HOW TO QUIT
SMOKING…????
We all know the health risks of smoking, and most of us know that
kicking the habit is the single biggest improvement to health a smoker can make.
But that doesn’t make it any easier to kick the habit. Whether you’re a teen
smoker or a lifetime pack-a-day smoker, quitting can be tough.
To increase your chances of success, you need to be motivated,
have social support, an understanding of what to expect, and a personal game
plan. It is possible to learn how to replace your smoking habits, manage
your cravings, and join the millions of people who have kicked the habit for
good.
Questions To Ask Yourself
To successfully
detach from smoking, you will need to identify and address your smoking habits,
the true nature of your dependency, and the techniques that work for you. These
types of questions can help:
- Do you feel the need to smoke at every
meal?
- Are you more of a social smoker?
- Is it a very bad addiction (more than a
pack a day)? Or would a simple nicotine patch do the job?
- Is your cigarette smoking linked to
other addictions, such as alcohol or gambling?
- Are you open to hypnotherapy and/or
acupuncture?
- Are you someone who is open to talking
about your addiction with a therapist or counselor?
- Are you interested in getting into a
fitness program?
Take the time to
think of what kind of smoker you are, which moments of your life call for a
cigarette, and why. This will help you to identify which tips, techniques or
therapies may be most beneficial for you.
S = Set a
quit date.
T = Tell
family, friends, and co-workers that you plan to quit.
A = Anticipate
and plan for the challenges you'll face while quitting.
R =
Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work.
T = Talk
to your doctor about getting help to quit.
Tips For Managing Other Cigarette Cravings
Cravings associated with meals
For some smokers, ending a meal means lighting up, and the
prospect of giving that up may appear daunting. TIP: replace that moment after
a meal with something such as a piece of fruit, a (healthy) dessert, a square
of chocolate, or a stick of gum.
Alcohol and cigarettes
Many people have a habit of smoking when they have an alcoholic
drink. TIP: try non-alcoholic drinks, or try drinking only in bars,
restaurant-bars, or friends’ houses where smoking inside is prohibited. Or try
snacking on nuts and chips, or chewing on a straw or cocktail stick.
Cravings associated with social smoking
When friends, family, and co-workers smoke around you, it is
doubly difficult to quit or avoid relapse. TIP: Your social circles need to
know that you are changing your habits so talk about your decision to quit. Let
them know they won’t be able to smoke when you’re in the car with them or
taking a coffee break together.
In your workplace, don’t take all your coffee breaks with smokers
only, do something else instead, or find non-smokers to have your breaks with.
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