutritionist & a medical doctor to help you keep in shape from head to toe.
4. Get enough sleep. At least six up to eight hours a night will do.
5. Quit smoking and drink alcoholic beverages moderately.
6. Drink at least eight glasses of water everyday. Ever feel sluggish? Based on researches, lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.
7. Take time everyday to do something you enjoy. Read, paint/draw, dance, cook, talk to a friend, etc.
8. Feed your soul. People may be healthy physically but the spiritual health should never be forgotten.
As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure and health is wealth.” Whether it is Chinese New Year or not, taking good care of your health is an all-year round obligation that should not be taken for granted. Kung Hei Fat Choi!
When you have a never-ending to-do list in today’s fast-paced world, you are becoming busier than ever. Therefore, many other things are dropped down on your priority list. Usually, one of the first ones to drop in the list is health. This should never be the case.
There are a lot of creative ways to help keep you in peak condition. Below are some suggested health resolutions to help you get started:
1. Exercise. Exercise offers so many important benefits that it should always be a part of one’s weekly routine. The benefits of regular exercise include a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, bowel cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity. In addition to feeling better, regular exercise can help ease stress, anxiety and mild depression.
2. Have a healthy diet. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. A healthy diet helps prevent or reduce the severity of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and can also help reduce the risk of some cancers.
3. Put together a good health care team. This includes a dentist, a nutritionist & a medical doctor to help you keep in shape from head to toe.
4. Get enough sleep. At least six up to eight hours a night will do.
5. Quit smoking and drink alcoholic beverages moderately.
6. Drink at least eight glasses of water everyday. Ever feel sluggish? Based on researches, lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.
7. Take time everyday to do something you enjoy. Read, paint/draw, dance, cook, talk to a friend, etc.
8. Feed your soul. People may be healthy physically but the spiritual health should never be forgotten.
As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure and health is wealth.” Whether it is Chinese New Year or not, taking good care of your health is an all-year round obligation that should not be taken for granted. Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Popular Varieties of Cigar Boxes -
A cigar box can come in many shapes and sizes, and hold anywhere from five or six items to a complete collection containing hundreds of cigars. Great for gifts, cigar boxes serve both to protect and preserve their contents, and to display them in an attractive, elegant setting.
Modern cigar boxes are often similar to humidors in that they feature climate-controlling features that optimize the temperature and humidity in order to preserve the cigar’s flavor and appearance. Some are custom made out of wood and hand-crafted to suit the exact décor of the buyer’s home.
There is also a large market for antique cigar boxes. Serious collectors fetch hefty prices for containers that date back to the turn of the century or even earlier.
Whether a buyer is seeking a cigar box for aesthetics or for preservation, cigar boxes make perfect gifts for any aficionado. Online merchants such as Cigar King offer some of the finest cigar boxes, available in many price ranges. A simple Cigar Caddy made out of Otter Box can be purchased for under $20, while a classic Ashton humidor of beautiful walnut can run upwards of $1500.
Other discount cigar stores offer boxes at reduced rates, and they can often be shipped to the customer overnight. For those looking for other cigar accessories to compliment a cigar box, there are many brands and styles of lighters, cutters and ashtrays that could make for a perfect gift set for any cigar aficionado.
If you are having trouble locating a suitable cigar store or distributor in your area, consult Cigarworld online for a directory of all local and national cigar outlets. There you will find literally hundreds of locations, both online and off, which offer cigars and cigar accessories to suit any occasion.
Modern cigar boxes are often similar to humidors in that they feature climate-controlling features that optimize the temperature and humidity in order to preserve the cigar’s flavor and appearance. Some are custom made out of wood and hand-crafted to suit the exact décor of the buyer’s home.
There is also a large market for antique cigar boxes. Serious collectors fetch hefty prices for containers that date back to the turn of the century or even earlier.
