30 - Sunday, Apri! 19, 1992 - North Shore News

LIFESTYLES
‘I’ve > only just begun...

I THOUGHT it would be
easier this week, but no
such luck.

By Robyn Brown
Contributing Writer

Now I am starting to wonder
what I’ve gotten myself into. How
am I going to survive another six
weeks of this?

I managed to keep myself away
from cigarettes, that wasn’t the
problem — it’s writing this col-
umn that’s causing the trouble.

I was afraid this might happen.
I went through this exact same
thing last week — I can’t go near
my computer without it triggering
the urge to smoke.

So, here I am, I’ve been sitting
‘in front of a blank computer
screen for 20 minutes already. I
know I have a lot to write about,
but at the moment I just can’t
seem to put it into words.

As I sit here, there is a soft
breeze blowing down from a fan
hooked on the wal! above me. I
originally set up this ventilation
system so that | would be able to
smoke while I worked at my
computer.

I remember. one day about six
months ago when my sister-in-law
questioned why I had the window
open and a fan blowing on the
coldest day of the year. .

‘I explained that I needed to
protect my computer from the
ravages of cigarette smoke. “The
smoke gets drawn in by the com-

uter’s internal fan and it wreaks

avoc on the insides,’ I said.

It seemed perfectly reasonable
to me until she pointed out the
paradox: ‘‘What about the smoke
that gets drawn into your lungs
and wreaks havoc on your in-
sides?’’ she asked.

Oh ... I never thought about it
. that way before.

_ This is my second week without
. cigarettes. While the physical part
of withdrawal is behind me now,
I'm still battling the psychological

symptoms.

Every day this week I’ve had

. Strong urges to smoke.

I would definitely say the

hardest part of withdrawal! has
. been the emotional experience.

- During the past week I’ve endured
. afew dramatic mood swings, but
mostly I’ve been feeling sad and

empty.

I feel like I’ve lost a friend, and
in some ways I have — cigarettes
were always there for me, my
constant companion over the
years. They greeted me in the
morning, and said good-night to

“me every evening,

| WITH THISAD A. CAR!
, Applies to Been Daily Rates

North Mat

One final note: I am having a
hard time saying to myself ‘‘I’ve
quit smoking’’ without feeling like
a quitter. I guess that’s because I
was brought up to believe in the
adage “‘A winner never quits and
a quitter never wins.”

I feel much better about it when
I say “I’m a starter — I've started
non-smoking.”’

So, instead of thinking I’ve
quit, I'd like to think P’ve only
just begun. This is the start of a
new life for me — a longer,
healthier and smoke-free life.

Quit to Win

jg

Withdrawal means recovery:
Withdrawal symptoms are temporary and once they pass
you’ll never have to deal with them again as long as-you stay
tobacco-free. Here are the most common withdrawal symp-
toms, and some tips on how you can deal with them:

» Dry mouth, sore throat, gums or tongue,
Sip ice cold water or fruit juice or chew sugarless gum.
This should replace the moisture that tobacco used to
produce.

» Coughing.
Sugarless candy, cough drops or warm herbal teas can
help dea) with the extra mucus produced by the lungs as
they clear themselves of tar and nicotine.

» Hunger.
Consume plenty of water and low-fat, low-calorie food.
This will help you overcome the common trap of reacting
to a craving for tobacco as if it were a hunger pang.

® Tension, irritability.
Take walks, soak in a hot bath or use relaxation methods
to reduce tension.

» Poor concentration. .
Deep breathing and exercise wiil increase the supply of
oxygen te your brain and help avoid the feeling of being
“spaced out.’? Avoid alcohol, which cuts oxygen to the
brain.

~- Reprinted from the B.C. Lung Association’: 's “Tips to
Help You Quit for Good.”

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EDUCATION PROGRAM

Spring 1992

PARENTING THE9 MONTH TO2VEAROLD
Fee: $44/Single; $70/Couple FSO

. 26-Ju Carson Graham Sec. ‘Sch.

2145 Jones Avenue

* North Vancouver

Viestover Comm. =
7 Duval Road

North Vancouver

North Vancouver

THE REMARRIED FAMILY
Aer Sodane Saaisingle $7:

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PARENTING ADOPTED CHILDREN

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May 13-May 27 Westover Conun. Sch.
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6 Fridays 685 ist St.
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THE GRIEVING PROCESS
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AGING PARENTS — COPING & CARING
Fee: $25 FE43

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230 East 15th St.

North Vancouver

"ee; $39
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ON YOUR CWN AND LOVING IT ;
3 $33
Boundary Comm. Sch.
750 East 26th St.
North Vancouver
BEFORE YOU REMARRY
1S
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2145 .

MARRIAGE SREP
Fee: $100
May 5-May 26
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7:00-9:00p.m.

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303-126 E. 15th St.
North Vancouver

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Fee: $39

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Apr. 28-May 26 Sutherland Sec. Sch.
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