5 Keys to Quitting
Vaping is not a good way to quit smoking.
Research has found it may be even harder to quit.
Get Ready:
Set a QUIT DATE
Change your environment
Get rid of ash trays, lighters in your home, car and work area
Create “No smoking zones” in your living spaces. Don’t let other people smoke in your home or car.
Review your previous attempts at quitting to determine what worked and what did not; take time to brainstorm some new strategies.
Once you quit, don’t smoke –NOT EVEN A PUFF!
Get a Support Group:
Tell your friends, family and coworkers that you are quitting and you want their support. Ask for the support of the smokers in your life.
Talk to your health care provider or a smoking cessation counselor
Get individual, group or telephone counseling. The more help you have, the better.
Learn New Skills and Behaviors:
Try to distract yourself from the urges to smoke. Try talking to someone, going for a walk, or engaging in a task or hobby particularly one that keeps your hands busy.
Create a delay start time for yourself so that every time you want to smoke you wait a certain number of minutes; may want to use a timer.
Change your routines.
Use a different route to work, drink tea instead of coffee, or eat breakfast in a different place.
If there is something you always associate with smoking, stop that activity or change it as much as possible.
Buy cheaper cigarettes so you don’t enjoy them as much.
Place picture of something that is being affected by your smoking habit inside clear cellophane on the outside of the cigarette package (children, family member, item you are unable to purchase or activity you cannot physically do because of cigarette use).
Put a limited number of cigarettes in the package you keep with you.
Do something different to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, pray, meditate, read a book or listen to music.
Plan something enjoyable, take up a new hobby or make a new friend.
Drink a lot of water and other fluids and generally increase health consciousness.
Get Medication and Use it Correctly:
Ask your health care provider for advice about medications that can help you stop smoking. Carefully read the product information and use as prescribed.
If you’re pregnant, nursing, trying to become pregnant, under the age of 18, smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes per day or have a medical condition, talk to your health care provider before taking medications.
Be Prepared for Relapse or Difficult Situations:
Don’t be surprised if you experience some weight gain or bouts of depression. You can get through this if you take care of yourself and seek the support of others.
Don’t put yourself in situations that will make the path forward more difficult. For instance, it may be best to avoid alcohol and smokers. Stay focused!
suggestions from Family Health Center