Health | 3 Week Quit Smoking Hypnosis Challenge

October 12, 2013 by Maureen

Link Between Heart Disease, Cancer and Nuts

Medical researchers around the globe have known for a long time that the benefits of eating nuts are numerous: nuts have been shown to improve blood cholesterol, reduce

Almonds and Walnuts save lives! — Eat more nuts and avoid heart disease and cancer.

inflammation and oxidative stress, improve circulation and stabilize blood glucose levels.

But did you know that eating nuts can also lower your cancer, heart disease and even diabetes risks?

In a nutrition trial conducted by PREDIMED, people who ate nuts (particularly walnuts and almonds) at least three times a week reduced their risk of death by heart disease by 55% and their risk of death by cancer by 40%—incredible numbers for just a few handfuls of nuts a week.

So how can a little old nut be such a powerful weapon against deadly medical conditions like cancer and heart disease?

According to the PREDIMED study, nuts are particularly protective because they are rich in fats and vitamins associated with a wide array of health benefits: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phenolic acids and other phytochemicals (plant chemicals). All of these properties have been shown to keep the heart healthy and the body cancer-free.

So which nuts are the best nuts?

The PERIMED researchers conclude that walnuts are most effective when it comes to combating cancer and heart disease. This is because walnuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid—an especially potent phytochemical. Also, since the skin of nuts typically have the highest concentration of phytochemicals, and walnuts are typically eaten with their skin, eating walnuts leads to a higher consumption of phytochemicals.

So how does eating more nuts relate to quitting smoking?

If you are a smoker, or have recently quit, then you know that both your heart disease and cancer risks are high. Nuts, then, can assist you on your path back to health—

Quitting smoking is, of course, the best way to cut your cancer and heart disease risks, but eating nuts will help you with those risks even more. So make like a squirrel—and eat more nuts!

Do you think nuts can really cut your heart disease and cancer risks by almost half? Are you interested in learning more about the health benefits of nuts (and healthy eating in general)? We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions, so don’t forget to like us on Facebook/3WeekQuitSmokingChallenge. And if you want to give us a shout-out, let the world know via Twitter/YourLifePower!

July 21, 2013 by Maureen

If I Quit Smoking Will I Gain Weight?

Weight Gain is Something to Avoid — Avoiding Weight Gain as a non smoker!

If you are a smoker or you know a smoker, then you know that when it comes to quitting, smokers always have an excuse, a reason for why they just aren't quite ready to give up cigarettes. One of the most common excuses smokers use to avoid putting out that last cigarette is weight gain. Many smokers claim that smoking helps them keep their weight in check and they fear that if they quit, they will, to put it bluntly, get fat.

How does Smoking keep the weight off?

If we look beyond the appalling fact that many tobacco users laud smoking as a health benefit in terms of weight control, we are forced to confront the reality that smoking actually is a weight deterrent, as paradoxical and unhealthy as it may sound. According to smokefree.gov, smoking cessation causes the average person to gain between 4-10 pounds or roughly 2 to 5 kilos. Since smoking is an appetite deterrent and nicotine raises the rate of our metabolism, giving up tobacco means that the metabolism slows down while the desire to eat increases. Hence, the weight gain.

Even though smokers tend to gain weight after they quit, this does not mean that they will permanently be on the road to obesity. Within six month, those who have quit smoking are usually back to their normal weight. If you are a smoker and are worried about your weight, and use this as a crutch to keep lighting up, here are some ways to help yourself get healthy and keep your weight in balance:

· Exercise: it is never too late to get yourself moving and grooving and in shape. Make walking, running, bicycling or any other physical activity a regular part of your life and reap the benefits of a healthier, fitter body.

· Eat right: Your diet will determine your weight. If you eat right and cut our excess sugar, junk and other gunk you will find that you feel better mentally, physically, and you will be able to find the weight that is right for your body and makes you happy.

· Set realistic expectations: If you are worried about gaining weight if you quit smoking, then realistically assess the state of your body. How was your body before you started smoking? What is your weight now? If you never had Heidi Klum's body in the first place, then don't act like the few excess pounds gained after smoking cessation will ruin chances at being a super model. You are in control of your weight and you have the power to make yourself healthy, but don't compare yourself to perfection-smoking cessation should be about creating optimal health for your uniqueness as an individual.

The cold, hard truth is that smoking cessation usually causes weight gain, but the good news is that you have the power to create the body and weight you want, without the positive or negative influence of tobacco. This starts with exercise, a healthy diet, and realistic expectations about what is right and achievable for your body. Stop making excuses and take control of your body today-quit smoking!

