Smoking Cessation

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Preventing the Spread of Disease and Boosting Your Immune System

To stay ‘healthy and safe’ during this national/global health crisis, it is important to be aware of and follow the advice of local, state, national and international government and public health departments guidelines.

Depending on where you live in the world, those recommendations vary as well as can change daily. Sources to find up-to-date, accurate, evidence-based information include: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), World Health Organziation (WHO), and the United Nations (UN), as well as state and local Public Health Departments.

Take care of yourself and doing everything you can to stay healthy and boost your immunity:

  • Rigorous hand washing,
  • Keep a healthy environment,
  • Eat healthy balanced, nutritious meals,
  • Avoid drugs, smoking, excess drinking,
  • Spend time in nature,
  • Minimize stress,
  • Get adequate sleep.

Follow the Department of Public Health (DPH) Guidelines for ‘Social Distancing,’ ‘Stay at Home’ and ‘Face Covering‘ Guidelines from the CDC, Gloucester DPH and MA DPH.

‘Preparation and Prevention’ Information from the CDC:

Foods that support a healthy immune system, from Mayo Clinic

Boosting Immunity from Harvard Health

Managing Stress and Anxiety in the Midst for a Crisis from the CDC –

Things you can do to support yourself during a crisis –

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Exercise regularly. Get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Spend time in nature (while wearing face covering and maintaining 6 foot distance).
  • Make time to unwind. Do some activities or hobbies you enjoy.
  • Music is healing: listening to or playing. (Try Live streaming, you-tube and facebook house parties).
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
  • Connect with other ‘virtually’ via phone, on-line webinars, FaceTime.

If stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row, call your healthcare provider.

At Dreamtime Wellness we are offering Free 20-minute Phone Consultations (one per person) for those in need of support, stress relief, pain management and smoking cessation. During this health crisis, all our services and products for relaxation, stress management and smoking cessation are offered ‘virtually’ at discounted prices, ‘sliding scale,’ ‘by donation’ or some for free (one per person), depending on your individual circumstances and needs. Contact us for details and to schedule a consultation or session.

Our hours for ‘virtual’ sessions are Monday through Thursday. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Some evening and weekend sessions will be available for ‘essential workers’ who work during the day and, any front-line workers.

~ We are all in this together, and together we will all get through this. ~ 

 

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Alumnus CCRN, Nurse Researcher, Integrative Nurse Consultant, Author, Speaker, Photographer. Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health: Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate, advocate for, and empower you in your healthcare goals. Providing evidence-based integrative healthcare services and self-care tools that are safe as well as effective at improving overall health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. 978.283.4258. Email: dreamtimewellness@gmail.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

 

 

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Make Smoking and Vaping History

September 15th marked the Great American Smoke-Out.
I recently experienced a surge in requests for assistance with ‘smoking cessation.’ Besides this being the time for the annual Great American Smoke-Out, I believe some of this upswing in consultations is due to the reports in the media of the dangers of vaping with the ‘risks of a serious lung disease.’ This year there have been 7 deaths reported in the United States related to serious lung diseases linked with vaping. This has led to calls in the media to ban flavored e-cigarettes, seemingly targeted at teenagers. The irony of this is how quickly politicians and agencies have talked about banning these products, and yet the Tobacco Industry is allowed to continue to sell knowingly lethal products, that are attributed to almost half a million deaths annually in the United States.
Some Important Facts:
  • E-cigarettes usually contain nicotine. Nicotine is what makes tobacco products addictive. Some e-cigarettes that claim to be nicotine-free have been found to contain nicotine.
  • E-cigarettes are harmful for youth, young adults, and pregnant women.
  • E-cigarettes may contain other harmful substances (Eg. heavy metals, flavorings linked to lung disease, small particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, and cancer-causing chemicals).
  • Being near someone using an e-cigarette can expose you to the aerosol and chemicals in it, similar to secondhand smoke from burning cigarettes.
  • 4.7 million middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.
  • More than 43 million people in the United States smoke cigarettes (about 1 in 5 adults).480,000 deaths each year from smoking-related illness
  • Nearly 40 million U.S. adults still smoke cigarettes
  • Smoking is the #1 preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States
The Bottom Line – there is NO ‘safe’ nicotine or tobacco product. Stopping smoking and use of vaping nicotine products saves lives. Stop Now …, and you will be glad you did!
Contact us with questions and for assistance with smoking cessation: dreamtimewellness@gmail.com. 978-283-4258. Additional assistance can be found by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or at https://smokefree.gov.
Wishing you the best in health,