Whether a buyer is seeking a cigar box for aesthetics or for preservation, cigar boxes make perfect gifts for any aficionado. Online merchants such as Cigar King offer some of the finest cigar boxes, available in many price ranges. A simple Cigar Caddy made out of Otter Box can be purchased for under $20, while a classic Ashton humidor of beautiful walnut can run upwards of $1500.
Other discount cigar stores offer boxes at reduced rates, and they can often be shipped to the customer overnight. For those looking for other cigar accessories to compliment a cigar box, there are many brands and styles of lighters, cutters and ashtrays that could make for a perfect gift set for any cigar aficionado.
If you are having trouble locating a suitable cigar store or distributor in your area, consult Cigarworld online for a directory of all local and national cigar outlets. There you will find literally hundreds of locations, both online and off, which offer cigars and cigar accessories to suit any occasion.
How Can A Person Becomes A Smoker?
To the non-smoker, smoking behavior seems incomprehensible. Almost all smokers know the health risks of smoking, but they keep puffing. Many continue for decades, their health declining with each passing year.
What motivates people to take that first cigarette?
The First Cigarette
Most people start smoking when they are teenagers. The desire to fit in and be "one of the crowd" is particularly strong during adolescence. Many teenagers begin smoking to be cool. If their friends smoke, they feel pressured to follow suit.
Young people may also feel that smoking makes them appear grown up. They are right -- it will make them look older, something they will soon regret.
For some, it's a form of rebellion against their parents and teachers. They are aware of the dangers of smoking, so lecturing them about the health risks is probably futile.
Do Smokers Have More Fun?
Advertising is also a big motivator in the desire to take up smoking. Tobacco ads depict young, healthy, active people taking part in fun group activities. The message is clear -- smoke and you too can have this much fun.
Adults also feel the desire to fit in, and so are also susceptible to popular images surrounding smoking. They usually are aware enough to know that smoking will not ensure social acceptance, but there is the universal appeal of the smoker as rebel -- cool and independent. The Marlboro Man. This can be enticing for many young adults, especially those who see themselves as being on the fringe.
Lack Of Optimism
Perhaps certain individuals are more drawn to smoking than others. There is evidence that people with a long-term outlook on life, those with plans for the future, are less likely to start smoking because they know it will cause future health problems and shorten their life span.
On the other hand, those with shorter outlooks and less optimism about the future are more likely to smoke.
The Good, Bad, And Ugly
Other people turn to smoking as a way to relieve stress. Even though tobacco is ineffective for handling stress in the long run, it does provide short-term relief. Those who have stressful jobs or who are in difficult life situations may take up smoking as a coping mechanism.
There are a number of unpleasant aspects to smoking that must be overlooked in order to become addicted. Smoking stains the teeth and the fingers. It causes bad breath. It fouls the air and creates an unpleasant environment for non-smokers.
It is a testament to how pleasurable smoking can be that so many people will put up with its negative aspects. Most smokers say they enjoy cigarettes, and those who have managed to quit often feel they have lost an old friend.
Can They Quit?
Almost all smokers will eventually come to a point where they want to quit. The reality of smoking-related health problems sinks in, and they decide that it's time to give up the habit. Unfortunately, the habit will not give them up so easily. The addictive nature of nicotine makes quitting a very difficult task.
Considering the spurious nature of the "benefits," the enormous costs in health and in money literally burned up, and the huge difficulty of quitting, one question demands an answer. Why start?
What motivates people to take that first cigarette?
The First Cigarette
Most people start smoking when they are teenagers. The desire to fit in and be "one of the crowd" is particularly strong during adolescence. Many teenagers begin smoking to be cool. If their friends smoke, they feel pressured to follow suit.
Young people may also feel that smoking makes them appear grown up. They are right -- it will make them look older, something they will soon regret.
For some, it's a form of rebellion against their parents and teachers. They are aware of the dangers of smoking, so lecturing them about the health risks is probably futile.
