How is everyone doing that has had their quit date pass? Good luck to all of those of you have a quit date that is appraoching. Here are a few things to remember to do right before you quit smoking.
The first step in forgetting an old flame is throwing out all the stuff that reminds you of “the way we were.”
So it’s time now to go through your house, your car and your workplace and toss out everything that has to do with smoking.
| Toss the easy-to-spot stuff like ashtrays and lighters but also do things like have the interior of your car cleaned to get rid of the tobacco stink. And while you’re in the car, why not take out that dashboard lighter and ashtray and store them on a shelf somewhere? |  |
| If you have a favorite smoking chair, put that away, too. Look around your life, and you’ll find plenty of things that are going to remind you of your old flame. Move them, hide them or toss them. |  |
Throw your clothes in the washer. There’s a smell to a smoker’s clothes, one you will not miss once you’ve quit smoking.
You might also want to visit your dentist. Your smoking has slowly made your teeth a lot yellower. A good cleaning can give an immediate boost to your self-esteem, as well as give you another reason to stay quit.
It’s time to gather supplies for your quit smoking date.
Have your nicotine replacements or other quit smoking medications ready. And remember, some of the non-nicotine medications require you to start taking them up to two weeks before your quit smoking date.
- Keep a water bottle around that you can refill. It makes getting a cleansing drink easier. It’ll also help keep your stomach full. An empty stomach can sometimes set off cravings. We recommend you carry a bottle of water with you for most of the first week after you’ve quit smoking.
- Buy things you can chew on: carrot sticks, celery, toothpicks, cinnamon sticks, sugarless candy, sugarless gum. Stock the fridge with healthy snacks and sprinkle the candy throughout your house, in the car and at work. Keep it all as handy as you did your cigarettes — right in your pocket is best.
- Get something for your hands to do. Get a squeeze toy or a handball.
- Make a list of your “Reasons I Want To Quit Smoking.” Post copies of it around your house, car and workplace.
- Do one last double-check to ensure that you haven’t overlooked a spare pack of cigarettes in the glove compartment or the pocket of an old coat.
- Download the mobile EX Plan. It’s an easy way to access the EX Plan when you are on the go.
All this stuff is important. Remember, the more things you do to stop smoking, the better off you’ll be on the day you quit smoking.
