Yesterday, was day 10, and also the final day of my “the Life: Quitter” experiment. These last days were hard and filled with temptations.
If I learned one thing about the process, it was that the group definitely effects the likelihood of quitting. This made it especially hard for me.
First off, I’m in Boston, people carry around their pack like they’re house keys. Second, I’m a college student: aren’t we all trying to appear cool? Third, closing at work…’nough said.
In all three cases, its the group that makes or breaks my will power.
This article, also cited in this past week’s New York Times Science, revealed how those who quit smoking often did so in social clusters that would participate in the smoking cessation en masse.
Groups would quit together and at once, while those who refused to do so were pushed out and marginalized.
Think 3rd grade: once all the cool kids got together and decided that The Power Rangers weren’t cool anymore, everyone began to quit their unhealthy obsession and those who didn’t were..well…losers.
The same is true for smokers and quitters. Below is a figure for the NEJM’s study displaying the probability of an individual to quit smoking according to their relationship to another individual that is also attempting to quit.
Thanks for reading along! Stay tuned for my next shenanigan!
I am sure that many of my internet savy readers are well aware of the awesomeness called: La Blogotheque.
La Blogotheque, in collaboration with Fresh Media, is a French music blog. What La Blogotheque is most famous for is hands down the improvised music videos that are posted on their site.
Acts include the Arcade Fire, Liars, Animal Collective, O’Death, Au Revior Simone and much much more. Not only are these performances amazing but they also include little snippets of artists just hanging around and being…dudes.
Its much more intimate and thusly very enjoyable for music fans and/or creepy voyeurs alike. Check out the Vodpod for two of my favorite perforamces featured on La Blogotheque:
The Arcade Fire – PARIS 03/19/2007 Neon Bible & Wake Up (Time 15:30
Liars – PARIS 06/07 Be Quiet Mt. Heart Attack (Time 4:23)
Things aren’t going as well as expected: I cracked.
After having a much needed heart to heart with my new roommate, we discovered two things:
a) we are awesome
b) we don’t hate eachother
That called for a celebration which included a couple of drinks and smokes to follow.
The alcohol, mixed with the general relief that the coming summer will indeed be bearable, weakened my will while three days without a cigarette also weakened my “tolerance.”
Being under the influence, the two cigarettes I enjoyed outside of my apartment significantly increased the effects of alcohol and forced my into early retirement for the night.
That single event really turned me off to smoking. As Science Daily reports, University of Vermont researchers discovered that by simply cutting back, smokers may have an easier time eventually quitting opposed to those who choose to abruptly stop.
Whether I take that route or not, its definitely an up hill battle. Let’s hope the remaining days in my study are not as difficult.
Yesterday was a hard day. There were a number of factors that contributed. First, my work day, which was supposed to be from noon to 6, ran an extra three hours.
True, not too bad (I mean I was still getting paid for the extra time); however, three hours in retail is like three hours in hell. As a result, cravings galore.
And second, it was a Friday night. Allston on Friday nights is not very conducive to someone trying to avoid substance in general. My will was tested.
According to About.com, while quitting, a smoker’s average urge to smoke or craving for a cigarette last for about 3-5 minutes. I can definitely attest to that.
Their strategy to stop and stick to it: The Five D’s
1) Delay the Urge - They suggested exercise or napping. With my new bike and apartment, it won’t be too difficult to do either or both…but never at the same time.
2) Distract Yourself – I don’t know about you but I think that’s where Jen Choi & the Life comes in for me.
3) Drink Water – okay.
4) Deep Breaths – I often turned to smoking when I was stressed or anxious or whatever, so this is an important concept for me. The less stressed I am the less I will crave a smoke.
5) Discuss Your Feelings – Again, Jen Choi & the Life
After getting out of my 9:30am class, I stepped out onto COM lawn and automatically grabbed for a cigarette that wasn’t there. I’m going to be honest, I felt irritated like a child that was refused a piece of candy.
Smoking about 6 cigarettes daily, I found comfort in the action as a way of keeping my hands “occupied” during short walks from place to place as well as a simple means of getting that much sought after cigarette high. This should explain what I mean:
Meeting a friend for lunch, who doesn’t smoke, we discussed the situation and he told me that the first three days are apparently the hardest.
Welcome to “the Life!” Come along with me as I document my journey toward discovering the “good life” or something close to it. I’ll spend a couple of days, each installment, experiencing life as a vegan, a non-smoker, and so on, in the hopes of reinvigorating myself and finding out what’s best for me. 19 and without a care in the world? Wrong, let’s hope I survive. If you have any suggestions or inquiries please feel free to e-mail me at jenchoi71@gmail.com and happy reading!
the Life: non-smoker
the Time: from Thursday, May 22,2008 to whenever I get my next paycheck (which should be about 2 weeks)
the Deal: Over the summer of 2007, I had the pleasure of visiting Bodies…The Exhibition when it was at Pier 17 in Manhattan. While admiring the floating brains and what not lit from below, I stumbled upon a large 3×4x3 Plexiglas box filled with “yummies”/ packs of cigarettes.
Above said box read a message stating that every pack of cigarettes takes an average of 15 minutes off a person’s life. Shocking but not surprising. I had been spending the summer filtering out rather graphic and unsettling anti-smoking ads like:
Disclaimer: this ad contains graphic and disturbing images and will give you nightmares.
Thusly, I was not deterred.
Recently, as my fellow undergrads prepared for another summer at home with their parents, many are being forced to go cold turkey after a year of 1-2 packs a day. Although I am not returning to my parents in California or near a pack a day, I have decided to test the waters and also go “cold-turkey”
the Pros: better health, more spending money (in MA a pack of cigarettes cost approximately $7.00), & smelling smelly opposed to smoky.
the Cons: not being able to chill with a cigarette, losing a couple of bad ass points, & having to resist resist resist around friends and occasions that call for a smoke.
rt @lizpelly OnAFriday.com is officially the Boston stop on the Candy Claws blog tour. this Friday! Right after @chocolatebobka on thursday! 1 hour ago
@MelanieDuzyj i was actually just talking about this today: 9:30 club or black cat 1 hour ago