Karen

Sources and For More Information:
  • CDC.gov
  • Smokefree.gov.
  • Cancer.net

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Alumnus CCRN, Author, Speaker, Nurse Researcher, Photographer. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate, advocate for, and empower you in your healthcare goals. Providing evidence-based integrative healthcare services and self-care tools that are safe as well as effective at improving overall health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

National Kick Butts (and E-Cigarettes) Day

E-cigarettes pose serious health risks for kids. “The U.S. Surgeon General has found that youth use of nicotine in any form – including e-cigarettes – is unsafe, causes addiction and can harm the developing adolescent brain, affecting learning, memory and attention. Studies also show that young people who use          e-cigarettes are more likely to become cigarette smokers.”

Use of Electronic Cigarettes by Teenagers is On the Rise – According to a survey supported by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “E-cigarette use among high school students had skyrocketed from 1.5 percent in 2011 to 16 percent in 2015 (a more than 900 % increase.) 

A Cochrane Review of the literature included 2 small preliminary studies looking at electronic cigarettes showed they may help reduction tobacco use, but more long-term study looking at negative side-effects is needed.  Electronic cigarettes are NOT approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA.)

The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) finalized new rules for tobacco products August 2016.

Electronic Cigarettes (E-cigarettes) – contain nicotine, the addictive component found in cigarettes and may promote smoking. E-cigarettes are also known to contain heavy metals and carcinogens and while less so than cigarettes, e-cigarettes are still considered dangerous. Some people continue to smoke while using e-cigarettes, adding to their risk. E-cigarettes can lead to nicotine addiction for those just starting, and re-ignite addiction in those that have stopped smoking cigarettes. There is no safe nicotine product.

Dangers of Electronic Cigarette Batteries Igniting and more information about electronic cigarettes.    E-Cigarettes and vaporizers have been banned on planes due to danger of exploding and risk of fire.

Stopping Nicotine Addiction Takes a Village. Contact Us For Help to Stop Smoking or Talk to Your Doctor. Quit-lines are also helpful resources –1-800-QuitNow.

Dreamtime Wellness™ offers FREE Consultation and a comprehensive, integrative healthcare approach combining conventional tobacco treatment and counseling with complementary therapies.

Sources and More Information –

#NationalKickButtsDay

Best in Health,  

Karen

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Alumnus CCRN, Author, Speaker, Nurse Researcher, Photographer. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate, advocate for, and empower you in your healthcare goals. Providing evidence-based integrative healthcare services and self-care tools that are safe as well as effective at improving overall health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

 

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Celebrate American Heart Month – Say No to Cigarettes

 

American Heart Month – Smoking is a Major Risk Factor for Heart Disease. Besides causing breathing problems and lung cancer, smoking is also a major cause of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease.

Here Are the Facts:

  • Cigarette smoking accounts for about one-fifth of all deaths from heart disease in the United States.
  • Smokers have a two to four fold increase in coronary artery disease and about a 70 percent higher death rate from coronary artery disease than do nonsmoker.
  • Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Smoking is the No. 1 cause of preventable disease and death.

Continue reading →

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Community Reiki Share™ Fund Raiser for LungForce March 6th

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Join Us Tuesday, March 6th for a Community Reiki Share™ At the Manchester Community Center in Manchester-by-the-Sea. 40 Beach St. On the MBTA Boston North Station/Rockport Line. Convenient Parking. Handicapped accessible. Open to All. Contact Us to Register in Advance – info@dreamtimewellness.com

Community Reiki Share™ Fundraiser in Support of LungForce and the American Lung Association. A portion of this month’s proceeds will be donated to LungForce, a division of the American Lung Association. Members of LungForce will be there to discuss their mission and answer any questions. Enjoy a relaxing session of reiki while you are there!

