|
|
Science & The Spirit
Part 1
| 2 | 3 |
4
| 5 | 6
| 7
| 8 | 9 |
10
| 11 | 12 | 13
| 14 | 15
| 16 | 17
| 18 | 19
| 20
UP IN SMOKE
Health Helps Part 12
By Dane and Vicki Griffin
Back in the 1950s, cigarette
ads were different. One claimed that “more doctors recommend
Lucky Strike” because they were easier on the lungs. Camel
bragged that its cigarettes were smoked by more doctors than any
other brand. Since then, people have changed. Advertisements
have changed. Times have changed. But cigarettes haven’t
changed.
Smoking is addictive. The nicotine in cigarettes acts on the
body in much the same way as cocaine and heroin. Maybe that’s
why it’s so hard for smokers to quit!
Smokers get depressed. Studies show that smokers are more likely
to have foul moods, stress, loneliness, boredom, and
restlessness. Depression is a double curse, because it seems to
drive many people to start smoking, and also makes it harder to
quit. However, when a smoker does kick the habit, things do get
better. In fact, he can expect his stress level to drop by 50%
within six months.
Smoking kills people. Smoking kills about three million people
in the world each year. That is about six people every minute!
Just look at what a smoker can expect:
• Dramatically increased blood pressure!
• Much higher risk of lung cancer!
• Twice as much risk of heart disease!
• Higher risk of stroke, cataracts, psoriasis, and even lumbar
disc disease.
Smokers’ children suffer, too.
• The babies of smoking mothers often have seriously low birth
weights.
• The babies of fathers who have smoked at least five years
have a 70% greater risk of lymphoma (a type of cancer),
and three times greater chance of brain tumors.
• When the mother smokes, the child is more likely to have
attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, and
aggressive, antisocial behavior.
• Babies that breathe cigarette smoke have a higher risk for
sudden infant death, middle ear infections, and respiratory
illnesses.
What’s the good news?
You can decide not to smoke—not ever—not even once. And if
someone you care about has the habit, you can encourage them to
quit. They may say they’ve tried—and failed. They may have
tried 100 times—and failed. If so, remind them that “With
men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things
are possible” (Mark 10:27). “He is able even to subdue all
things unto Himself”—including a strong desire to smoke
(Philippians 3:21). Scientists at John Hopkins University
recently discovered that when a person asks God for help, he or
she is three times more likely to quit smoking!
Tips for quitting. Here are some practical suggestions
you can share with those who want to kick the habit:
• Throw away every cigarette in the house, the car, the
office, the garage. Don’t leave a single one to be a
temptation.
• Avoid old smoking places.
• Instead of focusing on what you are giving up, treat
yourself with benefits from nature’s storehouse. Avoid
caffeine and sugar, and replace these unhealthy stimulants with
plenty of pure water, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables—especially
greens—every day.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise in the fresh air and
sunshine every day.
• Go to bed early so your body can repair and be well rested.
• When craving a cigarette, take a cool shower if possible,
and sip a calming herb tea like chamomile. Dart a prayer to
Heaven, and repeat the promise in Romans 8:37: “In all these
things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
Part 1
| 2 | 3 |
4
| 5 | 6
| 7
| 8 | 9 |
10
| 11 | 12 | 13
| 14 | 15
| 16 | 17
| 18 | 19
| 20
Copyright © LifeStyle Matters, Inc.
|
