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Giving up smoking 'easier when spontaneous'
Unplanned attempts to give up smoking are more likely to succeed than pre-planned quitting, a new survey shows.
Published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Online, the study quizzed subjects about their attempts to stop smoking and whether they were planned in advance.
The poll of more than 1,900 smokers and ex-smokers indicates that failing to plan attempts to stop smoking does not necessarily have a negative effect on the outcome.
Analysis of whether attempts to quit smoking had been made at least six months before suggested that almost half the attempts to give up involved no previous planning and unplanned attempts were more likely to prove successful.
Published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Online, the study quizzed subjects about their attempts to stop smoking and whether they were planned in advance.
The poll of more than 1,900 smokers and ex-smokers indicates that failing to plan attempts to stop smoking does not necessarily have a negative effect on the outcome.
Analysis of whether attempts to quit smoking had been made at least six months before suggested that almost half the attempts to give up involved no previous planning and unplanned attempts were more likely to prove successful.
Visualization may help some smokers quit
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some smokers may be able to quit by seeing themselves do it in their minds, research findings suggest.
A study of 71 smokers found that those who went through guided-imagery therapy had more than twice the abstinence rate 2 years later as their peers who received only standard counseling.
The guided imagery involved progressive muscle relaxation and breathing exercises to calm and focus the mind. Then study participants were led in visualizing themselves in a healthful state and performing specific activities, such as exercising, eating well -- and not smoking.
A study of 71 smokers found that those who went through guided-imagery therapy had more than twice the abstinence rate 2 years later as their peers who received only standard counseling.
The guided imagery involved progressive muscle relaxation and breathing exercises to calm and focus the mind. Then study participants were led in visualizing themselves in a healthful state and performing specific activities, such as exercising, eating well -- and not smoking.
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