You can also join in the LungForce Walk/Boston May 10 at Boston Commons and join in their mission to help cure cancer. Or you can help by donating here.

 

Looking for Integrative Therapy Practitioners (Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Tai Chi, Yoga,) to Join Us at the ‘DreamTeam’ Wellness Tent at the LungForce Walk Boston on Thursday, May 10 on the Commons. Contact Us for Details on how you can participate.

Innovative Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer have improved the outcome of lung cancer. Cure Cancer shutterstock_30955345 DTWKey Findings about Lung Cancer and Lung Disease –  Continue reading →

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FREE Hypnosis Lecture

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Hypnotherapy; Make Positive Changes Easier. Part of the Common Crow Natural Market ‘Wellness Wednesday’ Series. Wednesday. January 24th.  6 – 7 pm.  At Tree Top Yoga, 3A Pond Rd. Gloucester MA

Free, but Advance Registration Recommended to guarantee your space. To Register Contact – Common Crow Natural Market  at 978-283-1665. For More Information About Hypnosis Contact – 978-283-4258 or Email: info@dreamtimewellness.com.

Resolve to Make Change in this New Year. The new year often brings renewed commitment to make positive lifestyle changes. Hypnotherapy and the use of self-hypnosis can help make it easier to get motivated to make changes, and then make it easier to also stick with the changes.

In this lecture you will learn – About the natural state of hypnosis, hypnotizability, and what to expect in a session. Case studies and evidence-based research will be presented. Questions answered.

How Can Hypnosis Help? What are Your Goals?

In my practice, these are just some of the conditions and issues my clients have sought hypnosis for:

  • Behavioral Changes – Stop Smoking, Reduce Weight, Exercise More, Eat Healthier
  • Personal Growth – More Time For Self, Change Jobs, Learn a New Skill or Language
  • Overcome Fears – Flying, Public Speaking, Test Taking, Stage Performance
  • Improve Athletic Performance – Golf, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Tennis
  • Health Improvement – Stress and Pain Management, Better Blood Pressure
  • Adjunct to Medical Care – Hot flashes, Asthma, Itching, IBS, Prepare for Surgery

Join me for this fun, informative, interactive and relaxing lecture. Everyone that wishes to will have a chance to enjoy relaxation techniques during the presentation. Space is limited. Reserve today!

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“Big Tobacco Finally Tells the Truth”

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

NBC News Report Today – 

  • Smoking kills 1200 people a day.
  • Tobacco companies worked to make cigarettes as addictive as possible.
  • No there no such thing as a safer cigarette.

Big Tobacco “fought for 11 years to delay the truth.” (nbc news.)

Smoking and Nicotine Addiction – Nicotine Addiction is a serious addiction that often requires a combination of treatments (cognitive behavioral therapy, tobacco treatment counseling and medication) to successfully stop smoking and decrease the risks of the harmful effects caused by smoking.

Get Help. Talk to Your Doctor.

Motivation to Stop Smoking: ‘Top 10 Reasons’ to Stop Smoking – (heard from my clients.)

  • My health
  • Health of a loved one
  • More quality time with family/ children/ grandchildren
  • Have more energy
  • Better able to exercise
  • Save money
  • Feel better
  • Breathe easier
  • Sex life will improve
  • Help prevent cancer
  • Help prevent heart disease
  • Easier to walk up stairs
  • Get rid of that nagging cough
  • Get rid of the social stigma
  • Hair, skin and breath will smell better
  • Food will taste better
  • Car will smell better
  • Traveling on planes will be easier
  • I can attend events without have to leave
  • Regain control over your life
  • Enjoy a sense of pride …

What Are Your ‘Reasons to Stop?’ One of these listed above? Or something else? Share your ‘reasons to stop’ with Good Morning Gloucester Friends of Blog (FOB) and help motivate others! 

Already stopped?? Congratulations!!!

Let Good Morning Gloucester Followers Know – What Was ‘Most Helpful’ for Your Success?

