
- With Mayo Clinic behavioral counselor
Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
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Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Jennifer Kern is a tobacco treatment specialist, certified through the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center.
Her counseling work addresses various aspects of tobacco addiction, including the love-hate relationship many tobacco users have with their smoking or chewing, education about nicotine addiction, and effective strategies to help with quitting.
In addition, she explores the importance of getting emotional and social support when stopping tobacco use, and offers ideas and suggestions about how to ask for and give this support.
Being bilingual, she enjoys counseling in both Spanish and English. She holds a master's degree in psychology, with interests including spirituality, psychosomatic illness, depression and anxiety, maladaptive coping behaviors, and overall health behavior change.
"As a former smoker, I am personally familiar with the complexity of dealing with the 'tobacco shackles,' " she said. "I am committed to helping others conquer this addiction so they may regain their freedom and possibly even save their own lives."
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Nov. 26, 2008
Quitting tobacco: A blessing this holiday season
By Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Hallmark season returns. It's that time of year when we start to turn our attention to the hype of the holidays. In the United States, we kick off the season with a couple of distinctive fetes that are unique to our country. The 3rd and 4th Thursdays of November we celebrate the Great American Smokeout and our Thanksgiving holiday, respectively. These are days worth recognizing and honoring — particularly for those of us working in, or coping with, tobacco dependence.
The Great American Smokeout, established by the American Cancer Society, was first observed in 1977. It is a day that many smokers use to kick off their quit and say "no thanks" to tobacco. Being that Thanksgiving closely follows, I think it's particularly important and meaningful to then shift focus to giving "thanks" for all the benefits and blessings of being smoke-free.
Some of the health benefits seen within the first week of being quit that your body may be grateful for include:
- Blood pressure and heart rate drop to normal
- Levels of oxygen in the blood increase
- The chance of a heart attack decreases
- Sense of taste and smell improve (just in time for turkey!)
Other things you might be thankful for are:
- Nice smelling hair, clothing, and breath
- Having more time to spend with family and loved ones
- Breathing better and feeling more energetic
- Saving money, especially during the holiday season
What are some of the other blessings in your life that could be a result of quitting smoking?
18 comments posted
November 17, 2009 7:09 p.m.
Hi, I'm a student at Metro State of Denver. I'm researching a new product possibility; the product would be a "Quit Smoking" aide that offers a stepping down approach. I am a former smoker myself but I'm addicted to Commit lozenges and they contain nicotine. I would still buy them if they had zero mg of nicotine but they don't offer that. I would like to market a product that does. Anyways, I made this survey for my research project and it would really help me if anyone could take it [smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers are all welcome] Thanks so much. -- Casey Here's the link to the survey. http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/206243/r2zgt
- Casey
October 11, 2009 5:42 a.m.
we have to make a tobbacco free nation. really its amazing to visualize it
- Ann, Carson
October 11, 2009 5:40 a.m.
Lets have some new safety brands which will avoid diseases
- Hugo, Zavala my site
December 17, 2008 8:16 a.m.
I quit smoking on Jan 30,1992 @ 10:20am. If I could give the world a gift, it would be to quit smoking! The best thing I ever did for myself. Locked them in the trunk of my car and the rule was I had to go get a cigarette one at a time! I was too lazy to make a trip to the car!!! Haven't smoked one since. :-)Caroline,The key to quitting is "YOU".."I will NOT poke myself in the eye ANYMORE"!!!! My husband never smoked (we've been married for 45 years) and he never once said anything about my smoking! How he stood it, I don't know! Give yourself the gift of life and don't EVER have JUST ONE!!!! Good Luck and God Bless You.
- Joan a quitter
December 16, 2008 5:36 p.m.
After six weeks on Wellbutrin, I stopped using cigarettes and began using the patch. I also talked daily the new friends I had made at NJ Quits. The on-line support was exremely helpful. It's been almost four years and I know I'll never smoke again.
- Mary
December 11, 2008 4:57 a.m.
A great benefit I havn´t read about is clean teeth! The residue from tobacco makes for a very sticky film, even with frequent visits to the dentist a black film forms around them. When my patients (I´m a dentist) and friends quit smoking,(or cut it in half) the cleaning lasts longer, their breath is sweet and their mouth general health improves.
- Claudia Perfetti
December 10, 2008 12:46 p.m.
I have been a none smoker for 20 years..I smoked 3 packs a day for 10-15 years. Always remember that you have to find the "reason" to quit. for the last 20 years it has been hard not to go back. But I breath better, my house and cars don't smell like smoke and I don't have to worry about the smoking laws!! Enjoy a smoke free life!!