July 21, 2013 by Maureen

My Views on Colloidal Silver

I see many clients to help them to stop smoking, lose weight and other issues. With most of my clients, especially the smokers I talk to them about Colloidal Silver. As I explain to them while I cannot prescribe or medicate I can share this information as they can find it on my website.

So people who have smoked have at the back of their mind a fear or worry about cancer, ongoing chest infections etc. This is because they have been smoking for many years and realise that this can cause cancer and many other nasty diseases. So they know they have to stop smoking.

What is Colloidal Silver?

So I ask them "Have you ever heard of Colloidal Silver?" Only a few people have even heard of it, most haven't. I go on to explain to them that it has amazing properties. It can neautralise bacteria, viruses and even cancer. I have been taking it for well over a year now, not consistently only when I feel an infection coming on or have an infection. For example in July last year I attended a 10 day seminar - 13 hour days and developed conjunctivitis. Now we all know how unpleasant that is and it started on the 3rd day of the conference with Dr John Demartini. I bought some Chloromycetin eye drops from the chemist and it did nothing for it. It was a very uncomfortable 7 days where I kept my eye closed most of the time. When I arrived home I took four doses of Colloidal Silver and within 24 hours the conjunctivitis was pretty much gone. I did take another two doses for the next two days just to be sure.

I have used it on skin grazes, on skin infections, mouth ulcers and all with the same results. You may ask "what about cancer?" I met a lady at the pool two years ago and I asked her if she had ever heard of Colloidal Silver and she said, "Maureen I swear by it. I had breast cancer and I don't have it anymore and it's only because of Colloidal Silver. Mind you I will never stop taking it though."

What is in Colloidal Silver?

Now what is it exactly? Well it is filtered water with a shot of silver through it. I discovered recently that you can have different strengths so do check with your naturopath or the person you buy it from. If you Google it you will come up with a man who has a blue face and that is because he drank it like water. This is not how you take it - you take it in measured doses.

Ho Do I Take Colloidal Silver

So how do you take it? Well if it is a skin infection then just apply it to the open wound or even closed ones. When one of the girls had pimples I gave her a spray to put on morning and night. With sore throats just gargle it and swallow it. With the conjunctivitis I took 30mls and put about half of it into my mouth and left it there for 30 seconds and then swallowed it. I repeated this until all of it was gone. Then I didn't eat or drink for 30 minutes. At present I am taking it morning and night as I have a tingle in my throat.

So I hope this has helped you. I would suggest having this on hand and trying it out even on the children. It's worthwhile so they don't have to keep having antibiotics and messing up the healthy bacteria in their tummies. As mentioned above check with your naturopath for dosage and frequency. You will find more information on http://masteryourlifepower.com as articles are being posted almost daily.

July 20, 2013 by Maureen

How to Beat Fatigue With Food – Some Important Ideas!

Smoking Causes Stress — Quit Smoking and Reduce Stress

Life is pretty stressful for most people nowadays. We are constantly juggling working, taking care of a household and raising children and sometimes it seems like there is little time for a break, little time to rest and recharge. Many of us are suffering from major fatigue. But fatigue does not only have to do with busy schedules, fatigue is also a symptom of poor diet and not enough exercise. Smoking is another stress as it impacts on every part of our body.

But luckily, we can beat fatigue with food. I don't mean the usual suspects such as coffee and sugar-they give you incredible rushes and then BAM! You crash and burn and feel even more fatigued then before. No, the best energy booster foods are healthy. These include:

• Bananas: Bananas are excellent energy boosters and they also come loaded with protein and crucial vitamins and minerals such as potassium-they really keep your blood sugar going and kick start your body into a less-fatigued state.

• Nuts, Nuts, Nuts! Nuts are great snacks that you can take with you on the go and they also give you added fuel and energy. Nuts like almonds are great sources of protein and healthy fat, so you will be giving yourself energy and doing your body a favor.

• Water: Water may not be food, but it certainly helps you fight fatigue. Many people become fatigued because they are not hydrated enough. Drinking your 8 glasses of water a day will really help you to keep your motor running! As a smoker our body becomes dehydrated so therefore smokers are very much in need of water.

In addition to keeping energy boosting snacks with you, nothing really beats fatigue better than a diet combined with exercise. In fact consider this information with your weight loss program. You should be eating lean proteins like poultry, salmon, fruits, vegetable, and unrefined grains such as brown rice and quinoa as much as possible. Avoid processed foods and refined sugars and grains like the plague! All they will do is give you a high from which you will plummet dramatically from later on. If your body is getting all the right nutrients it needs from healthy food then you will find that you will have more energy than ever. Healthy eating brings the body into a state of energy equilibrium. Regular exercise will also keep you feeling like you have a zest for life every day!

