Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
Do you want to stop smoking? Do you live in Birmingham?
Wednesday 9th March 2011 is national stop smoking day and to celebrate peoples efforts to quit smoking we are promoting ways to stop smoking to help and support you.
A few facts about smoking currently in UK:
- Around 10 million people smoke with two thirds of smokers starting before the age of 18.
- Approximately 1 in 4 of all smoking-related deaths in the UK is from cardiovascular disease.
- Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 chemicals in the form of particles and gases.
- It is estimated that smoking causes over 100,000 premature deaths in the UK every year, of which about a quarter are from lung cancer and around one fifth are from chronic obstructive lung disease. Globally COPD is the fourth most common cause of death and is caused primarily by smoking.
- Approximately a third of all cancer deaths are attributable to smoking.
- Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases. Smokers face a higher risk than non-smokers for a wide variety of illnesses, many of which may be fatal, however many also cause years of debilitating illness.
Still unsure as to whether quiting smoking is for you?
Here are a few reasons why you should and how you can achieve this.
- Within 8 hours of stopping the Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal. Circulation improves.
- In 48 hours the ability to taste and smell improves.
- In 1 month your appearance improves – skin loses its greyish pallor and becomes less wrinkled.
- In 1 year your risk of a heart attack reduces by half compared to that of a smoker.
- In 10 years the risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.
Tips to help you quit:
- Involve friends and family for support
- Speak to Health Exchange about ways that you can access Nicotine Replacement Therapy and a Health Trainer who can support you through these first difficult few weeks and beyond.
- Write a list of reasons why it would be good for you to quit
- Think of the money you’ll save – the average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes is £6.28
- Find an activity that keeps your hands busy…this will stop you reaching for a cigarette
- Save your money that you would normally spend on cigarettes and treat yourself!
- And finally you don’t have to go through this alone call Health Exchange on 0800 158 35 35 and we’ll help you every step of the way
Facts and figures sourced from ASH.org.uk and smokefree.co.uk
Tags: advice, birmingham, health trainers, motivation, quit smoking, self help, stop smoking, support+, tips
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Friday, February 11th, 2011
Every month our Mental Health and Wellbeing lead, Patrick Kwesiega*, will be blogging helpful tips of maintaining on improving your mental health and wellbeing.
Mental health involves finding a balance in all aspects of your life — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It is the ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges you face every day — whether that involves making choices and decisions, adapting to and coping in difficult situations or talking about your needs and desires.
Just as your life and circumstances continually change, so do your moods and thoughts, and your sense of well-being. It is important to find balance in your life over time and in a range of situations. It is natural to feel off balance at times: for example, sad, worried, scared or suspicious. But these kinds of feelings may become a problem if they get in the way of your daily life over a long period. When these bad feelings affect the way you do things or relate with people for a period of over 2 weeks, then consider taking steps to help your self or be helped. For example, when you are concerned about your mental health, talk about your feelings to a trustable person or agency. Help can be sought whenever you are not sure of anything or are in doubt. This can be to your family, friends, community and faith leaders and professionals like doctors or Counsellors. You may contact Health Exchange on 0121 663 0007 and we will point you to the right direction.
*Patrick Kwesiega has worked in Mental Health for the past 6 years. He is a qualified clinical counsellor, accredited facilitator and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psycotherapy. He also plays the African drummer.
Disclaimer: The information and tips in this blog should be read with the understanding that different individuals react differently to social, physical and emotional situations. What works for one may not necessarily work for another. It is always advisable to seek professional help when in doubt or mental health crisis.
Tags: balance, free, health tips, help, improve, mental health, patrick kwesiega, self help, tips for health, tops tip, wellbeing
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Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
Want to earn £250 for your Community, Faith or Third Sector group?
Health Exchange need you!
We run Chronic Disease Education Courses that help people with Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease or Chronic Kidney Disease manage their condition more effectively and have a better quality of life. (more…)
Tags: community groups, diabetes, Earn money, exercise, faith groups, health, heart disease, kidney disease, self help
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