Don’t just quit smoking – Plan to Quit...

Discuss what other people think of smoking in general and specifically what they think of YOU smoking. Take notice of how smokers are perceived by non-smokers. Note the bad sides of smoking and how it affects you and those around you. Watch yourself smoking in a mirror, reflective window or even via a camcorder!

Find some ex smokers and ask them how they managed to quit, have a browse with google and find some blogs from successful quitters. Tell those around you that you are trying to stop; maybe they can suggest some alternatives to smoking that are less dangerous to your health and wellbeing. If you do feel that strong desire to light a cigarette, try and delay it, wait as long as you can before giving in to your bodies demands,Image by Aaron Edwards via Flickr consider why you feel the need to smoke, and also consider how other people would feel if you gave into the urge. If you do manage to resist the temptation give yourself a pat on the back and a reward – it seems you are now more tuned into your smoking patterns.

Some people find it’s a good idea to keep a diary (or even an online blog such as blogger.com) and try to track your smoking patterns. Try to discover when you are less or more likely to need a cigarette. Have a look on the internet for some techniques to reduce stress. See if you can take up a hobby, sport or activity that would make smoking harder, i.e. it’s hard to smoke when swimming, skydiving or playing badminton.

Before you even attempt to quit try to and keep an honest record of the amount you smoke each day, you may be surprised as most people who do smoke try and underplay their habits and will admit to 10 a day when the true number is nearer to 20 a day! Reduce the amount of cigarettes you buy at a time – instead of buying a bulk pack of 200 just buy a single pack at a time. Make a chart of the main reasons you would like to stop smoking and fix it you your fridge door. Start smoking a little later every day, if your first cigarette is usually as soon as you get up at 7am then try having your first ciggie 10 minutes later each day, after a week of this your first cigarette is around 8 am and this can be a surprisingly effective method of reducing your daily cigarette count.
Ask friends, work colleagues and your family for their tips and pointers, there are tons of tried and tested methods and everyone is different so don’t give up on giving up!

Once you have set a date for quitting – publicise it, make sure everyone around you knows about it, avoid areas where people are likely to be smoking. Be prepared for those moments when your desire to smoke is at its worst, try and be ready for those moments with an action plan to get past those hurdles. Image by Getty Images via Daylife As you approach your quitting date make the gaps between lighting your cigarettes longer and longer, if you can cut out every other cigarette, as your nicotine levels are reduced you should find quitting easier. Avoid alcohol; drinking alcohol will definitely weaken your resolve. Get a coffee jar, label it as your quit find and try and put the money your saving into it every day, you’ll be amazed at how much money you actually were spending on tobacco.

Once you reach your “quit smoking day”, do everything humanly possible to take your mind off smoking, this is far from easy but try and take part in activities which you enjoy and which will help you to avoid smoking. Gather up all the ashtrays in your home and throw them out, you’re not going to need them anymore are you? Have your car valeted, vacuum your house from top to bottom and make sure to have fresh flowers to take away those stale smoke odours, take your favourite clothes to the dry cleaners. As you end your first day reward yourself with a treat and celebrate your first 24 hours smoke free.

2 Responses to “Don’t just quit smoking – Plan to Quit Smoking”

1. Finally! Be free from smoking » Don't just quit smoking - Plan to Quit Smoking Says:
   June 11th, 2008 at 9:23 am

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2. smoker how to Says:
   July 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

   [...] Take notice of how smokers are perceived by non-smokers. Note the bad sides of smoking and how…http://www.smokinghelper.com/dont-just-quit-smoking-plan-to-quit-smoking/Finger on the Button New York TimesTo the [...]

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