One of the main reasons we get so stressed is because we are tired and one of the main reasons we are tired is because we are not eating right, yet we still have so much to do. Treat your body right and give it the energy it needs in the form of energy boosting snacks and healthy meals. If you are a smoker then take steps to rid yourself of this stressful habit. It is worth it!

May 2, 2013 by Maureen

Music Is a Great Exercise Partner

You have probably heard that working out with a buddy is easier than working out alone. Working out in twos can help you stay motivated and stay on track with your exercise program and many people have a training partner for their trips to the gym. But did you know that music can be your training partner too? From aerobics classes to nature trail jogs, many fitness gurus and exercise patrons harness the power of music to enhance their workout program. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why.

Neurologists believe that music is an excellent exercise partner because it increases our ability to perform physical and mental labor. Music helps our bodies forget feelings of fatigue, helps us find balance and rhythm, and keeps our minds in a state of dissociative focus—we know what we are doing but since our minds are into the music, we stay in a mode that is similar to a semi-trance state. We tune in and zone out (in a good way). Music also makes exercise more enjoyable and makes it easier for us to push ourselves longer and harder because we are less likely to get bored. In this day and age, our attention spans are lacking and this makes it hard for people to focus for long periods of time without external stimulation. Is this a good thing? No. But the fact that music can help our minds relax and focus on a task like exercise is definitely a positive. We may be distracting ourselves with a distraction, but at least it is helping us stay focus (if that makes sense).

Word to the wise: music is a good work out partner, but it will not help you lose weight or cause you to lose weight. Music is not a weight loss fad or a weight loss method. It is up to you as an individual to make the healthy choices necessary to achieve the body that you want, and this includes a healthy diet and commitment to exercise. But music is a good compliment to your work out program, so it is a good strategy to think of music as a work out partner—a kind of friend that you can rely on to help you get through each exercise session. If you are feeling like to you need some help in the motivation department of your exercise program then enlist the help of your iPod. Plug in, tune out, and get moving!

May 2, 2013 by Maureen

Get to Know Your pH Levels

Whether you are trying to get healthy by way of weight loss or via healthier eating habits, it is important for you to get to know your pH levels a little better. You may remember pH levels from your high school biology class, but probably know very little about how they work. It is time for all of that to change—understanding you pH levels is integral to keeping your body in health and balance.

What Are pH Levels?

pH is the measurement used in chemistry to determine the acidity in solutions in which the solvent is water (an aqueous solution). In laymen’s terms, pH levels tell us how acidic an environment is and this is important because certain compounds flourish in acidity, and many of these are not the kinds that we want flowing through our systems (i.e. yeast, certain bacteria).

pH in the Body

The acidity (or pH levels) in our bodies is determined by our diets. This is why scientists have created the pH scale—to help us better determine the acidity of the body or any other environment. The pH scale exists from 0 to 14 and when the body has a pH level that is lower than 7 it has become too acidic. High acidity in the body creates an environment in which the following health problems flourish:

Candida (yeast)
Allergies
Chronic fatigue
Leaky gut syndrome
Weakening of skin, bones, nails, and hair
Cramps
Anxiety and panic disorders
Increased risk of the spread of cancerous cells

From the list above, you can see that you don’t want your body to be highly acidic. But how can you protect yourself against low pH levels and their corresponding ailments?

Maintaining a pH Equilibrium

So how do you maintain a healthy pH balance in our bodies? First and foremost drink lots of water. Drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day will neutralize your acidity. Second, it is crucial that you eliminate acidic friendly foods from your diet: processed grains, junk food, red meat, sugars, and soda. The third and maybe most important way that you can keep your pH balanced is by taking control of our emotions. Yes it sounds crazy—how can emotions possibly affect the chemistry of your body?! But research shows that emotions such as anger, fear, jealousy, and hate all facilitate the creation of acidic-forming chemical reactions in the body by the hypothalamus while emotions such as happiness, love, and joy create alkaline-forming chemical reactions that neutralize acidity. Your mood and the way you think about things can literally affect your pH levels!

Understanding the importance of pH levels is vital to maintaining a healthy body and serves as yet another example of how we control the health and vitality of our physical bodies not only by what we eat but also by how we think. You are the creator of the environment of both your body and mind—so why not make the choice to live a low acidity life of love, health, and happiness?

Your pH levels have a major impact on your physical and emotional health. To learn more about pH levels and your body, please contact me. Or get involved in the discussion on Facebook and Twitter. We need your valuable input!