Do Smokers Have More Fun?
Advertising is also a big motivator in the desire to take up smoking. Tobacco ads depict young, healthy, active people taking part in fun group activities. The message is clear -- smoke and you too can have this much fun.
Adults also feel the desire to fit in, and so are also susceptible to popular images surrounding smoking. They usually are aware enough to know that smoking will not ensure social acceptance, but there is the universal appeal of the smoker as rebel -- cool and independent. The Marlboro Man. This can be enticing for many young adults, especially those who see themselves as being on the fringe.
Lack Of Optimism
Perhaps certain individuals are more drawn to smoking than others. There is evidence that people with a long-term outlook on life, those with plans for the future, are less likely to start smoking because they know it will cause future health problems and shorten their life span.
On the other hand, those with shorter outlooks and less optimism about the future are more likely to smoke.
The Good, Bad, And Ugly
Other people turn to smoking as a way to relieve stress. Even though tobacco is ineffective for handling stress in the long run, it does provide short-term relief. Those who have stressful jobs or who are in difficult life situations may take up smoking as a coping mechanism.
There are a number of unpleasant aspects to smoking that must be overlooked in order to become addicted. Smoking stains the teeth and the fingers. It causes bad breath. It fouls the air and creates an unpleasant environment for non-smokers.
It is a testament to how pleasurable smoking can be that so many people will put up with its negative aspects. Most smokers say they enjoy cigarettes, and those who have managed to quit often feel they have lost an old friend.
Can They Quit?
Almost all smokers will eventually come to a point where they want to quit. The reality of smoking-related health problems sinks in, and they decide that it's time to give up the habit. Unfortunately, the habit will not give them up so easily. The addictive nature of nicotine makes quitting a very difficult task.
Considering the spurious nature of the "benefits," the enormous costs in health and in money literally burned up, and the huge difficulty of quitting, one question demands an answer. Why start?
The Fuel Of Stress, Anxiety and Depression
In the 21st Century, it is predicted that stress and stress related illnesses such as depression and anxiety will become the biggest killers. Despite significant advances in housing, standards of living, quality of food, and medical science, the pressures all of us have to face in today’s world are as demanding as any pressures experienced by our predecessors.
Why are these illnesses on the rise? And why do some people become so ill through these illnesses, they can find it hard to function?
Well they sure don’t happen overnight! You don’t suddenly wake up one morning and feel stressed or depressed. It’s not like flicking on a light switch! And by the same rule, if you’re suffering, you can’t just wake up one morning, flick off the switch and say “Great, I’m better now.”
Many people who don’t suffer from these illnesses often say to sufferers:
“Come on, snap out of it.”
If only it was so easy! Should anyone say this to you, please forgive them as it’s just a lack of understanding. It’s very hard for people to understand how you’re feeling if they haven’t been there.
The fact that these illnesses don’t suddenly happen means we can draw some parallels with illnesses such as heart diseases, some cancers and strokes.
Because these illnesses don’t just suddenly happen either.
If we look at heart disease, it’s often the result of damaging behaviors practised over many years. Behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat. Strokes are a result of similar behaviors and cancers too, particularly heavy smoking and drinking as you know.
So how do stressful illnesses such as stress, depression and anxiety compare?
Stress is also the product of harmful mental habits and behaviors. These habits and behaviors are developed and practised over years – since childhood in most cases. These are the mental processes that enable us to make sense of our lives and the circumstances we’re faced with. When we reach adulthood, we perform them automatically because we’ve learned these behaviors by repetition.
Think of it like learning to drive a car. Initially, the skills required to control the vehicle needed conscious thought. It seemed really difficult didn’t it? But once we’ve performed them for sufficient periods, we drive on auto-pilot. We’ve mastered the required skills by repetition.
Here’s the key: if we eat healthy food, take regular exercise, cut out harmful behaviors such as smoking and drinking, we improve our health and drastically reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and strokes. We are repeating good habits, habits that will give our physical well being a huge boost.
