Quit before its too late!
BY Roopsha Dasguupta27 April 2015 3:24 AM IST
Roopsha Dasguupta27 April 2015 3:24 AM IST
I want to quit smoking. How to start the plan, I’m unable to do it? I have failed thrice already!
R. Sood, New Delhi
May be this could be the START:
S = Set a quit date: Choose a date within the next two weeks, so you have enough time to prepare without losing your motivation to quit. If you mainly smoke at work, quit on the weekend, so you have a few days to adjust to the change.
T = Tell family, friends, and co-workers that you plan to quit: Let your friends and family in on your plan to quit smoking and tell them you need their support and encouragement to stop. Look for a quit buddy who wants to stop smoking as well. You can help each other get through the rough times.
A = Anticipate and plan for the challenges you’ll face while quitting: Most people who begin smoking again do so within the first three months. You can help yourself make it through by preparing ahead for common challenges, such as nicotine withdrawal and cigarette cravings.
R = Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work: Throw away all of your cigarettes (no emergency pack!), lighters, ashtrays, and matches. Wash your clothes and freshen up anything that smells like smoke.
T = Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit: Your doctor can prescribe medication to help with withdrawal and suggest other alternatives. If you can’t see a doctor, you can get many products over the counter at your local pharmacy or grocery store, including the nicotine patch and nicotine gum.
Whenever I make a new friend, I always tend to spend a day looking up their birth chart and astrological implication. I don’t know how to quit. Please help!
Tanvi, Pune
I think that what you should do is find a better way to spend your day differently. It will be hard at first but you have to learn self control and overcome the desire to do this. You’ll be much relieved when you can do it. Whenever you meet new people, just look into their personality or into something deeper that has nothing to do with astrology! What their birth chart says about them probably isn’t going to be accurate at all! Why be concerned about that if you could just get to know the person they are. Astrology is a faith and probably science too. But, you will feel burdened if you don’t change this habit now!
Whenever I commit a mistake I am unable to say the perfect ‘sorry’. Need your help.
Neelesh, Noida
Perfect ‘sorry’ seems like a really good question. Here’s my view and I sincerely hope this helps:
1. Be truly sorry that you upset the other party.
2. Acknowledge the hurt done, and take responsibility for making amends.
3. Commit to not letting it happen again.
4. Express appreciation for having the other person in your life.
5. Ask for forgiveness.
6. Follow through with improved behaviour.
My son is in Class VI. He is afraid of the dark. Need guidance please.
Rani, Lucknow
Fear is a normal part of life for all of us, including young children. It tends to start when you try something new, something that is an unknown. The fear of the dark tends to evolve around the time when children are old enough to have a sense of imagination. The best thing a parent can do for a child with a fear of the dark is to communicate, be respectful, and show that you understand. Be sensitive and don’t tell them their fear is silly.
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