Honoring the Gift of Heart Health for American Indians

Section Seven - Enjoy Living Smoke Free. Take the Path to Heart Healthy Living.

Enjoy Living Smoke Free. Take the Path to Heart Healthy Living.
Mary Will Show You How She Quit Smoking and Made Her Home Smoke Free
Follow Mary's Example To Quit Smoking for Good
Mary Resists the Urge To Smoke
Mary's Family Is Living Smoke Free
My Plan To Quit Smoking
My Heart Health Card

Mary Resists the Urge To Smoke

Mary: "In the beginning, I was stressed and craved a cigarette. Instead of lighting up a cigarette, I called the "Quit Smoking" help line. They suggested that I chew sugarless gum and listen to music to help decrease the urge. It worked."

Try These Tips To Resist the Urge To Smoke:

• Keep your hands busy:
  • Do arts and crafts.
  • Garden.
  • Start a project around the house.
  • Read.
    
    
• Put something in your mouth that is not a cigarette:
  • Drink water.
  • Chew sugarless gum.
  • Eat vegetable sticks or apple slices.
  • Chew on a short straw or a toothpick.
    
    
• If you are stressed, angry, tired, or nervous:
  • Take a slow, deep breath, count to five, and release it. Repeat 10 times.
  • Talk with a friend.
  • Take a walk.
  • Listen to music.
    
    
• When you get up in the morning:
  • Brush your teeth and use mouthwash instead of smoking.
  • If you've always had a cigarette with coffee, switch to tea for a while or drink water.
  • Remember to keep tobacco sacred.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH Publication No. 08-6340
June 2008