It’s exactly the same for stress. What’s important to understand is that not everyone becomes stressed or depressed – even when tragic and traumatic circumstances happen to them. Just like people who lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid harmful habits and behaviors, people don’t become stressed or depressed because they have learned effective habits and behaviors that prevent stress from arising.
This is very good news if you suffer from these illnesses. Because just as we can learn habits and behaviors which cause us to become highly-stressed, depressed or anxious, we can learn the habits and behaviors which stop these terrible illnesses in their tracks. And the more often we make use of them, we’ll soon begin to perform them automatically and our mental health will benefit enormously.
No more feeling stressed out. No more feeling unable to cope. No more anxiety and no more depression. EVER.
I’m living proof of this. For 5 years, a series of traumatic events sent me spiralling into an anxiety-induced depression nightmare. I came out of it by learning the natural skills that starve these illnesses. The more I used them, the less anxious I became. They’re now as natural to me as driving a car, and I’ve completely eradicated anxiety and depression from my life.
You can do it too.
Why are these illnesses on the rise? And why do some people become so ill through these illnesses, they can find it hard to function?
Well they sure don’t happen overnight! You don’t suddenly wake up one morning and feel stressed or depressed. It’s not like flicking on a light switch! And by the same rule, if you’re suffering, you can’t just wake up one morning, flick off the switch and say “Great, I’m better now.”
Many people who don’t suffer from these illnesses often say to sufferers:
“Come on, snap out of it.”
If only it was so easy! Should anyone say this to you, please forgive them as it’s just a lack of understanding. It’s very hard for people to understand how you’re feeling if they haven’t been there.
The fact that these illnesses don’t suddenly happen means we can draw some parallels with illnesses such as heart diseases, some cancers and strokes.
Because these illnesses don’t just suddenly happen either.
If we look at heart disease, it’s often the result of damaging behaviors practised over many years. Behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat. Strokes are a result of similar behaviors and cancers too, particularly heavy smoking and drinking as you know.
So how do stressful illnesses such as stress, depression and anxiety compare?
Stress is also the product of harmful mental habits and behaviors. These habits and behaviors are developed and practised over years – since childhood in most cases. These are the mental processes that enable us to make sense of our lives and the circumstances we’re faced with. When we reach adulthood, we perform them automatically because we’ve learned these behaviors by repetition.
Think of it like learning to drive a car. Initially, the skills required to control the vehicle needed conscious thought. It seemed really difficult didn’t it? But once we’ve performed them for sufficient periods, we drive on auto-pilot. We’ve mastered the required skills by repetition.
Here’s the key: if we eat healthy food, take regular exercise, cut out harmful behaviors such as smoking and drinking, we improve our health and drastically reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and strokes. We are repeating good habits, habits that will give our physical well being a huge boost.
It’s exactly the same for stress. What’s important to understand is that not everyone becomes stressed or depressed – even when tragic and traumatic circumstances happen to them. Just like people who lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid harmful habits and behaviors, people don’t become stressed or depressed because they have learned effective habits and behaviors that prevent stress from arising.
This is very good news if you suffer from these illnesses. Because just as we can learn habits and behaviors which cause us to become highly-stressed, depressed or anxious, we can learn the habits and behaviors which stop these terrible illnesses in their tracks. And the more often we make use of them, we’ll soon begin to perform them automatically and our mental health will benefit enormously.
No more feeling stressed out. No more feeling unable to cope. No more anxiety and no more depression. EVER.
I’m living proof of this. For 5 years, a series of traumatic events sent me spiralling into an anxiety-induced depression nightmare. I came out of it by learning the natural skills that starve these illnesses. The more I used them, the less anxious I became. They’re now as natural to me as driving a car, and I’ve completely eradicated anxiety and depression from my life.
You can do it too.
Kaydol:
Kayıtlar (Atom)