January 14, 2013 by Maureen

5 Ways of Showing Your Gratitude

Being thankful and showing those around you gratitude is a healing and fulfilling way to approach living your life. It makes you happy, keeps you balanced, and humble and fills those around you with a sense of worthiness and warmth. Showing gratitude is a simple task-gratitude can be a simple thank you when someone lets you borrow their pen in a science class or the gesture of holding the door open for a mum struggling with her grocery bags. Gratitude is a good tonic for many of the ailments in life; it can help keep you balanced and centered in times of great struggle. Practicing gratitude everyday is good for your heart and your mind. Here are five easy ways that you can show gratitude in your life every day:

Offer a little extra help: Offering help does not have to be a huge exertion. If someone drops something, pick it up. Let them know that they are worthy of help and a little extra attention-no matter how small the action, it is the intention behind it that counts.

Make thank you your favorite phrase: Do you say thank you enough? Think about it. Making thank you a hallmark of your social interactions will make people appreciate you and want to spend time with you because they know they are appreciated.

Praise someone: Give an extra compliment to someone, a coworker or a friend. Let them know that you value what they do, what they say, and above all who they are.

Listen: You can show that you appreciate someone by really listening to what they have to say. Sometimes people just want to know that they are seen and heard, and if you authentically listen to what they have to say, you will boost their self-esteem and self-worth ten-fold.

Replace criticism with gratitude: Did your spouse leave the towel on the bathroom floor again? Did your coworker start chewing his food too loudly during a meeting? Instead of criticizing the habits that annoy you, try to focus on showing gratitude to the people in your life, even when they annoy you the most. You will feel better and more centered if you dwell on the positive instead of the negative.

Gratitude is a major factor in keeping us connected to those around us. As human beings, we are relational and the main purpose in our lives is to keep ourselves connected with those around us, as this facilitates our ability to receive love, safety, and comfort. Showing gratitude is a way of making the people around us feel that they are worthy of love, safety, and comfort. Gratitude is a humble way of nurturing the seeds of human relationships that lead us all to feel better about ourselves and our place in the world.

December 11, 2012 by Maureen

The Benefits of a Smoke Free Lifestyle

So you’ve finally done it: you’ve quit smoking. Depending on how long you have been smoke free, you are in one of the many stages of recovery, all of which come packed with many different positive benefits to your health. But it is safe to say that overall, you are probably feeling pretty good. So let’s take a look at all of the good things that are coming your way as a result of your smoke free lifestyle.

In general, quitting smoking will boost your energy levels and your immune system. That’s right—you are not going to be so tired and you are not going to be so easily demolished by the common cold. You will start to notice that breathing is clearer and easier, that your skin is looking fresher and more elastic and that, finally, you don’t have that awful tobacco smoke stench following you everywhere you go.

But let’s get even more specific. Below is a healing timeline that starts the second you put out that last cigarette for good—take a look at see where you fit!

20 minutes after you quit smoking your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
40 minutes after you quit smoking nicotine leaves the brain
12 hours after you quit smoking your oxygen levels will be back to normal and your carbon monoxide levels will have decreased markedly.
48 hours after you quit smoking your sense of taste and smell are returning to normal and damaged nerves are beginning to heal.
72 hours after you quit smoking your body will be toxin free (nicotine and other harsh smoking chemicals)
1 week after you quit smoking your circulation begins to improve, fatigue begins to fade and lung functions improve, although this is often accompanied by coughing and the loosening of mucus that is clogging the lungs.
2 weeks after you quit smoking most studies suggest the anxiety, headaches, irritability and fatigue that can arise from stopping smoking cease. This may relate to the change from not having the sugar and other chemicals in cigarette especially when you stop suddenly
2 weeks after you quit smoking residual amounts of nicotine leave the body.
2 weeks after you quit smoking your heart attack risk begins to decrease.
1 month after you quit smoking cilia begins re-growing in your lungs and your sinuses begin to improve.
1 year after you quit smoking your risk of coronary heart disease lowers by half in comparison with other smokers
5 years after you quit smoking your stroke risk lowers to that of non-smokers
10 years after you quit smoking your lung cancer risk lowers by half in comparison with people who continue to smoke. (That is if the cancer is not already present) The same can be said for the development of any other smoking-related cancers (esophageal, throat, kidney etc.)
15 years after you quit smoking your overall risk of smoking-related fatalities will be the same as non-smokers—in other words, it will be gone!

Anyone can quit smoking and stay smoke free for good. To learn more about quitting smoking and hypnosis, contact me or get involved in the discussion on Facebook and Twitter.

References:

Maureen’s eBook “Quit Smoking Hypnosis” Healing timeline taken from the book.

November 29, 2012 by Maureen

Smoking and Cardiac Arrhythmias: What You Need To Know

Smoking is incredibly damaging to the human heart. Whether contributing to heart disease, heart attacks, or other circulatory problems, tobacco smoke is a deadly poison for the cardiovascular system and it is imperative that people quit smoking in order to save their lives.