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Stop Smoking … and Take Back Your Health

Your Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Tomorrow is the Great American Smoke-Out! 

Smoking Remains the #1 Preventable Cause of Disease in the United States. Smoking negatively affects every body system. Thanks to the efforts of the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association, fewer people are still smoking.

The Good News: Within minutes of smoking your last cigarette, your body begins to recover and heal:

There are Immediate Benefits to Stopping: 

20 Minutes After Stopping – Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.

Within a Few Days of Stopping:

  • Clothes, hair and breath smell better.
  • Your sense of smell returns to normal.
  • Your teeth and fingernails stop yellowing.
  • It becomes easier to walk and climb stairs.

You Look and Feel Better and Are Healthier as a NON-Smoker!

Stopping smoking helps stop the damaging effects of tobacco that can cause premature wrinkling of your skin, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Within a few months your circulation and breathing improve, and Much More!  More Health Benefits

Happy and Proud to Be Smoke-FREE! Free of the Worry … Free of the Fear … Free of the Stigma … Free of the Danger that went along with smoking.

Continue reading →

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#NationalKickButtsDay

Your Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

In Case You Missed This Earlier Post …. March 15th Was #NationalKickButtsDay

You Still CAN DO It!

Kick Butts Day is organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and sponsored by the United Health Foundation. The first Kick Butts Day was held in 1996.

Blow

Talk to your doctor about group and individualized treatment programs for smoking cessation. Stopping smoking can be a challenge. Medications for tobacco treatment along with tobacco treatment counseling may make it easier. Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT,) Zyban (Wellbutrin) or Chantix. 

Addiction is a ‘disease of the brain.’Nicotine addiction is no exception, and the cigarette companies know as much about the addiction pathway as healthcare providers, finding ways to  make cigarettes more addictive so they can sell more cigarettes.

Collaborative, comprehensive, supportive programs make it easier to stop.

Benefits of Stopping Smoking –  Click here to see the immediate and long-term benefits for your health and BREATHE EASIER. 

Make Smoking History – 1-800-quitnow and www.smokefree.gov offer FREE Help.

Dreamtime Wellness™ offers smoking cessation and tobacco treatment counseling combined with integrative therapies that can help make it easier to stop. Ask about special discounts for veterans cancer patients. Call –  978-283-4258…. Or email -Info@dreamtimewellness.com.

Stop Smoking, and Enjoy the Breath of Life,   Karen

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, CCRN Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC.  Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

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Smoking Cessation – Special Programs for Veterans

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Your Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind Body and Spirit

Smoking Cessation – November was Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the Great American Smoke-Out, 2 major incentives to increase awareness for smoking cessation. More support is available than ever before. No time like the present to stop. Just think of the savings you receive once you stop smoking, in health benefits and ‘cash-in-hand.’  A great way to begin the New Year is with a focus on you and your good health. Start to put a plan in place now.

Help is Here!

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a new program for smoking cessation to help make make it easier to stop, offering support via text messaging. 1-855-Quit-Vet.

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Talk to your doctor about group and individualized treatment programs for smoking cessation. Stopping smoking can be a challenge. Medications for tobacco treatment along with tobacco treatment counseling may make it easier. Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT,) Zyban (Wellbutrin) or Chantix. 

Addiction is a ‘disease of the brain.’ Nicotine addiction is no exception, and the cigarette companies know as much about the addiction pathway as healthcare providers, finding ways to  make cigarettes more addictive so they can sell more cigarettes.

Collaborative, comprehensive, supportive programs make it easier to stop.

Benefits of Stopping Smoking –  Click here to see the immediate and long-term benefits for your health and BREATHE EASIER. 

Make Smoking History – 1-800-quitnow and www.smokefree.gov offer FREE Help.

Dreamtime Wellness™ offers smoking cessation and tobacco treatment counseling combined with integrative therapies that can help make it easier to stop. As the clinical hypnotherapist for the North Shore Medical Center I participated in a study looking at the     use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy, alone and in combination with hypnosis. Ask about special discounts for veterans.  978-283-4258. Info@dreamtimewellness.com.

Stop Smoking, and Enjoy the Breath of Life,   Karen

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC.  Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.