Anti-Smoking 10-01-2007

DEEP BREATHING

• PERHAPS THE SINGLE MOST POWERFUL AND IMPORTANT TECHNIQUE Every time you want a cigarette, do the following. Do it three times.
  
  Inhale the deepest lung-full of air you can, and then, very slowly, exhale. Purse your lips so that the air must come out slowly.
  
  As you exhale, close your eyes, and let your chin gradually sink over onto your chest. Visualize all the tension leaving your body, slowly draining out of your fingers and toes, just flowing on out.
  
  This is a variation of an ancient yoga technique from India, and is VERY centering and relaxing. If you practice this, you'll be able to use it for any future stressful situation you find yourself in. And it will be your greatest weapon during the strong cravings sure to assault you over the first few days.
  
  This deep breathing technique will be a vital help to you. Reread this point now, and as you do, try it for the first time. Inhale and exhale three times. See for yourself!

The first few days, drink LOTS of water and fluids to help flush out the nicotine and other poisons from your body.

Anti-Smoking 11-01-2007

The most important step to take is the first step --
admitting you have an addiction.

When asked why you smoke, you might have said, "I just like to smoke!" or "It's my choice to smoke."

The tobacco companies have promoted the idea that smoking is a matter of personal choice. As I see it, there really isn't as much choice as they have suggested to their customers.

Ask yourself, and be totally honest: Am I addicted to tobacco? Am I truly making a freely made choice when I smoke?

You might consider that you need to have a cigarette. Studies have shown that nicotine addiction is as hard to break as heroin or cocaine addiction.

Admitting that you're smoking more out of addiction than choice will help motivate you to go on to the next steps -- taking control of yourself and becoming a nonsmoker.

This admission will further serve you by helping you stay smokefree later. In the months and years after you quit, when temptations to smoke occasionally overpower you -- and they will -- remind yourself, "I have an addiction and I'm powerless over tobacco." Saying this to yourself in overwhelmed moments of desire will help give you the strength to say no to "just one" cigarette.

If you can make it for just five minutes without giving in, the urge to smoke be controllable or disappear. In this way, you'll be able to stay smokefree for life.

-Rama

Health tips 11-01-07

A sprain is the wrenching or tearing of the ligaments and tissues round a joint. A strain is the overstretching of a muscle. This is invariably associated with some tearing of muscle fibres. When the capsule or sheath of muscle is involved, the muscle is said to be ruptured.

Signs & Symptoms of Sprain
1. Pain at the joint
2. Inability to use the joint without increasing pain
3. Swelling and later bruising.

Signs & Symptoms of Strain
1. There is a sudden, sharp pain at the site of injury
2. In the case of a limb, the muscles may swell and cause severe cramps. If the back is affected, the casualty may be unable to stand upright.

First Aid Treatment
1. Let the patient rest the injured part in the most comfortable position, slightly raised if possible.
2. Cover the affected area with a cold compress for approximately 30 minutes.
3. Then remove the compress and cover it with a thick pad.
4. The strain or sprain needs rest and support in the form of firm bandage. Start well below the damaged joint and firmly wrap a bandage around it, leaving strips of padding visible. An elastic bandage is best, but it should not be tight as it may damage the underlying nerves and blood vessels. If any part of the limb becomes cold, numb or puffy, after application of bandage, it means it is too tight.
5. If pain is severe, but there is clearly no other injury, the patient can take paracetamol. If the pain seams too severe and in all doubtful cases, treat the patient as fracture, until X-Ray results are available.

Sprains and strains can be quite a nagging problem. Some-times ligament damage takes months to heal. Bandaging supports the injured area and reduces pain, but movement is still very limited. Several days may elapse before normal activity can be resumed. One must check with the doctor before doing anything strenuous.