One cardiovascular aspect of smoking that is discussed less often than the others is the cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmias are common; it is quite normal to have the occasional irregular heart beat due to occasionally wacky electrical impulses coursing through the veins. However, cardiac arrhythmias can also become chronic and may signal more serious cardiovascular problems. And chronic cardiac arrhythmias are very often caused by smoking.

Smoking can cause cardiac arrhythmias because it is a stimulant that makes the heart beat faster and more irregularly. Chronic cardiac arrhythmias can be very uncomfortable: dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches and racing heart beats are all symptoms that can be bothersome and even alarming when occurring constantly.

The good news is that cardiac arrhythmias can be eradicated when smokers quit; over time, the body heals and the cardiovascular system gets back on track. In fact, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of death by cardiovascular disease by nearly 50%!

Getting rid of cardiac arrhythmias means quitting smoking, but this can very often feel harder than climbing Mt. Everest. As a psychosocial habit, the need to smoke is deeply habituated and it takes a lot of patience, willpower and commitment to quit.

Luckily, there are a variety of quit smoking methods out there to make tobacco cessation easier. One such method is quit smoking hypnosis, which gets to the root of the smoking habit. It allows smokers to re-wire their beliefs relative to cigarettes so that they no longer depend on them for emotional gratification or stress relief. Quit smoking hypnosis is hard work, but the long-term health benefits, such as reduced cardiac arrhythmias, are definitely worth the effort.

Smoking is a psychosocial habit that contributes to the development of chronic cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular problems. If you are someone you know is struggling with a smoking habit, and are concerned about how it could be negatively impacting your heart, please contact me for more details or share your own ideas and experiences with us on Twitter.

November 12, 2012 by Maureen

Asthma and Secondhand Smoke: What You Need to Know

There are millions of asthma sufferers on the planet and if you are a smoker, they need your help: they need you to quit smoking so that they can breathe better. Because secondhand your smoking isn’t only damaging your health—your secondhand smoke is damaging the health of those around you. Let’s take a closer look at the dangers of secondhand smoke in general and vis-à-vis asthma.

There are many ways that second hand smoke harms non-smokers, but it is especially hazardous to those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways in the respiratory system. Cigarette smoke is extremely hazardous to people with asthma. It triggers asthma attacks and increases the severity of the attacks.

Inhaling tobacco smoke allows the toxins and irritating substances in the smoke to settle in the moist areas of the airways. This is what triggers an asthma attack; it also makes the attack more intense than usual and more difficult to recover from since the cilia in the airways are damaged and cannot sweep the toxin and junk away and help the breathing process even out.

Smoking also causes major mucus build ups which can be hazardous to asthma sufferers as this further blocks their airways. Additionally, if someone is suffering from a cold or other respiratory illness, inhaling secondhand smoke makes it more difficult for them to clear out the excess gunk and junk backed up in their airways.

Aside from secondhand smoke exaggerating preexisting asthma, secondhand smoke can also cause new cases of asthma to develop in small children. Small children have small and delicate bodies and they breathe much more rapidly than adults. This rapid breathing causes them to inhale more toxins form secondhand smoke than an adult or teenager and the damage to their airways can cause asthma to develop or lead to other respiratory illnesses and difficulties.

If you are struggling with a smoking habit then you need not feel ashamed—you need only take action! Quitting smoking isn’t the easiest path to follow but it is among the most rewarding—getting rid of your tobacco habit will set you on the path to better emotional and physical health in the long run. So have courage and quit smoking! Save your life and the lives of those around you!

Smoking is a psychosocial habit that does great damage not only to your body, but the bodies of those around you. If you, or someone you know, are struggling with a smoking habit in addition to anxiety and depression, please contact me. For more details, check us out on Facebook or share your own ideas and experiences with us onTwitter.

November 8, 2012 by Maureen

Smoking and the Muscular System: The Facts

The muscular system allows the body to move, pumps blood and helps human beings have an upright posture. It is comprised of a critically important group of muscles (which are also organs) that are can be terribly damaged when exposed to cigarettes smoke—just another one of the many important reasons to quit smoking.

The muscular system can be divided into 3 parts: skeletal muscles, smooth muscles and cardiac muscles. Smoking damages all three:

Skeletal Muscles: Skeletal muscles or striated muscles are typically long and are attached to the bones; these are the muscles that allow us to move. Smoking, however, both damages the formation and maintenance of striated muscles because it inhibits connective tissue, such as collagen-based tendons, to regenerate or form. This can lead to a variety of unpleasant neuromuscular diseases.
Smooth Muscles: Smooth muscles are found in many of the body’s vital organs: the male and female reproductive system, blood vessels, arteries, the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, etc. When exposed to tobacco smoke, smooth muscle no longer obtains the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function optimally; this can lead to bad cholesterol and hypertension.
Cardiac Muscles: Cardiac muscles are the muscles located in the heart. Smoking suffocates the cells in these muscles and changes the composition of hemoglobin in the blood, causing the long-term development of cardiovascular disease.

