A better life in 15 minutes

About twelve years ago, I quit smoking. The week I quit, I had an argument with Beau van Erven Dorens (I was the editor-in-chief of RTL Boulevard and Beau was the presenter at that time) and I ended the friendship with one of my oldest friends.

Both particularly legitimate reasons to immediately reach for a cigarette. I didn't do it thanks to a pretty brilliant tip from a friend of mine. I had to write down the moment I felt an uncontrollable urge for Marlboro Light, Barclay Menthol (yes, very bad…) or Marlboro Medium and then wait five minutes. Then the urge would pass. The was the tip that worked best and now, 12 years later, I am still clean.

This advice also seems to work for candy. Chocolate and other unhealthy cravings. The University of Innsbruck conducted research and it turned out that when people had cravings for unhealthy things and walked for 15 minutes (okay, that's a bit longer than five but still quite manageable) the craving was completely gone.

And then you also walked for 15 minutes. Double success, then. My friend Asjha could have told you that right away, but still, it's always nice to know you have science on your side. So if tonight your hand reaches for that bag of chips: put it back and go for a walk. Right now!

PS Between Beau and me, everything was fine again the next morning, and that friend and I, we weren’t meant to be.