To those of us who live in areas of the country in which there is ‘daylight savings time’ the fall brings a special day each year. One Sunday every fall, on the night that the clocks are turned back to ‘standard time’, we gain a whole hour. This extra time is experienced as a welcome gift. Frequently you can hear people remark about that 'fall-back' day and how wonderful it is to have the extra time to sleep in, finish chores, or just do nothing.
Now, anyone who has stopped smoking during this past year or past few years, and is entering this fall season as a non-smoker, is also experiencing a gift of new-found time. The time gained is not just one precious hour, it is hours adding into years. You have gained hours no longer spent buying cigarettes, looking for a light, finding a place to smoke, or cleaning ashtrays. You’ve gained years of good quality time consisting of better breathing, healthier living, improved blood flow, happier friends and proud families.
As the fall begins, take a bit of this new found time to recognize the gift you’ve given yourself by becoming tobacco-free. Appreciate the time you save each day, each week, and each year. The joy we experience in setting the clocks back once each year is yours to cherish each and everyday. To share your story and to learn from others who are becoming smoke-free, visit the EX Community.
Dr. Richard D. Hurt is an internationally recognized expert on tobacco dependence. A native of Murray, Kentucky, he joined Mayo Clinic in 1976 and is now a Professor of Medicine at its College of Medicine. In 1988, he founded the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center and since then its staff has treated over 33,000 patients for tobacco dependence. Send your questions directly to Dr. Hurt at AskTheExpert@becomeanex.org