Clearly, smoking is toxic for the muscular system; the only way to avoid the damages listed above is to quit smoking—as soon as a smoker quits, the body gets on the path to healing.

Quitting smoking, however, is not an easy task. It becomes so deeply habituated into the psyche, making it difficult for smokers to give up the emotional gratification that they have attached to cigarettes. But quitting smoking can be done; it is a psychosocial habit that can be conquered. One way to beat the smoking demons is to engage in quit smoking hypnosis. Quit smoking hypnosis uses the principles of hypnosis to re-wire smokers’ brains with new, healthy beliefs so they no longer need cigarettes for psychological soothing; they can learn to sooth and comfort themselves in a way that is nurturing to the body and soul.

Smoking is a psychosocial habit and it will destroy your muscular system—but only if you let it. The power to quit smoking rests in your hands and your hands alone. If you, or someone you know, are struggling with a smoking habit, please contact me. You can also check us out on Twitter and Facebook to ask for advice or share your own tips on how to stay tobacco free.

October 30, 2012 by Maureen

You Are What You Inhale: Smoking’s Effect on Physical Appearance

The majority of contemporary anti-smoking discourse centers on the internal effects of the bad habit: cancer, heart disease, emphysema, indigestion etc. However, smoking also negatively impacts the external body in many ways. Sure, it may seem superficial, but one compelling reason to quit smoking is to deter rapid aging. When a person smokes, their physical appearance suffers dramatically. Here are some of the ways that tobacco smoke damages how a person looks:

Skin: smoking causes the skin to age rapidly. Since smoking negatively impacts circulation, the skin becomes discolored, wrinkly and generally unhealthy looking. Bags develop under the eyes and a person generally beings to look 5-10 years older than they really are.
Hair loss and thinning: Smoking causes the hair to thin and even fall out in both men and women. Not a particularly comforting thought for anyone.
Yellowing: Smoking causes both the teeth and the skin to take on a yellow tint. This is because the toxins in tobacco smoke, like nicotine, stain; over time, the yellow can even turn to an unpleasant brown.
Flab and hanging skin: Smoking leads to flab and hanging skin even if some people who smoke also lose weight. This is because smoking decreases the skin’s elasticity and also makes it more difficult for the body to build and maintain muscle.

Above are just a few of the smoking pitfalls related to physical appearance. Together, these issues can make people look light-years older than they are—and in a very short amount of time.

Luckily, the smoking habit can be overcome when people have a willingness to change. There are a variety of smoking cessation methods available to those motivated enough to take this vital step towards a healthier future, but one very good quit smoking option is quit smoking hypnosis. Quit smoking hypnosis is not about going under a magic spell and giving up cigarettes in the blink of an eye. Quit smoking hypnosis is a serious smoking cessation approach that this involves re-programming smokers’ attitudes and beliefs towards cigarettes so that they are no longer dependent on them for emotional gratification, stress relief or any other form of psychological soothing. Hypnotherapists are used during the quit smoking hypnosis process, but it can also be done alone. Quit smoking hypnosis requires dedication and commitment, but to those concerned with smoking’s impact on their physical appearance, the rewards far outweigh the struggle. Quit smoking hypnosis will get any smoker back on the track to looking and feeling healthier and younger, as long as they are willing to work for it.

Smoking is a psychosocial habit that does great damage to the body’s physical appearance. If you are someone you know or is struggling with a smoking habit, please contact us for more details. Check us out on Facebook or share your own ideas and experiences with us on Twitter.

October 16, 2012 by Maureen

Does smoking increase your chance of ear infections?

Smoking contributes to a wide variety of internal and external health issues; lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, wrinkly skin to name a few. Smoking, however, can also significantly increase the chance that a common cold will develop into a full blown ear infection, making the decision to quit smoking all the more urgent, especially during cold and flu season. Here is the lowdown on the smoking-ear infection relationship.

Ear infections come in many different forms, but the most common manifestation is the middle ear infection. Ear infections are quite common in children but they can also appear frequently in adults—particularly in adults who are not in the best of health.

Ear infections are caused by bacteria (as well as viruses) that find their way into the ear canal via the nasal passage. The presence of mucus encourages the growth and proliferation of bacteria throughout the body—the more mucus, the more bacteria and thus the higher the chance that the bacteria will spread to the ears.

