Did you know that if you own a business and employ smokers, your bottom line is taking a direct hit that can sink a ship? That's Right! Today, American businesses are paying an estimated $3,391 extra per smoker per year in direct medical costs. This does not include a major loss in productivity from smoking-related illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses. Approximately 425,000 Americans die every year due to smoking related illnesses, so it's imperative to offer tips and programs to your employees to help them kick this nasty, suicidal habit. My hope is that you use this article as an aid to help your employees eliminate the smoking addiction permanently. Perhaps you can post it or reprint it in an accessible place for their future reference. In our Corporate Wellness Programs we teach a "9 Step Process" designed to help the smoker kick the habit and minimize withdrawal. Our success rate has been pretty amazing and we are very proud of our accomplishments. Research concludes that it's virtually impossible to stop smoking unless you are truly ready. You have to be willing throw your cigarettes into the trash and take back control of your life. You must be ready! You have to let go of your failed excuses, and most of all stop fighting for your right to smoke. Wake up! The war is over and you've lost. You have been cleverly deceived by an industry that calculatingly placed addictive substances into your cigarettes and made you a junkie. The cigarette industry duped you, drugged you, took all your money, made you sick, and murdered you. These facts should raise enough anger within you that they motivate you to quit. Stop fighting for cigarettes and start fighting for yourself. Do this for yourself and your loved ones. Research also states that the most successful ex-smokers did not make it on their first try. It was on their 2ndor 3rdattempt that they succeeded. While it's important not to use this statistic as an excuse to fail; it's also important to remember to keep fighting until you win. Think back at all the time and effort you put into becoming a smoker. Don't you think it's worth it putting a little time and effort into breaking the addiction permanently? You certainly gave cigarettes a chance; now give your body and your life the same opportunity. Once you put your cigarette out for the last time, it takes about 7 days for nicotine to leave your body. For most people withdrawal is not a fun process, so the first 7 days is usually the most difficult for some people. As I mentioned, our Corporate Wellness Programs incorporate a 9 Step Process helping make your withdrawal easier. As a result your success rate will dramatically increase. While some of these steps may sound over simplistic; physiologically and psychologically they are sound. Remember it's extremely important to utilize these steps for the next 7 days as you pass nicotine. Step 1 - For the Next 7 Days Avoid Sugar: This step can become very involved so here is the short version. Every time your sugar levels drop it triggers an urge to smoke. Avoiding sugar helps to keep your levels stable therefore reducing the smoking urge while going thru withdrawal. This step can also help you avoid weight gain. However fruits and fresh fruit juices are acceptable since these sugars are natural. It's important to remember to eat as much fruit and as many vegetables as possible for the next 7 days. Step 2 - Have 3 Meals a Day Including Breakfast: 3 meals a day can help to keep your stomach full so you won't crave junk foods. This can keep your weight down. Breakfast is critical for the next 7 days and you must include some proteins and complex carbohydrates. These tend to stabilize your sugar levels and greatly reduce smoking urges. Your breakfast can be as simple as: toast, toast with peanut butter, low fat cheese, low fat milk, fruits, bananas, eggs, or a healthy cereal without sugar. It's always recommended that you avoid any cereal that turns your milk into different colors. Step 3 - Brush Your Teeth or Gargle after Every Meal: Nicotine tends to remain in your saliva glands for about 7 days. Therefore, after chewing a meal that familiar taste will remain in your mouth after your meal triggering urges to smoke. The faster you clean your mouth after a meal, the less this will affect you. After 7 days you never have to brush your teeth again. (HA!) Step 4 - Buy a New Toothbrush: It's very important that you start brushing your teeth with a new toothbrush. Because your old brush has been cleaning the filthy, dirty mouth of a smoker; it has nicotine on it. You end up swallowing the nicotine off of your old brush; it goes directly into your blood stream and triggers strong urges to smoke. Brushing with an old brush is a reason withdrawal takes much longer for some people, but not for you. Step 5 - Drink 5 to 8 Glasses of Non-Caloric Liquids a Day: Water, water with lemon, herbal teas, green teas, and seltzer help to flush nicotine out of your system making withdrawal faster and more bearable. If you keep a pitcher of water on your desk daily, this should be very easy. Step 6 -Increase Your Calcium Intake. Milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and leafy greens can be an excellent source of calcium. As nicotine is leaving your body it takes your calcium with it. Calcium is an amazing mineral that helps us stay calm and relaxed. It's critical to remain calm and relaxed during the withdrawal period, so replacing your calcium can be a wonderful tool to minimize withdrawal. Step 7 - Take a B Vitamin: (Preferably one with Biotin) B vitamins have two nicknames; they are called "the emotional vitamin" or "stress tabs." While calcium is good for physical withdrawal, B Vitamins are good for your mind. They can keep your emotions stable as your body passes nicotine. This is also very important in minimizing your withdrawal. For some people a multi-vitamin is enough; however most people need to take a full B. If your B has biotin in it, chances are it's a good B. Step 8 - Avoid Alcohol & Caffeine for 7 Days: Now before you get upset this is an important step, and it's only for 7 days. The problem with alcohol is that it has sugar in it, and that triggers urges to smoke. Many people put large amounts of sugar in their coffee and that can create the same issue described in step 1. The recommendation is to switch to decaf for a week. If you absolutely cannot avoid alcohol, be sure you do your drinking with a full belly of food. The food can help absorb the sugar from the alcohol and lessen your urges. Remember many people associate cigarettes with coffee and alcohol, so be aware. Step 9 - Quit with a Friend: There's no question that having a support friend (A.K.A "Quit-Buddy) on your side is very beneficial. Should you get edgy you can support each other, and also celebrate in each other's victories. If you have a quit-buddy by your side you dramatically increase your chances of remaining a non-smoker for the rest of your life. Can you think of any greater revenge you can have towards the cigarette company's? Please remember to consult with your health-care provider to be sure these suggestions are not in conflict with his/her recommendations. Several years ago I was presenting my Corporate Wellness Programs at Lourdes Medical Center. One of the attendees was smoking seven and a half packs of cigarettes per day. (That's 150 cigarettes per day, or 54,750 a year.) He had open heart surgery and his left lung removed and still could not kick the habit. My Stop Smoking Program is a combination of the 9 steps listed above and clinical hypnotherapy. Four days after the program he stopped smoking, and has been nicotine free for over 4 years. I understand that stopping smoking is a very difficult decision to make and commit to. However, my hope is that these suggestions can help make your transition easier, as you become a permanent, healthy non-smoker. I wish you luck & success! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5619444