You can quit smoking with a little help. If you’re anxious about quitting, this website will take you through the stages of quitting smoking step-by-step. You will learn how to get ready, how to quit, and how to make sure that you don’t relapse. You will also learn tips that make quitting easier.
You are probably at the stage where part of you wants to quit smoking, but part of you doesn’t.Maybe you’re worried about withdrawal, or afraid that you’ll fail. Put those thoughts aside for now. Focus on why you want to quit, and that will give you the motivation to succeed.
The good news about smoking is that it doesn't matter how much you’ve smoked, or how long you have smoked. If you quit now, your body will begin to repair itself and will take care of you even after years of neglect.
Stay Busy
- Plan lots of dates with friends. Get out of the house. Go for walks, bike rides, or go to the gym. Go to a movie. Be good to yourself.
- Keep your hands busy. Some people like to use a pen, a straw or a coffee stirrer.
- Drink lots of water.
- Call the people who have offered to help. Everyone understands how difficult this is. People will be happy that you’re doing it. Don’t try to do it alone.
- If you just sit there with your cravings, you are giving them room to grow.
- Relax and breathe deeply.
Avoid High Risk Situations
- Don’t hang out with smokers. That’s like a crack addict hanging out with crack addicts. No matter how friendly and supportive your smoking friends are, they are still a high risk environment for at least the first several months.
- Practice saying, “No thank you, I don’t smoke anymore.”
- Understand that you will encounter high risk situations that you haven’t thought of. If you find yourself triggered, plan to get up and leave quickly.
- A change of scenery can make all the difference.
Talk to Yourself
- Most cravings only last 10 - 20 minutes. Distract yourself, and the cravings will pass. When you think about using, talk to yourself and keep yourself busy.
- “I refuse to believe that smoking is more powerful than me.”
- “I won’t give smoking any more power over my life.”
- “I chose to be a non-smoker.”
- “One day at a time.”