Smoking is an irritant to the nasal passages and the nasal passages build up a defense of mucus to respond to the threats of the tobacco toxins. Hence, even when the smoker’s body is not sick it still has an excess of mucus. Once a cold or flu hits, the smoker’s body is already primed with enough mucus to make the spread of bacteria and viruses very easy. To make matters worse, smoking damages the immune system and therefore smokers are less able to fight off viral or bacterial infections once they start. This very often leads to smokers developing chronic ear infections over time.

It is necessary to quit smoking in order to avoid the perils of ear infections. But quitting smoking can often feel like a daunting task—and it is. As a psychosocial habit, the need to smoke is deeply ingrained in the psyche of the smoker. It takes patience, willpower and commitment to break the smoking habit, but the good news is that there are many methods that can help. One that is particularly effective is quit smoking hypnosis.

Quit smoking hypnosis gets to the root of the smoking problem. It allows smokers to re-wire their thinking process with respect to cigarettes so that they no longer depend on the emotional gratification or stress relief that they falsely believe they can get from tobacco. Quit smoking hypnosis takes patience and determination, but the long-term health benefits, such as reduced ear infections, are definitely worth the effort.

Smoking is a psychosocial habit that contributes to the development of chronic ear infections. If you are someone you know is struggling with a smoking habit, and are concerned about how it could be negatively impacting your ears, please contact me for more details or share your own ideas and experiences with us on Facebook or Twitter.

October 12, 2012 by Maureen

Tobacco Haze: Smoking Damages Vision

Many people are very unaware of how smoking damages eyesight; generally, people associated smoking hazards with heart disease, cancer, and wrinkly skin. But if there is any compelling reason to quit smoking, damaged vision certainly tops that list: nobody wants to lose their ability to see.

Chronic tobacco usage negatively affects the eyes in a multitude of ways. Here are just a few of the main problems smokers experience with their vision:

Irritation: Cigarette smoke causes redness, burning and itching in the eyes. It can also cause dry eye syndrome and change the tear film in the eyes.
Optic Nerve Damage: Since smoking causes hardening of the arteries and these blockages can damage the optic nerve, leading to reduced vision and even blindness.
Cataracts: Smoking increases the likelihood of cataracts or clouded lenses that, over time, can cause reduced vision and blindness.
Macular Degeneration: People who smoke are four times more likely to develop macular degeneration than non-smokers. Macular degeneration is when the macula, the part of the retina that enables sharp, focused vision, is weakened, causing blurry vision and even blindness.

It is pretty clear that smoking is not going to help anyone see any better. Chronic smoking either creates or exaggerates vision problems. But these damages don’t have to be permanent—when people quit smoking much of the harm done to the eyes can be reversed or at least halted.

Quitting smoking is not always the easiest path, but it is the best path to better health. Of the many smoking cessation methods out there, smokers who are worried about damage to their vision should consider quit smoking hypnosis. Quit smoking hypnosis addresses the root of the smoking problem—the fact that it is a psychosocial habit. Quit smoking hypnosis allows smokers to re-wire their thinking process vis-à-vis cigarettes so that they no longer feel dependent on the emotional gratification or stress relief that they believe tobacco provides. Quit smoking hypnosis takes willpower, but the long-term health benefits are definitely worth the effort.

Smoking is a psychosocial habit that damages vision. If you are someone you know is struggling with a smoking habit, and are concerned about how it could be negatively impacting your eyesight, please contact us for more details or share your own ideas and experiences with us on Facebook.

October 10, 2012 by Maureen

Save Your Skin: The Facts About Skin Cancer

Quitting smoking is especially important because the bad habit exposes you to a variety of different cancers, skin cancer included. While most people associate smoking with lung cancer, the carcinogens in cigarettes can contribute to the development of skin cancer—the most common form of cancer in human beings.

Skin cancer can be deadly, particularly when it is not detected earlier enough. It can therefore spread throughout the body until it essentially destroys all systems in its path. Aside from cigarette carcinogens, skin cancer can be caused by over-exposure to the sun, radiation, and ageing.

There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. All three pose a serious risk to your health, but melanoma is the most dangerous.

Skin cancer is relatively easy to detect because it appears as skin discolouration and/or abnormally coloured or shaped moles. Most skin cancer victims discover the condition on their own just by examining their skin. A diagnosis, however, can only be made by a doctor. But the problem is not that skin cancer is difficult to detect; the problem is that people simply forget that skin cancer is a deadly threat and thus do not get treatment for their cancerous growths until it is too late.

So is there a cure for skin cancer? A study conducted by researchers from Rush University Medical School in Chicago showed that a vaccine had been developed that was able to completely cure 16% of users infected with advanced melanoma. For the rest of the group, the vaccine greatly improved the user’s chance of remission. Still, this number is relatively small. So banking on a cure is not the way to go when dealing with skin cancer. The best way to avoid skin cancer is by staying out of the sun, wearing sunscreen regularly and avoiding exposure to unnecessary carcinogens like cigarette smoke. Checking your skin regularly as well as slathering yourself in aloe vera and vitamin D cream also helps.

