Something you need to remember: no two journeys to quit smoking are the same. There are hundreds of tips and tricks out there to help you come up with a game plan to quit. But, we believe these ten tips will be fundamental in helping you start your new life without cigarettes.
1. Set Your Quit Date
Once you’ve decided that you want to quit smoking for good, it’s time to set your plan in stone. Identify the reasons you have for quitting smoking. Maybe it’s the health of your family members or loved ones – check out our blog on the devastating consequences that secondhand smoke can have on them. Then, set your quit date. If you’ve failed to quit in the past, think about whether you want to try to quit gradually or immediately. Remember, setting goals is useless unless they’re set in stone. Write your plan down and find an accountability partner!
2. Do Your Homework
Okay, so no-one likes homework – but quitting smoking is a lot easier when you know your stuff! Being aware of the facts is going to help you quit. You can find out more about nicotine addiction and its consequences at support groups, or on websites such as the American Lung Association and smokefree.gov. Reading about your own chance of contracting lung cancer or heart disease is likely to be a motivator! As well as health risks, you can learn about quit-smoking strategies, nicotine replacement products and how other peoples have managed to stop smoking.
3. Make Money a Motivator
You would be amazed by how much you can save from quitting! Set the background on your home screen to the holiday you’re saving for, or tell your partner that you’re going to treat them to dinner out this week with the money you save. It’s a great motivator because you’ll start feeling good about quitting within days!
4. Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Nicotine cravings are your enemy. They are what causes withdrawal symptoms, which means they are sat directly between you and your goal of becoming a non-smoker. The chemical dependence that builds up when we smoke is the reason going cold turkey is so hard. However, there are ways to wean yourself away from nicotine which doesn’t involve smoking. We’re talking nicotine gum, nicotine patches or anything else which can help you tackle withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and irritability. Nicotine dependence is a tough one to crack, so if a bit of chewing gum can help you out instead of a ciggie, we think it’s worth considering!
5. Identify Your Triggers
Nicotine addiction is a weird beast. It often takes the form of what we call an associative addiction, which is why you see a lot of “social smokers” trying to pinch a cigarette when they’re a few drinks down. You associate nicotine with another experience, meaning when you have that experience you crave a cigarette. Maybe that experience is nipping out for a quick cigarette break with your co-workers, or maybe it’s the first morning coffee of the day. Identify what your triggers are and incorporate them into the plan of action (which you’ve already created if you’ve read this far!)
6. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!
We’re guessing that if you’re a smoker (particularly a heavy one) then exercise might not be your number one passion. However, it’s a rewarding habit to replace smoking cigarettes with – now that you’re on your journey towards quitting it’s time to rediscover the joys of getting out there again!
Wondering about health coverage and seeing an expert about nicotine withdrawals? Look no further than Healthedly! Our agents are ready to help you find the right provider asap! Call us at 855-522-2201.