- Ann
December 10, 2008 11:26 a.m.
Today is my last day for cigarettes. I have chronic bronchitis and my doctor told me to either quit smoking or be on oxygen in two years or less. I'm actually looking forward to it this time, not like the other times I tried to quit. To Caroline...You don't know how to quit. Chantix is wonderful. Taking it, I find myself doing things and then looking at the clock and thinking "Wow, I haven't smoked for 3 hours." It really does help and a good friend to encourage you is wonderful also. If not for anyone but yourself at least give it a try. I think you will be amazed and so proud of yourself. My children are absolutely thrilled that my husband and I are quitting. This will be their best Christmas ever. And whoever reads this, please say a prayer for me that I will have the will power and strength to carry this through. Thank you.
- Vicki
December 9, 2008 11:09 p.m.
I am four years tobacco free and it is so good to be out from under. I smoked for 45 years (not heavy) and I developed lung problems four years ago. After 11 days in the hospital without smoking the worse was over and I was to sick to realize that I had quit. I still think about smoking because I really enjoyed my cigarettes but the craving goes away as fast as it comes. It is never to late. QUIT NOW.
- Susan
December 9, 2008 8:23 p.m.
Four years ago I almost died from double pneumonia that hit me so quick I didn't know what was happening. I was in the hospital for two weeks and part of that time I was in ICU. They didn't think I was going to make it. If I hadn't quit smoking (heavy smoker for 25 years) 15 years before that I wouldn't be here today. I am so happy (and so is my family) that I was finally able to quit. I chewed Nicorette for quite awhile and even though I didn't like it I told myself I couldn't smoke but I could still chew Nicorette and that helped me to stay cigerette free. Every once in awhile I think of smoking but I know the urge will soon go away, so I don't smoke!
- Darlene
December 9, 2008 6:27 p.m.
Another benefit from stopping to smoke is the happiness you will bring your family and loved ones. No more will they worry so much about your getting lung cancer like they've seen another loved one die from. No longer will they give you a hug and think yuck! (from the bad smell). No longer will they worry about your children getting second hand smoke from your bad habits. No longer will they have to plan activities so you can smoke whenever you want or do without your company. No longer will they have to drive everywhere because your car smells like yuck too. Boy, I could name a few more, but this is enough. Thank goodness some of you have quit.
- Linda
December 9, 2008 4:39 p.m.
i dont know how to quit i need help
- carolyn
December 8, 2008 2:37 p.m.
I quit 5/28/08 after 30 years plus of smoking. Using Chantix for the 2nd time did it for me. This time I'm really done with it. I learned just one puff is way too many. Things smell so much fresher, food really tastes better too. Lets keep up our great acheivements.
- Froncine
December 4, 2008 9:43 a.m.
I am a non-smoker after 15 years of smoking (heavy, I should add) and I'm relieved I don't (have to) smoke anymore: no nasty smelling hair, breath or clothes.. free breathing.. Now, if only I could get rid of the allergies (heavy duty) that I have been suffering from since I quit smoking...
- Vanessa
December 4, 2008 6:24 a.m.
I quit February 4th of this year. My mother's hospital experience with lung cancer made me decide "never again". I've quit 4 or 5 times over the past 20 years, once as long as 7 years but, obviously, always started up again. This time I have had the usual thoughts of smoking, but I am not tempted like I used to be. Anyway, I'm thankful I quit because in September I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. The last thing I'd need is a harmful habit making everything worse. So for all you fatalists out there: Quit now! You never know what's around the corner. = )
- Nancy Comeaux
December 2, 2008 6:43 p.m.
I too highly recommend Chantix. I smoked for over 45 years and have tried various stop smoking methods to no avail. Chantix was the answer for me. It removes the URGE to smoke; but you have to stick to it and really WANT to QUIT; otherwise you are just deceiving yourself. It has only been 14 weeks but I know I have it tackled thanks to Chantix.
- Phyllis
December 2, 2008 8:25 a.m.
I'm on my 26th day of quiting. I highly recomend Chantix. I feel like a load has been lifted. I was born with asthma, and needless to say what smoking has done to my lungs for the past 20+ yrs.I'm really ashamed but now I have something to be glad about. Get Chandix, it will change your life!
- Stacey Baxter
November 30, 2008 7:27 p.m.
I quit smoking about 2 years ago, and I love the freedom that comes with quitting. I don't have to plan all my activities around when or if I'll be able to smoke. If you're still smoking, quit. It's the best thing you can do for yourself.
- Alan
18 comments posted