Are you looking for more information about avoiding the perils of skin cancer? Want to find out how to live a more healthy life in general? Then get involved in the discussion on Facebook and Twitter. We’d love to hear you out and help you out!

October 1, 2012 by Maureen

Pot Fries Your Brain: Stay Away From Marijuana

Quitting smoking is especially important because the bad habit exposes you to a variety of different cancers, skin cancer included. While most people associate smoking with lung cancer, the carcinogens in cigarettes can contribute to the development of skin cancer—the most common form of cancer in human beings.

There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. All three pose a serious risk to your health, but melanoma is the most dangerous.

Are you looking for more information about avoiding the perils of skin cancer? Want to find out how to live a more healthy life in general? Then get involved in the discussion on Facebook and Twitter. We’d love to hear you out and help you out!

September 10, 2012 by Maureen

Why You Shouldn’t Smoke: The Basics

Smoking is one of the worst things that you can do to your body; there is not benefit to smoking, no silver-lining. Yet despite the ubiquity of information on why smoking is bad for you, many people still do it. Thus, it is always worthwhile to remind people of the quit smoking benefits. We will discuss a few of the major reasons why to give up cigarettes below.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death; that is, smoking deaths occur solely because of smoking. This is the great tragedy of smoking: nobody that smokes needs to die—they die because of a psychosocial habit. There are a variety of adverse health effects associated with smoking. The most prominent are:

Cardiovascular disease
Cancer
Lung disease

In addition to the deadly side effects listed above, smoking has an impact on nearly every aspect of your body and mind. The over 4000 toxins found in tobacco assault the body, leaving the skin looking worn and wrinkly, depression and anxiety disorders aggravated, teeth yellow, muscles loose, nails and hair brittle, and the immune system destroyed. Smoking is a habit that can only bring pain and death. There is no sugar-coating this one—smoking is fatal.

The good news? As soon as you quit smoking, the body begins to heal; in fact, the healing begins within 20 minutes of quitting. But quitting smoking is not a 20 minute event. Indeed, it is a lifelong process. This is why it is important to have a plan will that will help you stay smoke free for the long haul. One way to do this is to engage in quit smoking hypnosis. Quit smoking hypnosis teaches you to stop using cigarettes for psychological soothing and start living a healthy life.

Smoking is a psychosocial habit that can kill you, but it doesn’t have to; quitting smoking will allow you to heal your body and build the life that you want. If you, or someone you know, are struggling with a smoking habit, please contact us. You can also check us out on Twitter and ask for advice or share your own tips on how to stay tobacco free.

February 16, 2012 by Maureen

Cigs and Zits: The Synergy Between Smoking and Acne

Young or old, there are a good number of reasons to quit smoking; there are an endless variety of health issues connected to the bad habit, from heart disease to lung cancer to emphysema. One little discussed, yet widespread, health condition related to smoking is acne. While many view acne as primarily a teenage plague, acne affects adults in large numbers—particularly if they are smokers.

Acne is a skin condition characterized by the blocking or inflammation of the skin’s sebaceous glands or hair follicles) resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts. It occurs, primarily, on the face, upper chest and upper back; namely, the areas where the hair follicles are densest.

Acne is typically hormone fluctuations; this is why it is most common during the teenage years. However, hormone shifts can occur at any time during adulthood and acne can also be brought on by environmental factors, including skin products, food and, relevant to our interests, cigarettes.

The British Journal of Dermatology published a study which stated that 42% of female smokers struggle with acne whereas only 10% of non-smokers struggle with symptoms like oily skin, pimples and blackheads. Furthermore, research has shown that smoking causes a very particular kind of acne: while smoking doesn’t always lead to cysts and inflamed red whiteheads, it certainly causes the surface area of the skin to be covered in bumpy blackheads and an oily sheen.

Acne is a condition that contributes to low self-esteem and general discomfort; it surely doesn’t allow people to feel comfortable in their own skin. Therefore, quitting smoking is the only way to steer clear of smoking induced acne. If you are ready to take this step—ready to quit smoking—then make sure you are well prepared by researching smoking cessation methods. Our recommendation would be that you check out quit smoking hypnosis –a surefire way to keep you away from cigarettes for good.

There is no other way to say it: acne is a major bummer, a major bummer exaggerated by smoking. If you are a smoker and have a strong desire to get your acne under control then take the time to contact us or get involved in the discussion on Facebookand Twitter. We’d love to hear you out and help you out!